Compaq Makes Big Step In Wireless and Bluetooth
Compaq's wireless connectivity, both in its 802.11b and its Bluetooth incarnations, got a shot in the arm this week with the roll-out of a new family of computers called Evo, integrated with a cleverly designed MultiPort slot on the back of the notebook display panel. Users can now easily slide in a newly developed wireless connectivity module, based on either 802.11b or Bluetooth, with antenna and radio in a single assembly, without concerns for RF interference, according to Compaq. The move lets the computer giant offer wireless connectivity as an easily accessible, standard feature across its new line of notebook computers. Further, this will mark the first time that any leading U.S. computer company has blended 802.11b with Bluetooth in the corporate computer market in the United States.
Playnet.com Blats Through Development Phase
BroadVision, Inc., a leading supplier of personalized e-business applications, today announced that Playnet.com, a leading games destination site, went live in just 45 days, from the date of implementation, with a comprehensive BroadVision solution. Powered by BroadVision's suite of e-business applications--including BroadVision Retail CommerceTM--Playnet.com's dynamic site offers players a wide range of personalized game-related and industry-related news, chat forums, and the ability to engage in games with hundreds of other players simultaneously. With its new site, Playnet.com is gearing up to begin commercial operations. In June, Playnet.com will officially launch World War II Online, an Internet-based game set in World War II with combat fought on land, air and sea on a massive, multiplayer scale. Thousands of players can captain ships, command tanks, pilot aircraft or fight on the front lines.
NetStar Group Joins Critical Path
Critical Path, Inc., a leading global provider of Internet messaging and directory infrastructure, has announced that the NetStar Group has joined the Critical Path Alliance program to become a Critical Path Authorized Messaging Channel Partner in Asia Pacific. The agreement enables NetStar, a leading IP/Internet Network infrastructure builder and solutions provider, to distribute, integrate and resell Critical Path's Internet Messaging and
Directory Infrastructure in Australia, HK, China, Taiwan and Singapore. In addition, NetStar is working with Critical Path to set up a wireless demonstration center in Hong Kong to showcase Critical Path's wireless messaging capabilities to customers and partners.
mediadome Launches Browser-enabling Solutions
mediadome Inc., an interface service provider formed through investments by two of the world's leading technology companies, Intel Corp. and Superscape, PLC, announced it will launch its browser-enabling solutions for the interactive gaming industry. mediadome will work with its first customer, CNET Networks, Inc., the global source of information and commerce services for the technology industry, to develop a downloadable media rich "super browser" for PC and video game enthusiasts on CNET's popular GameSpot website.
GameSpot users can now download the free "super browser" directly from the GameSpot site. mediadome, which creates customer branded "super browsers" that transform the Internet for businesses and their end-users, will use its patent-pending visual bookmarking technologies to integrate multiple existing Web pages into a single viewpoint, with each Web page easily identifiable and accessible with the full functionality of a standard Web browser.
PC and video game enthusiasts will be able to download a GameSpot "super browser" that incorporates multiple Web pages containing information about their favorite games--including product news, reviews, downloads, and pricing information -- into a single viewpoint.
IBM Offers More Built-In Wireless
IBM Corp. is offering built-in wireless capabilities across more of its ThinkPad line of laptop computers, adding new momentum to a wireless standard that has so far gained wider acceptance than Bluetooth. The company will be installing special antennas within the screens on all laptops. Customers will be able to configure many of those machines with a built-in computer card for wireless connections to other devices equipped with Wi-Fi technology. As part of its expanded wireless push, IBM also said it's offering remote management technology to enable system administrators to control corporate network servers from afar with handheld computers and other portable devices. IBM also introduced a new service designed to help companies quickly adapt their computer systems for wireless compatibility. Further, IBM announced that it's working with Mitsubishi Electric to develop low-power computer chips for next-generation cell phones. The alliance calls for IBM to manufacture the chips for future Mitsubishi handsets.
Microsoft Boosts XP System
Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday it will release a higher-powered 64-bit version of its planned Windows XP operating system aimed at supporting servers and other large-scale business applications. Both the server and the workstation versions of the operating system will be bundled with Intel's planned Itanium 64-bit processor and sold as part of a computer package, Microsoft said. The products will be released Oct. 25, the same day Microsoft rolls out its normal, 32-bit system, aimed at personal and business users. The systems will largely be available through computer manufacturers and geared toward business users with large databases or those using memory-draining technical applications, such as engineering programs. The bundled product aims to compete with Sun and other companies that make high-powered products for servers and businesses. Microsoft declined to specify pricing, saying it would depend on the other components.
Sprint Expands Voice Activated E-mail
Sprint PCS is expanding its voice-activated calling service for mobile phones to include features such as listening and responding to e-mail and requesting updates on news and stock quotes. The expanded service, Sprint PCS Voice Command, was launched Wednesday throughout Sprint's markets in the United States. The service is being powered by HeyAnita, one of several young companies that develops voice-activated services for the telephone and operates a "voice portal" that lets users to dial a toll-free number and verbally request Web-type information. The new Voice Command is the first telephone-based voice portal available through a major wireless carrier, and only the third major telephone-based service after HeyAnita and America Online's AOLbyPhone to provide voice-activated access to e-mail. Next month, AT&T Wireless is planning to launch a similar service powered by Tellme Networks, though without the e-mail option.
Samsung Continues with DDR SDRAM
While Samsung Electronics continues to push ahead with Rambus DRAM parts, the company proved that it has not forgotten double data rate (DDR) SDRAM, announcing that it will ship 300-MHz, 64-Mbit DDR SDRAM parts in the third quarter of this year. The new part uses the company's 32-Mbit data bus to reach speeds of up to 300 MHz, combining a 2-Mbit x 32-Mbit configuration that the company claims can process 2.4 Gbytes of data per second. Samsung still estimates that PC DRAM shipments will be 53 percent of its business, but the company said it plans to extend applications into notebook PC, WAN, LAN, Internet router and switching memory, and Level 3 cache memory for high-end servers.