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Linksys Expand Network Range As They Go After Netgear

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Linksys who are now the second largest consumer network Company in the USA after Netgear, has expanded their range of network solutions in Australia with the launch of a new Dual-Band Wi-Fi Modem Router.

The Linksys X6200 ADSL/VDSL follows the recent launch of a top end Max Stream, AC1900, EA7500 MU-MIMO home router that is ideal for apartment dwellers who want to stream things like 4K TV.

The Next-Gen Max-Stream AC1900 can provide users with combined speeds up to 1.9 Gbps (in theory – it is how routers are named – 600Mbps x 2.4GHz plus 1300Mbps x 5GHz).

Linksys is also the first networking Company to sell 100 million routers globally they also recently announced that they will ship the first wireless router that will provide Wi-Fi up to 10,000 feet under water.

The new Linksys H2O Wi-Fi Router (EA1900H2O) is a AC1900 wireless router that connects to buoys in the ocean or on lakes and uses a satellite connection to provide Wi-Fi to devices such as under water cameras, scuba gear, weather sensors and so much more.

Leveraging MU-MIMO wireless technology, multiple devices can connect simultaneously to the H2O Wi-Fi router at high speeds with long range coverage. “We get a lot of customers asking when we are going to make Wi-Fi work under water so more devices can connect,” said Joe Czarfunee, product engineer for Linksys. “We’ve revolutionized Wi-Fi to provide the experience for consumers whether they are at home, work or under water.”

Their latest offering was first shown at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the X6200 features dual wireless bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with data speeds up to 300Mbps (2.4GHz) + 433Mbps (5GHz) making it ideal for internet streaming and gaming.

“Our new modem router provides an ADSL / VDSL modem and a router for an all-in-one seamless wireless broadband networking experience – a crucial requirement for people wanting to make the most of their premium broadband services”, said Greg Morrison, business unit director, Linksys ANZ.

Four Gigabit Ethernet ports make it easy to share data quickly across a network, and to external devices – at speeds 10x faster than Fast Ethernet. Plus, use the high-performance USB 2.0 port to attach a storage device and quickly transfer large files or share devices across a Wi-Fi network. The X6200 contains a built-in DSL modem, making it easy to connect to DSL Internet service and enjoy fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout the home without having to purchase an additional device.

“With the varied connectivity solutions currently rolled out with the National Broadband Network, the X6200 is truly the perfect all in one device for the Aussie home. Providing ADSL for now, VDSL for the NBN Fibre to the node solution and a router for your Fibre to the home solution – it’s the Modem Router for Today and Tomorrow”, he added.

Features include:
. One VDSL/ADSL2+ Annex A – RJ-11 port
. One Gigabit WAN port with auto MDI/MDIX sensing (RJ-45) for Router functionality
. Four Gigabit Ethernet ports
. One USB 2.0 port
. Supports VPN pass-through with IPsec, PPTP, and L2TP
. Supports logging for incoming and outgoing traffic
. DHCP server for LAN
. Supports Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
. IPv4/IPv6 dual-stack support
. DSL Modem supports ITU G992.5 ADSL2+ Annex A, L, and M and VDSL G.993.1 and ITU G.993.2
standards

Pricing and Availability
The X6200 will be available from 11th April 2016 at leading retailers including JB Hi Fi and Harvey Norman at an RRP of $189.95.

New 3G Phone Technology

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Japanese electronics makers Matsushita Electric and NEC are in talks with Texas Instruments to create a joint venture to make chips for third-generation mobile telephones.

Advanced phones which let users exchange music and images and surf the Internet have come to dominate the market in Japan, the pioneering country for 3G.The two electric giants and the US chipmaker want to set up the new venture in Japan as early as this summer and develop chips for 3G phones both by Matsushita, best known for its Panasonic brand, and NEC, the Nihon Keizai business daily said.

The companies are expected to sign an agreement this month and will also provide parts to other phone producers inside and outside Japan, it said.The new venture will likely be capitalized at around 10 billion yen (85 million dollars), it added.”It’s true that the five companies are discussing possible cooperation in the area of third-generation mobile phones but nothing has been finalized yet,” said NEC spokesman Toshinori Arai.

Matsushita also released similar remarks. A spokesman for Texas Instruments declined to comment on the report. At the outset, NEC and Matsushita subsidiary Panasonic Mobile Communications (PMC) will each hold about 30 percent in the venture with the rest split equally between Matsushita, TI and NEC semiconductor subsidiary NEC Electronics, the Nihon Keizai said.

Gerry Harvey Buys Entire Shopping Centre

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Gerry Harvey has expanded his property portfolio by snapping up a border shopping centre in regional Australia that houses a Bing Lee and Officeworks store.

The Harvey Norman CEO has purchased the seven-year-old, Wodonga Homemaker Centre in the Albury-Wodonga area for $25M.

The centre is located next door to Bunnings on the corner of Victoria Cross Parade and Anzac Parade.

The Border Mail said that the homemaker centre was offered for sale via an expressions of interest process which closed late last month.

CBRE agent Rory Hilton confirmed the sale.

“It was a highly successful campaign,” he said.

“There is a big focus on well positioned regional assets.

“There is a drive in that market as long as the town can support them.

“The vendor has had that centre in such good shape.

“Harvey Norman has a centre in Albury and there was a link for them to get a further foothold in the area.”

The centre has a fully leased income of $2.06 million per annum and is presently fully tenanted to 12 retailers with the most recent addition being Genesis gymnasium.

Midway through last year Bing Lee opened in the homemaker centre replacing the space occupied by one of the original anchor tenants, Warehouse Sales.

Bing Lee has since opened another store in the Mate’s Building in central Albury.

Harvey Norman was touted to be another anchor tenant when the homemaker centre opened in 2008.

Acer Goes After LCD TV & PDA Markets

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Acer globally is gearing up to expand its branded presence in the PDA and LCD TV markets in 2006, according to company chairman JT Wang, who anticipates on-year sales growth of more than 100% in both the PDA and LCD TV segments next year.

The Company anticipates year on year sales growth of more than 100% in both the PDA and LCD TV segments next year.

According to Wang, Acer aims to sell 700,000 PDAs in 2005, up six-fold from 100,000 units last year. The sales will continue to climb 114% in 2006, when the company’s ranking in the global PDA market is expected to rise from third to second, said Wang. Acer currently offers three PDAs – the n30, n35 and n50, all of them being manufactured by Lite-On Technology.

A recent report by International Data Corporation (IDC) stated that the handheld device market totaled 1.68 million units worldwide in the third quarter of 2005, with Acer enjoying the most on-year growth among the top-five vendors. Acer ranked third, shipping 188,800 units in the third quarter, up 421% on year.For LCD TVs, Acer projects it will ship one million units by 2007, up significantly from an estimate of 150,000 units this year. Quanta Computer is currently Acer’s major contract maker for the segment.In Australia Acer has been on a roll snaring the #1 Notebook position according to IDC Research and recently they won the #1 LCD TV supplier slot.

The below Data is from Digi Times in Taiwan

.

Acer’s branded sale forecast by segment (million units)

Item

2004-05 growth (e)

2005-06 growth (f)

Contract makers

PDA

600%

114%

Lite-On

LCD TV

NA

233%

Quanta

LCD monitor

77-88%

67%

Compal Electronics, TPV Technology, TechView (joint venture between Quanta and the Pouchen Group)

Notebook

80%

43%

Compal Electronics, Quanta, Wistron, Inventec

Desktop PC

20%

100%

Foxconn

Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, November 2005

Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, November 2005

Acer chairman JT Wang
Photo: David Tzeng, DigiTimes

Acer: October 2004 – October 2005 revenues (NT$m)

Month

Sales

M/M

Y/Y

YTD

Y/Y

Oct-05

25,911

17.9%

59.7%

164,564

62.9%

Sep-05

21,978

18.8%

79%

138,652

63.5%

Aug-05

18,494

28.5%

70.4%

116,675

60.9%

Jul-05

14,388

-3.7%

75.6%

98,180

59.2%

Jun-05

14,938

2.7%

51.6%

83,792

56.7%

May-05

14,551

10.7%

72.3%

68,854

57.9%

Apr-05

13,147

-17.0%

64%

54,303

54.4%

Mar-05

15,835

22%

42.7%

41,156

51.6%

Feb-05

12,981

5.2%

46.4%

25,322

57.7%

Jan-05

12,341

10.9%

71.5%

12,341

71.5%

Dec-04

11,127

-37.0%

31.3%

129,823

59%

Nov-04

17,671

8.9%

46.8%

118,696

62.2%

Oct-04

16,230

32.2%

49.4%

101,026

65.2%

Source: TSE, compiled by DigiTimes, Nov 2005.
*Figures are not consolidated.

Acer: 3Q 2004 – 3Q 2005 revenues (NT$m)

Quarter

Sales

Q/Q

Y/Y

YTD

Y/Y

3Q-05

54,790

28.5%

74.9%

138,574

63.4%

2Q-05

42,652

3.7%

61.1%

83,784

56.7%

1Q-05

41,132

-7.2%

52.5%

41,132

52.5%

4Q-04

44,320

41.5%

43%

129,109

58%

3Q-04

31,334

18.4%

42.3%

84,789

67.2%

Source: TSE, compiled by DigiTimes, Nov 2005.
*Figures are not consolidated.

Acer: 3Q 2004 – 3Q 2005 balance sheet (NT$k)

Item

3Q-2005

2Q-2005

1Q-2005

4Q-2004

3Q-2004

Current assets

71,615,230

55,067,816

41,723,288

38,977,620

30,263,818

Long-term investments

44,333,242

44,559,826

44,732,236

43,692,146

49,890,244

Fixed assets (net)

4,120,336

4,141,966

4,167,996

5,633,134

5,677,517

Intangible assets

354,630

414,372

461,884

465,632

429,929

Other assets

5,021,836

4,875,913

4,839,611

3,939,385

4,116,901

Assets

125,445,274

109,059,893

95,925,015

92,707,917

90,378,409

Current liabilities

59,924,291

47,798,953

31,859,681

30,738,777

26,766,195

Noncurrent interest-bearing liabilities

0

0

0

0

3,000,000

Other liabilities

1,866,237

1,373,679

1,009,246

1,292,117

1,785,947

Liabilities

61,790,528

49,172,632

32,868,927

32,030,894

31,552,142

Stockholders’ equity

63,654,746

59,887,261

63,056,088

60,677,023

58,826,267

Source: TSE, compiled by DigiTimes, Nov 2005.
*Figures are not consolidated.

EMC Enters Continious Data Protection Market

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CORRECTED: EMC is set to enter the continuous data protection market, up against big names such as HP and IBM.

Corrected to reflect the correct Australian pricing for RecoverPoint (around $50,000).

EMC is set to enter the continuous data protection market, up against big names such as HP and IBM. The announcement will be made at the Storage Networking World conference in the USA when EMC introduces its RecoverPoint solution, which is based on technology supplied by Mendocino Software. The EMC software is designed to help customers continuously back up data, as well as instantly recover files and transaction-oriented data.

RecoverPoint, which runs on a Linux server, will save and recover data on any EMC, HP, IBM or Hitachi array, EMC says. It supports Sun Solaris, Windows 2003, and Oracle and SQL Server databases.

RecoverPoint differs from some other products on the market because it can be used to back up both file and database data to disk. Other products, such as Symantec’s Backup Exec 10d for Windows Servers and LiveState Recovery 6.0, IBM’s Tivoli Data Protection for Files and Microsoft’s Systems Data Protection Manager, only back up files created on a network.

EMC is not the first big-name company to look to Mendocino for CDP technology. HP last week announced it has agreed to resell Mendocino’s RecoveryOne software.

EMC plans to expand the enterprise focus of RecoverPoint in the first half of 2006 with support for Microsoft Exchange and IBM’s DB2, as well as host operating systems AIX, HP-UX, Linux and Windows 2000. RecoverPoint costs around $50,000.

Also, FilesX has announced CDP on Demand, software that can be used to restore Microsoft Exchange, Word and SQL Server files, and that allows regularly scheduled snapshots of data to be taken. Unlike Microsoft’s System Data Protection Manager, CDP on Demand allows for unlimited snapshots. The software is available as part of FilesX’s Xpress Restore, which starts at $15,000.

Also at the show, StorServer is expected to introduce a CDP option for its storage appliances that works with IBM’s Tivoli Continuous Data Protection for Files. The application enables users to protect data on their laptops, desktops and file servers by backing it up to multiple locations, including those with StorServer Appliances. The boxes start at $4,500; CDP coverage costs $55 per laptop or desktop and $1200 per server.

For further information go here.

EXCLUSIVE: JB Hi Fi Cut Major Tax Free Airport Deal

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Days after Harvey Norman walked away from buying the Dick Smith Move stores at Australian airports, JB Hi Fi has cut a 6.5 years deal to become the exclusive technology partner with Heinemann Tax and Duty free at Sydney airport.

Richard Murray the CEO of JB Hi Fi has described the deal as “brilliant”. 

He said “Consumers today are getting to airports early they are in holiday mood and don’t mind spending. The vendors that we have spoken to about this deal are stoked as they recognise the value that airports deliver and are keen to work with us as part of this deal”.

According to Apple sources the Dick Smith Move stores were shifting large volumes of Apple products at airports and in some months the Move stores at airports sold more Apple product than Dick Smith stores.

Murray said “Sydney airport is world class and we in partnership with Heinemann will deliver leading brands across several categories”. 

He added “Heinemann and Sydney Airport have been working together to create a world class Duty Free precinct and JB Hi-Fi is looking forward to being part of this exciting development.” 

Heinemann is the leading Tax & Duty Free operator at Sydney International Airport and its MD Constantin Wiesmann said “we have been most impressed with the professionalism exhibited by JB HI-FI to date and we are confident the partnership will prove mutually beneficial.”

Both Parties acknowledge the support Sydney Airport Corporation Limited has provided to enable a fast transition to JB Hi-Fi as exclusive Technology partner commencing 1 April 2016.

This follows the collapse of the Move stores.

By partnering with an established operator at Sydney JB Hi Fi have reduced their exposure to what Jerry Harvey described as “horrendous” rents when he decided to not take on the Move stores. 

AmberTech’s Shock $4.69 Million Loss

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AmberTech, who is struggling in both the consumer electronics and custom install markets, has delivered another shocking result, reporting a loss of $4.69m.

The consolidated loss for the Company between the 2011-12 financial year to June 30 was $4.69 million, it was announced today.

This was down from a profit after tax of $126,000 in the previous period.

Total revenues for the financial year decreased by 22.9% to $51.4m from $66.7 million the same time a year ago.

The AV distributor has also been forced to borrow $400,000 during the year.

The poor underlying result included one off costs relating to the move of Ambertech’s head office, restructure costs, significant bad debt and the impairment of goodwill.

In a report to the Australian Securities Commission, the Company said its working capital, being current assets less current liabilities, has decreased by $3,69m to $12,8m at 30 June.

Last month, Ambertech signed a contract with the ABC for the supply and support of file based studio record and source ingest systems worth over $4 million. It will supply ABC EVS, Snell, Telestream and Storage DNA sound equipment.

The Company said they were banking on the release of a new range of Onkyo receivers with network capability and Spotify music streaming service to lift revenues in 2013.

On the immediate horizon is a new Onkyo wireless dock which will transform any legacy home theatre receiver into a wireless receiver.

The tech distribution giant Sonance business continued to grow with architectural speaker products and new outdoor Landscape Series contributing to their lifestyle division.

Also contributing was the introduction of the iPort range of products, and Amber Directors also confirmed “an updated go to market strategy has seen Sonance flourish.”

Another brand that Amber is banking on to deliver improved results is NHT speakers which will be sold online only.

The Company is also partnering with Panasonic to sell their high bright projector and commercial flat panel TVs.

The audio distribution giant cited other new product lines including the “fashionable” Zound Industries headphone, Pat Says Now cases and bags which it says has “positive feel throughout our sales force.”

It also cited some “early signs that business and consumer confidence may be returning.”

“We expect when this does happen, we will be in prime position to take full advantage of opportunities that may arise,” the company said in its Annual Report. 

 

In the broadcasting and pro front, the strong Aussie dollar, grey importing and Internet purchasing from overseas have all impact resellers.

It also confirmed it has adjusted ordering and shipping policies to better compete, and is “working actively with major resellers to address the changing marketplace in online presence and purchasing.”

Ambertech also lost major agency this financial year, blamed on its consolidation with a UK company which already had an office locally.

Amber NZ sales were also “steady”, with the Pro Audio market in particular doing well and cited a ‘mini boom’ in the AV/Custom Install market created by the Rugby World Cup last year and finished the financial year with a profitable result. 

2011-12 was a year of “consolidation and transformation” and expect to see “further consolidation of brands and are positioning ourselves to capitalise on this.”

The company said remained operating cash flow positive for the financial year.

EXCLUSIVE: NSW Liberals Accused Of Trying To Manipulate North Shore Bye Election

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The NSW Government has been accused of attempting to stall the issuing of Writs for the North Shore bye election in an effort to limit campaigning time for independent candidates to “the shortest possible time” following the resignation of former Health Minister Jillian Skinner.

The move that has been described as deliberate and disgraceful and a move that prevents other candidates from raising campaign money before the issuing of writs, has been slammed by Mosman Councillor Carolyn Corrigan who has indicated that she will stand as an independent candidate in the seat that the Liberal Party has still not nominated a candidate for, despite the local election being scheduled for April 8th.


Click to enlarge
Carolyn Corrigan Independent Candidate North Shore


She claims that the current NSW Government is deliberately rorting the electoral system by applying undue pressure on the Electoral commission to keep out candidates who want to compete for Skinners former seat which some analysts claim could fall to an independent.

Corrigan claims that the residents of the North Shore have had a “gutful” of the way that the Liberal party, Skinner and the NSW Government have treated the electorate in the past.

“The Labor party took the view that the seat was unwinnable so they never invested in the electorate. The Liberal Party on the other hand believe that this their seat that they will win easily every time there is an election”. 

“As a result, they have not invested in the North Shore, because they believe that they have the electorate in their pocket”.

“Now there is a serious swing in the seat and there is the real possibility that an independent could win this seat if the sentiment of residents that I have been talking to have anything to go by”.  


Click to enlarge
Gillian Skinner former member, accused of failing to deliver for residents of the North Shore.


“What the Liberal party machine is engaging in is skulduggery and manipulation in an effort to minimise campaigning time”.  

“What a lot of people don’t realise is that three Liberal branches in the electorate including Mosman voted against Skinner and the proposed amalgamation of Mosman Council”.

“Voters are also angry that Skinner was a no show at public meetings to discuss the amalgamation of Mosman and North Sydney Councils” she said. 

Corrigan claims that after speaking to the NSW Electoral Commission twice in the last few days, they have confirmed that the timing of these by-elections is in their words is “unprecedented”. 

She said that with no other by election in NSW has there ever been less than 3 weeks before writs are issued and the election held.

She believes that after the Government lost the seat of Orange they have decided that they will in the future not allow time for independents to have a chance at campaigning for the seat.

She said that residents of the North Shore are “angry” with the current Liberal Government. 

They are being treated as third rate residents of NSW despite being the electorate that delivers the highest level of tax for the NSW Government and the biggest contributor to Charities in Australia.

On the issue of the Spit Bridge and the lack of a tunnel or the widening of the Spit Bridge which she claims the Liberal has been promising for decades she said  “North Shore residents, have been paying to cross the Sydney Harbour bridge for decades, yet despite the massive contribution they have made to the NSW economy the current Government and past Governments has made no commitment to invest in a tunnel across the Spit Bridge to ease traffic on Military Road which is one of the busiest roads in Australia”. 

“160,000 people cross the Sydney Harbour bridge every day, yet despite this the only thing that current politicians have handed out to residents of the North is a two-finger salute and suck up and wait attitude”. 


Click to enlarge


“Young people in the electorate struggle to get to work when Military road comes to a standstill and trades and business executives are losing out because appointments and meetings have to be cancelled when the roads around the bridge become gridlocked which is becoming a weekly occurrence”. 
 
Corrigan claims she is an independent candidate that right now is prevented because of NSW electoral laws from raising any money as an independent until the writs have been issued by the State . 

The Liberal Party on the other hand is not bound by these electoral laws as an existing political entity. 

 According to sources within the Electoral commission it is unlikely writs will be issued, until the 24th March which is a Friday so the banks are closed, which will leave barely 2 1/2 weeks for any independent candidate to open an account, to raise any funds to take on the Government.

Corrigan claims that this is a blatant misuse of power by the State, “Electoral manipulation on this scale is reminiscent of the rum corps era and this does not bode well for a new Premier that says she is listening, one has to question as to who, I suspect the Liberal Party back office who are pulling her strings” she said.

She is calling on the electoral commission to stand up to the Government and declare warrants by this weekend. 

Acer Denies Plan To Shut Local Production

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Acer Australia claims that they are not going to cease local production despite several staff being laid off this week, they also claim that they are not going to adopt a retail only model despite claims to the contrary by current serving staff.

Acer CEO Charles Chung who has not returned calls to

ChannelNews has written a letter to dealers claiming that the Taiwanese Company

who reported a $5M loss last year and a 38% decline in sales will not be ceasing production of PCs for schools, corporations and governments.

He said “Nothing could be further from the truth and we have

no plans to either stop or slow down our production capacity. We are the only

company that invested heavily in a local assembly line in Australia allowing us

to serve our channel partners and corporate, government, and education

customers efficiently”.

Earlier this week ChannelNews was contacted by current

serving management who claimed that there was infighting among management over

cuts and the slowing of sales. Prior to being contacted by current serving

staff we have held several discussions with former staff who have left Acer

claiming that there is major problems at Acer Australia.

Charles Chung said” There is no instability at Acer

Australia and we have not undergone any “mass sackings”. As with any

large company, we periodically and routinely assesses staff performance and

business requirements, and some individuals were recently let go through this

review”.

Chung also denied that the Company is moving to a retail

model He wrote “Acer Australia has very strong commercial and education

business and is not planning any changes to the way we currently do

business”.

He also said that Acer have expanded their field service

operations across Australia in the last 12 months.

EXCLUSIVE: Breville Axes Senior Management

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Breville who are witnessing major growth in the US market, have started to axe staff in their domestic operations.

Richard Babekuhl pictured right, the former marketing manager at Breville and of late business manager at the Breville owned Kambrook along with Sonya Fetherston the sales and marketing operations manager have been given a pink slip.


Babekuhl said “I never saw this coming”. 
 
The move comes as Breville looks to expand their brand in the US where sales for Breville branded products grew overall by 19% last year Vs 8% overall growth for the 12 months in Australia and New Zealand. 

Babekuhl former marketing role at Breville has only just been filled with the appointment of Cliff Toring who has rebranded the position as Global Go-To-Market Officer.
 
Previously Toring has worked for Grey Advertising in New York, Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising in Hong Kong as well as like Polo Ralph Lauren and Nike. His most recent role was VP Global Brands director consumer for Nike.

Babekuhl, at this stage is not saying where he is going however ChannelNews understands that he is considering several offers. 

His exit comes as Breville is witnessing a rise in sales with both their Kambrook and Breville businesses. 

In his role running the Kambrook business Babekuhl was responsible for a portfolio, across over 200 product lines, It’s not known whether Breville which is currently undergoing a management shakeup will continue to invest in the Kambrook brand.  

Babekuhl led a team of 16 including Category Managers, Test Kitchen, Engineers and Sales to manage the New Product Development pipeline from concept to commercialisation.

Prior to taking on the internal Business Manager role at Kambrook he was responsible for the role out of several new Breville products. He joined the Company in 2011.

Last week Breville announced that they had lifted half year profit 4% but warns its future financial performance will be ‘unpredictable’.

The company made a net profit of $30.8 million for the six months to December 31, up from $29.7 million a year ago.

Breville, which sells Nespresso, Philips, Kambrook and Ronson branded products, said that sales for the six months grew 12.7 per cent to $331 million.

It expects mid-single digit earnings growth for the full year, but has flagged patchy international economic conditions as a major challenge going forward.

‘Given the continued sporadic business conditions across the globe, the group believes future financial performance will be relatively more unpredictable,’ the company said.

In the USA Breville is seen as an aspirational brand with the Company now looking to expand their brand offering in the US. 

In Australia Chief executive Jim Clayton is flagging a slowdown due to stiff competition and rising costs. Revenue in ANZ slipped 2.8 per cent.

Clayton said Breville was working on new ways to improve the future profitability of the Australian operation. 

‘The benefits of these initiatives will commence in the second half of the 2016 financial year,’ he said.