Digital-Lifestyles

Distribution

The new digital ways content was becoming distributed

  • Ericsson Ends Bluetooth Design and Manufacturing

    Ericsson have halted their Bluetooth design and manufacturing work. Some are heralding this as the end of the short-range communications standard, but it is simply an indicator that the standard has matured – the standard does not require more development work and the chipsets are commodity items. Ericsson, the inventor of standard, will continue to offer Bluetooth features in their new phones, but will leave the manufacturing of the chipsets to high-volume chip manufacturers – and there are are already many making the sets.

    Ericsson, with transfer the 125 staff working on Bluetooth to other divisions of the company, though will remain a member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.

    Bluetooth has always been more popular in Europe than in America – only 10% of Bluetooth shipments are in the US, opposed to 65% in Europe (source: Wireless Watch).

    Bluetooth is now so widely adopted that it can be left in the hands of other companies to thrive, but it is clear that Ericsson do not believe there will be a next iteration of the technology. There are new technologies on the way – particularly ZigBee, a low-power, low-data rate radio frequency communications standard, designed with a much wider remit than Bluetooth in mind. ZigBee is intended to operate in consumer electronics, PC peripherals, home automation and industrial control applications.

    Although Bluetooth has failed in many of the areas it intended to tackle such as automotive communications, the standard still has plenty of life left. Microsoft’s Windows XP SP2 has radically improved support for Bluetooth and with no immediate replacement, it’ll be with us for a while yet.

    Bluetooth.com

  • Atzio’s Peer-to-Peer Television

    Atzio, a content delivery software company, have developed a form of peer-to-peer distribution for television networks. They predict that P2P will revolutionise the legitimate delivery of TV and video content via the web, whilst broadcasters like the BBC are looking at using the peer to peer technologies to make content distribution cheaper.

    Atzio have combined time-shifted media with a “data swarming” mechanism to lower distribution costs – as in the P2P model, a piece of media is divided into small blocks and downloaded from multiple hosts using bandwidth from each machine’s internet connection. Using this technology, a broadcaster does not have to buy huge amounts of bandwidth as its audience effectively becomes the distribution method. A welcome side effect of this model is that, the higher the demand is for a piece of content, the easier it is to get as it will be stored in more places.

    The BBC have looked at P2P, amongst other options, for the distribution of their Creative Archive and other content. P2P systems like this are ideal for distributing large files to many users, such as entire films, TV programmes or games – and can be extremely cheap as customers do the distribution for the content publisher.

    Atzio’s Peer to Peer Television uses a custom client to secure content against unauthorised copying and distribution, with an integrated playback interface. The network is closed and controlled by the content provider, so unauthorised or infringing materials cannot be distributed and quality of product is assured. Users can browse a content provider’s catalogue for titles and then download them immediately (like video on demand), to a schedule (like a PVR), or add them to their wishlist for viewing much later. A system of this type could replace a DVD-by-post business model quite easily.

    The network is compatible with the major DRM systems out there, including Windows, DivX and Real Networks.

    How Peer to Peer Television works

  • Ofcom Confirms 056 Numbers for VoIP Services, Begins New Consultation

    Ofcom, the UK’s telecoms regulator has confirmed that voice over IP services will use the 056 prefix, first reported here in February.

    The new prefix will give all VoIP users a fixed number, so will be able to place calls with subscribers who have signed up for different VoIP services. It will also allow non-VoIP subscribers to make calls to VoIP numbers.

    Ofcom are leaving the assignment of numbers down to VoIP providers. 056 numbers will not be geographic, as was originally feared, meaning that subscribers can be contacted wherever they are. Having a geographic VoIP number makes about as much sense as a geographic mobile number, and we’re glad someone saw sense.

    Stephen Carter, Ofcom Chief Executive said “Broadband voice services are a new and emerging market. Our first task as regulator is to keep out of the way.” In this spirit, Ofcom has begun a new consultation to receive input on what needs to be done to protect the users of this nascent industry. Traditional telephone companies have number of regulations to comply with before they can offer a service to the public, such as ensuring access to the emergency services, and Ofcom wishes to explore what subset of these obligations should be applied to VoIP providers.

    New Voice Services – A Plain English Summary

  • Orange Launches Europe’s First Advanced Push to Talk Service

    Orange have just launched their Talk Now advanced push to talk service, after nine months of trials in the UK and France. The trials were conducted in association with NHS Lothian, as well as more than 400 French businesses.

    Push-to-talk technology allows customers to make calls to a group of handsets for the cost of a standard voice call, with instant communication – much like a walkie talkie.

    Orange’s implementation of the service is one of the many variations of push-to-talk that are currently in existence, and is based on technology from Kodiak.

    Although not standard, the company is keen to stress the advantages Talk Now has over carrier’s offerings. These include knowing when a contact is free or busy, and being able to record a conference call for sending to a colleague later.

    The Treo 600 is the first model supported in the UK, though other models are expected to join it shortly.

    Orange on Push to Talk

  • Philadelphia Plans World’s Largest WiFi Hotspot

    Whilst one or two small cities are now claiming 100% WiFi coverage, Philadelphia has ambitions to cover its entire 135 square miles with the world’s largest wireless internet hotspot.

    Major John F Street has formed a 14 member committee to plan the network and decide on access charges – some sources are speculating that the service may be free to residents, or at least very cheap.The project would help encourage tourism in the city and would complement the existing services in coffee shops and other businesses.

    The project is expected to cost around US$10 million (€8.23 million), with annual maintenance amounting to about US$1.5 million (€1.23 million). The city intends to pay for the initial creation of the network, and then recoup the running costs from businesses and tourists. For example, tourists could pay for a day’s WiFi access with cross promotions to events and attractions, or businesses could pay a fee for a secure section of the network.

    The current plan has a launch date of late 2005/early 2006.

    The Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Technology

  • Microsoft’s Music Store Beta

    Microsoft have made a beta version of their new music store available to the public. The store is entirely browser-based and does not require a separate client like iTunes. The iTunes store has many more features, but then it’s an application – taken together with Windows Media 10, the MSN Store becomes much more useful than on its own.

    Artist pages have a couple of features not seen on previous music stores – like “Buy Tickets” and “Find Lyrics”, but these just trigger web searches, showing that the store is integrated with MSN’s search facilities. Microsoft are hoping to make more use of this integration with the new version of MSN Search in the future – searching for bands on their search site will return direct links to buy music.

    Songs have ratings on the page, on the same line as “Buy track” – and providing you trust strangers’ opinions, might be a useful feature for the easily swayed. Previews are available, but there’s no progress bar to tell you how far through the track or preview you are.

    The selection of music is pretty much as expected, though there are a few bands that you won’t get on iTunes – Kraftwerk, for example. The much-hyped internet début of the Beatles is yet to happen.

    Naturally, all tracks are sold in WMA format, version 10 of which is out tomorrow, though the full version of the store itself is not expected to launch now until October.

    MSN Music Beta

  • Apple Pulls an Amazon with iTunes Affiliates

    Apple have announced a rather smart new extension to their iTunes offering – an affiliate programme. Now websites can earn commission on tracks that recommend to potential customers.

    It’s already possible to link to specific content on iTunes, but adding a 5% commission sweetener will encourage sites to promote the music store and favourite tunes. Will providing a financial incentive to promote tracks affect iTunes’ contribution to the new downloaded music charts? It’s too early to tell.

    Amazon’s own affiliate service has been a great success, and some of the more prominent affiliates have done reasonably well out of it. Whilst individual tunes are certainly cheaper than books, music has a higher consumption and churn rate – bloggers will leap on this opportunity straight away, as they can now profit it out of telling everyone how cool their music tastes are.

    Apple will be supporting their new affiliates with Apple-designed marketing materials and a regular newsletter.

    “By working with affiliate websites we’re not only expanding access to iTunes, but are giving site owners the ability to connect to one of the hottest brands online, creating a quick and easy way for them to generate additional revenue,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of applications. Apple said it has to date sold over 125 million songs from its iTunes Music Stores in the U.S., U.K., Germany and France.

    As an extra incentive, affiliates have the chance of winning an iPod Mini if they sign up before 15th September.

    iTunes Affiliates

  • Disney Puts the Brakes on MovieBeam

    Disney has decided not to expand their MovieBeam service into new markets until at least 2005. The service, launched a year ago, uses a set-top-box to download films via broadcast TV signals. The box can hold up to 100 films, which viewers can then rent for US$1.99 to US$3.99 (€1.64 to €3.28). Subscribers then watch the content on their televisions, and can control the film as if they were watching a DVD, by pausing and fast forwarding or rewinding sections. Films are updated on the box regularly, without user intervention.

    The lack of expansion is not because the service has been unpopular – instead, Disney say that the service has been successful, and has attracted interest from companies interesting in partnering with them.

    MovieBeam is currently only available in the Salt Lake City, Utah; Spokane, Washington; and Jacksonville, Florida areas, and Disney had intended to launch the service in three more markets by the end of the year. However, the company is now in discussions with technology and electronics companies on how best to take the service national in the USA in 2005 or early 2005.

    MovieBeam customers are due for a remote upgrade to their service in October this year, with improvements to the user interface and new content such as short films and current trailers.

    Info source: Stefanie Olsen, CNet and Disney

    MovieBeam

  • Trymedia Expands Presence in Europe

    Krone and Aon.at have joined Trymedia’s distibution network of downloadable games, with 4,200 affiliates offering over 650 titles.

    The two companies join AOL UK, which is providing its members with instant access to hundreds of major game titles for purchase and download from a co-branded site on the AOL UK service. AOL UK is the first major UK ISP to offer Trymedia’s complete catalogue of downloads to users.

    Trymedia’s partners include Atari, Activision Value and Team 17, along with many others. Titles available from the Trygames site include bestsellers like Prince of Persia, Driver and Temple of Elemental Evil.

    Broadband adoption now means that a 550 mb download for a game is no longer unthinakble – just ask all the gamers who have eagerly downloaded Half-Life 2 from Steam in the past week or so. Industry analysts are predicting that the market for downloadable games will pass US$270 million (€220 million) in 2009.

    “You don’t need to be a games-focused website to generate revenue from downloadable games,” said Gabe Zichermann, Trymedia’s VP of Strategy and Communications. “As clearly demonstrated by the strong growth of Trymedia’s distribution channel and its revenues, we believe that all Internet destinations can benefit from adding an outsourced games channel that delivers increased visitors, retention, stickiness and direct revenues.”

    Games distributed via Trymedia’s technologies are protected by the ActiveMARK content protection system. The DRM system allows consumers to make back up copies of games and even play them on multiple computers. They are even allowed to give copies to others – though the copy then reverts to free trial mode, giving an incentive for the recipient to register and pay for the copy.

    Trymedia’s products and services

    Trymedia games

  • Cellular Cinema

    Zoie Films, a company who support and promote independent films and film makers have launched the world’s first film festival for mobile phones. The festival will be held every December and is intended to showcase content and technology and will be screened via Tin Can Mobile to Nokia handsets. More than a hundred independent film makers are expected to submit work showing exactly what can be achieved on a 2” TFT.

    Films must be at least one minute long, but under five minutes and can be submitted on a number of formats including MPEG, WMV or VHS. Entry fees are between US$35 and US$45 (€28.77 to €37).

    Winners will be screened at zoiefilms.com and via Tin Can Mobile, and prizes include a week at a golf resort spa in the Phillipines.

    Zoie Films