SingTel plans acquisition in China and US (Singapore)
Leading telecom operator in Singapore, SingTel has hinted towards acquiring businesses in China or US, to make up or slow growth in its domestic market.
As per a statement made by the company, SingTel may raise its stakes in associates in Asia and Africa and make other strategic investments. The company reported a 30 percent jump in fourth-quarter profit. Net income climbed to $1 billion in the three months ended March 31.
Chief Executive Officer Chua Sock Koong, said that when they look at acquiring the technology know how in the start up space, they could be looking at quite a few different places. She added that it could be startups in Silicon Valley, California or in countries such as India and China.
The company added that group revenue at the Singapore and Australia operations are forecast to grow at low single-digit rates this year while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization may be stable. Further, dividends from associates in Asia and Africa are expected to grow.
Aruba Networks reveals outdoor wireless systems portfolio (California)
Aruba Networks, Inc. has unveiled the Aruba AirMesh outdoor wireless solutions portfolio. Designed to be the most scalable and high-performance outdoor mesh portfolio available in the industry today, the Layer-3 routing capabilities of all AirMesh products and the quad-radio architecture of the new flagship, MSR4000 clearly differentiates them from other outdoor mesh solutions.
The Aruba AirMesh portfolio was designed from the ground up to be deployed in a wide variety of outdoor network scenarios, including delivery of data, voice and high-definition (HD) video at oil and gas fields, mining operations, utility management and transportation facilities. Local government uses include municipal wireless deployments and public safety applications such as video surveillance, mobile data transmission and disaster recovery. Its intelligent multi-radio design, with dual- and quad-radio 802.11n MIMO platforms, enables massive capacity, interference mitigation and sustained throughput over multiple network hops.
The Aruba AirMesh portfolio of products features Aruba MeshOS, with Adaptive Wireless Routing (AWR), providing RF-aware, Layer-3 network intelligence to optimise traffic flow and reduce latency. Active Video Transport (AVT) optimises and prioritises video traffic, enhancing video quality by reducing packet loss and jitter. AVT can identify video frames at 30fps. Aruba’s MobileMatrix technology enables roaming between mesh routers in less than 50ms. The Aruba AirMesh family includes single, dual and quad radio platforms that deliver fibre-like capacity of up to 300Mbps per radio.
Each software-configurable radio can function as a mesh backhaul link or access point that operates in multiple frequencies for optimal performance and sustained throughput over multiple hops. Additionally, long-range directional antennae facilitate data transmission at distances up to 10 kilometres. The Aruba AirMesh portfolio includes MSR4000, which is a quad-radio outdoor 802.11n mesh router and software configurable for 2.4, 5 or 4.9GHz operation, and MST200, which is a single-radio outdoor 802.11n mesh router with an integrated antenna for long-range connections.
The Aruba AirMesh portfolio also includes MSR2000, which is a dual-radio outdoor 802.11n mesh router and software configurable for 2.4, 5, or 4.9GHz operation, MSR1200, which is a dual-radio indoor 802.11n mesh router, and MeshConfig, which enables monitoring and management of multiple mesh networks.
IT professionals certified as Aruba Wireless Mesh Professionals (AWMPs) will be able to deploy and manage Aruba AirMesh outdoor wireless mesh networks. The fee-based certification exam is administered on behalf of Aruba Networks at Pearson VUE test centres. Participants in this course will have completed the Aruba Wireless Mesh Networking (AWMN) course.
AWMP certification is valid for three years. Recertification requires passing the then-current version of the AWMP exam. Aruba has launched the Aruba 3D Outdoor Coverage Planning Tool that enables its customers and partners to plan and visualise their Aruba AirMesh deployments in 3D, with predictions for signal strength at both ends of link, as well as upstream and downstream throughput and channel-specific displays. Aruba signed an agreement with distributor ScanSource Security for sales of the Aruba AirMesh portfolio in North America.
Apple and other top companies sued in camera related patents (US)
Imperium Holdings has filed a lawsuit against Apple, LG, RIM, Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Kyocera, claiming that they all have infringed five patents related to the cameras and imaging equipment found in phones and other mobile devices.
The patents in question are US Patent Numbers 6271884, 6838651, 6838715, 7,109,535 and 7064768, all of which relate to pixel and imager technology for smartphones and other devices. Apple’s iPhone is named as one of the infringing products.
The five patents deal in:
Patent 6,271,884: Image flicker reduction with fluorescent lighting.
Patent 6,838,651: High sensitivity snap shot CMOS image sensor.
Patent 6,838,715: CMOS image sensor arrangement with reduced pixel light shadowing.
Patent 7,064,768: Bad pixel correction while preserving features.
Patent 7,109,535: Semiconductor device for isolating a photodiode to reduce junction leakage.
As per reports, the mix of patents are actually owned by two different companies: 6,271,884 deals with image flicker reduction, owned by Conexant System of Newport Beach while the other four have the assignee listed as ESS Technology, based in Fremont, California.
Verizon Wireless completes successful 4G LTE Technical Trials Using the Ecrio Client Framework for Next Generation Rich Communications Services
Verizon Wireless today announced the successful completion of technical trials of 4G LTE IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) powered voice, video and mobile content sharing services using the Ecrio client framework. Verizon Wireless selected Ecrio’s IMS client application framework in 2009, and the product has since been qualified and embedded in a range of mobile devices in preparation for launch across the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.
The trials signal progress toward proving the technology and value of rich communication services (RCS) and media applications that are compelling for customers using Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network. Working together, Ecrio with its SIP/IMS service clients, and Verizon Wireless continue to bring RCS applications closer to market.
“This is indeed an exciting milestone in our relationship with Verizon Wireless,” said Tad Bogdan, Ecrio chief executive officer. ”Ecrio is committed to both product innovation and continuing to work closely with Verizon Wireless and its device suppliers to integrate the client functionality needed for deploying successful end-to-end services. LTE has become the technology of choice for 4G deployments and Verizon Wireless is leading the way with the first broadly deployed LTE network. Ecrio is delighted to be working with Verizon Wireless to extend the bounds of mobile communications.”
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Ecrio
Ecrio is the leading supplier of SIP and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) based communication client software solutions for the mobile industry. The Company’s FastTrackâ„¢ family of communications solutions includes device software products and solutions for IP communications and rich media. Ecrio was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California USA with R&D and support centers in Cupertino, Japan, Korea, and India. The company is privately held with external funding provided by leading investment firms and leading companies including NTT DOCOMO and Visa, Inc. For more information visit: www.ecrio.com.
Apple sues Amazon over ‘APP STORE’ trademark (US)
Apple has filed a lawsuit against Amazon.com over its use of the phrase ‘app store’, accusing the online retailer of trademark infringement.
Apple has filed a complaint in federal court for the Northern District of California asking the court for a ban on Amazon from using the name as well as unspecified damages.
According to Apple, consumers could be confused whether Amazon’s mobile software download service is sponsored or approved by Apple. Apple registered for a trademark on the term App Store in July 2008.
As per the court filing, Amazon began using the phrase in around January of this year to refer to its own mobile app storefront. Amazon, however, cites it as ‘Appstore’, with no space and a lower case ‘s’. Although Apple’s trademark was approved by authorities, it is also being challenged by Microsoft and is currently subject to proceedings before an Appeals board of the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Apple new iPad shipments may be delayed to June
Apple Inc.’s shipments of a new version of its iPad tablet computer may be delayed to June from April because of production bottlenecks at manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.
According to analysts, the delay arose after Cupertino, California-based Apple made design changes before the Lunar New Year.
As per the report, analysts’ checks suggest new issues are being encountered with the new production and it is taking time to resolve them. As a number of Android 3.0 tablets are being launched in April and May, the delay in iPad 2 shipments may give the Android camp a brief window of opportunity.
According to the report, a two-month delay in introducing the iPad could lower the tablet computer’s shipments to 23 million units this year, as compared with the brokerage’s current forecast of 30.6 million.
As per Vice President, Eddy Cue’s previous statement, the iPad, introduced in April, accounted for 17% of sales last quarter. The company has sold more than 15 million iPads so far.
Steve Jobs has just 6 weeks to live
A news report has claimed that Steve Jobs has less than a couple of months to live. Apple CEO, Steve Jobs is currently on medical leave from the company.
According to reports, Mr Jobs was taken to the famous Stanford Cancer Center where he spoke to number of totally unrelated people about why he would be visiting and what would be the likely outcome based on some long distance photos they took. The report stated that Jobs is stricken with pancreatic cancer. Various doctors claimed that he had just a few weeks to live.
The Apple CEO has battled a rare, but also far less aggressive type of pancreatic cancer for the past seven years and had a liver transplant in 2009.
Although he looks weak in the photos, he is seemingly well enough to still be attending meetings with senior people around California and carrying on business as normal.
Sprint extends purchase deal with US Federal States
A national association of States has selected Sprint as an approved wireless provider, extending the company’s contract to serve as a supplier of wireless products and services to state and local governments across the nation for an additional year.
The consortium — Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) — extended the contract with Sprint through Oct. 31, 2012.
The latest deal extension, worth an estimated US$360 million, increases the total lifetime value of the contract to US$1.4 billion since 2006.
The Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) enables cooperative multi-state contracting to help states acquire quality services in a cost-effective and efficient manner. States purchasing Sprint’s products and services under WSCA include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. State and local governments in most states are able to utilize this dynamic contracting vehicle.
Sprint’s Business Markets Group is composed of sales, support, marketing and operations personnel solely dedicated to enterprise, small and medium-sized business and public sector customers.
Nokia considering setting up a head office in the US
Nokia’s CEO Stephen Elop is considering setting up a shadow HQ in California to position it more closely amongst the growing smartphone market.
According to sources, Elop is considering shifting the executive centre of gravity to Silicon Valley, creating a virtual HQ in the United States. The move would therefore require Nokia’s Executive Board to spend most of their time outside Finland, accelerating a process of de-Finnistration, that may have started with the weekend reports of a cull of senior directors at the company.
The company is expected to announce a major shift in its handset strategy this week, which could involve starting to support either the Android of Windows Phone 7 platforms in addition to its own Symbian or MeeGo platforms.
However, mobile networks are reportedly uncomfortable with the growing domination of the Android platform and would prefer Nokia to stay aloof from the ongoing convergence so that the consumers retain some choice in the handset market and that the operators can reduce the risk of becoming dumb pipes and losing their value added revenues to Apple and Google.
California’s Governor Orders cancelation of state funded mobiles
California’s Governor Jerry Brown has ordered state employees to cancel some 48,000 state-funded cell phones – around half of state government’s total pool of cell phones – by the end of May.
According to Brown, the state now pays for 96,000 cell phones, one for 40% of all state employees. He estimated that the state will save at least US$20 million a year by cutting cell phone usage in half.
The Governor stated that it is difficult for him to believe that 40% of all state employees must be equipped with taxpayer-funded cell phones. Some state employees, including department and agency executives who are required to be in touch 24 hours a day and seven days a week, may need cell phones, but the current number of phones out there is astounding. His goal is to cut the number of phones in half by June 1, and stated that he believes the state can continue to reduce cell phone usage throughout the year. He explained that some cell phones may be under term contracts with cell carriers, and he wants to make sure that the state does not incur early termination penalties that exceed the monthly savings. Because of contract obligations, it is possible that they may not be able eliminate all 48,000 cell phones by June 1, but it is also conceivable that they can do it earlier – and that is his hope.
E added that even with a 50% reduction, one-fifth of all state employees will still have cell phones. That still seems like too much and he wants every department and agency to examine and justify all cell phone usage.
Brown’s estimate of at least $20 million in annual savings assumes that the average cell phone bill is a bit over $36 a month, which the Department of Finance has determined is the average cost.
