Garmin Mulling Future In Smartphone Business
When you think about Garmin, you probably think about one major thing: GPS. Here's something you probably don't associate with Garmin: smartphones. But regardless, they're in both markets right now. The original nuvifone was announced with a huge amount of hype behind it, but it was delayed for around a year while the iPhone came out and stole the thunder of every other smartphone on the market. Since, Garmin has teamed up with Asus to create the Garmin-Asus partnership, but the phones that have shipped under
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Google Admits That Froyo Isn't Perfect For Tablet PCs
Don't tell Samsung and all the other companies who have Android-based tablets on the docket, but Google isn't exactly sure that Android is designed for use on tablet PCs. In fact, they're certain it's a mismatch. Hugo Barra, Director of Products for Mobile at Google, recently spoke on the issue of seeing Android pop up on so many tablets, despite the fact that Android was built from the ground-up for use on smartphones. Here's the quotes: "Android is an open platform. We saw at IFA 2010 all sorts of devices
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Apple's Free Case Program To End On September 30
A few months back, Apple held an emergency press event in California to address the reception issues that users and critics were howling about. Aside from pointing out that other phones suffered from similar issues when held in certain ways, the company offered free cases and bumpers to any customer that applied for one. They noted that the offer run until the end of September, after which they would evaluate the situation and see if they should extend it. They won't. That's the news straight from Apple, who
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Qualcomm CEO Admits That Smartbooks Are Practically Dead
You could argue that smartbooks never really had much of a chance once netbooks began to sell for below $299, but Qualcomm and a number of partners definitely put a lot of effort into the category. Initially launched in early 2009, these mid-sized notebook/handheld hybrids were meant to be slotted between the average smartphone and notebook, giving you a third device that would last all day and provide a better browsing experience than what was available on a phone. But two major hiccups happened over the course
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Mobee's Magic Charger Inductively Charges Apple's Magic Mouse
We aren't quite living in a world where cords have no place, and while companies like PowerMat are hoping to change that, inductive charging is still in its infancy. But if you're an owner of an Apple Magic Mouse, inductive charging is coming to you. The Magic Mouse, which has a multi-touch surface, has one main issue: the battery life is subpar. Many owners have complained that they have to replace the AA batteries within it far more often than they did with the Mighty Mouse. But Mobee Technology is taking
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AMD Introduces ATI FirePro V9800
AMD is adding to its FirePro family by announcing the ATI FirePro V9800. This new professional graphics card is capable of supporting up to six monitors with ATI Eyefinity technology. When connecting six monitors via the six Mini DisplayPort outputs, you’ll get a desktop resolution of up to 5760 x 2160. The card has 4GB of GDDR5 memory and is powered by 1,600 stream processors. The ATI FirePro V9800 has an estimated retail price of $3,499. AMD Introduces ATI FirePro™ V9800 – the First and Only
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QUO MAXQ2 Tower Is A Potent, Cheap Mac Pro Clone
As far as big names go, Asetek is a fairly large name in the cooling solution industry. The company has loads of water and fan-based cooling solutions for pretty much anything within a PC, and their latest project is quite possibly the most interesting PC we've seen in some time. Origin's 'Big O' rivals that, but we digress. Asetek's cooling solution is really only half of the story with QUO's new MAXQ2 computer. It's a new tower that promises to offer something that no HP, Lenovo or Dell will ever offer: true
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Pentax Makes You The Designer On Optio RS1000 and Optio RZ10 Cameras
Custom cameras. You don't hear that very often. But Pentax is offering you that opportunity with their new Optio RS1000 and Optio RZ10. Both of these point and shoot cameras come with faceplates that can be swapped out for different moods and seasons, and the removable faceplate is to hold interchangeable skins of any personal design. Pentax calls the design possibilities for the RS1000 "infinite," noting that owners can use the included SkinIt gift card to design and order a free 3M skin. But the design aspect
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Asus Eee PC 1215N Netbook Review
We seem to be heading into an era where netbooks aren't being positioned as the bargain bin machines that they once were. We can't recall the last time we saw a $199 or $249 netbook arrive. The vast majority coming our way now are priced at around $399 at least, and Asus' Eee PC 1215N fits the mold here. With a $499 MSRP, this isn't the netbook to get if you're looking to pinch pennies, but it does offer the latest Intel Atom CPU, NVIDIA's next generation Ion GPU with Optimus graphics switching technology.
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SanDisk SSDs Scuttle into Lower-Cost Set-Top Boxes
In a joint announcement with middleware set-top box software company NDS MediaHighway, SanDisk today announced that its P4 solid state drives (SSDs) will be jammed into a new range of affordable set-top boxes with DVR-like functionality. "For the first time, SSDs are now a cost-effective alternative to hard drives in the STB market," said Doron Myserdorf, senior director, SSDs, SanDisk. "The successful integration of SanDisk P4 SSD with NDS STB software enables new business models in the STB market, and takes
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Nokia Replaces CEO With Ex-Microsoft Executive
And just like that, it's done. Rumors were flaring over the past couple of months that Nokia's existing CEO was on the hot seat. We guess those rumors weren't wrong. It's being reported that a search for a new Nokia CEO had been ongoing since at least May, and it seems that Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo's replacement has now been found. The timing could not possibly be stranger. Nokia World, which is Nokia's annual gala to showcase new software and hardware, is scheduled to take place in London next week. Just days after
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Field Test Mode Returns to iOS
Field test mode has returned to iOS 4.1. That means that those of you who want to see just how bad your iPhone is, in real terms (dBm), as opposed to signal bars, can. Assuming you have iOS 4.1, all you need to is type *3001#12345#* on your phone, then press dial. You'll see a negative number. The higher the absolute value of that number is, the worse the signal strength is. For example, a measurement of -110 dBm is worse than -85 dBm. To exit field test mode, you can simply hit the Home button. Field test
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Intel CEO Suggests Google TV Will Launch This Month
In a bid for attention (and money) from high tech couch potatoes, Google TV might be launching sooner than you think. According to comments made by Intel CEO Paul Otellini, Google TV devices will "start shipping this month," though it's not entirely clear if he meant consumers will actually be able to purchase these devices this month or if hardware vendors are starting to shuttle their devices to retail partners. Either way, Google TV is coming and things are starting to heat up in the living room. Apple recently
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T-Mobile Unveils The T-Mobile G2 With Google
T-Mobile announced the successor to its G1 smartphone, the new T-Mobile G2 with Google. The G2 will support T-Mobile’s new HSPA+ network, which T-Mobile is touting as offering 4G speeds. Designed by HTC, the G2 combines a large, 3.7-inch screen with a hinge design that opens to reveal a QWERTY keyboard. The phone runs on Android 2.2 and an 800MHz Snapdragon MSM7230 mobile processor. The phone will have a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and the ability to record HD video (720p). For storage, the G2 comes
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Asus Eee PC 1215N Netbook Review
Is Intel's Pinetrail platform really all its cracked up to be? We recently took an in-depth look at the 1.8GHz processor / platform, but it's a different thing to take a look at the same thing in a shipping product that's available today to consumers. We have been longing for faster Atom processors, and particularly in recent months, we felt as if even the newer Atom chips weren't fast enough compared to their predecessors. That said, the new Atom D525 dual-core chip holds a bit more promise, at least on paper,
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AMD Introduces ATI FirePro V9800
AMD is adding to its FirePro family by announcing the ATI FirePro V9800. This new professional graphics card is capable of supporting up to six monitors with ATI Eyefinity technology. When connecting six monitors via the six Mini DisplayPort outputs, you’ll get a desktop resolution of up to 5760 x 2160. The card has 4GB of GDDR5 memory and is powered by 1,600 stream processors. The ATI FirePro V9800 has an estimated retail price of $3,499. 
AMD Introduces ATI FirePro™ V9800 – the First and Only Professional Graphics Card Capable of Powering Six Independent Displays
Designed for the Demands of Digital Content Creators with Support for up to Six Monitors Using ATI Eyefinity Technology
AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week at IBC 2010 in Amsterdam, AMD (NYSE: AMD) is introducing the newest member of the ATI FirePro™ family, the ATI FirePro™ V9800 – the most powerful professional graphics card AMD has ever created, featuring support for up to six monitors with ATI Eyefinity technology.1 With the launch of the FirePro V9800, the FirePro family - which also includes the ATI FirePro™ V8800, ATI FirePro™ V7800, ATI FirePro™ V5800, ATI FirePro™ V4800 and ATI FirePro™ V3800 - will offer digital content creation (DCC), computer aided design (CAD) and visualization specialists advanced features and high performance at every price point. The ATI FirePro V9800 will be demonstrated at IBC in AMD’s stand 7.J30 in hall 7 at RAI Amsterdam from September 10 to 14.
“With today’s announcement of the ATI FirePro V9800, we are introducing the ultimate workstation graphics solution for the professional graphics industry. It offers users with demanding DCC and visualization requirements six monitor support on one GPU and a superior price-to-performance ratio,†said Janet Matsuda, senior director, Professional Graphics, AMD. “The ATI FirePro V9800 will be the professional graphics solution of choice for users requiring exceptional performance and flexibility.â€
“We’ve tested it, and without doubt, the FirePro V9800 is fast, very fast,†said Dr. Johannes Friebe, sales director at Schneider Digital. “Just one card can hold the complete graphic data in only one frame buffer and allows us to drive six monitors without the need for a sync card.â€
“The ability to drive six display outputs simultaneously and achieve such a large image on a very high resolution display is a great step forward for engineering collaboration,†said Jerome Maillot, senior manager, Dassault Systèmes. “Sharing a 3D model at full scale and achieving a significant cost reduction at the same time sounds like a dream, yet it is a reality. It is clear that the ATI FirePro V9800 professional graphics card has delivered the high level of technology that Dassault Systèmes has come to expect.â€
“Onboard GPU memory is critical for advanced visualization and is an area where the V9800 excels,†says Yoni Koenig, chief scientist, StudioGPU. “MachStudio Pro software uses this memory to deliver the real-time cinematic-quality results 3D artists demand. Add together the 4 GB of memory and the native support for up to six monitors with ATI Eyefinity technology, and the combination of the V9800 and MachStudio Pro provide artists with the tools they need to effortlessly produce a visual feast.â€
ATI FirePro V9800 truly showcases the advanced performance and high-end features available to users of FireProâ„¢ professional graphics products in this generation. With an estimated retail price of US$3,499, the ATI FirePro V9800 offers unparalleled performance for the price.
- ATI Eyefinity Technology: With six Mini DisplayPort outputs, the ATI FirePro V9800 allows for seamless, plug-and-play multi-monitor use – the first professional graphics solution to offer six independent monitor outputs from a single graphics card. Ideal for users who want to maximize their work environment for increased productivity, ATI Eyefinity technology can provide an expansive desktop resolution of up to 5760 x 2160 to enable more efficient multitasking and improve visualization applications.1
- 4GB GDDR5 Memory: Featuring the largest shipping frame buffer available from AMD in any consumer or professional graphics product, 4GB of GDDR5 memory offers industry leading performance and unmatched visual quality. This feature will be particularly valuable for customers in industries with large volume data sets, such as medical and oil & gas, and in animation and compositing.
- Breakthrough Performance: The ATI FirePro V9800 features significant performance increases over the previous generation of FirePro products, including 1.25x increased compute stream processor performance, and an increase of 2.27x in single- and double-precision performance. The ATI FirePro V9800 is optimized for stream calculations with full support for OpenCL™, DirectCompute, and DirectX® 11.
- Real World Performance: Partners have shared with AMD their experiences with the ATI FirePro V9800, and have noted that the V9800 can result in improved performance in 3D rendering software, animation and compositing and the realization of large-scale video walls and high-definition multi-screen operation. Powered by 1,600 stream processors – the industry’s highest number – the ATI FirePro V9800 is ideal for computationally or visually intensive applications.
- 3D Stereo and Synchronization: Like the other products in the ATI FirePro family, the ATI FirePro V9800 offers comprehensive support for stereo 3D capability, supporting active shutter glasses via the on-board 3-pin connector, as well as passive and auto-stereoscopic displays and projectors. Additionally, with support for the ATI FirePro S400 synchronization module, up to four ATI FirePro V9800 graphics cards can be synchronized (genlock, framelock), delivering up to 24 synchronized outputs from a single computer – a breakthrough in display density for demanding powerwall and video wall applications.
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Mobee's Magic Charger Inductively Charges Apple's Magic Mouse
We aren't quite living in a world where cords have no place, and while companies like PowerMat are hoping to change that, inductive charging is still in its infancy. But if you're an owner of an Apple Magic Mouse, inductive charging is coming to you. The Magic Mouse, which has a multi-touch surface, has one main issue: the battery life is subpar. Many owners have complained that they have to replace the AA batteries within it far more often than they did with the Mighty Mouse.But Mobee Technology is taking advantage of that disappointment by creating the Magic Charger. It's an inductive charging, USB-connected base station and battery pack that keeps your Magic Mouse charged so long as you place it on top of the base when you aren't using it. It's a beautifully designed device, and it could easily be mistaken for a first-party Apple accessory at a glance.
The Magic Charger comes with a special battery pack that you slide into the Magic Mouse, and when the mouse comes into contact with the base, a light turns on to let you know that power is being transferred without wires. A full charge takes 6 hours and should provide around 6 days of use, and reports have the price at around $50. Shipments are expected in October.
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QUO MAXQ2 Tower Is A Potent, Cheap Mac Pro Clone
As far as big names go, Asetek is a fairly large name in the cooling solution industry. The company has loads of water and fan-based cooling solutions for pretty much anything within a PC, and their latest project is quite possibly the most interesting PC we've seen in some time. Origin's 'Big O' rivals that, but we digress.Asetek's cooling solution is really only half of the story with QUO's new MAXQ2 computer. It's a new tower that promises to offer something that no HP, Lenovo or Dell will ever offer: true OS X support. We have seen Mac clones in the past, but usually Apple shuts them down before they have time to get any hardware out of the door. QUO claims that their new machine was created to run Mac OS X, Windows 7 and Linux natively, and the Core i7 CPU within is certainly capable to handling all three operating systems.
Exact specifications include: Intel Core i7 6 Core 3.6Ghz CPU, 12GB of RAM, a 240GB SSD, a 1TB HD, and an NVIDIA 285 GTX. There's also an Asetek 550LC features an integrated pump and copper cold plate connected to a 120mm heat exchanger. The maxQ2 will be available with Asetek liquid cooling for $3,765 on September 15, but we'll be interested to see how many they actually ship. Surely Apple won't be too pleased with this cost-effective Mac Pro substitute.
QUO Computer Selects Asetek 550LC Performance Liquid CPU Cooler for New maxQ2 (squared) PC
Asetek Liquid Cooling Quiets the Powerful maxQ2 Computer which Runs Mac OS Xâ„¢, Linuxâ„¢, and Windows 7â„¢ Natively
Asetek, Inc., the world’s leading supplier of liquid cooling systems for computers, announced today that its liquid cooling solutions have been chosen by QUO Computer for their latest generation of high performance, maxQ2 custom computers. QUO was created by Apple™ enthusiasts that breathe and bleed Mac OS X™. What sets QUO Computer apart is that their systems enable the user to run Mac OS X™, Linux™, and Windows 7™ natively. The maxQ2 is based on Intel’s Core i7 processor and easily handles the most demanding audio and video editing applications.
Quo Computer maxQ"QUO specializes in computers aimed at those who want the fastest, most overclockable systems without the time required to custom configure one themselves,†said QUO founder Rashantha De Silva. “We selected Asetek Liquid Coolers to deliver quiet operation plus the thermal headroom for overclocking the maxQ2 because they feature a sealed liquid loop that is reliable and eliminates customer maintenance. This is the type of elegance Apple enthusiasts treasure.†Â
The new QUO maxQ2 is powered by an Intel Core i7 6 Core 3.6Ghz CPU, 12GB of RAM, a 240GB SSD, a 1TB HD, and an NVIDIA 285 GTX configured to take advantage of the Adobeâ„¢ Mercury Playback Engine. The maintenance-free Asetek 550LC features an integrated pump and copper cold plate connected to a 120mm heat exchanger.
"Asetek recently demonstrated how liquid cooling can both quiet and increase the performance of an Apple Mac Pro,†said Steve Branton, Director of Marketing at Asetek. “QUO’s liquid cooled maxQ2 computers enable Mac OS X enthusiasts to get the benefits of liquid cooling in an extremely powerful computer, without the effort of retrofitting liquid cooling into an existing Mac Pro.â€Â Â
The maxQ2 will be available with Asetek liquid cooling for $3,765 on September 15, 2010. In addition to the maxQ2, which includes Asetek liquid cooling as a standard feature, QUO will also offer an Asetek liquid cooling option in their lifeQ, proQ, maxQ, serverQ, and audioQ computer systems. For ordering information, see http://www.QUOComputer.com or call 1.888.QUO.0880.
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Field Test Mode Returns to iOS
Field test mode has returned to iOS 4.1. That means that those of you who want to see just how bad your iPhone is, in real terms (dBm), as opposed to signal bars, can. Assuming you have iOS 4.1, all you need to is type *3001#12345#* on your phone, then press dial. You'll see a negative number. The higher the absolute value of that number is, the worse the signal strength is. For example, a measurement of -110 dBm is worse than -85 dBm.
To exit field test mode, you can simply hit the Home button.
Field test mode had earlier been removed from iOS 4. Anandtech found a way around that, but only with a jailbroken iPhone (by using a 3GS image), whne they conducted a series of test during the heart of the "death grip" controversy surrounding the iPhone 4.
Readers, do you see the signal strength drop (absolute value of the dBm reading rise) when you touch the appropriate death grip spot bridging the antennas on the lower LH side of the iPhone 4 (bare, of course, no case). How much of a drop do you see, if so?
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Asus Eee PC 1215N Netbook Review
We seem to be heading into an era where netbooks aren't being positioned as the bargain bin machines that they once were. We can't recall the last time we saw a $199 or $249 netbook arrive. The vast majority coming our way now are priced at around $399 at least, and Asus' Eee PC 1215N fits the mold here. With a $499 MSRP, this isn't the netbook to get if you're looking to pinch pennies, but it does offer the latest Intel Atom CPU, NVIDIA's next generation Ion GPU with Optimus graphics switching technology. That's solid power in a netbook...
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Intel CEO Suggests Google TV Will Launch This Month
In a bid for attention (and money) from high tech couch potatoes, Google TV might be launching sooner than you think. According to comments made by Intel CEO Paul Otellini, Google TV devices will "start shipping this month," though it's not entirely clear if he meant consumers will actually be able to purchase these devices this month or if hardware vendors are starting to shuttle their devices to retail partners.Either way, Google TV is coming and things are starting to heat up in the living room. Apple recently unveiled its refreshed Apple TV platform, which mainly consists of a $99 set-top box that's available for purchase now and ships in 3-4 weeks. Regardless of what Otellini meant, Google TV is at least shipping in the same general time frame, though not necessarily to the same audience.
How so? Otellini said the new Apple TV would likely appeal to "my mom" since "it's really simplistic," adding that "my son is probably going to go buy a Google TV, simply because it's cool." So why such diplomacy? Remember that Intel supplies processors for Apple Macs, while Google TV devices will come with Intel Atom hardware inside. Even still, Otellini did say he felt Jobs took a "step backwards" by making Apple TV less of a computer-like device.
Whether or not the two platforms can truly co-exist, however, remains to be soon, and the way things are looking, we'll have our answer very soon.
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Nokia Replaces CEO With Ex-Microsoft Executive
And just like that, it's done. Rumors were flaring over the past couple of months that Nokia's existing CEO was on the hot seat. We guess those rumors weren't wrong. It's being reported that a search for a new Nokia CEO had been ongoing since at least May, and it seems that Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo's replacement has now been found. The timing could not possibly be stranger. Nokia World, which is Nokia's annual gala to showcase new software and hardware, is scheduled to take place in London next week. Just days after that, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo is scheduled to depart (September 20th).
Going out...
So, who will replace him? A Canadian from Microsoft, yet the headquarters and corporate culture will remain in Finland. Stephen Elop will become President and CEO shortly, where he will leave his post as head of Microsoft's Business Division. Before joining Microsoft, Elop held senior executive positions in a number of US-based public companies, including Juniper Networks, Adobe Systems Inc. and Macromedia Inc. He holds a degree in computer engineering and management from McMaster University, and it's pretty clear that decision makers spent a lot of time hand-picking this guy. Here's the quote from Jorma Ollila, Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors, that really sums it up:
"The time is right to accelerate the company's renewal; to bring in new executive leadership with different skills and strengths in order to drive company success. The Nokia Board believes that Stephen has the right industry experience and leadership skills to realize the full potential of Nokia. His strong software background and proven record in change management will be valuable assets as we press harder to complete the transformation of the company. We believe that Stephen will be able to drive both innovation and efficient execution of the company strategy in order to deliver increased value to our shareholders."
The reason for the change is obvious: Nokia is losing ground. They're still the world's largest handset maker in terms of worldwide market share overall, but their stake in the smartphone arena is tiny. They have no phones that come close to rivaling those from HTC and Apple (let alone Samsung and LG), and their primary phone OS isn't nearly as robust as iOS or Android. It was time for a change, but Elop has a ton of work to do if he really plans to turn things around this late in the game. Apple and Google have had years to cement their positions, and Microsoft is about to relaunch a new mobile OS of their own. Is there still time for a fourth major player to rise up? Only time will tell, but the new regime gets going in mere days. Q4 should be mighty interesting to watch.
Coming in...
Nokia appoints Stephen Elop to President and CEO as of September 21, 2010
September 10, 2010
Espoo, Finland -Nokia's Board of Directors has appointed Stephen Elop President and Chief Executive Officer of Nokia as of September 21. Elop currently heads Microsoft's Business Division. Before joining Microsoft, Elop held senior executive positions in a number of US-based public companies, including Juniper Networks, Adobe Systems Inc. and Macromedia Inc. He holds a degree in computer engineering and management from McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, which is his home country.
"The time is right to accelerate the company's renewal; to bring in new executive leadership with different skills and strengths in order to drive company success. The Nokia Board believes that Stephen has the right industry experience and leadership skills to realize the full potential of Nokia. His strong software background and proven record in change management will be valuable assets as we press harder to complete the transformation of the company. We believe that Stephen will be able to drive both innovation and efficient execution of the company strategy in order to deliver increased value to our shareholders," said Jorma Ollila, Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors.
Elop commented on his new Nokia position: "I am extremely excited to become part of a team dedicated to strengthening Nokia's position as the undisputed leader of the mobile communications industry, with a relentless focus on meeting the needs and expectations of customers. Nokia has a unique global position as well as a great brand upon which we can build. The company has deeply talented and dedicated people, and I am confident that together we can continue to deliver innovative products that meet the needs of consumers. The Nokia slogan clearly states our key mission: Connecting People, which will acquire new dimensions as we build our portfolio of products, solutions and services."
Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo will leave his current position as President and CEO of Nokia on September 20, 2010 and his position on the Nokia Board of Directors with immediate effect. He will continue to chair the Board of Nokia Siemens Networks in a non-executive capacity.
"The whole Board of Directors joins me in thanking Olli-Pekka for his thirty years at Nokia, during which he has been deeply involved in developing the company and its operations. His dedication and contribution throughout the years has been exceptional. The Board wishes him every success in his future pursuits," says Jorma Ollila.
In accordance with the terms and conditions of his service contract, Kallasvuo is entitled to a severance payment consisting of 18 months gross base salary and target incentive which totals approximately 4.6 million euro. He will also receive as compensation the fair market value of the 100 000 restricted Nokia shares granted to him in 2007, which vest on October 1, 2010.
As of September 10, 2010, the Nokia Board will consist of the following members: Jorma Ollila (Chairman), Dame Marjorie Scardino (Vice Chairman), Lalita D. Gupte, Bengt Holmström, Dr. Henning Kagermann, Per Karlsson, Isabel Marey-Semper, Risto Siilasmaa, Keijo Suila.
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SanDisk SSDs Scuttle into Lower-Cost Set-Top Boxes
In a joint announcement with middleware set-top box software company NDS MediaHighway, SanDisk today announced that its P4 solid state drives (SSDs) will be jammed into a new range of affordable set-top boxes with DVR-like functionality."For the first time, SSDs are now a cost-effective alternative to hard drives in the STB market," said Doron Myserdorf, senior director, SSDs, SanDisk. "The successful integration of SanDisk P4 SSD with NDS STB software enables new business models in the STB market, and takes Video on Demand content beyond teh DVR to offer a high degree of DVR-like functionality on a new range of boxes."
A pair of SanDisk P4 SSDs. The ones used for set-top boxes will check in at 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities.
Claiming that SSDs are affordable might sound like a bunch of hogwash at first glance, but these aren't the higher capacity SSDs you'll find in desktops and notebooks, even as boot drives. Instead, these lower-cost set-top boxes will sport SanDisk SSDs in 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities, which SanDisk claims are "substantially less expensive." That doesn't leave a whole lot of room for recording, but will allow users to pause live TV and download a limited amount of content.
NEW SET-TOP-BOXES WITH DVR-LIKE FEATURES ENABLED BY NDS SOFTWARE AND SANDISK SOLID STATE DRIVES
Pay-TV Operators Able to Offer a New Range of STBS and Deliver Fanless Designs That Are Quiet and Energy-Efficient
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, IBC, Stand 1.A71-September 9, 2010-SanDisk Corporation, the global leader in flash memory cards, and NDS, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that NDS has successfully combined NDS MediaHighway® STB software and SanDisk® P4 solid state drives (SSD) to enable a new range of lower cost set-top box (STB) with DVR like functionality.
By provisioning a set-top box with a small amount of storage, operators can introduce new revenue generating features such as live-pause and video on demand (VOD) with the ability to enable home networking functionality and advanced advertising solutions, including ad substitution. The new solution also allows for the deployment of energy-efficient STBs with decreased power consumption, small form factors and virtually silent operation.
The SanDisk P4 SSD offers the robust performance needed for video consumption, and is substantially less expensive in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB¹ capacities than hard disk drives, which are often only available in higher capacities. NDS has already integrated SanDisk SSDs for use with progressive download and live-pause technologies, and the SanDisk P4 SSD has an industry standard SATA interface which enables straightforward design and integration for STB manufacturers.
"For the first time, SSDs are now a cost-effective alternative to hard drives in the STB market," said Doron Myersdorf, senior director, SSDs, SanDisk. "The successful integration of SanDisk P4 SSD with NDS STB software enables new business models in the STB market, and takes Video on Demand content beyond the DVR to offer a high degree of DVR-like functionality on a new range of boxes."
"This exciting development underscores how seamlessly the SanDisk SSDs work with NDS MediaHighway technology," said Jonathan Beavon, director, segment marketing, NDS. "This innovative solution offers operators a low power and reliable alternative to conventional hard disk drives, enabling a new market segment."
Demonstrations of the technologies that can be applied to SanDisk P4 SSD enabled set-top boxes will be displayed on the NDS stand at IBC (stand 1.A71).
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