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Radio Body Eyes Aftermarket Installs

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After making inroads with Toyota, Audi, BMW and more, Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) is chasing the digital radio install market.

On Wednesday the 20th of February, the CRA will be leading a breakfast workshop covering the latest on aftermarket products and how to optimise their installation. Additionally the CRA will provide an update on DAB+ coverage and its rollout to areas beyond the five state metropolitan capitals.

Commercial radio listening figures for 2012 show 34% of radio listening is in the car and the radio industry is keen for those listeners to experience digital radio.


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Uptake of Digital Radio has so far been strong with several major car makers offering DAB+ on their new vehicles. Toyota, Lexus and Hino offer DAB+ as standard, while it’s available on BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Land Rover models as an optional extra.

Chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia, Joan Warner said: “There are around 16 million registered vehicles in Australia, mostly with analogue radios; the DAB+ digital radio aftermarket sector provides a great opportunity for aftermarket retailers, installers and manufacturers.”

Places at the workshop are limited.  Aftermarket retailers and installers should contact Commercial Radio Australia on 02 9281 6577 or email info@commercialradio.com.au for more details.

Huawei Financials Show ‘Robust’ Growth, 11% Worth

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Huawei released its first half financials, showcasing ‘stable and robust’ performance, and announced its new HEAP program.

The provider of global information and communications technology experienced strong sales growth of 11 per cent year-over-year, valued at CNY 98.3 Billion dollars. Of which, CNY 12.4 Billion was its operating profit.

Huawei’s Chief Financial Officer, Cathy Meng believed Huawei’s growth was ‘strong and robust’, despite uncertainty in the global economy.

 “Huawei’s performance in the first half of 2011 was in line with our expectations, while growth was stable and robust. Although the global economy continues to face uncertainty, we remain confident in achieving our annual sales target of CNY 199 billion with our Device and Enterprise businesses as new growth drivers.”

Huawei’s growth is partially owered to its dynamic shift from being a traditional telecom solution operator, to an integrated ICT solution vendor, which is a market experiencing significant growth. However the company hasn’t pigeonhold itself in a single sector of technology, dabbling successfully in many areas.

2011 saw them growing in the carrier market, launching the fist mult-mode SingleRan solution, that can support both WiMAX and LTE, an innovation that has earned them an ACOMM award. Since the innovation, they’ve been busy deploying over 130 stations worldwide.

 

Huawei has also introduced new cloud computing models through its ‘Media Cloud’ and ‘Health Cloud’ solutions, which have been deployed in more than 20 countries worldwide. The technology has been picked up by different industries, including operators, medical, radio, internet, education and e-government.

Huawei devices also prospered shipping 72 million units, a 40 per cent year over year rise. It also led the Android Tablet charge, introducing the first 3.2 Honeycomb Tablet, the Media Pad.
 
It now aims to reach more potential business partners, through a newly launched program called the Huawei Enterprise Advantage Partner (HEAP), in conjunction with Simms International. The program aims to create strong relationships with resellers, system integrators and technology suppliers in an effort to strengthen Huawei’s enterprise business in Australia.

 “We’re excited to announce this new Channel Partner Program as part of our joint go-to-market strategy,” said South Pacific Regional VP of Huawei Enterprise, Tony Zhang. “This will offer our partners and resellers the opportunity to grow with Huawei’s Enterprise Business, bringing new business prospects, along with new avenues for growth and profitability.”

Sony’s New Intro Mirrorless Cam

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Sony has just announced its new entry level mirrorless cam, the NEX-F3, which has inherited higher end NEX and DSLR sensibilities.

It also ushers in its own innovations, including a nifty party piece belonging to the camera’s 3 inch LCD screen. Once the 921,600 dot resolution screen tilts 180 degrees, it automatically mirrors the image displayed onscreen, making it even easier to snap self-portrait photos.

At the heart of the NEX-F3 is the latest generation 16.1 Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and BIONZ image processor. Together, they offer up to ISO16,000 sensitivity and continuous shooting at 5.5 frames per second without compromising image resolution.

Whereas the NEX-C3 was capable of 720 HD video recording, the F3 offers improved 25p/50i Full HD video in AVCHD format and a battery that will capture 470 stills before it gives, which gizmag claims is an 18% improvement. Additionally, the cam can be charged via USB; a perk that comes in handy if you ever forget the dedicated charger.

Previously a pop up flash was only available on the higher up C5 sibling. However, a pop up GN6 flash has found its way to the F3, offers a three second recycling time and pre-flash through-the-lens-metering.

 

The intro cam packs a suite of software that aids the amateur photographer. Auto Portrait Framing software recognises the sitter’s position and then trims the scene to create beautifully composed high-res portraits. In addition, Sony has included Clear Image Zoom, software that doubles the magnification of your lens, while By Pixel Super Resolution Technology maintains image detail, tones and textures. This software suite works together to capture images up close without the hassle of buying and carrying additional hardware.

Part of the F3’s construction uses Sony Recycled Plastic (SoRPlas), which by Sony’s definition is “produced by blending discarded plastic from manufacturing sites with a proprietary sulphur-based flame-retardant.” An impressive 99% of SoRplas contains recycled materials without compromising its strength, durability or its ‘world-leading’ resistance to heat.

The NEX-F3 will be compatible with Sony’s new SEL18200LE E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE lens, which offers a powerful 11x zoom range. Although the lens is smaller and 12% lighter, it features Optical SteadyShot which counteracts the jolts of unsteady hands and Direct Manual Focus for precise touch-ups.

Australian release and pricing for the NEX-F3 hasn’t been released yet, but it will be available in the US this June with the 18-55mm kit zoom lens for $US600.

Click Over for full specs

 

Alleged iPhone 5 Assembled, Confirms New Charging Port

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We’ve seen plenty of pics of the supposed iPhone 5, but these photos are as convincing as they get. Not only do they depict a fully assembled iPhone 5, but they fit in with previously leaked iPhone 5 components.

The featured iPhone has been assembled by gurus from iLab Factory who managed to get their hands on the supposed parts.


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As the rumour mill has generously alleged, the next iPhone will have a larger 16:9 screen. Although we can’t accurately determine the size of this iPhone, it does look larger to the naked eye.

The bad news for iPhone loyalists is that, if this is the next iPhone, the 30 point pin hasn’t made an appearance. So if you’ve spent hundreds on an iPhone compatible dock, odds are it won’t work with the iPhone 5.

Of course, there’s always hope that Apple will bundle an adaptor (or at least offer one for a price) with the next-gen iPhone, but anyone who has purchased an iPhone will recognise the minimalist inclusions it comes it.

The other notable difference is the 3.5mm audio jack has been moved down to the base of the device, alongside much more prominent speaker grills. The current iPhone has one speaker grill and another air vent, but this iPhone could (fingers crossed) be the first phone from Apple to sport stereo sound.


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Now we know what the alleged iPhone 5 looks like, along with its operating system. All that’s left is the announcement date and fighting your way through an eager line at your nearest Apple store. 


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Google Engineer Slams Google Plus & Top Executives

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A Google engineer and advocate has slammed Google+, claiming it doesn’t understand how social networks operate and is almost beyond repair.

Google Engineer Steve Yegge

Steve Yegge, an engineer at Google, posted a 5,000 word rant intended for Google employees alone to the very public internet. The rant kicks off with an assessment of Amazon, Yegge’s former employer, and then shifts a gear by ripping Google’s aspiring social networks to shreds.

“That one last thing that Google doesn’t do well is platforms. We don’t understand platforms. We don’t ‘get’ platforms,” Yegge began. His verbal diarrhoea then stained Google’s senior management.

“Google+ is a prime example of our complete failure to understand platforms from the very highest levels of executive leadership (hi Larry, Sergey, Eric, Vic, howdy howdy) down to the very lowest leaf workers (hey yo). We all don’t get it.”

After, errr, noting some of Google’s most influential and fundamental seniors have no bearing on social networks, Yegge then criticised plus, calling it a “knee jerk rection” and a “pathetic afterthought.”

“Our Google+ team took a look at the aftermarket and said: ‘Gosh, it looks like we need some games. Let’s go contract someone to, um, write some games for us.’ Do you begin to see how incredibly wrong that thinking is now? The problem is that we are trying to predict what people want and deliver it for them.”

 

Oh how the people at Facebook must be laughing. I imagine they’re clutching their stomachs as they falling off their swivel chairs onto the monotone carpet. Having a Google employee, one who believes “Google does everything right”, claim plus poses no long-term threat to Facebook must be the kind of lark that leaves then gasping for air between sessions of laughter.

Following his rant, Yegge clarified the “post was intended to be shared privately and was accidentally made public.” Since its posting, Yegge has sought and was granted permission to keep the post live, endorsing his opinion that Google, despite its flimsy grasp on social networks, has one of the best work cultures.

Read: Google+ Crashes As 60% Of Users Flee

Google’s openness to allow us to keep this message posted on its own social network is, in my opinion, a far greater asset than any SaS platform. In the end, a company’s greatest asset is its culture, and here, Google is one of the strongest companies on the planet,” Yegge concluded.

Sony: “See The Future” Of PlayStation At Feb 20 Event

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Hype for a PlayStation 4 reveal is peaking as Sony teased the gaming faithful with a PlayStation-related event on February 20th, the words “see the future” and a trailer containing tell-tale signs of an upcoming console.

The trailer is a mash of the PlayStation’s famed gaming icons, dazzling thunder and what can be perceived as an opaque console bearing a stark resemblance to the shape of Sony’s second generation PlayStation.

Industry analyst Michael Pachter believes the fact Sony has invited investors “means console announcement.” We can’t be sure, but Sony has been making moves indicative of a new console launch. For starters, the company discontinued global supply of the PS2 and as it enters its seventh year of noble service, the PlayStation 3 has undergone its third price-friendly redesign. By killing the PS2 and overhauling the PS3, it appears Sony is making room for a new premium console and easing the PS3’s transition into a budget buy.

Prior to the revealing tweet from Sony, executives teased a new PlayStation console could be launched at any time this year, including the upcoming E3 event. However, The Verge reports the company’s previous console launch, the PlayStation Vita, was announced ahead of E3 on the 27th of January, 2011.

Belkin’s New Router Frees Up Internet Traffic

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With a variety of TVs, gaming consoles, smartphones and tablets communicating with one another via DLNA/AirPlay technology, traffic on your home network is congesting. Belkin is looking to add more lanes to free this congestion up with their new 802.11 ac dual band router.

The company has launched a wireless router that jumps on the ac standard, enabling speeds almost “three times faster than [the] existing 802.11n technology.” This technology endows Belkin’s AC1200DB router with the ability to stream videos across multiple devices easily.

“With a majority of video content being consumed on devices such as smart TVs, smartphones, and tablets instead of a home computer, today’s tech-savvy families have an increasing need for simultaneous connections to multiple devices throughout their homes,” said Mike Chen, senior director of Belkin’s networking business.

“The enhanced speed and expanded coverage of Belkin’s AC router enables families to achieve the truly seamless online experiences they crave.”

The AC1200DB provides gigabit speeds wirelessly over an extended range with greater reliability. It also features two USB ports along its spine which can be used to wirelessly access a printer or hard-disk drive.


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Belkin’s AC1200DB will be available mid-August for a recommended retail price of $279.95. Over the page is a break-down of its specs as per its press release.

 

AC1200 DB Wi-Fi Dual-Band AC+ Gigabit Router (F9K1113) $279.95 RRP
· AC1200 DB is up to 2.8 times faster than 802.11n technology, operating on 1167Mbps link rate (300Mbps on 2.4GHz + 867Mbps on 5GHz)
· Uninterrupted HD streaming to multiple devices simultaneously helps conserve battery power on mobile devices
· Belkin’s built-in IntelliStream QoS automatically prioritises video and gaming and reduces loading time on frequently visited sites
· MultiBeam technology provides a high-powered signal for maximum coverage across the entire home
· Parental Control powered by Norton blocks unsafe and inappropriate content with three available levels of protection
· Media Server technology allows you to stream DLNA multimedia throughout your home
· IPv6 compatibility future-proofs the home network
· Backward-compatible with previous generations of Wi-Fi
· 4 Gigabit ports for maximum network speeds