Smart Office

Menu

Mendelson Tiu

NetComm Rolls Out N Router

by

NetComm has launched the NP740n, a wireless N router that comes with 4 built-in Ethernet switch and provides wireless speeds of up to 300Mbps.


Click to enlarge
The router utilizes MIMO (Multi-In, Multi-Out) technology, which is capable of delivering up to 300% wider coverage and 650% faster speeds over current wireless technologies.

NetComm’s Engineering Manager, Craig Peacock said, “NetComm’s Real N offers end consumers a more superior networking experience with greater speeds, further distances and with less drop outs. Complying with the draft 2 specifications, we have avoided the issues plaguing earlier versions of 11n equipment while at the same time Real N offers a high performance, robust and more compatible solution.”

Key features of the NP740n include:

  • 802.11n Draft 2.0 compliance
  • 4 Ethernet Ports
  • Build-in Firewall
  • Firmware upgrade compatible
  • Works with all major operating systems, no software required

The NP740n will be available starting May 2008.

See: www.netcomm.com.au

ACMA Urges Re-registering Of Do Not Call Numbers

by

The ACMA has urged people who signed up for the Do Not Call Register in 2007 to re-register to avoid getting unwanted telemarketing calls.

According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, registrations for the Do Not Call Register are valid for three years. Anyone who signed up when the service was launched in May 2007 should re-register now to maintain protection from unwanted marketing calls.

The Chairman of the Australian Communications and Media Authority, Chris Chapman said, “It’s now time to re-register your numbers if you want to make sure you don’t receive telemarketing calls. Any numbers not re-registered by their three-year expiry deadline will be automatically removed from the register. So the best way to protect yourself from the days when you’d sit down to dinner and the telemarketing calls would start is to re-register your numbers now.”

There are currently more than 4.3 million home, mobile and VoIP numbers on the Do Not Call Register, with 93 per cent of people who registered noticing a reduction of telemarketing calls.

‘It’s fast, free and easy – simply call 1300 792 958 or go to www.donotcall.gov.au, where you can learn more and re-register,’ concluded Chapman.

4 Terabyte WD Storage For Mac

by

Apple users can store up to 4 terabytes of data with the new external drive from WD.


Click to enlarge
The My Book Studio Edition II works with Mac computers and is also compatible with Apple’s Time Machine automatic backup feature. The new 4 TB My Book Studio Edition II external storage system’s dual-drive RAID 0 configuration and high-speed interfaces claims to deliver high performance for creative professionals, workgroups, small offices, and individuals.

The system offers four interfaces: eSATA,  FireWire 800, FireWire 400, and USB 2.0. The system uses WD’s hard drives with WD GreenPower Technology that cuts power consumption.

WD’s Vice President of Marketing for its Branded Products Group, Dale Pistilli said, “The new My Book Studio Edition II is the best choice for creative professionals who require massive capacity and extra-fast performance. With 4 terabytes of capacity, photographers, graphic artists, videographers, and home video enthusiasts alike will have the space they need to store hours of high definition videos as well as the performance they need for demanding video editing applications.”

The Western Digital My Book Studio Edition II is available now for $999.

See: www.westerndigital.com

New Video Conferencing Service Saves Money

by

Want to have a conference but cannot afford the hefty price tag that comes with it? Australian company Attend Anywhere understands that and may solve that problem with its affordable video conferencing service.


Click to enlarge
The company has just launched its latest professional networking, video collaboration and service delivery logistics platform that will help businesses both large and small ‘improve their face to face communication but at a fraction of the cost of traditional video conferencing. ‘
 
Attend Anywhere’s CEO, Mr Chris Ryan said, “At the moment we’re seeing plenty of buzz around video conferencing as an alternative to travel at a time when rising fuel costs and a desire to cut carbon emissions are forcing companies to reassess their travel budgets. However with costs to set up a video conferencing system that covers two sites from around $20,000 – $200,000 it’s not really a viable alternative for many organisations.”
 
“By contrast, to access high definition videoconferencing within the new Attend Anywhere platform requires only a computer, a $100 webcam and a high-speed internet connection, and it can all happen at your desk at the click of a button,” he added.

 

Attend Anywhere uses a new videoconference platform called Vidyo which utilises a new IP standard to deliver TV quality videoconferencing over the internet using a standard computer and webcam.

Mr. Ryan said that Attend Anywhere’s new platform was developed from the learning gained after years of grappling with the challenges of providing education, medical and consulting services and collaboration using traditional video conferencing systems. Mr. Ryan added that while the cost and accessibility issues often hampered the use of video conferencing, organisations also grappled with complicated process issues when providing meetings and other services via video conference.
 
Attend Anywhere’s platform enables organisations to use the same process for managing video conference participation as for in-person participation as well as providing content management and promotion, logistics management and administration, financial, legal management systems.

See: www.attendanywhere.com

Palm Unveils Slick New Smartphone

by

Palm has officially launched its new smartphone aimed at business people and casual users who want to stay organized and connected 24/7.


Click to enlarge
The new Palm Treo Pro comes with the latest Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, includes e-mail, Wi-Fi, and GPS capabilities, all in a sleek package.

Palm’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Ed Colligan said, “Businesses want the control and savings that Windows Mobile affords, in an innovative and elegant package that keeps their users happy. That’s where Palm comes in. Everything about Treo Pro — from the hardware design to the packaging and accessories — embodies the elegant and simplified end-to-end experience that our customers expect from Palm.”

According to Palm, the Treo Pro smartphone lets IT managers support an increasingly mobile work force with the ease of use and robust feature set business professionals demand. Besides the benefits of lower costs and increased productivity, Treo Pro can deliver the increased security, easier device management and access to information on the corporate network that Windows Mobile 6.1 provides.

 

Users can quickly respond to business and personal email, access the web, stay on top of appointments and contacts, and use Wi-Fi or GPS on the go. The thin design blends a flush, high-resolution color touch screen and a full QWERTY keyboard with a removable battery that packs up to five hours of talk time.

The Palm Treo Pro Includes the following features:

  •  Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS
  • One-touch Wi-Fi button (802.11b/g)
  • Today screen enhancements — Web search directly from the Today screen. 
  • Ringer switch — Silences the device immediately. 
  • Screen saver that notifies a user of the time, missed call, or SMS/MMS received
  • New voicemail indicator 
  • Dedicated email and calendar buttons — Fast one-button access. 
  • Microsoft Direct Push Technology — Direct connection to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP2 or 2007 
  • Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 
  • UMTS/HSDPA network capabilities 
  • Integrated GPS — Users can access maps, turn-by-turn directions and point-of-interest (POI) searches.

The Treo Pro smartphone comes with an international power charger, microUSB cable and a stereo headset (3.5mm). Other accessories designed exclusively for Treo Pro (sold separately) include a vehicle power charger, leather side case, travel microUSB cable, cradle, extra battery, TTY audio adapter, and replacement styli.

Pricing and Availability

The Palm Treo Pro will be available in September through Telstra (from free with contract), with exact RRP to be announced soon.

See: www.palm.com/TreoPro

Panasonic Projector Offers 3D For $1

by

Panasonic has unveiled a projection system that allows a person to see 3D images by using disposable glasses sold for $1. The solution is ideal for high-traffic venues like museums and convention centres as users do not need to spend close to $100 for a pair of glasses.

The solution consists of two Panasonic 2D PT-DZ6710E projectors stacked on top of each other to display 3D content. One projector’s lens is used for the left-eye image and the other for the right-eye image, projecting two ‘side by side’ images that are then combined to produce a 3D image when projected onto a screen or wall.

The 3D image can then be viewed using disposable 3D glasses.

Panasonic Australia’s AV/IT Group Manager, David Cuckney said that this solution allows large audiences to view 3D on a big screen.

“It’s ideal for the professional rental market and for museums and convention centres that want to create their own 3D displays for key exhibitions and events – playing 3D movies, advertisements or any other 3D promotional material,” said Cuckney.

The Panasonic PT-DZ6710E is a 6,000-lumen single-chip DLP projector that offers wide-aspect WUXGA projection with 1920 x 1200 pixels and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio.

Panasonic’s PT-DZ6710E projector is available now priced from $30799rrp.

Disposable 3D glasses are available from third party-suppliers and typically start from $1.00.

D-Link Rolls Out Affordable Modem Router

by

D-Link unveiled an affordable ADSL2+ modem router aimed at homes and small offices.


Click to enlarge

The D-Link DSL-526B supports up to 24Mbps download speed and 2Mbps upstream, firewall protection and Quality of Service (QoS). It also supports both Ethernet and USB downstream connections and connects a computer to the Internet using an integrated high-speed ADSL2+ interface. In addition, multiple computers at home and the office can also share the high-speed Internet line using the router’s built-in DHCP server and NAT functions via an externally connected Ethernet switch.

D-Link Australia and New Zealand’s Marketing Director, Maurice Famularo said, “The new D-Link DSL-526B is an easy and affordable way to create a high-speed broadband connection to watch TV and listen to live music on the Internet, play games and experience clear voice over IP (VoIP) phone calls.”

The DSL-526B’s security features prevent unauthorised access to the network from Internet intruders. The modem router provides firewall security using Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and Denial of Service attack protection. SPI inspects the contents of all incoming packet headers before deciding what packets are allowed to pass through.

Router access control is provided with packet filtering based on port number and MAC/IP addresses.

For Quality of Service (QoS), the router supports multiple priority queues to enable a group of home or office users to experience the benefit of smooth network connection of inbound and outbound data without concern of traffic congestion. This QoS support allows users to enjoy high ADSL transmission for applications such as VoIP, streaming multimedia and online gaming.

The D-Link DSL-526B ADSL2+ Combo Modem Router is available now for $79.95. 

Flat Third Quarter Sales For Harvey Norman

by

Harvey Norman announced that total sales for the nine months ended 31 March 2010 rose 2.2 per cent to $4.64 billion. However, the company has also recorded flat total sales, with like-for-like sales rising only 1.2 per cent in Australia.

According to the 3rd quarter sales document submitted to the Australian Securities Exchange, sales from the franchised “Harvey Norman” complexes, commercial divisions and other sales outlets in Australia, New Zealand, Slovenia and Ireland (excluding Singapore) totalled $4.64 billion for the nine months ended 31 March 2010.

When compared to sales for the period 1 July 2008 to 31 March 2009, the increase was 2.2 per cent. Like for like sales when compared to the same period ended 31 March 2009, increased by 1.4 per cent.
 
The company said that its sales data has been affected by the weakened global currencies.

“It should be noted that the above sales data has been negatively affected by a 2.9 per cent deterioration in the NZ$, a 13.6 per cent deterioration in the Euro and a 21.6 per cent deterioration in the UK Pound,” said the company.

Shares in Harvey Norman were down 4.76 per cent this morning and is now at $3.40.