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The WAVE Report on Digital Media 3D --- Media Creation --- Shared Space ---Published by 4th Wave, Inc.--- Issue #0616------------------4/21/06 |
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Microsoft Brings Programming to the Masses with Visual Studio Express
0616.2 Mobile Phone Growth
New Additions + Targeted Segmentation = 900M+ Cellular Handsets in 2006, According to ABI Research
0616.3 Broadband Expands
In-Stat Forecasts More Than 400 Million Global Broadband Subscribers by 2010
0616.4 Wireless Video Security
SMC Networks New Wireless IP Cameras Add Site Security to the Network
0616.5 Discarded Disc Purge
0616.6 Flat Panel Flexible Backplane
Princeton University Institute Awarded USDC Contract for Flexible Backplane Development
0616.7 eBooks Expanding
Publishers Report Continued Increases in eBook Revenue for 2005
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0616.1 Application Releases
***Microsoft Brings Programming to the Masses with Visual Studio Express
REDMOND, Wash.
April 19
At this weekend's Maker Faire, Microsoft Corp. will display how a variety of innovative companies are using its now-free Visual Studio 2005 Express editions to bring the power of code to the growing community of 18 million recreational and hobbyist developers. Since the launch of the Visual Studio and SQL Server Express editions on Nov. 7, 2005, a strong community has built up around the products and the various editions have been downloaded more than 5 million times. Much of this excitement is due in part to the diverse range of partners that have chosen to take advantage of the Visual Studio Express editions to empower a wide range of software enthusiast communities and give them the resources to customize their experiences.
Microsoft also released new learning content on the MSDN Coding4Fun Web site, providing tools and resources for the community to get up and running quickly. The Visual Studio 2005 Express editions now join the SQL Server 2005 Express editions as a no-cost offering within the Microsoft application platform.
Coupled with Microsoft SQL Server Express, the Visual Studio Express editions provide a tool that meets the needs of a wide range of software enthusiasts, including beginning Windows developers, hobbyist Web developers, amateur game developers and even hardware developers. All the editions of Visual Studio Express will be offered as free downloads: Visual Web Developer Express, Visual Basic Express, Visual C# Express, Visual C++ Express and Visual J# Express.
The Visual Studio Express and SQL Server Express editions will be on display for the growing hobbyist community at this weekend's Maker Faire in San Mateo, Calif. Put on by O'Reilly Media Inc.'s Make Magazine, Maker Faire is a family-friendly event designed to celebrate science and technology projects and the do-it-yourself mindset.
A Sprouting Ecosystem for Express Empowers Wide Range of Software Enthusiasts
The LEGO Group, eBay and Phidgets USA are a few examples of the types of companies that have chosen to support the Visual Studio Express editions to bring the power of code to a growing community on software enthusiasts. Working in conjunction with LEGO, Microsoft created an application that enables the robotics community to use Visual Studio Express to program their LEGO MINDSTORMS robots to do specific commands, such as maneuvering around obstacles, and control them from their computer keyboard or mouse. Hardware developers can use Visual Studio Express editions and the interface kits and other electronic components provided by Phidgets USA to build a wide array of electrical gadgets and robots all controlled with software.
eBay is also helping empower its entrepreneurial developer community by providing a Visual Web Developer Express starter kit, which includes pre-built functionality and templates to allow developers to tap into eBay Web services to quickly and easily build eBay-enabled applications.
Visual Studio Express and SQL Server Express on Display at Maker Faire
At this weekend's Maker Faire, show attendees can experience firsthand the types of projects they can build with Visual Studio Express and SQL Server Express, including the .NET Interface for LEGO MINDSTORMS, an application that simulates a "Dance Dance Revolution" arcade game, and another that enables remote home automation such as monitoring your home's temperature using instant message commands. They will also be the first to experience some of the new learning content available to help people get started, including seven new starter kits and downloadable demos on Coding4Fun.
Those who decide to test out the Visual Studio 2005 Express editions will have the opportunity to submit their projects to Microsoft's Made in Express Contest, which was designed to highlight cool people doing cool things with the Visual Studio and SQL Server Express products. Attendees can also expect to experiment with the new Ultra-Mobile PC and a Portable Media Center device, as well as watch the Finalizer BattleBot in action.
Availability and Additional Information
The Visual Studio 2005 Express editions are available for download today from MSDN at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/express
More information on Maker Faire and the new learning content available to get developers started can be found on Microsoft's Coding4Fun Web site at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/coding4fun
Developers can submit their applications to the Made in Express Contest via the following link:
http://www.madeinexpresscontest.com/
Additional details on what to expect at Maker Faire can be found by visiting
***New Additions + Targeted Segmentation = 900M+ Cellular Handsets in 2006, According to ABI Research
OYSTER BAY, N.Y.
April 18, 2006
The mobile handset market looks set to take a curious path over the next year as it is fuelled by two distinctly different forces. On one hand, the growing segmentation of saturated markets has prompted a rise in replacement rates. On the other hand, new subscriber additions in emerging markets continue to add to the baseline. These forces are examined in some of the key findings of the latest quarterly update to ABI Research's Mobile Devices Research Service.
Looking at developed markets, it is apparent that market segmentation has gathered pace and the blurry lines between segments are beginning to solidify. Co-author and principal analyst Stuart Carlaw comments, "the rise of the slimphone is a good example of the growing segmentation along less traditional lines. The success of Motorola's RAZR has spurred a whole new segment aimed at high fashion and slim design that looks set to realize product shipments in excess of 200 million by 2008." The report also points to the emergence of dedicated music and camera-centric devices as well as operator branded handsets as good examples of the added drive to tailor products to address valuable and affluent market segments.
The coming year looks set to be another strong one for net additions in growing markets although net additions-related handset shipment contributions are starting to slow. Report co-author Jake Saunders, ABI Research's director of global forecasting, adds that "manufacturers are increasingly bullish on prospects for the year and are all aiming for strong performances." He goes on to note that "the market in 2006 will be fuelled by 3G and low cost handsets, and manufacturers addressing both of these segments look set to gain share."
Does this mean more gains for Nokia? Probably.
"Handset Market Segmentation -- The Rise of the Slimphone" starts with a comprehensive analysis of the slimphone and asks whether the slimphones of today are merely an expression of transient fashion trends, or are here to stay. It continues with analysis of TD-SCDMA handset readiness, the case for operator branded handsets, and new music phone implementations, their relative merits and chances of success. The study forms part of ABI Research's Mobile Devices Research Service, which also includes individual research reports, forecast and industry databases, ABI Insights and analyst inquiry time.
***In-Stat Forecasts More Than 400 Million Global Broadband Subscribers by 2010
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.
April 18, 2006
With the increasing penetration of established broadband technologies like Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service and cable modem service, in addition to improvements in fixed wireless broadband and satellite broadband services, the number of worldwide broadband subscribers will double over the next five years, reports In-Stat. By year-end 2010, worldwide broadband subscribers will reach 413 million, the high-tech market research firm says.
According to In-Stat, there are several reasons behind the rapid growth in worldwide broadband subscribers, but the most important are the increasing availability of broadband services and the proliferation of new applications that rely on high-speed connections. Other drivers fueling subscriber growth include a gradual, but consistent, reduction in monthly service prices, and the beginnings of effective bundling strategies that link high-speed Internet service with video and telephony services.
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
-- DSL remains the leading broadband access technology. On a worldwide basis, it currently accounts for 69% of all broadband subscribers.
-- Based on current worldwide broadband growth rates, 3.7 million new subscribers will sign up for broadband services each month this year. In the United States, 670,000 new subscribers every month are projected to sign up for broadband service.
-- According to In-Stat estimates, in late February 2006 the total number of worldwide broadband subscribers passed 200 million.
The research, "The Broadband Boom Continues: Worldwide Subscribers Pass 200 Million" (#IN0603199MBS), covers the market for worldwide residential broadband services. It examines leading market drivers for broadband services, and discusses the most widely available broadband access technologies. In addition, it provides regional subscriber forecasts for cable modem service, DSL service, fixed wireless broadband service and Fiber-To-The-Home households. It also provides worldwide forecasts for satellite broadband subscribers, Broadband over Power Line subscribers, and Ethernet in the First Mile subscribers.
This research is part of In-Stat's Multimedia Broadband Service, which provides a worldwide, comprehensive perspective of multimedia broadband markets, analyzing cable, video-over-DSL, DBS and IPTV services, and digital terrestrial broadcast. It examines subscribers, business models, industry agendas and key cross-market combatants.
http://www.instat.com/catalog/Ccatalogue.asp?id=288
0616.4 Wireless Video Security
***SMC Networks New Wireless IP Cameras Add Site Security to the Network; Add Visual Security to Home and Office with Wireless IP Camera and Access Images and Sound via Web
IRVINE, Calif.
April 18, 2006
SMC Networks Inc. has announced a new wireless IP security camera that can turn a wireless network into a wireless security system that users access via the Web. Available in May, the new SMC EZ Connectg Wireless IP Camera (SMCWIPCAM-G) records images and sound to help small business owners and homeowners keep tabs while away.
A great security solution for the office or the home, the SMCWIPCAM-G provides a current view into a facility from anywhere the user can access the Internet. Easy to set up and use, the camera comes complete with an installation Wizard and an easy-to-use Web interface. Also included is a powerful software application, IPView Pro, which allows secure administrator access to as many as 16 cameras for monitoring and for video and snapshot access from any remote location via intranet or Internet. And, the SMCWIPCAM-G supports UPnP, so its images can be streamed to any multimedia device, including a television or a projector. And, because the camera has the capability to upload captured images onto any kind of FTP or WWW server automatically, images can also be viewed as media streams from a file server.
Where security is a concern, flexibility is key. With wireless coverage reaching up to 300m indoors, placement is flexible as well -- it can even be installed outdoors in a weather-proof housing. The SMCWIPCAM-G has built-in motion-detection features, so that the user can set up three different surveillance areas on the viewable screen and the camera will respond to movement, capturing changes in any of those areas. Pan/Tilt features with operational angles of 90 and 270 degrees allow for wide recording areas, and users can move and focus the camera remotely via its Web interface. Captured images can be viewed in real time online, or e-mailed to a user.
The new SMC Wireless IP Camera includes a 54Mbps Wireless Client, so it can be connected to any IEEE Wireless Network, and supports security with WEP, WPA and the most advanced WPA2. As an alternative to wireless connection, the camera can also be connected to the network using its RJ45 Fast Ethernet port. Platform-independent, it can be used with any operating system -- all that's needed is a Web browser with Active-X enabled.
SMC's new EZ Connect g Wireless IP Camera, the SMCWIPCAM-G, will be available in May 2006.
***HP Offers Free Data Cleansing on Leased PCs
PALO ALTO, Calif.
April 17, 2006
HP has announced a free data cleansing program on the hard drives of leased HP PCs to help customers enhance their security and meet regulatory compliance.
HP Financial Services, the leasing and financial services subsidiary of HP, will perform a one-pass disk overwrite, consistent with U.S. Department of Defense standards, at the end of lease agreements on HP desktop and notebook PCs leased between now and July 10, 2006.
Whether involving confidential customer records or proprietary company information, it is increasingly important to protect and secure sensitive data. Executives are deluged by new laws being enacted to protect customer anonymity. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Right to Financial Privacy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act all contain specific liabilities related to companies' data.
According to HP, the legal obligation and liability of protecting customer or patient information are with the original owner of the data.
Many companies find it difficult to keep up with the rate of change of regulations and penalties related to access, storage, and the processing of confidential information. Data wipes can help prevent information from being shared and can aid executives in avoiding costly financial and legal repercussions.
HP Financial Services processes more than 1 million units of technology equipment per year at its asset recovery facilities.
http://www.hp.com/hpfinancialservices
0616.6 Flat Panel Flexible Backplane
***Princeton University Institute Awarded USDC Contract for Flexible Backplane Development
SAN JOSE, CA
April 17, 2006
The U.S. Display Consortium (USDC), a public/private partnership chartered with developing the flat panel display industry infrastructure, has announced a $1.7M development agreement with the Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM) at Princeton University. The purpose of the R&D contract is for the university to develop the process technology and know-how to produce amorphous silicon thin film transistors (a-Si TFTs) on a clear, high temperature-capable polymer foil substrate.
Flexible active matrix TFT display backplanes will find applications ranging from reflective to transmissive to emissive displays, and a high performance, silicon TFT-based clear backplane would substantially advance industry capability. One of the gating factors in producing TFTs on polymers is the processing temperature limits – organic substrates cannot withstand typical TFT semiconductor on glass processing temperatures of >300˚ C. The Princeton program is based on a new type of clear, flexible polymer substrate that is capable of use at these “glass-like” processing temperatures.
The two-year program has several important milestones. For example, by the end of Year 1, a best effort will be made to demonstrate an electrophoretic test array and an OLED test array on the plastic substrate. “While the technical challenges are formidable, we believe that successfully processing polymer substrates at high temperatures can be achieved,” stated Dr. Sigurd Wagner, professor of electrical engineering at Princeton University. The principal investigators, Wagner and PRISM director Dr. James Sturm, have been working on experimental substrates for some time and have made a-Si TFTs at 280˚ C with performance nearly identical to typical TFTs made on glass. Applied Materials’ subsidiary, AKT, will collaborate to investigate the scale up of these materials using industry-standard fabrication tools.
The USDC program is a joint effort of private industry and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, located in Adelphi, MD.
About USDC
The USDC is an industry-led, public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s mission is to develop the supply chain required to support a world-class, manufacturing capability for high definition displays. The U.S. Display Consortium shares results of its R&D projects with USDC member companies.
http://www.princeton.edu/engineering
***Publishers Report Continued Increases in eBook Revenue for 2005
New York, NY
April 18, 2006
eBook publishers reported increases in eBook revenue over the previous year with a 23% increase in eBook revenues over 2004. eBook units sold remained even with 2004. And, eBook titles published increased 20% over 2004.
Publishers reported 1,692,964 eBook units sold and $11,875,783 in revenues for 2005. They also reported 5,242 eBooks published during this time.
A total of 18 publishers contributed to the four quarterly 2005 reports including DigitalPulp Publishing; Elib AB; Ellora's Cave Publishers; E-Reads; Fictionwise, Inc.; Hard Shell Word Factory; Harlequin Enterprises Ltd.; HarperCollins; Houghton Mifflin Company; John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; McGraw-Hill; Pearson Education; Random House; RosettaBooks LLC; Simon & Schuster; Stonehouse Press; Time Warner Book Group and Zondervan.
While 18 publishers contributed to the reports in 2005 and 19 reported in 2004, publishers reporting varied. There are additions and subtractions of companies reporting to this program and the reported figures will, therefore, reflect this variability.
The report is commissioned by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). The International Digital Publishing Forum, formerly the Open eBook Forum (OeBF), is the trade and standards association for the digital publishing industry and is supported by its members. Further information about the organization and industry, including membership information, can be obtained by visiting
http://www.idpf.org/membership.htm
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