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The WAVE Report on Digital Media 3D --- Media Creation --- Shared Space ---Published by 4th Wave, Inc.--- Issue #0614------------------4/7/06 |
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0614.2 Digital Broadcast Television
Strategy Analytics: Caution Required For Over Hyped Mobile Pay TV Market
0614.3 Passenger Train WiFi
0614.4 Site Surveys
BVS Releases New GPS-Based Wi-Fi 802.11b/g Site Survey Software
0614.5 Visual Reality
0614.6 Plasma Displays
LG Electronics Announces Retail Availability of World's Largest Plasma Display in Production
0614.7 Nonotechnology Advances
0614.8 Nanotechnology Initatives
148 Global Corporations Have Nanotechnology Initiatives Today, 290 Will in 2008
0614.9 Restoring Identity
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0614.1 Power Cells
***Lithium Technology Corporation Delivers a New Lithium Ion Battery System For Hybrid Car Project In Europe
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa.
April 4, 2006
Lithium Technology Corporation, a manufacturer in the rapidly emerging large format rechargeable Lithium battery market, has announced that it has delivered, through its wholly owned German subsidiary GAIA Akkumulatorenwerke GmbH in Germany, a Li-ion battery for a hybrid vehicle that is being developed by UK based automotive technology specialists Zytek Systems as part of the Energy Saving Trust's Ultra-Low Carbon Car Challenge (ULCCC).
In March 2005, Zytek was awarded grant funding from the Energy Saving Trust for the 2nd phase of their ULCCC project to develop a new high efficiency, dual mode hybrid vehicle. The vehicle is based on the new Smart forfour and will utilize a hybrid power train based on 1500cc, 3-cylinder turbo charged diesel engine coupled to 2 high-efficiency permanent-magnet electric motors.
Zytek has ordered three Li-ion batteries with output of 288 V, a capacity of 7.5 Ah (or about 2.2 kWh of energy) and with a capability to deliver 25 kW of power. These batteries can be charged by either the ICE, by regenerative breaking, or by household mains (plug-in hybrid), and will have a modest all-electric range. The first battery has been installed in the vehicle and road tests will commence shortly. The remaining two batteries will be delivered in April 2006.
LTC, together with Zytek and I+ME, have jointly developed an improved version of the Battery Management System (BMS) to include additional safety features and to control the charging of the battery from the mains. The BMS will also communicate with the vehicles energy management system for better efficiency and control.
0614.2 Digital Broadcast Television
***Strategy Analytics: Caution Required For Over Hyped Mobile Pay TV Market; Investment in Broadcast Network Services Are Premature
BOSTON
April 4, 2006
Strategy Analytics, a global research and consulting company, has released, "Mobile Broadcast TV: Caution Needed as Bubble Grows." This report from the Strategy Analytics Wireless Internet Applications Service concludes that the current hype surrounding broadcast mobile TV services remains out of proportion to evidence of consumer interest and willingness to pay. Demand for mobile TV in the short to medium term will be met adequately by carriers as they upgrade their networks to HSDPA and introduce 3G multicasting technologies such as MBMS/BMCS. Consequently, a rush to heavy investment in new digital networks cannot be justified.
Developments in mobile digital TV continue to be driven by the vendor community. The arrival of DVB-H and DMB handsets and networks into the market is forcing carriers to evaluate strategic positioning in this nascent area through a number of trials and pilot schemes. Senior Analyst, Nitesh Patel, states, "Although a large proportion of the carrier community is assessing DVB-H, T-DMB, and MediaFlo, their motivation is out of fear and uncertainty rather than opportunity. Network operators should control service delivery over their own infrastructure, since demand can be met adequately by cellular based multicast technologies such as MBMS, when it becomes available in 2007. However, the window of opportunity for MBMS will be limited, given that dominant handset vendors Nokia and Samsung are aggressively pushing digital broadcast technologies today."
Strategy Analytics predicts that the mobile TV format battle will eventually be won by DVB-H, ahead of DMB and Qualcomm's FLO.
http://www.strategyanalytics.com
***BART and Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Release Request for Information (RFI) to Develop a Network for Providing Passengers and Train Operators with Wireless Broadband Connections While Moving at Full Speed on Passenger Trains
Oakland
March 31, 2006
BART/Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCPJA), the operators of the Capitol Corridor commuter train, are asking the telecommunications industry to help them take the next big step in providing mobile broadband services, including Internet, email, Virtual Private Network (VPN) access, video downloads and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to their riders’ laptops, PDAs and cell phones—while the Capitol Corridor train is moving at full speed between Auburn and San Jose. Results of the initial technical trials will lead toward procurement of a system-wide network, a process that is being watched by passenger rail providers around the world.
CCJPA wants to establish technical trials that will demonstrate the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a broadband network along the railway that can support bandwidth-intensive, real-time applications. Wi-Fi will provide connectivity within the train to riders, train staff and remote devices. Wi-Fi traffic will be backhauled to base stations along the tracks, or to satellites. CCJPA has adopted a technology-neutral approach for the backhaul connection and welcomes proposals that are based on different technologies.
The RFI invites national and international wireless carriers, equipment vendors, system integrators, enterprise solution providers and other members of the telecommunications community to submit proposals. CCJPA will evaluate submittals, select three of best proposals, and allow the winners to install their own networks and equipment, at their own expense, along sections of the test track, the Capitol Corridor’s 171 miles of right-of-way. CCJPA will supply rail cars for the equipment, room in the various stations for more equipment and collaborate with the winners to ensure that their needs for the technical trials are met. Winners must set up networks that cover at least three contiguous stations unless using a satellite solution. The trials are expected to last six months.
Some of the services that the broadband network will support are:
- Web browsing
- Email access
- VPN access to corporate networks
- File upload and download
- VoIP to place and receive voice calls over the Internet
- High-speed video and audio streaming
- Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) surveillance and monitoring to ensure safety on trains
- Electronic ticketing and management of passenger information
- Transmission of train diagnostic information.
At the end of the process, the CCJPA will use the trial results to form the basis for a competitive bid process (slated for the first quarter of 2007) to build a state-of-the-art network that serves the entire Capitol Corridor. Major transit agencies throughout California and the United States have already contacted CCJPA, and will be monitoring closely the progress of the technical tests.
http://senzafiliconsulting.com
***BVS Releases New GPS-Based Wi-Fi 802.11b/g Site Survey Software
METUCHEN, New Jersey.
March 31, 2006
Berkeley Varitronics Systems, Inc, has announced new Wi-Fi mapping software providing coverage graphing with contours.
Drone combines the power of realtime Yellowjacket Wi-Fi measurements with GPS geo-coding accuracy.
1. Import your survey bitmap to your iPAQ.
2. Geo-code your projection file.
3. Scan your Wi-Fi network on your iPAQ (using YellowjacketPLUS calibrated hardware).
4. Analyze & Plot all your coverage data on your PC.
Drone automatically scans all 802.11b/g channels correlating them to your exact location making it effective for coverage validation studies on foot or in vehicle. GPS measurements provide both LAT and LON as well as time stamping for a complete Wi-Fi survey path anywhere in the world. RSSI, MAC and SSID survey data may be laid out in multiple graphical and tabular windows and may be exported further into KML files for plotting in applications such as Google Earth. Drone requires Yellowjacket PLUS hardware and is available immediately.
Yellowjacket is a calibrated wireless receiver system that interfaces with HP's iPAQ PocketPC in sweeping, analyzing and optimizing 2.4 or 5 GHz Wi-Fi Networks. Yellowjacket has the distinction of being the only true RF spectrum analysis and direction finding too by accurate to within 1 dB all in the palm of your hand. Berkeley's calibrated receiver sweeps and measures all RF energy as well as on each of the channels for detailed network inspection of any nearby 802.11 APs or STAs. Yellowjacket is a passive, network independent device with the ability to see the "whole picture" as well as pinpointing channel interference and hackers that plague so many 802.11 WISPs and Hotspots.
***VRCO Joins Autodesk Conductor Program, Provides Conduit Software Plug-In for VR Interaction, Driven by PC Clusters, in Fakespace Immersive Environments
ALEXANDRIA, Va.
March 27, 2006
VRCO and its affiliate Fakespace Systems, together the world's leading providers of real-time immersive visualization systems and software, today announced the availability of Conduit software for AliasStudio 13, formerly known as Alias StudioTools. As a member of the Autodesk Conductor Program, VRCO integrated Conduit as a plug-in to AliasStudio, thereby allowing designers to view and interact with native, three dimensional (3D) AliasStudio models in large-scale, interactive stereoscopic environments such as the Fakespace Power Wall, walk-in immersive rooms or high-resolution tiled displays driven by Windows PC clusters.
The advanced visualization capabilities of Conduit enable creative designers to move beyond desktop tools to better manage the tight deadlines and development demands caused by rapidly changing consumer trends. Viewing photorealistic virtual prototypes in one-to-one or larger scale, with the added insight of stereoscopic depth, can reduce the number of physical models required for design reviews and thereby save time, money and shorten development cycles. Realistic virtual prototypes also improve collaboration among design teams for better decision making. For sales and marketing applications, immersive viewing enhances customer research, creates more powerful presentations and engages potential customers for better understanding of design alternatives. As a graphics distribution middleware, Conduit duplicates the flow of 3D commands to multiple PC graphics channels and pipelines, creating stereoscopic image formats and accommodating for the multiple graphics outputs needed by advanced, large-scale immersive and interactive displays. For more natural interaction with computer generated models, Conduit gives AliasStudio users the advantages of more advanced VR features such as motion tracking that provides realistic perspectives as the viewer moves around a model. Conduit also enables intuitive navigation and manipulation of models with wireless virtual wands and gloves.
The ability to work with native AliasStudio data in immersive environments has additional productivity benefits. Previously, in order to view 3D models in VR environments, engineers would have to convert their data to a third party viewing application, which typically required a software specialist and a significant amount of time. Furthermore, the conversion process often resulted in data integrity loss or compromises in image quality. The use of the Conduit plug-in eliminates the need for data conversion thereby saving time and ensuring the best quality data to support decision making.
Available from VRCO, Conduit for AliasStudio can be integrated into existing software and/or visualization environments. VRCO and Fakespace can also design and provide complete, turnkey visualization solutions to meet specific customer requirements.
***LG Electronics Announces Retail Availability of World's Largest Plasma Display in Production
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.
April 6
LG Electronics continues to reshape the digital display landscape with the announcement of the U.S. availability of its 71-inch Plasma High-Definition Monitor (MW-71PY10), the largest in production worldwide. Reaffirming the company's position as a consumer electronics industry leader, the mammoth plasma offers consumers the finest in home entertainment with the most vivid and realistic viewing experience.
Kicking-off the introduction of the 71-inch plasma to the U.S. market, LG hosted two exclusive, invitation-only red carpet events -- one at Ken Cranes Home Entertainment in West Los Angeles and the other just north of New York City at Sixth Avenue Electronics in Paramus, N.J.
Guests at both events had the chance to get up-close and personal with the 71-inch plasma and, for the first time, purchase the only display measured in feet, not inches. Attendees of the East Coast celebration also had the opportunity to meet "Dancing with the Stars" celebrity, Stacy Keibler, who helped LG and Sixth Avenue Electronics celebrate the private unveiling.
The MW-71PY10 boasts 1920x1080p display resolution, making it among the first plasma displays to offer the full HD specification, about twice the resolution of conventional plasma displays. The unit also incorporates LG's proprietary XD Engine technology, which takes the low resolution of analog signals to near high-definition levels, providing consumers with better overall picture quality and viewing experience. This offering can be broken down into six distinct processes that help to improve brightness, enhance detail, and apply more accurate color and noise reduction with film-like high- resolution.
Advanced connectivity options include HDMI and DVI inputs, both with HDCP for digital connection. Multiple HD component inputs as well as composite and S-Video provide flexible options for a variety of source components. There is also an RGB input for PC connectivity. Flexible PIP, split-zoom and twin- picture features allows sub-windows to be moved, resized, swapped, and split into multiple windows (up to nine). With a 1,200:1 contrast ratio, the display offers a crisp, colorful viewing experience. The 71-inch plasma also boasts multiple LG technologies to minimize the likelihood of image retention.
A two-year limited warranty on parts and labor is standard with the MW- 71PY10. One of the industry's most aggressive programs for PDPs, the warranty extends two years from the date of purchase.
0614.7 Nonotechnology Advances
***Nanotechnologists at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Enter the Guinness Book of World Records
HONOLULU
April 6, 2006
The smallest nanotube brushes with bristles more than thousand times finer than a human hair have been created by researchers of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy (Dr. Pulickel M. Ajayan), NY, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa (Mr. Vinod P. Veedu, Dr. Anyuan Cao and Dr. Mehrdad N. Ghasemi-Nejhad), Honolulu, Hawaii.
These brushes can be used for sweeping up nano-dust, as electronic micro-switches, painting micro capillaries and even cleaning up pollutants in water. The bristles' secret is carbon nanotubes, tiny straw-like molecules just 30 billionths of a meter (30 nm) across. They are incredibly tough and yet flexible enough that they will yield when pushed from the side. The scientists grow bristles from hot, carbon-laden gas on to threads of silicon carbide finer than baby's hair. The researchers show how the brushes can sweep up piles of nano-dust. They have also shown that the brushes can be used to paint microstructures - dipped into a solution of iron oxide (rust), the minute brush hairs will pick up the red oxide particles which can then be wiped on to a bare surface. With the bristles coated in absorbent materials, the brushes will soak up toxic silver ions from contaminated water. Because of their strength, resistance to abrasion, and pliability, the nanobrushes may prove superior to macroscopic metal brushes in high-power motors. Conventional brush bristles, made of animal hairs, synthetic polymer fibers, and metal wires, are flimsy and prone to breaking down at the nano-scale. To work at the nano-scale, researchers realized that a different kind of material was needed. The small size, strength, elasticity, and ability to conduct electricity make carbon nanotubes as ideal bristle material at the nano-scale.
This work was a collaborative research conducted by the University of Hawaii (UH) at Manoa in Honolulu, Hawaii and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York. The UH research team was lead by Prof. Mehrdad Ghasemi-Nejhad who also directs the Hawaii Nanotechnology Laboratory (HNL). Dr. Anyuan Cao is the associate director of HNL. Vinod Veedu is a PhD student at the UH department of mechanical engineering and conducts research at HNL. The RPI team was lead by Dr. Pulickel Ajayan, the Henry Burlage Professor of Materials Science and Engineering. Dr. Ajayan is a world-renowned expert in nanotechnology. Their work was reported in the journal Nature Materials in July 2005.
0614.8 Nanotechnology Initatives
***148 Global Corporations Have Nanotechnology Initiatives Today, 290 Will in 2008
NEW YORK
April 5, 2006
With U.S. President George Bush and Procter & Gamble CEO Alan Lafley highlighting nanotechnology in recent speeches, nanotech is clearly no longer just a far-future science exercise - executives expect measurable commercial results from this field of innovation in the next four years. Lux Research has provided clients with the key lessons from a proprietary analysis of nanotechnology's impact on 76 industries during the launch of Lux Research Interactive, the advisory firm's new series of client-only conference calls. Based on the new report "How Industry Leaders Organize for Nanotech Innovation", the Lux Research Interactive session provided clients with best practices on how market leaders are structuring their organizations to take advantage of emerging technologies based on the physical sciences.
According to Lux Research, there have been significant increases in corporate nanotechnology activity in the last 18 months, with companies now firmly staking out their competitive positions. Many large corporations are already selling products that incorporate emerging nanotechnology, and scores of others are in late-stage product development or trials. But even the leaders say they're not organized effectively, and many of their competitors have not even begun to set up shop.
To gauge nanotechnology's effect on global businesses and their readiness for change, Lux Research analyzed 1,331 of the world's largest companies and interviewed leading executives at 35 of the most pioneering ones directly. These corporations put $3.2 billion into nanotech R&D in 2005 and earned $32 billion in revenues from nanotech-related products. Among Lux Research's findings:
-- Nanotechnology will impact different industries in radically different ways. In high-impact industries like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and aerospace, companies like Merck and Boeing will develop wholly new product lines, find cost reduction/performance improvements on the order of 20% or more, and need to develop new processes for innovations like drug-device hybrids and roll-to-roll printable electronic devices. Even in medium-impact sectors like automotive and food, companies like Ford and Kraft are seeing large incremental improvements that will be felt at the bottom line as nanotechnology makes hybrid vehicles run longer and functional foods deliver more nutrition.
-- Today 148 firms have structured nanotech initiatives, doubling to 290 in 2008. By then, corporate nanotech R&D spending will increase to $12 billion; 80% of high-impact companies will have nanotech in normal product development, and many of the 217 firms seeing a medium level of impact from nanotechnology will have formalized today's loose projects.
Lux Research Interactive marks Lux Research's newest service available to global corporations, investors, and governments.
***ANPAC Provides Advocacy for Victims of Identity Theft; Partnership Offers New ID Theft Restoration Services
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.
April 5, 2006
American National Property And Casualty Company (ANPAC) has announced a new identity theft protection service provided in partnership with Identity Theft 911, the recognized leader in identity theft resolution, defense and education. The service will help clients restore their identity, in the event they become a victim of identity theft. Identity Theft 911 will also provide ANPAC clients with proactive educational material, to help them protect themselves against America's fastest growing crime.
Clients with Secure I.D. from ANPAC who become a victim of identity theft will now have a personal advocate to direct and assist them through the challenges of identity restoration. The service includes: assistance in placing credit file fraud alerts; completing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fraud affidavit; making phone calls to police departments, creditors, collection agencies and credit rating agencies; and setting up a case file for insurance claims and law enforcement investigations. The personal advocate assigned to the case works one-on-one with the fraud victim every step of the way. Furthermore, identity theft victims receive a full year of credit and fraud monitoring.
Surprisingly, the majority of identity theft cases do not result in substantial out-of-pocket expenses for victims; rather, the most significant losses are time and a sense of personal security. Without assistance, victims can lose over 20 days of work trying to restore their identity. Identity Theft 911's service eliminates these problems and helps victims with the challenges of identity theft restoration.
Identity Theft 911 provides enterprise-level fraud solutions to Fortune 500 companies, a wide spectrum of financial institutions, colleges and universities, and many of America's largest insurance companies and corporate benefits providers. Identity Theft 911 is a leader in identity theft victim resolution, defense and education, with more than five million households currently included in its retainer-based program. The Company's cutting-edge products include: RB421, retainer-based blanket resolution and proactive education; IDR911, identity disaster response; SBR911, security breach response; and ITA911, identity travel assistance. Online Banking Report named Identity Theft 911 one of "the 10 most significant innovations and developments of 2003."
http://www.identitytheft911.com
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Copyright 2006 4th WAVE, Inc.
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