Author: Christian

Intel Move in to STB Chips

Intel is preparing a family of consumer electronics processors based on the company’s IA-32 architecture, the design underlying the vast majority of Intel’s desktop, laptop and server processors. The new chips are designed for running digital video and audio content while providing a robust, fast and transparent method for transmitting and receiving digital content between a variety of products including PCs, high-definition televisions, set-top boxes, digital VCRs and DVD players.

The benefit of faster processors that consume less power is that they offer new ways to view high-quality digital pictures and sound. Streaming content from mobile devices is also a major component in the digital transmission proposals that the entertainment industry is reviewing, regarding delivery of video and audio content.

It’s almost certain that the Intel chips will run at slower clock speeds compared to their desktop counterparts, as the processing power of consumer boxes is not as critical as desktop computers, laptops and servers – frankly for the replay of video, photo and audio, you don’t need that much power. The chips will also likely have a slower bus and smaller cache, as this is an easy way to reduce power consumption and costs. Slower processors leads to less power consumption, less heat generated, therefore less need for noisy cooling fans. Silent or near silent machines are vital in the lounge setting.

Set Top Boxes (STB’s) have until now been built to a low price, so they have been pitifully under-powered. This has lead directly to the interactive TV (iTV) applications that they can run frankly not looking that much better than an Atari 2600. New mass-produced powerful chips  are the first step towards changing this.

Intel already produces processors designed for low-power consumption and high performance processing for a wide range of wireless and networking applications and rich services. Based on a new core devised by England-based ARM, the XScale chips are currently used in both smartphones and PDAs, but it’s looking to offer faster processing power with the new IA-32-based parts.

It’s quite clear that Intel is a chip company focused solidly on its core business, regardless of where it takes it. The company is building up support for its new chips among consumer electronics manufacturers by developing reference designs, or blueprints, for various products. The next step will be establish well-known, robust public and symmetric key cryptographic technique that will provide manufacturers with a simple and inexpensive implementation, while allowing protect digital content in transit quickly and easily – something that Hollywood is very keen on, to say the least.

Intel

Nokia Integrate with Ford & Nissan

In many countries, particularly the UK, it is an offence to use a handheld phone or similar device when driving. Most of us know that if caught you get a £30 fixed penalty or up to £1,000 on conviction in court (£2,500 for drivers of goods vehicles, buses or coaches). As a result, mobile phone companies have been revelling in the opportunity for up-selling handset customers. This additional sales opportunity has now been extended to car manufactures, with a recent announcement that Nokia has devised a hands-free communications solution with Bluetooth connectivity for automobiles.

In the first mobile-OEM auto manufacturer partnership of its type to date, except for the CDMA-based ONStar system (but in this case the whole system was branded GM and not co-branded with the GSM radio provider), Nokia’s latest communications device is an integrated vehicle solution that will first appear in Nissan’s Primera. Ford has also announced that it plans to support the system in some of its Focus models. Long overdue, the system integrates into a vehicle’s central console and offers hands-free operation using an N-FORM control system with a large colour display. The system also features a baseplate onto which various mobile holders can be mounted, which should make it compatible with a wide range of mobile phones from different manufacturers.

The mobile phone is operated using the Primera’s N-FORM controls and 7-inch colour display, where you can also browse the built-in phonebook downloaded from your mobile phone, scroll through saved numbers either alphabetically or by speed dialling, initiate and take calls, as well as put a call on hold in order to answer a second call. Other phone functions can be voice activated, using various speaker-dependent or speaker-independent commands. An external GSM antenna should improve sound quality in hands-free operation.

“We are pleased that our co-operation with Nissan has brought such successful results. Together, we have found a perfect solution to completely satisfy even the more demanding users of automotive communications systems”, says Marcus Stahl, General Manager Automotive Accounts, Nokia Automotive. The integrated communication system is already available in Europe although it’s not clear at this stage if the device comes as standard with the cars, whether you have to change the base plate in order for it to work with other phone manufacturers’ products, or whether there will be a ‘standard’ interface devised at a later date for all car makers.

It’s also interesting that Nokia is now shifting from the handset production side to the hands-free kit side, if indeed the system supports all hands-free capable mobiles – including competitors. Bizarrely, this puts the company amongst competitors such as JCI, Lear and other third-party ‘integration’ companies who already do this for aftermarket install systems.

Opera browser is about to get even faster

Oslo-based Opera Software, best known for its Opera Web browser, has announced that it plans to integrate SlipStream Data’s Web and e-mail acceleration technology into the next release of its desktop Web browser. Set to integrate into Opera 7.60, Opera claims that it will enable users up to six times faster browsing on dial-up and wireless connections, a particularly neat feature for those with limited bandwidth.

SlipStream Data’s Web Accelerator technology only accelerates certain text and graphics on Web pages, so it won’t speed up everything you do on the Internet. However, both companies claim that with Web Accelerator you will notice a significantly faster experience when you visit Web sites, send and receive e-mail, and perform other Web-based activities. To achieve this speed up, proprietary lossless compression is applied to text, HTML, XML, JavaScript and style sheets. Proprietary image compression is applied to GIF and JPEG images, as well as to Flash content.

SlipStream also accelerates e-mail traffic (POP3 and SMTP) using lossless compression, but does not speed up file downloads (over FTP or file sharing programs), streaming audio/video and HTTPS (secure Web sites). If you have a slow Internet connection (such as a dial-up or wireless connection) with a bandwidth of less than 300Kbit/s, you should experience a significant degree of acceleration using SlipStream, boldly claims the company.

However, SlipStream Web Accelerator does not increase the speed of file downloads such as music files, or streaming video or audio media. Opera 7.60 is set to usher in more innovative browsing features – something we’ve come to expect from its developers. The public release of v7.60 is planned for the end of 2004.

SlipStream is currently supported by over 900 ISPs worldwide, according to the company, with its popularity due to that way that it allows service providers to offer a faster and more flexible way of rolling out value-added services. SlipStream SE (Secure Enterprise) further optimises bandwidth and improves the performance of Web-based applications, accelerating secure access to e-mails, FTP and other critical business data.

“SlipStream is the dominant acceleration solution provider for ISPs in North America, South America, and Europe,” says Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. “Their innovation and reputation for service, makes them an ideal partner. We are eager to work together to deliver an improved experience in installation, operation, and support to enterprises and users wanting more Web speed and performance.”

“As Opera is known as the fastest browser on earth, the decision to consider the browser for this integration was simple,” says Ron Neumann, President, SlipStream Data. “Our goal is to offer a superior accelerated browsing experience on any platform and Opera’s multiplatform support helps achieve this. This integration gives ISPs increased support and speed for their users, and will also significantly increase the productivity of mobile workers. Such a partnership helps us continue to expand and embed our technology into new markets.”

As well as its speed, another key factor in Opera’s success that the browser is cross-platform and modular, and currently available for Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, BREW, QNX, TRON, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mediahighway platforms.