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The Taipan Router Has Landed At D-Link And It Is MEAN!

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In the brutal world of networking bigger and better routers are being churned out faster than we are seeing new PC’s with D-Link using a James Bond Spectre screening to roll out a brutal new modem router that is billed as the fastest in the world today.

The all blue D-Link Taipan is a network beast that looks like a stealth bomber similar to the D-Link big red model this router delivers blistering fast AC speeds across 2.4GHz and 5Ghz frequencies.

For all those who are already lost in networking speak the bands are the latest in Wi Fi technology found in new model smartphones and network attach device.

While 2.4GHz was fast two years ago, today it’s all about tri-band 2.4Ghz and two 5Ghz, also key is multiuser, multiple input and multiple output (MU-MIMO) technology that makes a router like the Taipan one of the most critical pieces of technology in your home or business.

 


While Belkin with their Linksys routers were the first to release MU-MIMO technology it’s D-Link who has taken AC speeds and MU-MIMO technology to a new level.  

During the past 18 months AC speeds have gone from 750, 900, 1200, 1300, 1750, 1900 to 2600, now D Link is setting a new benchmark with their Taipan router in preparation for both fibre and even faster 5200 AC Wi Fi technology that will emerge next year. 

Cutting to the bare facts the new Taipan is an 802.11 a/b/g/AC (N600 [2.4GHz] + AC1300 [5GHz] + AC1300 [5GHz]) Wi-Fi Modem Router that uses Tri-Band Wi-Fi and D-Link’s unique Smart Connect technology which has the capability to distribute network traffic over the three dedicated Wi-Fi networks.

A 1GHz dual-core processor built into this device, delivers all the horsepower needed to not only control fast throughput but multiple instructions coming from up to 30+ devices that can be attached to this modem router. 

A Dual Active Firewalls (NAT/SPI) controls inbound outbound traffic and helps to prevent exploits and intrusions. 
There is also Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) to quickly and securely add additional devices to any network and industry-standard WPA/WPA2 encryption for further security.

TAIPAN is available in Australia and New Zealand at JB Hi Fi, Harvey Norman and from D-Link online. It has an RRP of $579.95 Inc. GST in Australia, and $649.99 Inc. GST in New Zealand.

Toshiba Shares Smashed After $1.2 Billion Dodgy Profits Scandal

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Struggling PC, copier and medical equipment Company Toshiba who last year slashed 19 PC operations around the world has admitted they have been fudging their profits for several years.

Now the Japanese Company is set mark down past profits by a massive $1.2 billion due to what Toshiba management are describing as “accounting irregularities”.

The latest markdowns is almost double its earlier estimation with a large percentage of profits or lack of them attributed to the poor performance of the Companies PC Division. 

In a case shaping up to be one of corporate Japan’s biggest debacles since a scandal at Olympus in 2011, a Toshiba-appointed independent panel has been investigating the infrastructure giant’s finances after Japan’s financial watchdog warned of possible accounting irregularities back in February.

The company said in May it would need to reduce its profit for the 2009 through 2013 fiscal years because of improper accounting.

Since the problem was discovered and following investigations by independent investigators, massive irregularities were discovered in Toshiba’s personal computer and semiconductor businesses

Initially Toshiba management tried to hide the scale of scandal.

The independent panel is expected to report its findings by mid-July. Chief executive Hisao Tanaka has hinted there will be a major management reshuffle at that time with the real possibility emerging that more Countries selling PC’s could be slashed or the PC Division dumped all together.

The Wall Street Journal said that as a result of the accounting problems, Toshiba hasn’t been able to report its earnings for the 12-month period ending March 31-an announcement originally scheduled for June. The company hopes to file the earnings by the end of August.

Worries over the earnings restatement and the company’s corporate governance culture have weighed on Toshiba’s shares which have plunged on the Tokyo stock market. 

Analysts say, however, they are not worried about the possibility of a cash shortage.

“This is one of the largest crises in our company’s history,” said Mr. Tanaka, at an annual meeting of shareholders last month. Some shareholders demanded the resignation of all executives when their terms expire in September.

New BenQ Lineup

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BenQ has announced several new products at the 2006 CES Show. They include new LCD TV’s & Projectors.

BenQ has announced a new 42-inch LCD TV model  at the 2006 CES show in Las Vegas.

Priced at US$2,999, the new model provides a contrast ratio of 1000:1, a resolution of 1920_1080 and a 8ms response time.The PL4271 features what BenQ claims to be its proprietary “Senseye” digital-enhancement technology, which automatically and dynamically improves image quality, adjusts brightness and darkness levels, performs color mapping procedures and reduces jagged edges on images.

BenQ will also launch two new entry level LCD TVs, the 32-inch VL3231 and the 37-inch VL3731 in the second quarter of 2006 with price tags of US$1,299 and US$1,799, respectively.

The Company also showcased a full lineup of digital projectors. The range includes four new models the CP120, MP770, MP720p and the PE8720. The CP120 is being called the “world’s smallest and lightest micro-portable digital projector” by BenQ. This model comes packed with built-in 802.11a/b/g wireless capability and weights only 2.9 pounds, which makes it an ideal solution for mobile professionals, according to the manufacturer.

The CP120 boasts a 2000:1 contrast ratio and is compatible with most major video standards, from NTSC and PAL to EDTV and HTDV formats, including 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i, and 480p. More specs below:


8.58″ (w) x 6.77″ (h) x 2.40″ (d) unit dimensions
2.9 lbs weight
DLP&153;-based chipset
IEEE802.11a/b/g wireless presenter
2000:1 contrast ratio
5-segment Golden Ratio Color Wheel
4:3 aspect ratio with 16:9 support
XGA native resolution
54 inches at 6.6 feet throw ratio
1500 ANSI lumens brightness
Inputs: NTSC, PAL, SECAM, EDTV and HDTV (1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i, 480p and RGBHV)
The unit is available now for $1,799.

Next up is the MP720p, designed for education and business professionals. The portable projector is even more value-attractive with a price tag of $1,299. The unit is also available now. Its specs, as follows:


11.45″ (1) x 3.70″ (h) x 9.21″ (w) unit dimensions
6.6 lbs weight
Full 16.7 million color palette
2000:1 contrast ratio
5-segment color wheel
4:3 aspect ratio with 16:9 support
XGA native resolution
2500 ANSI lumens
Inputs: NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and HDTV (480p, 576p, 720p, and 1080i)
The MP770 is being billed as a solution for classrooms. It will be available in Q2 of this year with a price tag of $1,999. Its specs below:


Technical Specifications
7.17″ (l) x 3.22″ (h) x 9.21″ (w) unit dimensions
6 lbs weight
Full 16.7 million color palette
2000:1 contrast ratio
5-segment color wheel
4:3 aspect ratio with 16:9 support
XGA native resolution
3200 ANSI lumens
Inputs: NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and HDTV (480p, 576p, 720p, and 1080i)
And finally, BenQ’s cream of the crop HD projector, the PE8720, has been created with high-end videophiles in mind. The unit costs $7,999 and is available now. Its meaty specs are listed as follows:

TI Darkchip3 DMD
Brightness: 1000 ANSI-lumens
Contrast Ratio: 10000:1
Input terminals: Component (BNCx5, RCAx3), S-Video, Composite (RCAx1) and HDMI (with HDCP x1)
Weight: 9 kg (20 lb)

No Australian pricing is yet available.

Netgear Back In Harvey Norman Stores

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Netgear is back in at Harvey Norman according to a Harvey Norman franchisee. Late last month Harvey Norman management kicked Netgear out of their stores after senior management of the Company found out that Netgear had struck a deal with arch rival Woolworths.

Netgear Managing director Ian McLean has refused to comment however a leading Harvey Norman franchisee told SmartHouse Reseller that all problems that existed have been overcome. They said” Netgear is a leading brand in the wireless market. People actually come in and ask for Netgear. They have done a good job of building the brand while also delivering a product that performs. It was ridiculous to kick them out in the first place as it is brands like Netgear where we make our money. The other problem is that Netgear are innovators in the Wireless market and next year they could well have the hottest wireless product on the block, Harvies could not afford not to have a leading edge product”.

When Netgear was removed from Harvey Norman stores Ian McLean said “We knew that they were not happy with us growing our business via Big W but to remove us from their stores is a bit rich” Nicole, an IT sales assistant at Harvey Norman Auburn said “We are removing Netgear from our store. We have some Netgear ADSL Firewall routers but when these are sold they will not be replaced. A big loser in the re in statement of Netgear back into Harvey Norman stores is set to be D Link who was banking on them picking up the slack due to Belkin having an inferior wireless 80.2.11 G product range and Linksys not being ranged at all in Harvey Norman stores. However this could change with new management at Harvey Norman now reviving the Linksys product range for stores in 2006.

 

Cash Running Out At Dick Smith

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Dick Smith store management claim that consumers have deserted the retail chain and that on some day’s takings are a tenth of what the stores were doing during the same period last year.

“We have no stock and the perception is that the house brand stock that we are being asked to sell at inflated prices are not worth the money” said a Sydney store manager.

“We have had no real stock for months” they said. 

ChannelNews has been told that the remaining management at Dick Smith, who are bleeding between $3M and $4M a week have been told that their jobs are secure until June the 30th with several managers locked into contracts until that date.

One senior staff member said “I think this has been done so the receivers can try to strech out the life of the stores. The more it stays up the more they make in fees” they said cynically.  

According to sources operating costs have blown out in recent weeks.


Click to enlarge
Neil Merola the former Marketing Directory responsible for the Companies marketing and selling operations is believed to have gone to ground after being sacked.


As at December 2015 Dick Smith had $30M in operating cash, by January this was down to $20M, rent on current Dick Smith stores is around $2.5 to $3M a week. 

Operating costs on top of the rent bill are believed to be a minimum of between $5.5 to $6.5M. Operating on 20 points margin they are generating revenues between $7M to $8M a week.

There is also the possibility that receivers Ferrier Hodgson could start shutting down stores during the next few weeks as money starts to run out. 

According to sources still working at the retailer these are stores that are were “unprofitable” prior to being placed into receivership as well as stores that prospective buyers have said that they have “no interest” in buying. 

A prospective buyer told ChannelNews that they have concerns about the data provided via a “confidential data room” set up by Ferrier Hodgeson.

The CEO of one prospective Company said “There are a number of issues relating to the possible acquisition of Dick Smith. Firstly, the brand is broken beyond repair, I believe consumers will struggle doing business in a Dick Smith branded store. If anyone does buy into what the receivers are offering they are going to have to do radical surgery, rebrand and that means a big investment in marketing”.

“The other issue is that a lot of suppliers don’t want to see another competitor in the market up against Harvey Norman who are set to deliver excellent results similar to what JB Hi Fi delivered. Suppliers are looking to cut account management and merchandising costs and by concentrating on a select few retailers they believe that they can improve sales by working with a smaller group of retailers”.

“We have walked away because there is too much risk, banks are not prepared to back risky ventures especially a retailer trying to take on Harvey Norman and Dick Smith”.

The previous Dick Smith management team, headed up by former chief Nick Abboud had come to the conclusion in late November that they had to close stores if they were to cut costs.
 
A plan submitted to their banks was rejected as there was “real risk associated with leases” said an insider. 

According to Fairfax Media stock levels have been in decline since after Christmas 2014, according to staff, who claim a decline in deliveries of high profile brands coincided with an increase in home brand stock and accessories, despite feedback that the Dick Smith and MOVE product was not popular with shoppers.

The demise of Dick Smith and the role of private equity group Anchorage Capital Partners in its transformation from a $94 million electronics business into a $520 million public company is now the subject of a Senate Inquiry, after independent South Australian senator Nick Xenophon gained bipartisan support for his inquiry into the collapse of Australian retailers last week.

COMMENT: Why Is LG Letting B+O Climb On Their Back.

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At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona LG is set to reveal new top end smartphones that incorporate Bang + Olufsen BeoPlay audio technology, but one has to ask why the Company has done this?

On one hand LG wants consumers top believe that their own Music Flow networked sound system is seriously up there. It delivers 24Bit sound playback capability.

Several publications have described the LG sound offering as being up there with Sonos. 

Digital Trends said of the LG Music Flow system “It offers competitive sound quality, with a dark and smooth punch of bass”. 

So why not deliver the new LG G5 with Music Flow as opposed to Bang + Olufsen B+O BeoPlay technology which is only as good as the LG Music Flow offering but at twice the price.

What LG is buying is a name, while Bang + Olufsen whose products are sold primarily via their own retail stores is getting global access to millions of consumers who will be exposed to the B+O branding on a smartphone and in global advertising run and paid for by LG. 

Ironically, it is not true B+O Play technology that G5 owners will get. For example, the B&O BeoPlay A2 which is the smallest of the B+O BeoPlay products has two 3-inch, full-range drivers and two 0.75-inch tweeters on each side. They are reinforced by a couple of 3-inch bass radiators, which help to add depth and meaning to the lower frequencies.

It’s a bit hard to get this technology into 5″ smartphone.
 
The new B+O Play sound will be included in the LG G5, which is set to be announced this weekend in Barcelona.

What an ‘enhanced high-quality audio experience’ means for users isn’t clear, from the announcement, but it looks like both LG and Bang & Olufsen are excited about the deal.

 
Juno Cho, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company said “By collaborating with B&O PLAY, we believe we can meet and surpass the heightened expectations of consumers seeking the next generation of enhanced audio experiences on their smartphones. Our collaboration with B&O PLAY has proven mutually beneficial and LG will continue to work with other leading companies in a variety of different industries in order to set new standards for innovation in the premium smartphone market”.

So next time you are being told that LG’s Music Flow system is as good as a Sonos and it is, you may want to raise the question as to why LG is not using their own audio technology in their new Smartphones. 

Ironically I don’t believe that too many people actually listen to music straight out of their smartphones. Most use headphones or connect the device to a networked system which defeats the concept of partnering with B+O.

Maybe LG has a problem with their brand pulling capability. 

Technology Driving Retail Sales 16% Growth Tipped

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Shares in Harvey Norman and JB Hi Fi rose yesterday after David Jones raised its full-year profit forecast to between 10 and 12%. However consumer electronics retailers could be facing major stock shortages due to global manufacturing cutbacks.

Shares in Harvey Norman and JB Hi Fi rose yesterday after David Jones raised its full-year profit forecast to between 10 and 12%. However consumer electronics retailers could be facing major stock shortages due to global manufacturing cutbacks.

During the past week several distributors have told ChannelNews that they are struggling to get stock after “massive global cutbacks” due to poor market conditions in the USA and Europe.

Geoff Mathews the Marketing Director at Convoy the distributor of brands like Monster Cable Harmon Kardon and JBL said “Stock supply is very tight. While the Australian market has remained buoyant overseas markets have crashed and manufacturers have significantly cut back on the amount of stock they manufacture as a result priority is being given to markets other than Australia”.

A Melbourne based supplier of sound and iPod attach gear to both Harvey Norman and JB hi Fi as well as the specialist channels said “The issue of supply is becoming serious. Vendors have cut back so far in some cases up to 50% on what they were producing in early 2008 that we are now struggling to get any stock”.

“The Australian market is looking good however if stock is not going into stores it will hurt both retailers and distributors” they said.

Earlier this year mass retailers lost millions in sales due to a lack of flat panel TV stock with several retailers only getting new stock in May. 
In Australia the overall growth in the consumer electronics has been strong according to GFK who said that the market grew by 12% in the first quarter. Insiders are tipping 16% for the second quarter due to improved TV supply, notebooks and demand for digital camera in particular SLR camera’s that grew by 79% up to May 2009.

“Mass retailer in the consumer electronics market, are expecting good growth this year due to tax cuts and Federal Government incentives and a rise in consumer sentiment” said a Merrill Lynch analyst.

 David Jones now expects full-year profit after tax to rise by 8-12 percent for the year to June, up from 0-5 percent forecast previously, due to a strong trading performance in May and June.

“David Jones is a barometer for the discretionary spending sector so if David Jones is in itself experiencing some good conditions, I don’t see why the others won’t get some benefit too,” said Lucinda Chan, division director at Macquarie Equities.

“The government stimulus is working quite well. People are going out and people are spending. Hopefully this would be a sign that markets are turning the corner,” Chan said.

“Whilst we still have to trade through July to complete the fourth quarter and we are not planning to repeat the clearance of excess inventory undertaken in July 2008, our trading to date has been pleasing and well above our expectations,” David Jones Chief Executive Mark McInnes said.

 

Overseas Retailers Take To Kaiser Baas Adventure Tech Products

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Kaiser Baas is a name that was created early in 2006, it sounds European, but it’s only now that retailers in the UK, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and the Middle East are flocking to stock the Companies adventure tech consumer electronics products.

The reality is that the name and the Company behind Kaiser Baas is 100% Australian right down to their action cameras, drones, crash cameras and media centre boxes which are scoped packaged and designed in Melbourne. 

In recent weeks Dixons’ in the UK, Curry’s, Harvey Norman in Ireland and distributors such as Computers Unlimited have moved to sell Kaiser Bass branded products that very soon could include a Sedgeway type product with no handles. 

Also set to stock the Kaiser Baas product range is UK retailer Maplin.

Behind Kaiser Baas is a management team who know how fickle consumer electronics distribution can be.

Evan Kourambas the CEO of Kaiser Baas has been around the IT channel for decades. 

Prior to creating Kaiser Baas he ran Lako Pacific an IT component distribution Company and later Pineapplehead all Companies that have moved on or have been delisted. 

Writing on his LinkedIn page Kourambas wrote “PIneapplehead, love it or hate it, it was a great name for a business. The truth is NOBODY forgot it. Pinepplehead was spawned out of a passion for Computers and most importantly Computer Graphics.

in 1997 we successfully demonstrated Computer Animated graphics TV Golf broadcasting, this was a world first, later that year Pineapplehead was broadcasting live to air 3D simulations of golf greens for the Australian PGA tour with host broadcaster Channel 7.

Pineapplehead went on to become the first company to use a MS Windows system, live to air on CBS USA.

At one stage Lako Pacific was appointed the distribution partner of Pioneer along with several other leading brands.

Today Kaiser Baas and Evan Kourambas are heading in a new direction developing “affordable technology” products for the mass market a move that big CE retailers around the world appear to like. 

Their products which are about to appear in 400 UK stores across the UK are already proving popular in Australian stores with retailers such as Dick Smith, JB Hi Fi and Harvey Norman already stocking most of the Companies product range. 

During a visit to the Companies Melbourne Offices ChannelNews was shown new drones and a Sedgeway type product that could be in stores by Christmas if liability issues relating to the $900 Sedgeway are ironed out.

“Right now we are growing and growing fast, we are also operating across several geographies including Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We have just got back from a highly successful trip to Europe and the Middle East with several new big retailers set to take our products” said Kourambas.

“During the past 12 months we have moved to refocus our product offering as some products have simply fall out of fashion due to several reasons. We have reinvented the Company and our product offering and we are now having a lot of success”. 

“Our future is in adventure technology. This is a fast growing category being adopted by retailers who are looking for new categories as others slow down”.

Shortly Kaiser Baas will launch several new products in Australia. 

Former Vodafone Executives Sues Optus For $14M Claiming Harrasment

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Senior executives in the marketing department of Optus which has been described as a “boys club” have been accused of “bullying, suppression and victimisation” by a former marketing executive who had only been in the job for 7 months.

Now Kerry Morrison who has had numerous jobs prior to joining Optus wants the company to cough up $14.5 million in damages. She claims internal fighting between Optus’ marketing departments prevented her from doing her job.

Morrison worked at Optus from 2002 to 2003, and returned to the company in 2011 where she worked as the Head of Sales, Services and Marketing in Digital Media for 7 months. Prior to that she also worked for 19 months at Vodafone Hutchison Australia.

Optus said it would defend the ”unjustified claims”.

Last year former David Jones PR executive Kristy Fraser-Kirk tried to claim $37 Million from David Jones for sexual harassment. The case which never went to trial ended up with David Jones paying out less $900K. 

Last week Harmers Workplace Lawyers filed a statement of claim in the Federal Court in NSW claiming SingTel Optus failed to protect their client from a “known bully”.

It was revealed that Optus terminated Morrison’s employment prior to the case being brought before the Federal Court.

Morrison also claims that Optus tried to prevent her from exercising her workplace rights.

Now Morrison is seeking millions claiming that her second spell at Optus had resulted in her reputation being damaged.

One head hunter in the IT and telecommunication channel told ChannelNews, “I had never heard of this woman prior to this case, now everyone knows who she is because of her action against Optus”.

Lawyers acting for Morrison have also sought orders “designed to ensure that the dysfunctional culture of bullying, suppression and victimisation at the Optus Group is reformed”.

 

Fairfax Media claim that Morrison alleges Optus failed to warn her about tensions between the company’s digital media division, headed by Austin Bryan, and the consumer division, including “strong tensions in the relationship between Bryan and [head of consumer] Michael Smith; the protection of under-performing internal and external parties; [and] the role of Michael Smith as a known bully highly protective of the revenue of the consumer division”.

Harmers allege Mr Smith would not support Ms Morrison’s initiatives to boost online sales “as it would lead to a decline of sales through retail”, which he managed.

Tensions peaked at a meeting between the two on January 11 when Mr Smith allegedly “started screaming at [Ms Morrison] and became physically aggressive and overbearing to the point where [Ms Morrison] became fearful and emotionally upset [and was] physically shaking”, court documents allege.

She claims she was sacked without notice by her supervisor, Mr Bryan, on February 7.