Oonagh Reidy, Author at Smart Office

Its Here: BBC News Hits Droid FINALLY

December 31, 1999 by Oonagh Reidy

The green man has finally got BBC News on tabs.
The BBC announced the launch of the BBC News app for Android tablet today, after it hit iPad’s last year.

This latest version gives an optimised experience for larger tablets – on devices running Google Android’s Honeycomb 3.0 OS and above.

Smaller 7.1-inch tablets will continue to receive the smartphone app, the broadcaster confirmed today.

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The free app delivers global news, business, politics, health, education, science and environment, technology and entertainment stories, as well as features and analysis.

The BBC is the number one International News site across Asia-Pacific and and is one of the fastest growing online news providers in the US.

Key features of the app on Android include:

· Simple design with easy scrolling for efficient browsing in landscape and portrait

· Post stories to social networks, or share via email and SMS

· Watch or listen to the latest news headlines

· On Demand video within stories, in both 3G and wi-fi.

· Listen live to BBC World Service radio

· Personalize your home screen by adding and removing sections

· Set text size to suit your preferences

“We’re committed to bringing the depth of BBC News’ journalism to users wherever and whenever they choose to consume it and we’re so pleased to be able to make content available on an even broader range of devices,” said James Montgomery, Controller of Digital and Technology, BBC Global News.

In an average week, the BBCNews.com sites and apps are visited by around 9.7m users globally on mobile and tabs.

The BBC News app for Android smartphones has been downloaded more than three million times globally since launching last year.

The app is available to download now from Android Market.

Video Phone: Skype 2.1 App Hits HTC, Samsung ‘Droids

December 31, 1999 by Oonagh Reidy

Desire a video call? HTC Android’s like Desire, Evo and Sony Ericsson Xperia are all now Skype video ready.

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The Skype 2.1 for Android app with video, announced recently, has reached out to another whopping 17 handsets: including HTC’s Desire (2.2), Desire HD, Evo 3D, Flyer, Incredible S, Sensation, as well as Samsung’s Galaxy S, S II, Galaxy Tab.

Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro, Xperia PLAY, Xperia ray and Acer A5 smartphones have also been included in the mix.

“Today we are pleased to announce that with the release of Skype 2.1 for Android, we are rolling out video support for an additional 17 of the most popular Android devices.”

In addition, Skype 2.1 for Android update includes bug fixes and performance enhancements, which will “further boost the user experience,” the VoIP experts said today.

However, if your phone isn’t in the above list, don’t fret.

Users on Android 2.2 Froyo and above, should still be able to enable video calling in your Skype settings: go to ‘Skype settings’ after launching the app and select ‘enable video calling.’

But if you cant see the video calling settings, it means your handset does not meet the requirements needed.

And, “be aware that video call quality may not be as good as on a certified Android device and only the back camera of the device will work if your device is running on Android 2.2,” says Skype.

Download the updated Skype for Android app from the Android Market or Skype.com/m using the Android phone browser.

Search Me: Microsoft Bing Voice To Hit XBox Kinect 2012

December 31, 1999 by Oonagh Reidy

Forget type, voice is new buzz word as Microsoft looks to introduce searches by oral and gesture movements to Bing and Xbox Kinect by ‘early next year’ according to reports.

Bing, Microsoft’s search engine introduced two years ago, is fighting tough against the might of Google, which owns about two thirds of the search market and is looking to up the ante with its engine technology to understand everyday speak of searchers rather than going by single keywords.

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Say a command: XBox Kinect to run on voice from next year.

This massive gamble on Bing comes as the Seattle giant has lost $5 billion to date on the search engine and holds just 14.7% marketshare, which it claims it gained from Google but declared last week it will “reorganise the web” and “change the game fundamentally.”

This latest move to voice is Microsoft’s answer to Google Voice, announced in June, which allows users ‘just speak your query and the answer is on the way.’

Read Search War: Microsoft Losing Billions On Bing As Plans Secret Weapon Here

Although we knew voice recognition was in the pipeline for the console, the notion that it is coming sooner rather than later is an exciting prospect, and will now mean the Xbox is no longer strictly a gaming device.

“We want to focus more on experiences,” David McLean, Microsoft Australia said in an interview this week.

“Our job is to make sure, no matter what you are doing, it is with Xbox.”

A staggering 40% of the time gamers spend on Xbox relates to non-gaming activities, which the software giant is now looking to capitalise on to keep users on their network rather than revert to the web via Google.

“Consumers are diverse in what they like and what the Xbox is will be different for different people.There are some people who will only ever use it to play games,” McLean added.

Streaming of Netflix via XBox has also exploded in popularity with high usage proportion via the console in the US, meaning content aside from just games is not king.

Bing has already joined forces with Facebook for search and the voice dimension could introduce an entire new way to social network, he added.

“I think the technology community has for too long siloed people.”

David Jones Stuck In A Rut: Analysts

December 31, 1999 by Oonagh Reidy

Outlook not getting any better for DJs

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That’s what Deutsche Bank analysts concluded about yesterday’s sales figures from David Jones, which showed sales slipping almost 5% for full year 2012.

“Today’s sales update did not highlight a significant improvement in the sales trend in our view,” said Michael Simotas Deutsche Bank analyst in an investor note, yesterday.

The high end retailer posted its sales for final Q4, which showed no improvement – dropping 1.4% to $455.8 million for the sales period 29 April-28 July 2012) and was “modestly” below expectations.

DJs’ ‘Home and Electrical’ categories continued to be “challenging,” admitted CEO Paul Zahra, while the best performing categories in Q4 were Womenswear, Menswear, Beauty and Accessories.

“We are seeing continued price deflation, particularly in the electrical area, but equally prices are coming down across the board – in beauty, accessories and even in womens and menswear”.

“With sales continuing to decline and operating costs increasing (due to underlying cost inflation and investment in service), the economics will likely continue to deteriorate,” for the high end retailer, warned Simotas.

David Jones also reaffirmed downwards profit guidance of 35% – 40% for the 2012 financial year. Deutsche Bank now estimate FY12 NPAT will fall 35.5% on an underlying basis.

Analysts are also disputing DJ’s assertion it had not benefitted from a sales boost from the Federal government’s family assistance payments.

Family assistance payments likely provided a “modest” benefit in 4Q, the analyst believes, “particularly in the clearance period (which appeals to the more aspirational customer)” and points out other high end retailers say they have benefitted from the payments.

But it looks like consumers aspiring to David Jones high-end wares could be in for a treat, with Zahra referring to DJ’s attempts to lower its prices in a bid to stay competitive against foreign rivals.

“We do want prices to come down in line with what’s happening in international markets so there’s less price difference. We are getting great cut through on price harmonisation – it’s complex but most of our suppliers get it,” he said yesterday.

OLED Fail To Light Up TV: Analyst

December 31, 1999 by Oonagh Reidy

Can OLEDs reinvigorate the TV industry? Maybe but not just yet.

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That is according to analysts who say while OLED may be the TV industry’s saving grace, but it may be a while yet before it happens.

Sony and Pansonic’s announcement this week that they will jointly mass prduce OLED displays in 2013 will allow them play to catch up with Samsung and LG (both currently developing OLEDs) says Ken Park DisplaySearch analyst.

However, despite hopes that OLED is a “gamechanger” for the TV industry, it certainly will not have an impact in 2012, Park warns.

OLED display technology uses missive organic material when supplied with an electrical current delivering a brighter screen with higher contrast, eliminating the need for back-lighting.

In fact, DisplaySearch has even downgraded its OLED shipment forecasts for 2012, from 50,000 to 20,000 units.

Defending the move, Park said: “mass production of OLED panels is not ready,” and even third quarter panel production means OLED TV would be completed by Q4’12 “at best.”

The race to launch the first consumer OLED has been between LG and Samsung, although LG appear to have the edge, set to launch their first 55″ OLED set in Australia later this year.

“Competition has been severe, with each highlighting the weak points of the other’s technology and trying to upstage each others public exhibitions and planning launch timing,” Park notes of the OLED race between the Korean rivals LG and Samsung.

However with the LG OLED tipped to cost around $10,000 the race may not be who launches first, but which TV maker produces a set that affordable to the mass market.

But as prices of rival technology including 60″ LED backlit LCDs are now “extremely competitive” while 70″ and larger sizes will likely be available at “aggressive pricing,” he predicts.

LCD TVs using oxide TFTs may be available in 4K x 2K format and could also have a big impact on 55″ OLED TVs when they are launched.

Just as Apple has used high resolution LCD to compete with Samsung’s AMOLED phones, consumers could see contrast ratio and high resolution as offering greater benefits.

NEC In, Huawei Out: Japan Giant Nabs NBN Deal

December 31, 1999 by Oonagh Reidy

NEC Australia is to supply high-speed broadband services via the NBN by mid-2012.

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The company signed the Wholesale Broadband Agreement with NBN Co today, clearing the path to expand its high-speed wholesale broadband service across Australia.

Headquarted in Toyko, NEC Australia expects to offer high-speed broadband services via the NBN by mid-2012 to small to medium sized service providers, small ISPs and cloud providers.

“A lengthy consultation process was taken to ensure that the agreement signed with NBN Co, to ensure we can deliver competitive wholesale broadband services throughout Australia,” said NEC Australia’s managing director, Alan Hyde.

The negotiated deal offered the best value available, he added, although the value of the deal was not disclosed.

The services will include wholesale internet, data and voice services for small ISP, Telco or IT businesses who “may otherwise be edged out of the market by the major providers,” the company said.

The agreement means NEC will further invest in existing DSLAM-based wholesale broadband and third party networks, which covers 92% of the population.

This comes after it emerged this week Chinese giant Huawei was denied any contracts on the NBN following Federal government’s fears about a cyber attack by the Chinese administration.

Read: Huawei Begs NBN Mercy On Cyber War Fears

Combining its Cloud Telephony and Cloud Contact Centre solutions with fibre services means that NEC Nextep service can provide wholesalers with an end to end solution voice/data service.

NEC Australia provides advice to the government under the Federal Whole of Government Telecommunications Panel on telecommunications services, which agencies procure services to supplement their internal capabilities.

Mashable IS Cashable: CNN $200m Swoop

December 31, 1999 by Oonagh Reidy

CNN are to buy nerd paradise Mashable for $200m, according to reports.

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Pretty boy Cashmore could be coining a lot more cash in the near future.

The US social media blog set up by the man, once branded “world’s sexiest geek,” 26-year old Scottish native, Pete Cashmore, from his Aberdeenshire bedroom aged 19.

Cashmore set up the site as a means to escape his studies and his creation has now offices in New York and is a respected authority on all things tech and social media including Facebook and Twitter.

A CNN spokesperson refused to respond to the reports but rumour is they offered $200 million for the tech site.

“We do not engage in speculation about our business and we aren’t commenting on these reports.”

Industry sources believe a deal could be announced later this week or early next week.

This marks Time Warner owned CNN’s latest bid to become part of the Internet media wave.

The deal would also make Cashmore part of the dotcom millionaires club joining the likes of Mark Zuckerberg and Chad Hurley, who set up You Tube, which Google later bought.

Microsoft’s Steve …The New Jobs?

December 31, 1999 by Oonagh Reidy

Forget Apple: Ballmer wants to be the new tech kingpin.

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In an open letter penned to shareholders, Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer spoke of the “fundamental shift” the Windows maker is undergoing to become a hardcore device maker, like Apple.

“Last year in this letter I said that over time, the full value of our software will be seen and felt in how people use devices and services at work and in their personal lives,” writes Ballmer.

“This is a significant shift, both in what we do and how we see ourselves – as a devices and services company. “

The “shift” which recently saw the software giant launch a Microsoft branded Surface tablet has changed how the Redmond based giant is run, Ballmer admitted, hinting the major personality transplant the giant has undergone, from a dull but dutiful software maker to an innovative creator of hardware, for office and personal use.

“It impacts how we run the company, how we develop new experiences, and how we take products to market for both consumers and businesses.”

Ballmer also spoke of the “the roadmap in front of us [that] brings this to life.”

But despite the move into hardware, Ballmer’s letter is also an olive branch to Microsoft hardware partners on board for new cross platform Windows 8 OS due out this month.

“We will continue to work with a vast ecosystem of partners to deliver a broad spectrum of Windows PCs, tablets and phones. Our customers want great choices and we believe there is no way one size suits over 1.3 billion Windows users around the world.”

Microsoft has hooked up with several other hardware names like Asus, Dell, Acer, Nokia and HTC for Windows 8 tablets, PCs and smartphones.

But still, it looks like Microsoft has plenty more self-branded hardware up its sleeve to come:

“There will be times when we build specific devices for specific purposes, as we have chosen to do with Xbox and the recently announced Microsoft Surface,” he said.

Microsoft’s boss also alluded to “developing new form factors that have increasingly natural ways to use them including touch, gestures and speech.”

And the ultimate goal, Windows 8, is envisaged as a cross platform OS for PC, tabs,smartphone, server and cloud to “drive a thriving ecosystem of developers, unify the cross-device user experience, and increase agility when bringing new advancements to market.”

The Microsoft CEO recently had his wages cut from US$1.38m to $1.32m recent company filing shows.

“Gen F”: Tweet Freaks, Pin Heads, Instaspammers

December 31, 1999 by Oonagh Reidy

Forget Gen Y: Generation Facebook has hit

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And half of us are addicted to Facebook, Twitter and Co.

Well if you’re between the ages of 16-25 years, at least.

500 Aussie males and females aged 16-25 years quizzed by Boost Mobile, and almost 50% admitted to being addicted to social media.

But like drugs and alcohol, this addiction can contradict the social objectives it was originally designed for, with Facebookers at risk on placing more value on ‘virtual’ friends than real ones.

Also, take note, this 50% ‘admitted’ to their addiction, while others may still be in denial. In addition, more females than males (60%) confessed to their ‘addiction.’

Seven out of ten social media ‘addicts’ confessed to checking their Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest feeds up to a staggering 10 times a day.

15-19 year olds spend three hours a day on Facebook et al while 20-29 year olds spend slightly less – two hours.

The Social Network is the most popular type of social media, with 90% of those surveyed actively using their account.

Over half check soial networks via smartphone. Just 20% of the 500 people surveyed don’t have access to a smartphone – most of the have-nots were from regional areas.

So, where are they doing it?

In bed is the most popular place people chose to check their social media feeds, on the toilet and while eating were also front runners

Here’s the lowdown on the new breed of addicts:

Generation ‘F’ (Facebook): Constant scanning for notifications and feeds for new activity. It’s not unusual for these people to have 1,000 friends. These crazy F-addicts check their Facebook up to 50 times A DAY.

Instaspammer: Taking photos of literally every meal you eat and object you see. There are already 252,000 users of Instagram in OZ and a new user joins every second globally.

Tweet Freak: Typing every thought that comes to mind, no matter how inappropriate or irrelevant. There are around 1.8 millon Aussie Twitter members.

Pin Head: Scrapbooking on steroids. Collecting every video and image that catches the eye. 470,000 Aussies are Pin Heads.

Paul O’Neile, CEO, Boost Mobile, describes the findings as “really incredible” and says it “just shows the reliance youth now have on social media.”

“These findings show us that some people may have lost all traditional social graces. With the prominence of smart phones they are happy to use their phone anytime and anywhere, just to keep up with what their friends are saying or what pictures have been posted”.

However, “amidst the worry of addiction, social media has definitely made young Australians more social,” says O’Neile

Facebook rehab anyone?

It’s Here: Samsung Store Hits Melbourne

December 31, 1999 by Oonagh Reidy

Hello Galaxy: Samsung opens second store in Oz in Melbourne
As tipped by Channel News, Samsung opened a new Experience Store in Melbourne at the Highpoint Shopping Centre in the western suburbs, yesterday.

Melbournians can now immerse themselves in the Samsung experience and play with its Galaxy Android phones, Tabs and Smart TVs and even get a peek at new 8″ Galaxy Note.

The Samsung Experience Store, located next to David Jones, will be joining Dick Smith, JB HiFi, All Phones and Telstra, all of whom have stores at Highpoint.

Samsung opened its first Experience Store store in Sydney’s George St last year just down the street from the Apple Store, and like its Sydney store, will sell everything from its Galaxy S III smartphones to Tabs, wireless audio with docks, notebooks and Smart TVs at its only Melbourne store.

“The new Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne seemed an appropriate home for our second Samsung Experience Centre in Australia with its premium design and impressive range of retail stores,” said Tyler McGee, Vice President of Telecommunications, Samsung.

“Building on the successes of our Sydney store, the Samsung Melbourne Experience Store gives consumers an opportunity to discover more about our wide range of innovative and connected products from our expertly trained staff.”

The giant also confirmed it will be previewing the new (and yet unseen) Galaxy Note 8 tablet in the Melbourne store, ahead of its release in April, and will also be on show in its Sydney outlet.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 “aims to re-ignite the mid-size tablet category, providing exceptional multimedia performance with a compact 8-inch screen”, and uses S Pen technology which you can like a a traditional pen and paper.

To celebrate the Melbourne opening, Samsung is offering all customers a mug with a personalised photo of themselves and their friends until 24th March.