It"s faster than Windows, it fights viruses - and it"s free. Jimmy Lee Shreeve on the software that"s bringing more power to our PCs Unless you use an Apple Mac - or you"re a particularly dedicated geek - your computer almost certainly runs a version of Microsoft Windows. There"s little choice in the matter; almost all consumer PCs come with Windows already installed. Can you be bothered to change that?
But now, this stranglehold has been broken. Dell, one of the global giants that supplies businesses and homes with PCs, is selling some of its PCs with Linux, a rival operating system, already installed.
Linux makes your computer run quicker, it doesn"t crash, it doesn"t catch anywhere near as many viruses, and it"s free. For a decade, it was available only for people to install themselves. But now, the geek"s favourite is coming to the masses.
Dell"s two Linux machines are the 530n desktop and 6400n laptop. Their prices are low - £399 and £329 respectively. That"s partly because the version of Linux they run is free. Also, Linux doesn"t work your PC as hard as Windows does, so you can get the same performance with cheaper, or older, hardware.
Many in the know prefer Linux. Michael Dell, Dell"s chief executive, is presumably not bothered by cost - he"s worth $15.8bn. And what does he run on his home laptop? Linux Ubuntu. He also chooses Mozilla"s free Firefox web browser and the free software suite OpenOffice. And that"s part of the problem for Microsoft. Linux isn"t just a threat to Windows; its users will also abandon Microsoft"s Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office, too.
Linux Ubuntu comes with everything you need. There"s a powerful office program with desktop publishing, an e-mail/organiser, a web browser and instant messager. You can use your iPod with it, too.
Windows, on the other hand, is continually under assault from the nasty side of cyberspace. And the software bundled with it is more basic. You get Internet Explorer and Outlook Express for web browsing and e-mail, a notepad, a paint program and a word processor, along with various media applications. If you want more software, you have to pay for it.
Linux already powers everything from supercomputers to mobile phones. Google runs more than 10,000 Linux servers. Amazon.com switched to Linux and saved a cool $17m. The French National Assembly has started using Ubuntu on more than 1,000 computers. And since the blockbuster movie Shrek, the Dreamworks studio has been using Linux to render its 3D graphics and special effects.
Linux was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, a student in Helsinki. It was released to his computer community, who made improvements. In 2003, Microsoft put Linux high on its risk list. "The general economic environment is risk and driver No 1," said John Connors, Microsoft"s then chief financial officer. "Linux and non-commercial software is risk No 2." Linux needs to pick up 2.5 million users a year to claim even 1 per cent of the market, but with Toshiba rumoured to be pondering a range of PCs with Linux installed, it could be the thin end of the wedge.
So is this the time to make a switch to Linux with your next PC purchase? Should you take Windows off your creaking old machine and give it a new lease of life, courtesy of Linux? Our table of comparisons will help you decide.
What's best about it?
What's worst about it?
How much does it cost?
Is it good for music fans?
What about photos and videos?
What if i need to use it for work?
Does it crash much?
How would i fight viruses?
Linux Ubuntu 7.04 "Feisty Fawn"
Should make your existing computer responsive and lightning-fast - switching it on, powering down, and launching programs are all so much quicker than on Windows. And unlike Windows, Ubuntu doesn"t slow down over time.
It may not have every feature you"d like - it"s quick because it"s stripped-down. Plus you could have difficulties getting Ubuntu to work with other hardware. It"s not quite as "plug and play" as Windows.
It"s free! But if you run into difficulties and need technical support you will have to pay for it (unless the free Ubuntu online forums can help, that is). This costs around £125 a year.
Comes with Sound Juicer, for ripping audio from CDs; Rhythmbox, for organising music and listening to internet radio (the closest thing to iTunes); Serpentine, for burning CDs; and Sound Recorder for recording anything on your PC.
"F-spot" lets you get them from your camera and organise them into albums. Movies and videos can be watched in the Totem Movie Player, which compares well to other movie apps that are available.
The powerful free office program, OpenOffice, comes as default with Ubuntu. Many say it rivals, or even beats, Microsoft Office. The word processor is particularly sophisticated. The presentation, spreadsheet and drawing components are equally impressive and easy to use.
No. Linux is renowned for being one of the most stable operating systems around.
The vast majority of virus attacks are not aimed at Linux. But if you are concerned, the excellent Aegis Virus Scanner comes with the Ubuntu package and can run in the background searching for dubious files or attachments as you work.
Linux Mandriva
Linux Mandriva is a more attractive and fully featured operating system than Linux Ubuntu, but some say it"s not as fast. The Beagle search is a big boon, enabling you to search documents, chat rooms, email and contact lists. It"s also very fast - and has an attractive, intuitive interface.
Some users report that Mandriva struggles when you want to plug in a new USB hard drive or flash memory stick - it"s not always as simple to set them up as it is with other systems.
The latest package, Mandriva Linux Discovery 2007 Spring For Beginners, costs just £34. If you haven"t had previous experience with Linux, you may also want the manual, at £21. The snag: it"s 292 pages long.
You can produce your own music with the Linux MultiMedia Studio. To store and play your favourite tunes you use Rhythmbox, which was inspired by Apple"s iTunes. It has all the usual features, including streamed internet radio and podcasts.
The Photo Album application is included, which does a great job of organising your snaps and lets you enhance colours and reduce red-eye. It also allows you to view slide-shows and print your snaps.
Evolution is the Outlook equivalent of Linux and lets you send e-mails and organise your calendar and contacts. Office 1.6.2 is a lightweight but more than adequate office suite.
Crashes aren"t common on any Linux system - so long as it is properly set up. If they do happen it is usually down to a hardware problem.
Linux rarely catches viruses, but the free Clam AntiVirus software is very easy to set up and automatically updates so it can look f or the latest viruses. Many Linux users feel comfortable not using any anti-virus software at all.
Windows Vista
Everything looks sharper and more vivid than it does on the outgoing Windows XP. The new Flip 3D application helps you quickly switch between the different windows, and the search features have been greatly improved, too.
Six months after it launched, gripes continue. Many people still complain that they can"t run their favourite programs on Vista, so many others are holding off upgrading from XP until a second edition of Vista arrives.
Around £180 for the home Premium edition (£120 if you have XP already). If you want all the bells and whistles, go for the Ultimate edition at around £320.
It"s on a par with Mac"s offering, and better than the Linux equivalents. The new Windows Media Player lets you rip CDs to your PC, buy new tracks, and link to an MP3 player.
All the basics are covered. Windows Media Centre also lets you browse your photos, put on slide-shows, play DVDs, watch and record TV shows from the web, download movies and watch your home videos. Or use Windows Movie Maker to cut your own home movie.
£290 buys Windows Vista Business, with its fax software, but you could buy a fax machine for that. MS Office costs £300 - but try OpenOffice, its free rival ( http://www.openoffice.org ).
Microsoft says Vista is the most stable release of Windows yet. Many users, however, are unimpressed - they complain of crashes on a daily basis, saying it may be feature-packed but it"s still not safe.
You"ll need to buy your own antivirus software, such as Norton Internet Security 2007 (around £40).
Windows XP
XP is in its final edition, so most bugs have been ironed out - unlike the newer Microsoft Vista package. Many programs don"t yet work with Vista (Mozilla, the maker of the Firefox browser, recommends you stick with XP), so it might be wise to keep using XP for a while yet if you already have it.
Microsoft will end support for XP Home Edition in a couple of years. This means you"ll have to ensure you keep your antivirus software up-to-date, but even so, security could still be compromised.
It"s no longer available in most shops, but you can pick up used copies on Amazon, and elsewhere on the web, from about £50 up to about £100.
Windows Media Player 10 will serve most of your music needs. It"s not as good as the music softeare in Vista or Mac OS X, but you can sync your music collection with over 70 different MP3 players. Smart Jukebox lets you burn music to CDs, rip your own CDs and listen to internet radio.
Photos can be viewed and organised in XP"s default viewer. Better still, download the free Irfanview ( http://www.irfanview.com ), which also doubles as a basic photo editor, and plays movies.
You can either pay for MS Office (£300 for the standard edition) or get the cheaper Microsoft Works for around £70. Alternatively, download the free Open Office, which zips along on XP and has all the features of MS Office, but doesn"t have the Outlook organiser.
Like all versions of Windows you"ll get the infamous "blue screen of death" now and again. One way to minimise this is to avoid loading too many programs, or plugging in too many different types of hardware at the same time.
It"s essential to run your own antivirus software. A good option is Avast! 4 Home Edition, which is free ( http://www.avast . com/eng/ avast_4_home.html). Otherwise you have to buy something like Norton Internet Security 2007 (around £40).
Mac os x tiger
It"s very easy to use and set up and has all the essentials included: calendar, e-mail and address book, and a web browser. The Spotlight search technology finds lost files in seconds.
Once you"re in the Apple world it"s hard to migrate to other operating systems. Apple provides everything - the hardware, software and OS - which tends to lock you in. You can"t just install it on a PC.
The basic operating system is £89. Since it"s so easy to easy to use, you"re unlikely to incur any extra technical support costs.
Mac"s iTunes still sets the pace, letting you buy audio and video from the iTunes store, rip music from your CDs and burn your own compilations.
iMovie records and edits videos, while QuickTime 7 lets you view them. And iPhoto organises and does some simple editing of photos and other images.
Networking and four-way video conferencing are bundled in. OpenOffice gives you a good free word processor, spreadsheet and so on. If you buy MS Office, you"ll see that Outlook isn"t made for the Mac, but Entourage is, and it does the same thing.
Mac OS is a very stable operating system and rarely crashes. An application might quit but the whole machine won"t freeze, so you don"t have to restart.
The Mac operating system is extremely secure. Viruses and worms that target Windows are virtually non-existent on the Mac. It also has built-in security settings so you can encrypt data and set various password-protection options.
Thursday, 30 August 2007
Why Apple Can't Stop iPhone Hackers
... AT&T and Apple may face an uphill battle prosecuting hackers who untether the iPhone from the AT&T wireless network.
It sure sounds like a steal. On Aug. 31, George Hotz plans to trade in his iPhone for a metallic blue Nissan (NSANY) 350Z sports car and three brand-new iPhones. But the 17-year-old's device is no ordinary Apple phone. Hotz hacked his iPhone and unlocked it so that it can be used on a variety of cell-phone networks, becoming the first person known to have done so. The person buying Hotz's phone, Terry Daidone, believes he's the one getting the deal because Hotz has agreed to work for him at his cell-phone refurbishing company, CertiCell. Daidone says he doesn't plan to sell unlocked iPhones just yet. Rather, he says that he wants Hotz to teach CertiCell's technicians the secrets to unlocking other kinds of cell phones. But that could change -- if he can clear up legal questions surrounding the practice of unlocking mobile phones. "As the need arises to unlock phones, we should be at the forefront of that," Daidone says.
Apple (AAPL) and AT&T (T), the sole authorized supplier of the iPhone in the U.S., are doing what they can to make sure that legal clearance never comes. The two companies have put their lawyers on the case, applying pressure on hackers involved in unlocking iPhones to try to get them to stop. Much is at stake. AT&T has been hoping that as the exclusive provider of the iPhone, it will see a surge in new customers and monthly service charges of at least $60 from each one. Apple is supposed to get a cut of the revenues. If iPhones are unlocked, they can be used on the wireless networks of rivals like T-Mobile USA -- and AT&T gets zippo. AT&T wouldn't comment for this story, while Apple didn't return a request for comment.
So will Apple and AT&T's legal action deter hackers? Hardly. Individual users are already allowed to unlock their own phones under an exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act [DMCA] that the U.S. Copyright Office issued last November. The exemption, in force for three years, applies to "computer programs that enable wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telephone communication network, when circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of lawfully connecting to a wireless telephone communication network."
What's less clear is whether companies and hackers can legally unlock the phones and then sell them to others, or sell unlocking software. "The law here is unclear," says Jonathan Kramer, founder of Kramer Telecom Law Firm in Los Angeles. "There just isn't any case law in this area for us to figure out how it plays out."
Experts believe that AT&T and Apple will point to the DMCA's section 1201, stating that "no person shall circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title." They will claim that a phone lock is just such a technological measure that protects copyrighted work: namely, cell-phone software.
Problem is, it could be argued that, in reality, the lock only protects access to a carrier's communications network -- and communications services aren't copyrightable under the Act, explains Jane Ginsburg, professor of literary and artistic property law at Columbia Law School. "This law was written for DVDs and video games," she explains. "What's going on here is using the Copyright Act to achieve another objective."
Indeed, this time, hackers may have the law on their side. Remember, decades ago, automakers built their instrument panels so that only authorized radios of their own manufacture would fit in. Eventually, U.S. courts ended that practice. "If Apple and AT&T push too hard, they might see a revision of [the Copyright Act, and it won't be in their favor]," says Richard Doherty, director of consultancy the Envisioneering Group.
That's why, for now, some hackers contacted by AT&T lawyers still plan to release their wares. "Over the next few days you will get what you are looking for," promises an Aug. 27 message posted on the Web site of UniquePhones, which helps people unlock mobile phones.
Demand for unlocked iPhones, which sell for $499 and $599, is rising. Already, the phone has become a cultural phenomenon, with enthusiastic fans going to great lengths to get their hands on one. Consumers in rural areas where AT&T doesn't have a network or in markets with spotty AT&T coverage may want to use the popular device through T-Mobile's network. Overseas, consumers want to try it in conjunction with Orange (FTE) and Vodafone (VOD) wireless service. "If Apple offered unlocked iPhones for $1,200, they'd probably sell some," Doherty says.
Frustration over locked iPhones is showing up in the courts as well. A class-action lawsuit filed on Aug. 27 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York tells of an iPhone buyer who racked up $2,000 in charges because he couldn't use a different carrier's network while he was on a trip to Mexico. Filed against Apple, the suit claims the plaintiff didn't know that iPhone was tethered to the AT&T network.
Many hope that the legal wrangling will, eventually, result in major shifts in how the U.S. wireless industry operates. For one, a case could pave the way to making all wireless networks more open to unlocked phones. In the next five years, 10% to 15% of U.S. wireless users could move to unlocked phones, figures Andrei Jezierski, founder of venture consultancy i2 Partners in New York [see BusinessWeek.com, 12/4/06, "Motorola, Nokia Set Cell Phones Free"].
Plus, to answer pent-up demand for untethered phones, a cell-phone carrier could differentiate its offerings by selling all of its handsets unlocked, says David Chamberlain, an analyst with consultancy In-Stat. "It's an anomaly that the phones are tied to individual carriers," he says. "Can we change that business as usual? Maybe. But people who want that will fight for a very long time."
It sure sounds like a steal. On Aug. 31, George Hotz plans to trade in his iPhone for a metallic blue Nissan (NSANY) 350Z sports car and three brand-new iPhones. But the 17-year-old's device is no ordinary Apple phone. Hotz hacked his iPhone and unlocked it so that it can be used on a variety of cell-phone networks, becoming the first person known to have done so. The person buying Hotz's phone, Terry Daidone, believes he's the one getting the deal because Hotz has agreed to work for him at his cell-phone refurbishing company, CertiCell. Daidone says he doesn't plan to sell unlocked iPhones just yet. Rather, he says that he wants Hotz to teach CertiCell's technicians the secrets to unlocking other kinds of cell phones. But that could change -- if he can clear up legal questions surrounding the practice of unlocking mobile phones. "As the need arises to unlock phones, we should be at the forefront of that," Daidone says.
Apple (AAPL) and AT&T (T), the sole authorized supplier of the iPhone in the U.S., are doing what they can to make sure that legal clearance never comes. The two companies have put their lawyers on the case, applying pressure on hackers involved in unlocking iPhones to try to get them to stop. Much is at stake. AT&T has been hoping that as the exclusive provider of the iPhone, it will see a surge in new customers and monthly service charges of at least $60 from each one. Apple is supposed to get a cut of the revenues. If iPhones are unlocked, they can be used on the wireless networks of rivals like T-Mobile USA -- and AT&T gets zippo. AT&T wouldn't comment for this story, while Apple didn't return a request for comment.
So will Apple and AT&T's legal action deter hackers? Hardly. Individual users are already allowed to unlock their own phones under an exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act [DMCA] that the U.S. Copyright Office issued last November. The exemption, in force for three years, applies to "computer programs that enable wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telephone communication network, when circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of lawfully connecting to a wireless telephone communication network."
What's less clear is whether companies and hackers can legally unlock the phones and then sell them to others, or sell unlocking software. "The law here is unclear," says Jonathan Kramer, founder of Kramer Telecom Law Firm in Los Angeles. "There just isn't any case law in this area for us to figure out how it plays out."
Experts believe that AT&T and Apple will point to the DMCA's section 1201, stating that "no person shall circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title." They will claim that a phone lock is just such a technological measure that protects copyrighted work: namely, cell-phone software.
Problem is, it could be argued that, in reality, the lock only protects access to a carrier's communications network -- and communications services aren't copyrightable under the Act, explains Jane Ginsburg, professor of literary and artistic property law at Columbia Law School. "This law was written for DVDs and video games," she explains. "What's going on here is using the Copyright Act to achieve another objective."
Indeed, this time, hackers may have the law on their side. Remember, decades ago, automakers built their instrument panels so that only authorized radios of their own manufacture would fit in. Eventually, U.S. courts ended that practice. "If Apple and AT&T push too hard, they might see a revision of [the Copyright Act, and it won't be in their favor]," says Richard Doherty, director of consultancy the Envisioneering Group.
That's why, for now, some hackers contacted by AT&T lawyers still plan to release their wares. "Over the next few days you will get what you are looking for," promises an Aug. 27 message posted on the Web site of UniquePhones, which helps people unlock mobile phones.
Demand for unlocked iPhones, which sell for $499 and $599, is rising. Already, the phone has become a cultural phenomenon, with enthusiastic fans going to great lengths to get their hands on one. Consumers in rural areas where AT&T doesn't have a network or in markets with spotty AT&T coverage may want to use the popular device through T-Mobile's network. Overseas, consumers want to try it in conjunction with Orange (FTE) and Vodafone (VOD) wireless service. "If Apple offered unlocked iPhones for $1,200, they'd probably sell some," Doherty says.
Frustration over locked iPhones is showing up in the courts as well. A class-action lawsuit filed on Aug. 27 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York tells of an iPhone buyer who racked up $2,000 in charges because he couldn't use a different carrier's network while he was on a trip to Mexico. Filed against Apple, the suit claims the plaintiff didn't know that iPhone was tethered to the AT&T network.
Many hope that the legal wrangling will, eventually, result in major shifts in how the U.S. wireless industry operates. For one, a case could pave the way to making all wireless networks more open to unlocked phones. In the next five years, 10% to 15% of U.S. wireless users could move to unlocked phones, figures Andrei Jezierski, founder of venture consultancy i2 Partners in New York [see BusinessWeek.com, 12/4/06, "Motorola, Nokia Set Cell Phones Free"].
Plus, to answer pent-up demand for untethered phones, a cell-phone carrier could differentiate its offerings by selling all of its handsets unlocked, says David Chamberlain, an analyst with consultancy In-Stat. "It's an anomaly that the phones are tied to individual carriers," he says. "Can we change that business as usual? Maybe. But people who want that will fight for a very long time."
Nokia breaks into music, gaming services
Nokia, the world's largest cell phone maker, unveiled an online music store, a gaming service and four new multimedia handsets in a move to take a greater share of consumer spending from mobile operators.
Nokia, which sells more than one third of the world's cell phones and is seeking new sources of revenue as that industry matures, said its core market of making mobile handsets was just "not enough anymore."
"We are trying to make the cake bigger for everyone: our piece grows, but also operators will benefit through data revenues," Tapio Hedman, head of marketing for Nokia's multimedia unit said.
Nokia's shares jumped to their highest level in more than five years on the news. But some of its top customers -- mobile phone operators that have built their own music service offerings -- reacted with caution.
"Some operators in Europe will not like this at all," said Shaun Collins, managing director at research firm CCS Insight.
Nokia Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo said at an all-day event in London that the company would start to sell touch-screen phones -- Nokia's answer to Apple Inc's iPhone handsets -- using its popular S60 software next year.
Nokia shares jumped to levels last seen in April 2002 and then closed 4.6 percent higher at 23.31 euros in Helsinki.
Nokia said it would wrap mapping services, its new music store and gaming services into an Internet service offering under new brand "Ovi," a Finnish word for "door."
" Nokia is seeking to become a gatekeeper to services to increase brand loyalty -- one brand with several hooks," said Glitnir analyst Jussi Hyoty. Nokia said it aimed to introduce the brand to consumers on a step-by-step basis, combined with its other advertising campaigns.
Nokia unveiled a top-end music and gaming phone, the N81, and a new version of its top profit generator, the N95 handset, its key rival to the iPhone. Nokia also unveiled two mid-priced music phones: the Nokia 5310 and 5610.
"The range of new handsets with good storage steals a march perhaps on iPhone. If they can get the high-storage device out before the iPhone hits (Europe), that would be a good idea," said Daniel Winterbottom, an analyst at research firm Informa.
Apple, which broke into the cell phone industry this year, saw its long-awaited iPhone handsets fly off shelves when the sleek, touch-screen multimedia device hit U.S. stores in June. Its European launch is expected later this year.
Nokia said it would roll out its own music store in key European markets -- Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain -- later this year, with songs selling for 1 euro ($1.36) each, a similar price point to Apple's iTunes.
Nokia's music store will start with a couple of million songs, compared to more than 5 million titles in iTunes.
"This service isn't sufficiently differentiated to make a major impact in terms of convincing consumers to either start using legal download services, or wean them off of Apple's service and dedicated music devices," said analysts at Forrester.
Nokia said it hopes to benefit from its presence in more than 130 countries in tailoring music offerings to local tastes.
Analysts said the music industry would welcome a serious alternative to iTunes, which dominates the digital music distribution market. But shares in Apple rose nonetheless, fueled by excitement over the pending launch of new iPods.
Nokia, which sells more than one third of the world's cell phones and is seeking new sources of revenue as that industry matures, said its core market of making mobile handsets was just "not enough anymore."
"We are trying to make the cake bigger for everyone: our piece grows, but also operators will benefit through data revenues," Tapio Hedman, head of marketing for Nokia's multimedia unit said.
Nokia's shares jumped to their highest level in more than five years on the news. But some of its top customers -- mobile phone operators that have built their own music service offerings -- reacted with caution.
"Some operators in Europe will not like this at all," said Shaun Collins, managing director at research firm CCS Insight.
Nokia Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo said at an all-day event in London that the company would start to sell touch-screen phones -- Nokia's answer to Apple Inc's iPhone handsets -- using its popular S60 software next year.
Nokia shares jumped to levels last seen in April 2002 and then closed 4.6 percent higher at 23.31 euros in Helsinki.
Nokia said it would wrap mapping services, its new music store and gaming services into an Internet service offering under new brand "Ovi," a Finnish word for "door."
" Nokia is seeking to become a gatekeeper to services to increase brand loyalty -- one brand with several hooks," said Glitnir analyst Jussi Hyoty. Nokia said it aimed to introduce the brand to consumers on a step-by-step basis, combined with its other advertising campaigns.
Nokia unveiled a top-end music and gaming phone, the N81, and a new version of its top profit generator, the N95 handset, its key rival to the iPhone. Nokia also unveiled two mid-priced music phones: the Nokia 5310 and 5610.
"The range of new handsets with good storage steals a march perhaps on iPhone. If they can get the high-storage device out before the iPhone hits (Europe), that would be a good idea," said Daniel Winterbottom, an analyst at research firm Informa.
Apple, which broke into the cell phone industry this year, saw its long-awaited iPhone handsets fly off shelves when the sleek, touch-screen multimedia device hit U.S. stores in June. Its European launch is expected later this year.
Nokia said it would roll out its own music store in key European markets -- Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain -- later this year, with songs selling for 1 euro ($1.36) each, a similar price point to Apple's iTunes.
Nokia's music store will start with a couple of million songs, compared to more than 5 million titles in iTunes.
"This service isn't sufficiently differentiated to make a major impact in terms of convincing consumers to either start using legal download services, or wean them off of Apple's service and dedicated music devices," said analysts at Forrester.
Nokia said it hopes to benefit from its presence in more than 130 countries in tailoring music offerings to local tastes.
Analysts said the music industry would welcome a serious alternative to iTunes, which dominates the digital music distribution market. But shares in Apple rose nonetheless, fueled by excitement over the pending launch of new iPods.
Vodafone in mobile broadband fast lane
Vodafone is upgrading its mobile broadband services to offer speeds that are 10 times faster than the current "standard".
From 3 September subscribers will be able to download content up to 14 times faster and upload at around 10 times the speed via HSUPA (high-speed uplink packet access) technology.
The upgraded service will be rolled out during the autumn, starting with central London and major airports - including the London airports, Birmingham and Manchester - before being pushed out to the rest of the country.
Laptop users will be able to subscribe to the service for 49 per month on an 18 month contract which can be purchased online or in-store.
Vodafone will offer a 'plug and go' USB modem as well as two datacards, known as ExpressCards, one of which is a 'plug and go' datacard and another said to be more suitable for corporate customers.
Each device will have two antennas to boost connectivity in weaker signal areas.
Download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps will eventually be possible but initially speeds will range between 1.7Mbps and 5.5Mbps, allowing users to download a 5MB file at a minimum of seven seconds, 14 times faster than standard 3G.
Upload speeds will also be boosted to 1.44Mbps, 10 times faster than 3G currently.
Vodafone cut its 3G mobile broadband prices at the beginning of July, with the monthly tariff falling from 45 to 25.
From 3 September subscribers will be able to download content up to 14 times faster and upload at around 10 times the speed via HSUPA (high-speed uplink packet access) technology.
The upgraded service will be rolled out during the autumn, starting with central London and major airports - including the London airports, Birmingham and Manchester - before being pushed out to the rest of the country.
Laptop users will be able to subscribe to the service for 49 per month on an 18 month contract which can be purchased online or in-store.
Vodafone will offer a 'plug and go' USB modem as well as two datacards, known as ExpressCards, one of which is a 'plug and go' datacard and another said to be more suitable for corporate customers.
Each device will have two antennas to boost connectivity in weaker signal areas.
Download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps will eventually be possible but initially speeds will range between 1.7Mbps and 5.5Mbps, allowing users to download a 5MB file at a minimum of seven seconds, 14 times faster than standard 3G.
Upload speeds will also be boosted to 1.44Mbps, 10 times faster than 3G currently.
Vodafone cut its 3G mobile broadband prices at the beginning of July, with the monthly tariff falling from 45 to 25.
Security slows UK wireless uptake
Employee mobility (43%), convenience (23%) and increased productivity (12%) are the key factors driving wireless network adoption by UK businesses according to recent industry rese Employee mobility (43%), convenience (23%) and increased productivity (12%) are the key factors driving wireless network adoption by UK businesses according to recent industry research conducted on behalf of wireless network assurance solution provider, AirMagnet. The research demonstrated that although British companies are increasingly aware of the benefits offered by wireless connectivity in the workplace, concerns about security and poor performance continue to hold back wLAN (wireless local area network) adoption for many firms.
The survey found that 43 per cent of companies who have so far resisted wireless adoption in the workplace have done so because they are concerned about how to ensure the wireless network’s security. A further 29 per cent are delaying implementation because they perceive wLANs to be slower or less reliable than traditional wired networks.
Wireless technology can be highly effective in giving firms a competitive advantage over their peers through increased productivity. Access to a wireless network enables increased productivity via remote working and offers businesses more efficient use of resources and infrastructure without sizeable installation costs. These benefits are clearly being felt by business who have already made the transition to wireless with almost two thirds (63%) of those already using the technology saying they intended to increase investment in their wireless network in the future.
Ian Schenkel, MD EMEA at AirMagnet comments: “The research demonstrates that although many companies have already moved to a combination of wired and wireless networks in the office to increase employee productivity, incorrect preconceptions are continuing to hold many more back. This means that most are still missing out on the increased productivity, mobility and convenience delivered by wireless networks.”
Schenkel continues: “The security concerns expressed by respondents are easily addressable using a variety of different methods.
For example, point monitoring using a mobile device or laptop solution allows users to identify isolated risks. Ad hoc or continuous monitoring with an enterprise level tool which alerts users to any potential threats or security weaknesses, in some cases proactively scanning the network for potential issues, adds a further level of security to protect users.”
“The perception that wireless networks are less reliable than their wired counterparts seems to linger on but this does not have to be the case. In order to ensure coverage and reliable performance as well as fast speeds users simply need to plan ahead. Today’s WiFi survey tools are able to analyse sites, locating the best position for access points and avoiding interference such as glass, lift shafts and metal doors prior to implementation. In the case of an installed network, a survey tool can offer a clear understanding of potential obstructions and where extra access points could be of use in the future –avoiding the concerns identified by respondents.”
The survey found that 43 per cent of companies who have so far resisted wireless adoption in the workplace have done so because they are concerned about how to ensure the wireless network’s security. A further 29 per cent are delaying implementation because they perceive wLANs to be slower or less reliable than traditional wired networks.
Wireless technology can be highly effective in giving firms a competitive advantage over their peers through increased productivity. Access to a wireless network enables increased productivity via remote working and offers businesses more efficient use of resources and infrastructure without sizeable installation costs. These benefits are clearly being felt by business who have already made the transition to wireless with almost two thirds (63%) of those already using the technology saying they intended to increase investment in their wireless network in the future.
Ian Schenkel, MD EMEA at AirMagnet comments: “The research demonstrates that although many companies have already moved to a combination of wired and wireless networks in the office to increase employee productivity, incorrect preconceptions are continuing to hold many more back. This means that most are still missing out on the increased productivity, mobility and convenience delivered by wireless networks.”
Schenkel continues: “The security concerns expressed by respondents are easily addressable using a variety of different methods.
For example, point monitoring using a mobile device or laptop solution allows users to identify isolated risks. Ad hoc or continuous monitoring with an enterprise level tool which alerts users to any potential threats or security weaknesses, in some cases proactively scanning the network for potential issues, adds a further level of security to protect users.”
“The perception that wireless networks are less reliable than their wired counterparts seems to linger on but this does not have to be the case. In order to ensure coverage and reliable performance as well as fast speeds users simply need to plan ahead. Today’s WiFi survey tools are able to analyse sites, locating the best position for access points and avoiding interference such as glass, lift shafts and metal doors prior to implementation. In the case of an installed network, a survey tool can offer a clear understanding of potential obstructions and where extra access points could be of use in the future –avoiding the concerns identified by respondents.”
Deutsche Telekom pins hopes on IPTV to lure customers
Deutsche Telekom hopes to tap into the growing market for television over the Web with new packages and lower prices in its drive to keep and win back customers. Europe's largest telecoms group by sales said it plans to gain 100,000-200,000 new customers by the end of this year for its Internet-based TV, said board member Timotheus Hoettges at a press conference ahead of the start of a trade fair in Berlin.
Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) will be available to 17.2 million households by the end of 2007, Hoettges said. The service currently reaches 15 million households.
The Bonn-based company is offering new products to attract customers to compensate for a steady loss of customers in its traditional fixed-line business.
IPTV is television programming provided via broadband cable and allows viewers to watch what they want when they want. It also has high-definition images and fast downloads.
For fixed-line operators like Deutsche Telekom IPTV is seen as a chance to compete against cable companies' all-in-one packages of video, voice and Internet services.
"IPTV is ready for the mass market," Chief Executive Rene Obermann said, adding the company planned to expand its high-speed VDSL network across Germany. It currently reaches 27 cities.
Its ADSL2+ technology is installed in 750 towns and cities.
ADSL is a form of DSL (digital subscriber line) that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines. ADSL2+ doubles the speed of transmission.
Subscriptions to IPTV services across Europe are expected to rise to 5.6 million this year from 2.9 million last year, with subscription revenue rising to more than 1 billion euros from 470 million euros, according to media research company Screen Digest.
Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) will be available to 17.2 million households by the end of 2007, Hoettges said. The service currently reaches 15 million households.
The Bonn-based company is offering new products to attract customers to compensate for a steady loss of customers in its traditional fixed-line business.
IPTV is television programming provided via broadband cable and allows viewers to watch what they want when they want. It also has high-definition images and fast downloads.
For fixed-line operators like Deutsche Telekom IPTV is seen as a chance to compete against cable companies' all-in-one packages of video, voice and Internet services.
"IPTV is ready for the mass market," Chief Executive Rene Obermann said, adding the company planned to expand its high-speed VDSL network across Germany. It currently reaches 27 cities.
Its ADSL2+ technology is installed in 750 towns and cities.
ADSL is a form of DSL (digital subscriber line) that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines. ADSL2+ doubles the speed of transmission.
Subscriptions to IPTV services across Europe are expected to rise to 5.6 million this year from 2.9 million last year, with subscription revenue rising to more than 1 billion euros from 470 million euros, according to media research company Screen Digest.
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