News Briefs for the Week Ending11/12/2010
Docid:00020009Publication Date: 1011Publication Type: NEWS
Accenture Closes Mogenesis Acquisition Accenture announced that it has completed its acquisition of Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co (Mogenesis), an embedded software services company that specializes in mobile software outsourcing services Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Agilent Technologies Acquires Signametrics Assets Agilent Technologies acquired certain assets of Signametrics, a manufacturer of the digital multimeter (DMM) and modular switching products commonly used in manufacturing Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Amazon Buys Quidsi, Owner of Soap.com, Diapers.com Amazon announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Quidsi, the parent company of online retail sites Soap.com, BeautyBar.com, and Diapers.com. Amazon says Quidsi will continue to operate as an independent Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 CenturyLink, Qwest Ink Agreement with Federal Government Customers CenturyLinkand Qwest, continuing the approval process for their merger, announced they have entered into an agreement with federal government customers in Arizona, Colorado, Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Colorado PUC Staff Recommends Okaying CenturyLink, Qwest Merger CenturyLink and Qwest Communications have reached an agreement with the staff of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on the proposed merger of the two telecoms. Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Harris Corp to Acquire Schlumberger Information Solutions. Harris Corp announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Schlumberger Information Solutions, an operating unit of Schlumberger Limited, for $397.5 million in cash. Harris says that it will use the Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 IBM Completes Acquisition of Netezza IBM announced that it has completed its acquisition of Netezza. The company says that it will add Netezza’s assets to its Information Management software portfolio in an effort to expand its capabilities, and reduce Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Qwest, CenturyLink Reach Accord with CLEC Integra Qwest and CenturyLink have reached an agreement on wholesale conditions with Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) Integra Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 SAIC Acquires Voice and Text Processing Assets from Three Firms Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) announced that it has acquired technology, intellectual property, and related assets from a trio of companies that develop human language technologies: AppTek Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 ALLIANCES & JOINT VENTURES
blinkX to Team with Amino Communications on Set-Top Boxes blinkX announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Amino Communications, a developer of pure IPTV and hybrid/OTT devices and solutions. The goal of the partnership is to develop an integrated Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 CA Teams with Siemens to Form new Carbon Management Initiative Computer Associates (CA) announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with Siemens IT Solutions and Services to develop carbon and sustainability management tools and processes designed to “measure, assess and Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Cisco to Create Smart+Connected Community in London Cisco Systems is working with London’s Olympic Park Legacy Company to explore opportunities to convert the Park into a Smart+Connected Community. The companies plan to create a community and model for innovation, Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Microsoft Teams with Intel and NEC for Global Digital Signage Solution Microsoft announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Intel and NEC to create an integrated digital signage offering for the Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 NEC Enters Digital Signage Collaboration with Intel, Microsoft NEC Japan, Intel, and Microsoft announced they will enter a strategic relationship to provide an integrated, digital signage offering, Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Open Text Expands Relationship with Oracle Open Text announced that it has expanded its relationship with Oracle. The company has attained a technology and distribution license for the Oracle Universal Online Archive Source: Vendor, 11/4/2010 Polycom Teams with BroadSoft to Launch Cloud-Based UC Solution Polycom announced that it has expanded its relationship with BroadSoft to include the joint offering of a new unified communications (UC) solution called the BroadCloud Video Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Sprint Partners with doxo for Paperless Billing Sprint announced a partnership with doxo to offer its customers a paperless billing option. Sprint customers can sign up online to receive, manage, and file all of their Sprint Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 BUSINESS CONTINUITY
Oracle Releases Newest Oracle Tutor Process Documentation Tool Oracle announced the launch of Oracle Tutor 14, the latest version of its process documentation product. Oracle Tutor centers on Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 CARRIER SERVICES
AT&T Launches Smart Controls AT&T has launched Smart Controls, an online destination designed to give AT&T customers control over their wireless, TV, Internet, and home phone service accounts. Smart controls includes content resources, as well. Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 DISH Network Launches Google TV Support, Including Discounted Revues DISH Network is now offering a fully supported Google TV solution to its customers. The product includes a Logitech Revue unit (MSRP $299) for $179, which can be integrated Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 MetroPCS Expands Coverage; Launches 4G LTE Service in LA, Phila Prepaid wireless carrier MetroPCS announced that its subscribers will be able to use their service in areas covering more than 90% of the US with the introduction of its Metro USA nationwide service. The company Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Telecom New Zealand Debut NZ$100 for 100 MB International Data Roaming Telecom New Zealand announced a new pricing plan for international data roaming. The plan includes a price of NZ$100 for 100 MB of data. However, this is charged at a rate of NZ$8.00 per MB for the first 12.5 MB Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Verizon to Deploy 100G Ethernet on Paris-to-Frankfurt Route Verizon Communications announced that it will deploy before the end of the year the first multivendor 100 gigabit (100G) Ethernet link for its IP backbone on a portion of the company’s European long-haul network. Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Windstream Expands Services to Some 100 New Markets Little Rock, Arkansas-based Windstream said it has expanded its unified communications services to nearly 100 new cities within Windstream’s service area. Windstream’s IP solutions combine voice, data and Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 CLOUD COMPUTING
NEC to Roll Out Cloud Communicator Device for Client Services NEC Japan is preparing to launch LifeTouch, a “cloud communicator” device it plans to position in a category between PC and mobile phone, to support corporate client services through cloud computing. The tablet Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 NTT Com to Launch Biz Hosting Global Service in January NTT Communications announced that its Biz Hosting Global virtual hosting service will launch in Shanghai, China on January 5, 2011 through partnerships with local firms. The service – currently available in Europe, Hong Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Open-Xchange to Offer E-mail, Groupware in Poland Open-Xchange announced that it has signed agreements with SuperHost.pl and uti.pl to begin offering its e-mail and groupware products, in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) form, to customers in Poland. Open-Xchange Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS & EQUIPMENT
Alcatel to Provide IP/MPLS for Stratos Global Network Alcatel-Lucent will provide an Internet Protocol/Multi-protocol Label Switching infrastructure for Stratos Global, to extend its backbone network and allow it to provide extended offshore communications for Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Ericsson to Provide Radio Base Stations for Softbank Ericsson is providing radio base station (RBS) technology to upgrade Softbank Mobile’s high-speed packet access (HSPA) radio access network, in Japan, presumably to help improve call quality and boost capacity for Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Ericsson to Provide LTE Technology for Denmark-based Operator Ericsson agreed to provide technology to help TDC, a Denmark-based operator, upgrade its nationwide network to 4G. Ericsson will roll out a complete longterm evolution solution, including radio access and core Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Huawei to Provide SingleRAN Technology for Grameenphone Huawei Technologies will provide the large scale capacity expansion for Grameenphone’s next generation mobile network in Bangladesh, as part of a new three-year agreement. It will deploy SingleRAN radio area network Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Juniper Provides Routers for Malaysia’s MYREN Network Juniper Networks provided routing technology – running on a Junos operating system – to help the Malaysian Research and Education Network (MYREN) migrate its network infrastructure. MYREN was founded by the Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Siemens to Upgrade HDI-Gerling Communications Infrastructure Siemens IT Solutions and Services was commissioned by German insurance firm HDI-Gerling to modernize its domestic communications infrastructure over a seven year period. Siemens will provide 10,000 HDI-Gerling staff Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 CONFERENCING
NEC Adds Video Collaboration to SV100 Communications Server NEC Corporation of America announced it will add desktop video collaboration features – courtesy of a Polycom business media phone – to the UNIVERGE SV8100 communications server. The added functionality will let the Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 CONSULTING & MANAGED SERVICES
Ericsson Wins TeliaSonera, China Unicom Contracts Ericsson renewed a managed services contract with TeliaSonera International Carrier, agreeing to perform field operations services for its voice and data networks. TeliaSonera has a presence in Austria, France, Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Verizon Business to Provide Managed Services for Energy Company Verizon Business announced it has entered into a strategic agreement with National Grid, an international electricity and gas company, to develop the firm’s new Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORKS
AWS Announces Major Changes to CloudFront Content Delivery Network Amazon Web Services (AWS) made three announcements about its Amazon CloudFront content delivery network. First, CloudFront is now entering General Availability (GA) status, following the close of its public beta period. Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Avaya Launches Data Networking Architecture Avaya launched a new data networking architecture designed to provide virtualization to help address growing content and business collaboration demands within the data center. The Virtual Enterprise Network Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 CRM
SugarCRM Expands Capabilities of CRM Suite SugarCRM announced several new additions to its CRM suite. The company has added an iPhone application to the suite’s mobile capabilities, and the suite now supports 13 languages, including localized currency Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 CYBERCRIME
GSA Worker Puts Employees’ Personal Data at Risk The Washington Post reported that the personal data of thousands of federal workers is at risk after a General Services Administration worker mistakenly sent the names and Source: WaPo, 11/11/2010 UK Royal Navy Web Site Sunk by Hacker Sophos reported that a hacker believed to be from Romania claimed to have attacked the UK’s Royal Navy Web site and obtained the usernames and passwords of administrators. Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE
Capgemini Launches TMap Accelerator for HP Quality Center Capgemini announced the launch of its TMap Accelerator for HP Quality Center, a new product designed to help developers achieve their software quality goals. Capgemini says the new solution integrates testing Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 ENTERPRISE APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Adobe Launches Beta of Adobe Audition for OS X Adobe launched a public beta of its new Adobe Audition for the Mac OS X operating system. Audition is an audio toolset that offers recording, mixing, editing, and mastering. The software can be used to edit single Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 CA Launches Latest Revisions in ARCserve Software Line Computer Associates (CA) launched the latest version of its CA ARCserve solution family. The latest additions to CA ARCserve Replication and CA ARCserve High Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Convergys Announces launch of Smart Rating and Billing Manager 5.0 Convergys has updated its Smart Rating and Billing Manager software with revision 5.0. The solution is designed for utility and communications companies using advanced credit management. Features of the software Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING
Infor Unveils WFM Workbrain Version 5.1 with Performance Improvements Infor unveiled the latest version of its Infor WFM Workbrain workforce management solution. Improvements to this release, version 5.1, include significantly improved computational efficiency, code optimizations, and Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Oracle Launches Enterprise Manager 11g Ops Center Oracle has launched the Oracle Enterprise Manager 11g Ops Center. The company said the new solution provides Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 FINANCIAL
Allscripts Reports Growing Revenue, Thin Profits on Eclipsys Merger Allscripts reported its financial results for the third quarter of its 2010 fiscal year. Revenue grew 12%, year-over-year, to reach $242.4 million. Net income was a modest $1.4 million, or $0.01, due to $19.6 Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 AmerisourceBergen Board Approves Dividend of $0.10 Per Share AmerisourceBergen announced that its board of directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share of the company’s common stock. This amount will be payable on December 6, 2010 to all Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 blinkX Reports Doubled Revenue, First Profitable Period Ever blinkX announced its results for the first six months of its 2010 fiscal year, ending September 30, 2010. The company reported a total revenue of $27.3 million, more than doubling its total of $13.1 million from the Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 CenturyLink Board Approves Quarterly Dividend CenturyLink announced that its Board of Directors voted to declare a quarterly cash dividend of $.725 per share, payable on December 20, 2010, to shareholders of record on December 7, 2010. Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Cisco Q1 Earnings Up Cisco Systems reported profits of $1.9 billion USD, or $0.34 per share, for its 2011 fiscal first quarter, ended October 30, 2010. Cisco noted, however, that a sluggish outlook for fiscal Q2 may cast doubt on the Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Convergys Reports Falling Revenue, Increased Profits in Q3 Results Convergys posted its financial results for the third quarter of its 2010 fiscal year. The company’s revenue totaled $556 million, down from the same period last year when the company reported a total of $591 Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 CSC Posts Sliding Revenue and Profits for Q2 2011 Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) announced its financial results for the second quarter of its 2011 fiscal year. The company’s revenue came in at $3.97 billion, down slightly from the $4.04 billion reported for the Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 DIRECTV Profits Up 27% in Q3 on Increased Subscriber Numbers El Segundo, California-based satellite TV provider DIRECTV reported an increase in third quarter 2010 revenues of 10% to $6.03 billion USD, operating profit before depreciation and amortization (OPBDA) of 10%, to Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Dish Network Revenue, Profit Up in Third Quarter US satellite TV provider Dish Network saw its total revenue increase by 10.9 percent to $3.21 billion USD for the quarter ended September 30. Its profit for the third quarter was $245 million, or $0.55 per Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Global Crossing Proposes Private Offering of $150 Million Global Crossing announced that it intends to offer $150 million USD of its senior notes due in 2019 in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. The purpose of the offering is to refinance Global Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 IDT to Spin Off Energy Division; Initiate Share Exchange IDT announced a series of decisions designed to establish a framework for “long term appreciation of shareholder value.” In the most significant of the moves, IDT’s board directed its management to pursue a Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Lenovo Profits Up 45 Percent on Strong PC Sales Lenovo announced profits of $77 million USD, with $0.81 per share, for the 2010 fiscal second quarter ended September 30th, on the strength of a 33 percent jump in PC sales, worldwide. This was up 45 percent from Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Siemens to Spend 310M EUR in Employee Bonuses Siemens announced it will spend approximately 310 million EUR ($423 million USD) in one-time payments and bonuses to its 400,000 employees, worldwide. Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Swisscom Announces Flat Revenue, Decreased Profits, Increased Guidance Swisscom reported its financial results for the third quarter of its 2010 fiscal year. The company’s revenue remained flat, year-over-year, at CHF 8.9 billion. Net income fell 8.2% from CHF 1.53 billion during the Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Telecom New Zealand Reports Declining Revenue, Halved Profits Telecom New Zealand announced its financial results for the quarter ending September 30, 2010. The company’s revenue totaled $1.3 billion, down 2.9% from the same quarter last year. Net earnings were halved, Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Telefonica O2 Reports Revenue Growth, Sliding Income Telefonica O2 released its financial results for the third quarter of the 2010 fiscal year. Revenues totaled EUR 3.96 billion, a 13.7% increase over the same period last year, when the company took in EUR 3.48 billion. Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Telus Posts Modest Gains In Revenue, Income; Raises Dividend Telus posted its financial results for the third quarter of the 2010 fiscal year. Revenue totaled C$2.4 billion, a 1.8% increase over the same period, last year. Net income also saw modest gains, rising 1.5% to C$937 Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Toshiba Reports Strong Profits from Memory Chip Sales Toshiba Japan posted earnings of 27.3 billion JPY ($331 million USD) for the 2010 fiscal second quarter, ended September 30th, as it experienced strong sales of memory chips for computers, smartphones, and other Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
Accenture Earns Place in Prime Contract with CDC Accenture announced that it has been selected as a prime contractor by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agreement will allow Accenture to compete for contracts in the areas of information Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Harris Corp Receives $15 Million Air Force Support Contract Harris Corp announced that it has received a contract from the US Air Force for its Headquarters Air Force Information Management Enterprise Business Solutions Software Development Services Support program. The $15 Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 SAIC Receives $45 Million Contract from NSWC Crane Division Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) received a contract from the US Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) – Crane Division to provide technical and engineering services for its Spectrum Warfare Systems Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 SAIC Signs $39 Million Contract with Naval Air Systems Command Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) announced that it has received a $39 million task order from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for engineering and technical services to the Persistent Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 SAIC Receives Prime IT Contract for FBI Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) received a prime contract from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to provide IT services to itself and other Department of Justice agencies. SAIC was one of Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS
Harris Corp Receives Follow on Contract from MED Trends Harris Corp received a follow-on contract from MED Trends to continue to develop national patient registries for US military veterans. The new contract has a one-year base period, two one-year options, and builds on Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Qualcomm Announces New Mobile Health Info System QUALCOMM announced its Mobile Health Information System (MHIS) project in South Africa, which includes 3G wireless technology and an Internet capable mobile device, pre-loaded with a clinical library. MHIS was Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 INDUSTRY GROUPS
US Pilots’ Unions: Full Body Scanning A Health Risk Pilots’ unions for US Airways and American Airlines are urging their members to avoid full-body scanning at airport security checkpoints, citing health risks and other concerns. Source: CNN, 11/11/2010 New Computing Alliance Established in Asia The Asia Cloud Computing Association – an open collaboration forum – was established today. The nonprofit, vendor neutral group will address regional issues related to adopting cloud computing in Asia, with a special focus on privacy, security concerns, Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 INTERNET
ICANN to Publish TLD Guidebook Internet domain oversight body ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) said it plans to publish on November 9th what it hopes will be the final version of its guidebook for organizations applying Source: ICANN, 11/8/2010 ICANN Shutting Down Interim Trust Anchor Repository The Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced that the Interim Trust Anchor Repository will soon be retired from service. The repository allowed top-level domain Source: Vendor, 11/4/2010 ICANN Announces Board’s Resolution on gTLD Competition The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced that its Board of Directors has decided to allow new gTLD (generic Top Level Domain) registries to own registrars, and opted not to create any Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Mozilla Launches New Firefox 4 Beta with Speed Boosts Mozilla announced the latest release of its Firefox 4 browser beta. This newest edition of the delayed browser includes the J„gerMonkey just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compiler, support for hardware accelerated Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 MSN Teams with BermanBraun to Launch BLTWY Political Celebrity Site MSN announced that it has teamed with BermanBraun to launch BLTWY, a new site dedicated to “the celebrity side of politics.” The site includes full screen photo galleries, Source: Vendor, 11/6/2010 Pew Study: Only A Small Percentage Are Using Location-Based Services According to a recent study from the Pew Internet & American Life project, the number of people using location-based services like Foursquare and Gowalla remains small, and does not appear to be growing. The study found that 4% of online adults say they use a service such as Foursquare or Gowalla that allows them to share their location with friends and to find others who Source: Pew.org, 11/9/2010 Netscape Creator Launches New Social Network-Heavy Browser: Rockmelt Netscape creator Marc Andreessen designed and launched a new Web browser with social networking in mind this week. The new browser integrates Facebook, Twitter, and numerous other social networks and sites directly into a cloud-friendly user interface. Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Yahoo Launches Weekend Edition News Page with Buick Yahoo, in collaboration with Buick, unveiled its new Weekend Edition, a news feature offering video and editorial content. Buick will be sponsoring the page, and Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 LAPTOPS & TABLETS
National Labor Board Steps in on Case of Firing over Facebook Comments The National Labor Board has gotten involved in the case of a woman who was allegedly fired over derisive posts about her employer on Facebook, the New York Times reports. This Source: NYT, 11/11/2010 Toshiba Rolls Out 4G WiMAX-Backed Portege Laptops The Toshiba Digital Products Division released new 4G WiMAX-ready models of its Portege R700 laptop. 4G WiMAX services are currently available in 54 US cities, with plans underway to expand into Cincinnati, Source: Vendor, 11/12/2010 LEGAL
Microsoft Suing Motorola over Xbox 360 Technology Microsoft is suing Motorola over technology contained within its latest Xbox 360 version, according to gaming blog Kotaku. The suit alleges that Motorola is charging “excessive and discriminatory” royalties for the technology it produced for the console. This includes the gaming system’s Source: Kotaku, 11/10/2010 Motorola Files Complaints Against Microsoft in US Courts Motorola Mobility filed complaints against Microsoft, alleging it infringed on 16 patents for PC and server software, Windows mobile software, and Xbox products. The Motorola Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 EPIC Sues TSA to Stop Full-Body Scan Program The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) filed a petition for review and a motion for an emergency stay, asking the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to suspend the Transportation Security Administration‘s full body scanner program. EPIC said that the program is “unlawful, invasive, and ineffective.” EPIC argued that the federal agency has violated the Administrative Procedures Source: EPIC, 11/9/2010 MALWARE WATCH
Kaspersky: Malicious Attachments Still A Big Threat Kaspersky Lab released a report on spam trends in the third quarter of 2010, revealing that messages with malicious Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 McAfee Spots Facebook App that Links to Malware McAfee researchers have discovered that a malicious Java applet is spreading via Facebook. When browsing to a specific Facebook application page displayed in an Eastern European Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 MOBILE APPS
Apple Announces iAd Upgrade Deal with Dentsu Group Apple announced an agreement with the Dentsu Group to upgrade its iAd mobile advertising network by 2011. iAd – launched in the US last July – allows the user to stay within a current app while engaging with an ad, Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Ask.com Launches Q&A App for the iPhone Ask.com announced that it is launching a new Q&A Service for Mobile Devices. Dubbed the Ask for iPhone app, the new software allows users to ask questions, or answer those posed by other users, directly from their Source: Vendor, 11/5/2010 AT&T Rolls Out Hosted Mobile Sales Force Application AT&T has launched SalesNOW, a fully-hosted mobile contact and deal management application designed for mobile sales teams using a range of mobile devices. AT&T said it is working with Interchange Solutions to support Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Google Launches Mobile Search App for the Windows 7 Phone OS Google announced the launch of its Google Search App for the Windows Phone 7 platform. Although it may seem like an odd combination, Microsoft maintains a Bing app on the Android Marketplace as well. The application Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Mozilla Launches Updated Firefox 4 Beta for Mobile Mozilla announced the release of an updated version of its Firefox 4 Beta for mobile browser. The new edition, now available in 10 languages, includes improvements such as reduced memory usage, improved text Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Open Text launches Native Apps for iPhone, iPad Open Text launched a pair of native Open Text Everywhere clients for Apple’s iPhone and iPad. The new apps allow users to Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Opera Announces Launch of Opera Mobile 10.1 for Android Opera announced the launch of its Opera Mobile 10.1 beta for the Android operating system. Improvements made to this update include faster page loads, smoother scrolling and zooming, and Opera Turbo, a technology Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Polycom Announces Agreement for Video Apps on Samsung GALAXY Tabs Polycom announced that it has signed an agreement with Samsung to provide pre-installed standards-based video applications to be embedded and distributed on the company’s GALAXY Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 MOBILE PLATFORMS
Amazon Unveils New Royalty Plan for Periodicals on Kindle Platform Amazon announced the launch of a new royalty pricing scheme for publishers of newspapers and periodicals on its Kindle e-book platform. The new option gives publishers a royalty of 70% of the retail price, net of Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Microsoft Officially Launches Windows Phone 7 Mobile OS in the US Microsoft officially launched its Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system in the US. The company’s new OS is launching with devices made by HTC, Samsung, LG, and Dell. Handsets are now available on the AT&T and T-Mobile Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Manufacturing Company Deploys Sprint Mobile Integration Sprint said BMW Manufacturing Company of Spartanburg, SC has implemented Sprint Mobile Integration for employees throughout its operations. Mobile Integration extends PBX functionality to Sprint mobile phones. With Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 OPERATING SYSTEMS
Red Hat Launches Enterprise Linux 6 Red Hat announced the launch of its Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 software. The company says the latest version includes such updates as reduced cost of ownership, increased agility, and decreases IT complexity. Red Hat Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 PERSONNEL AND ORGANIZATION
Ask.com to Quit Search Business, Return to Q&A Ask.com will soon be returning to its original business model of a question and answer service, the New York Times reported. In an interview with the Times, Doug Leeds, President of Source: NYT, 11/10/2010 BT Opens Customer Innovations Showcase Centre in Beijing BT announced the opening of its new Customer Innovations Showcase Center in Beijing, China. The new facility will offer video conferencing, IT networking, and other communications services. BT also plans on offering its Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Convergys Announces Jeff Fox to Remain President and CEO Convergys announced that current president and CEO Jeff Fox has signed a renewal agreement to remain in his current positions with the company. Fox has been president and CEO since February 10, 2010, and a member Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Google Fires Employee who Leaked Internal Memo on 10% Pay Raise Google has fired an employee accused of leaking the memo that revealed the company’s recent 10% universal pay raise, CNN Money reports. The raise is widely believed to have been a measure to curtail a recent trend of Google Source: CNN Money, 11/11/2010 HP to Open Six New Service Delivery Facilities HP Enterprise Services announced new global services delivery hubs in Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines, designed to address client demand for scalable services by offering Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 HP Announces New Directors for Cybersecurity Practice HP Enterprise Services announced several new members of its US Public Sector Cybersecurity Practice. Appointees include: former US Air Force Colonel Ed Keegan, as director of Defense Cybersecurity Strategies; Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 IBM Launches New Solutions Specialty Partner Program IBM announced the launch of its new Industry Solutions Specialty partner program. The program is designed to aid independent software vendors (ISVs) in a variety of industries by providing them with access to new IBM Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Verizon to Open Customer Support Center in Pittsburgh Verizon Communications said it plans to open a new customer service center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA to support its fiber-optic-based suite of services. Verizon expects the center, which will be staffed by Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Yahoo Announces Appointment of Wayne Powers as SVP Ad Sales for NA Yahoo announced that it will appoint Wayne Powers as its new senior vice president, Advertising Sales for North America. He will be reporting to the incoming Executive Vice President of the Americas, Ross Levinsohn. Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 PUBLIC SAFETY
CDC Issues Guidance for Emergency Terrorism Response The US Centers for Disease Control published a report that provides recommendations for emergency personnel in the event an act of terrorism Source: CDC, 11/9/2010 REGULATORY & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
DHS Adds New Security Feature to E-Verify Program Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and US Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas have expanded the E-Verify program’s capabilities to include US passport photo matching. Source: DHS, 11/10/2010 FBI Appoints Assistant Director for Counterterrorism Mark F. Giuliano was named the new assistant director for the Counterterrorism Division at the FBI. He most recently served as deputy assistant director for the FBI’s Operations Branch II, Counterterrorism Source: FBI, 11/10/2010 FCC Investigating Google Street View Data Gathering The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) confirmed that it is investigating whether Google broke any federal eavesdropping laws when collecting data for its Street View mapping Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 NIST Software Spots Problems Via Combination Testing Researchers at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST ) have released an updated version of a computer system testing tool called ACTS that shows that virtually all software failures appear to be Source: NIST, 11/9/2010 Gail Levario Named Federal Security Director at Sacramento Airport The Transportation Security Administration named Gail Levario as the Federal Security Director for Sacramento International Airport. Source: TSA, 11/4/2010 SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
Hughes Secures Financing for Jupiter Satellite Launch in 2012 Hughes announced the signing of a $115 million agreement with BNP Paribas and Societe Generale to finance the launch of its Jupiter satellite in 2012. The high-throughput satellite uses the Ka-band to provide speeds Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 SEARCH
Google Launches Mobile Version of Instant Search Google announced that its new Instant search is now available for iPhones and Android devices. The company says the mobile version of Google Instant uses AJAX and HTML5 to generate new results for the user’s query Source: Vendor, 11/4/2010 Google Announces Instant Previews: Search Result Thumbnails Google announced the latest improvement to its search technology, Instant Previews. This new feature is a “visual search” which presents users with a thumbnail view of the resulting pages when they click on the Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 SECURITY FLAWS & FIXES
Adobe Publishes Advisory on Reader Vulnerability Adobe Reader has a memory corruption vulnerability that has been confirmed in version 9.4.0 and is also reported in version 8.1.7 and later. An advisory provides instructions to help mitigate the vulnerability. Source: Secunia, 11/4/2010 Adobe Updates Flash Player Adobe has issued an advisory after several critical holes were discovered in Flash Player. To mitigate risks, Adobe recommends updating to Source: Secunia, 11/10/2010 Massive Apple Fix Targets 131 Security Issues Apple released an update detailing fixes for security problems with Mac OS X. Security Update 2010-007 patches a whopping 131 holes within Apple products. Users are Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Flaw Found in Cisco Intelligent Contact Manager A vulnerability alert was issued by Cisco for its Intelligent Contact Manager in versions 7.0 and prior. No patch is available yet to Source: Vendor, 11/3/2010 Microsoft’s Monthly Patch Fixes 11 Flaws in 3 Advisories Microsoft released its Patch Tuesday Bulletin with three advisories to fix 11 security vulnerabilities encompassing Office, Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Novell GroupWise Has 11 Flaws; Fix Is Available Novell has released several advisories detailing 11 flaws in GroupWise. Users are asked to apply the hot patch via the vendor’s Web site to mitigate risks. Source: Secunia, 11/9/2010 SECURITY PRODUCTS & COMPANIES
AuthenTec Security Integrated into Applied Micro Processors Applied Micro has selected AuthenTec‘s Embedded Security for integration into its new PacketPro multicore process System-on-a-Chip family. The PacketPro family incorporates AuthenTec’s SafeXcel EIP-96 Inline Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Cisco Announces Rugged Router for Public Safety Vehicles Cisco Systems announced its new 5940 embedded services router, a ruggedized router for mobile and embedded networks requiring IP routing and services. It was developed for first responder vehicles, armored vehicles, Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Dell to Add Symantec E-Mail Security to EMS Portfolio Dell Services extended an existing partnership with Symantec, through which it will utilize Symantec’s e-mail security platform as Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 F-Secure Rolls Out New Version of Security Offering for Businesses F-Secure released the newest version of Protection Service for Business, which features a Web-based management portal for resellers. The latest version also allows for the set-up of email alerts, to warn users Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 March Networks Secures Critical Infrastructure in Oregon Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District in Columbia County, Oregon, has standardized on a March Networks video surveillance application to provide security to the communications infrastructure it relies upon Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Morpho, Cascade Testing New Type of Detection System Morpho and Cascade Technologies have installed a security offering for a field trial at Glasgow Airport. The walk-through portal system allows detection of Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Norton Online Family Premier Provides Video Monitoring Capability Symantec announced the availability of Norton Online Family Premier, which includes such new features as online video monitoring, 90-day histories and automatic usage reports. Norton Online Family Premier is Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Symantec Strengthens Partnership with Dell Dell Services and Symantec expanded a strategic partnership under which Dell Services will utilize Symantec’s email security platform Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 UTC Fire & Security Announces Joint Venture in UAE UTC Fire & Security created a joint venture in the United Arab Emirates with Muneer Ahmad Al-Sheikh Mohammed Sharif Al Olama of Zener Group. The joint venture, Zener Fire and Security, will offer a range Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 VERIS Community Web Site Logs Security Incidents Verizon has launched the VERIS Community Web Site, which has been set up to collect and share information about security incidents that are Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 WSJ: ZTE, Huawei Excluded from Sprint Contract The Wall Street Journal reported that Sprint Nextel has excluded China-based telecom equipment suppliers ZTE and Huawei from a multi-billion dollar contract to upgrade its carrier network at least partly because of national security concerns expressed by the Pentagon and some US lawmakers. Sprint has not commented on the Journal Source: WSJ, 11/8/2010 SERVERS
Sybase Launches beta of Sybase IQ 15.3 with PlexQ Sybase announced the release a beta version of its Sybase IQ 15.3 software. The newest version integrates the company’s new PlexQ Distributed Query Platform, a Massively Parallel Processing (MPP) technology designed Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 SMARTPHONES
Fujitsu, Sharp Introduce Symbian Based Smartphones Fujitsu Japan and Sharp Electronics unveiled new smartphones in Japan that run Symbian software, Nokia’s waning software platform. Symbian is the world’s largest smartphone Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Verizon Wireless to Sell Samsung’s Continuum Smartphone Verizon Wireless and Samsung Mobile announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Continuum, a Galaxy S smartphone. Verizon said the Continuum is the world’s Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 Verizon Wireless Launches Motorola CITRUS Smartphone Verizon Wireless and Motorola announced that the Motorola CITRUS smartphone is available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online for $49.99, after a $100 Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 ZTE Launches New Android Smartphone in France ZTE announced the launch of its ZTE Blade Android-based smartphone for the French market. The features of the phone include a 3.5-inch screen with a 480×800 resolution, a 3.2 MP camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and FM Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 SOCIAL MEDIA
Google and Facebook Battle over Exporting Contacts Google and Facebook have been exchanging blows in a fight over the exportation of Gmail contacts this week, TechCrunch reported. The Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 IBM Launches Social Networking Initiative, Lotus Connections 3.0 IBM announced a new Global Business Services Initiative that is focused on helping customers understand how social networking can benefit their businesses. The main feature of the initiative will be the launch of Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 Novell Launches Beta for Novell Vibe Social Collaboration Platform Novell announced the beta availability of its social collaboration platform, Novell Vibe. The new solution, available in cloud-based or on-premises versions, allows customers to generate direct messages, hold chats, Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Twitter Launches Ping Integration with Song Previews Twitter launched a new method for users to link their Apple Ping accounts with their Twitter profiles. The new service allows Ping users to automatically post a related tweet whenever Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 STANDARDS
NIST Paper Provides Security Guidance for WiMAX A new publication from the National Institute of Standards and Technology provides technical guidance to government agencies and other organizations Source: NIST, 11/9/2010 STORAGE
AWS Launches Multipart Uploads for Amazon S3 Amazon Web Service (AWS) announced the launch of multipart uploads for its Amazon S3 storage service. The new offering allows for the upload of a single object as a set of smaller parts, which are then reconstructed on Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 Toshiba Announces 2-MM Solid State Drive Modules Toshiba Japan announced the Blade X-gale series of thin solid state drive (SSD) modules, drives created for space sensitive products such as mini mobile and netbook PCs. The 2.2-millimeter drives are available in Source: Vendor, 11/8/2010 STREAMING MEDIA
AOL Signs with Michael Eisner’s Vuguru for 6 90-Minute Web Series AOL signed an agreement with independent studio Vuguru, founded by former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, to produce a minimum of six original scripted series to appear on AOL properties. Each project will be produced as a 90 Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 Apple Adds 1,000+ Movies to iTunes Store Japan Apple added more than 1,000 movies to its iTunes Store in Japan. The films – from 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, Universal Pictures, and several Japanese studios – Source: Vendor, 11/11/2010 WEB COMMERCE
Google Revamps Ad Publisher Interface for AdSense Google launched a completely redesigned AdSense interface for all AdSense publishers. Features of the new interface include more ad insights, including graphical reporting, and customizable data slices; simplified ad Source: Vendor, 11/10/2010 WIRELESS
Google Offering Free In-flight Wi-Fi over Holidays Google announced that it will offer free in-flight Internet access on three US airlines over the upcoming holiday season. Passengers on AirTran, Delta, and Virgin America will be able to access Google’s Gogo Wi-Fi Source: Vendor, 11/9/2010 ©2010 Faulkner Information Services |