National Media Council in talks with Google

Officials from the National Media Council and Google discussed on a framework for Internet legislation and electronic publishing in the country, according to a report from WAM.

The meeting was held at the Internet City in Dubai on Friday, where Google was briefed on the role of regulating the media sector, coordination among the media institutions in the country and in the field of legislation concerning Internet and electronic publishing.

The meeting was attended by Ibrahim Al Abed Director-General of the National Media Council, Mohammed Abdullah, Director Dubai Media City, Malik Al Malik Director-General of the Dubai Internet City and Ahmed Najib, IT Director at the NMC. Google was represented byShona L. Brown, Senior Vice President – Business Operations, Google, Nelson Mattos, VP of engineering for Google, and a number of other officials.

Source: WAM

Intelligent 3G Mobile Hotspot Launched in MENA Markets

Press release:
Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL), a provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced that Worldcom Technology LLC will launch and distribute the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2352 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot through all Major retail outlets and channel Partners in the Middle East and North Africa, including United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The MiFi platform represents the industry’s first intelligent mobile hotspot; a new category of mobile broadband that lets users put their world of content, services and connectivity in the palm of their hand. Unlike existing router solutions that require an external broadband modem and serve only to provide connectivity, the MiFi platform creates a personal cloud of high-speed Internet connectivity that can be easily shared between multiple users and up to five Wi-Fi devices such as laptops, cameras, gaming devices and multimedia players. For its innovative design and engineering, the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot was named the “Best Mobile Connected Device” at the GSMA Global Mobile Awards, among the many other honors garnered since its launch.

“As wireless broadband networks become ubiquitous throughout the Middle East and North Africa, mobile users will turn to value-added distributors like Worldcom Technology for reliable, ultra high-speed wireless Internet solutions,” said Rob Hadley, CMO, Novatel Wireless. “The launch of the MiFi 2352 will help meet the growing demand for innovative and easy to use mobile broadband connectivity solutions for both business and casual users. We look forward to working with Worldcom Technology to provide customers with the most advanced mobility solutions available.”

“Worldcom Technology is pleased to partner with Novatel Wireless to help bring the industry’s first MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot to the Middle East and North Africa,” said Mohamed Rizwan Noor, President, Worldcom Technology. “Worldcom Technology, based in Dubai, UAE is committed to bringing value, sophistication and innovative communication solutions into the MENA region and we’re excited to be introducing this revolutionary mobile broadband solution to our customers.”

ASUS Unveils an Array of Brand New Displays

Press release:
ASUS today is proud to unveil an array of display products catered towards the needs of different market segments. The Designo ML Series LED monitors, the VG236 and PG276 3D monitors, the PA246Q professional monitor and LED projector will all be showcased at Computex 2010 at the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC).

Picture Perfect Everytime
Since its launch, the Designo MS and LS LED monitors have received numerous accolades that include the Japanese Good Design Award, and the iF China Award. These monitors’ award-winning lines are matched by the true-to-life Full HD visuals showcased on their mercury-free LED-backlit panels. These monitors deliver the industry’s contrast ratio benchmark of 10,000,000:1 thanks to ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio (ASCR) Technology. Together with a 2ms (gray-to-gray) response time and ASUS Splendid™ Video Intelligence Technology, which optimizes color fidelity with five pre-set modes (gaming, theater, night view, scenery and standard), the Designo Series displays provide sharp and crisp visuals for almost every situation.

Smart Look, Smart View
The Designo ML Series is at the crossroads where design and eco-friendly technology meet, successfully blending contemporary style with energy-efficiency.

The ML Series’ mercury-free LED-backlit panel lets it deliver outstanding visuals whilst at the same time saving energy. With the Eco mode, the ML series further reduces energy consumption by 55 percent when compared with average LCD displays.*
The lunar-inspired design features a crescent-shaped stand with Ergo-Fit II technology, allowing the user to easily make tilt and swivel adjustments to the display. It is complemented by ASUS Smart View Technology that lets viewers see the vibrant colors on screen whether they’re sitting up at their desk or leaning back for a more relaxed viewing angle.
With a 10,000,000:1 ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio, 2ms (gray-to-gray) response time, and Full HD, users can expect only the best true-to-life visuals from the ML Series. It represents the dawning of ASUS’ next generation ultra-slim Designo Series monitors.

Delve into an Immersive 3-Dimensional World
Enter an immersive 3-dimensional world of Full HD 1080p movies and games with the ASUS’ 23” VG236 display and the 27” PG276, the world’s largest 3D gaming monitor.

Through the use of market-leading 3D technology and active shutter glasses, these monitors instantly transform your 2D gaming experience to 3D. Over 400 popular PC game titles are compatible with the NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ kit**.

Enjoy movies and games in stereoscopic 3D thanks to the double-speed 120Hz refresh rate and 2ms (gray-to-gray) response time. Anti-reflective Color Shine Technology and 400 nits ultra brightness bring out a vivid world of color. With input jacks for Dual-link DVI (for 3D image playback), YPbPr, and HDMI, the entertainment possibilities are limitless.

And to ensure a comfortable viewing experience, these monitors’ height, swivel, and tilt angles can be easily adjusted to suit users’ viewing preferences.

Working Fabulously with Fabulous Colors—the PA246Q Professional Display
The ASUS PA246Q Professional Display is aimed at graphic designers and photographers. The PA246Q is optimized for color accuracy and Adobe RGB color space to deliver the most precise color reproduction.

The ultra-wide viewing angle provided by the P-IPS panel ensures that the colors stay true even when viewed from skewed angles. Extensive connectivity ports ensure that the PA246Q is compatible to a wide range of image processing devices.
Another addition to the ASUS line-up is the LED projector. This ultra-portable device measures just 400cc. and weighs less than a pound. It features plug-and-project capability and instantly powers on and off, and works with any ASUS laptop adaptor—making it the ideal companion for the executive on-the-go.

Etisalat launches eLife Triple Play service

Press release:
Etisalat today announced the launch of its all inclusive eLife triple play service that bundles three services together – landline, broadband Internet and TV, for more convenience and greater value. The company has also announced an exciting chance to watch 2010 FIFA World Cup in high definition for free – through Al Jazeera Sport Channels, The official broadcaster for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa benefiting customers subscribing to eLife triple play bundles.

Customers can now enjoy Etisalat’s TV service launched on its fiber optic-based network with unlimited entertainment options, high-definition video quality and many new features, all combined in a valuable triple play bundle that includes high-speed Internet, high quality voice and 20 minutes of free international calls per month (double play packages).

As part of the eLife triple play launch, Etisalat also captures the upcoming football fever by giving its new eLife triple play customers subscribing to the Premier package (16MB) and Max package (30MB), free access to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, aired by Al Jazeera sport channels.

This new bundle will be immediately available to eLife-connected homes. All customers subscribed to eLife double play packages, new customers and existing subscribers to E-Vision, Internet or fixed line services can avail the eLife triple play benefits and offer by subscribing to any of its packages. They can simply call 800 PROMO (77666) or visit any of Etisalat’s Business Centres and Outlets across the UAE to apply. Etisalat has further facilitated the subscription process with its sales representatives bringing the eLife bundled product offering directly to residents who can sign up conveniently from the comfort of their homes.

Customers have the option to avail of any of the amazing features that come as part of eLife triple play packages:

• Basic TV services that are offered in three language-based packages: Arabic, Asian and Western choices. Customers can select the first package which is already included in the Triple Play subscription, with additional packages available at a nominal rate. Premium TV is also offered at current market rates.
• High Definition or “HD” TV channels are also offered to all eLife customers as every connection includes the latest HD-capable TV Set Top Box. They can access an impressive list of channels offered, including, Al Jazeera Sports HD, Abu Dhabi HD, Dubai Sports HD, OSN Movies HD, Food Network HD, Outdoor Channel HD, Discovery HD, NatGeo Wild HD, ShowSports HD, Fox Sports HD, Fashion TV HD, iConcerts HD, and Luxe TV HD.
• A Personal Video Recorder or “PVR” TV Set Top box that will be available soon. Offered as an option, the new box will be capable of “pausing” any live TV channel as well as rewinding and playback feature. The instant and planned recording will make TV watching more convenient and in line with the viewer’s time preference.

Moreover, eLife triple play customers will also be offered extra hotspot hours for their high-speed Internet access away from home, of up to 16 hrs every month.

Zotac unveils the ‘World’s Fastest Air-Cooled’ GTX400 graphics cards

Press release:
ZOTAC International, a leading innovator and the world’s largest channel manufacturer of graphics cards, mini-PCs and small form factor platforms, today unleashes the world’s fastest air cooled GeForce® GTX 400 series graphics cards – the lightning-fast ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 480 AMP!® Edition and GTX 470 AMP!® Edition graphics cards.

ZOTAC takes air-cooled performance to the next level with superior engineering and tweaking to raise performance levels of the GeForce® GTX 400 series to unprecedented levels. The ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series AMP!® Editions go beyond overclocking and features enhanced upgrades over standard GeForce® GTX 400 series graphics cards.

“We wanted to transform the ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series graphics cards into something unique with our flagship AMP!® Edition,” said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International. “The result is the world’s fastest GeForce® GTX 400 series graphics cards that retain conventional air cooling.”

Enhancements to the ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series AMP!® Editions begin with a completely tweaked PCB engineered to maximize performance and overclocking. The ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series AMP!® Editions receive a completely revamped cooling system that delivers superior cooling performance with reduced noise levels.

The revamped cooling system features a heatsink made of a pure copper base and heat pipes attached to pure aluminum fins for maximum cooling performance that delivers class-leading air-cooled performance on the ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series AMP!® Editions. A pair of 92mm high-performance fans delivers optimum airflow while minimizing noise levels for a perfect balance of noise and performance with the ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series AMP!® Editions.

“ZOTAC is always on the forefront of technology when it comes to our graphics cards. The latest ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series AMP!® Editions are the result of our outstanding engineering capabilities,” Mr. Berger added.

The ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series AMP!® Editions receive an exclusive look that matches the performance. Both ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 480 AMP!® Edition and GTX 470 AMP!® Edition receive unique black heatsink covers with orange fans for a stylish look that shows off the high-performance nature of the AMP!® Editions.

The ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series AMP!® Editions receive supercharged clock speeds for an extra performance boost. The ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 480 AMP!® Edition boosts clock speeds to 756 MHz engine, 1512 MHz shader and 3800 MHz memory clocks while the GeForce® GTX 470 AMP!® Edition raises performance to 656 MHz engine, 1312 MHz shader and 3402 MHz memory clocks.

Two technology demo showcases ship with the ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series AMP!® Edition graphics cards – Supersonic Sled and Design Garage. SuperSonic Sled demonstrates the full capabilities of DirectX 11 GPU-accelerated tessellation, NVIDIA® PhysX® and CUDA™ technologies by letting users race a rocket-driven sled down a 6-mile track while Design Garage shows off ray-tracing technology and enables users to instantly customize exotic cars with photo realistic details using the ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 400 series AMP!® Editions.

It’s time to play with the ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 480 AMP!® Edition and GTX 470 AMP!® Edition.
General details

• New ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 480 AMP! Edition & GeForce® GTX 470 AMP! Edition graphics cards
• World’s fastest air-cooled GeForce® GTX 400 series graphics cards
• ZOTAC GeForce® GTX 480 AMP! Edition
• Engine clock: 756 MHz
• 480 Unified Shaders
• Shader clock: 1512 MHz
• 1536MB GDDR5 memory
• 384-bit memory interface
• Memory clock: 3800 MHz
• ZOTAC GeForce GTX 470 AMP! Edition
• Engine clock: 656 MHz
• 448 Unified Shaders
• Shader clock: 1312 MHz
• 1280MB GDDR5 memory
• 320-bit memory interface
• Memory clock: 3402 MHz
• Pure copper base and heat-pipes and pure aluminum fin heatsink
• Dual 92mm quiet high-performance fans
• Dual dual-link DVI-I outputs
• Mini HDMI 1.3a output
• PCI Express 2.0 interface (Compatible with 1.1)
• DirectX® 11 with Shader Model 5.0 compatible
• OpenGL® 3.2 compatible
• NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ Surround ready
• NVIDIA® CUDA™ & PhysX® ready
• NVIDIA® PureVideo™ HD technology
• Microsoft® DirectX® 11 & DirectCompute ready

Toshiba launches STOR.E ART3

Press release:
Toshiba Digital Life Products and Services, a division of Toshiba Europe GmbH, today announced a new external hard disk drive series with a capacity of up to 1 terabyte (1,000 gigabytes), the STOR.E ART3. The new devices are ideal for mobile users with a huge amount of data stored on their computers, who are looking for an easy-to-use backup solution. The STOR.E ART3 will be available during the second quarter 2010 in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The stylish STOR.E ART3 product line comes in four colours and with four different storage capacities:
- Raven Black (1 terabyte)
- Liquid Blue (750 gigabyte)
- Snow White (640 gigabyte)
- Rocket Red (500 gigabyte)

At the top capacity, the STOR.E ART3 holds up to 285,000 digital photos, 263,000 digital music files or 820 digital movies . Consumers can easily backup their entire music, photo or home video libraries with this vast amount of storage space. With its extremely small dimensions and weighing only 170 grams, the STOR.E ART3 is highly portable and even fits into the smallest of pockets.

Each STOR.E ART3 drive includes an internal shock sensor and anti-slip rubberized side grip to help keep your drive safe while on the go.

Easy-to-use for novices and advanced features for tech-savvy users
The STOR.E ART3 appeals to consumers across a diverse range of digital comfort levels – it is easy-to-use with a simple plug-and-play operation for beginners and offers customisable options for tech-savvy users. With an easy setup process and “set-it-and-forget-it” operation, the STOR.E ART3 product line can automatically and regularly backup computer files while in use, removing the primary barrier to backing up – users’ forgetfulness. STOR.E ART3 features easy-to-use Windows™-based NTI® BackupNow EZ™ software, upgraded with advanced search capabilities and simpler step-by-step restore functionality, to retrieve lost files. For advanced users, the STOR.E ART3 offers many customisation features including extensive back-up options, advanced restore functionalities and an ability to overwrite specific original files. It also provides an option for complete system backup, enabling users to restore selected files or the entire computer, even if Windows is unable to start.

The STOR.E ART3 comes with 2-years EMEA wide warranty.

LG launches E40, E50 LED monitors, Sincerity Campaign

Press release:
Marking the arrival of its new LED monitors series, the E40 and E50, LG Electronics Business Solutions (LG), today launched Sincerity, an online campaign (http://sincere.lge.com/gf) that aims to elicit and share touching stories from LG consumers around the world.

“The LG LED ‘Sincerity’ campaign will be conducted simultaneously in 9 countries, with people sharing 2,073,600 sincere messages, one for each pixel on our new monitors,” said Mr H.S Paik, President of LG Gulf FZE. “We hope people will re-think the meaning of ‘sincerity’ in their friendships by participating in this campaign, and have a chance to learn about LED technology and LG’s devotion to its consumers as symbolized by more than 2 million pixels on these new monitors.”

Sincerity Shared, Prizes Won

As part of the Sincerity campaign, which runs from May 15 to July 13 this year, participants will be asked to “show their sincerity” by leaving on the campaign’s website moving personal stories or their own personal reflections on what sincerity means.

Smartphone users can take part in this event through their phones. Using Pixel Soldiers, i-Phone and Android Phone users can contribute their sincere stories by simply tapping them into their phones. Smartphone users can also download “wallpaper” containing their own sincere stories.

Each participant will be allotted one of 2,073,600 pixels, which will collectively form a full picture with as many pixels as LG’s new LED monitors. Participant

During the promotion, LG will display selected messages across all retail stores in UAE “LED Zones”. Better still, those winners will also receive one of a range of fantastic prizes, including a Volkswagen Wagon Golf GTI2, travel vouchers worth AED 30,000 and full HD TV Monitor E2380VX. There will also be special sweepstake prize draw where 30 lucky winners will take home an LED LCD Monitor E2350V.

A Smart and Fun Friend

By highlighting the amount of time we now spend with our computers, LG is using the Sincerity campaign to cast its new monitors as more than just products. In providing the perfect place for users to talk, see, work and play, the E40 and E50 series are aimed at becoming a true friend in the workplace or at home.

Through their smart technology, the E40 and E50 provide a host of “sincere” functions that make the monitors a delight to use. The E50’s Smart+ Package includes a dual web feature that automatically splits the screen to allow easy multitasking, an auto brightness function that measures the light surrounding the monitor to ensure optimal brightness at all times, and a cinema mode, which creates the perfect environment for watching videos.

The E40’s Fun Package, meanwhile, boasts various photo editing features, and an original ratio function that enables viewers to watch videos in their original 4:3 wide angle without any on-screen distortion.

The First Monitor with UL Environment Certification

Though providing features as strong as on any monitor on the market, the E40 and E50 series boast impeccable ecological credentials. As well as being 30 percent lighter, the monitors use 45 percent less energy and fewer hazardous materials, with no halogen and mercury at all. Thanks to these improvements, the E50V model has become the first monitor to be awarded environmental certification from the US safety testing organization UL.

For those looking for something a little extra from their picture, the E50VR model boasts super resolution technology, for a picture as vivid and sharp as anything on the market. And with all E50 models, a depth of just 17.5mm creates a sleek, elegant finish, while a detachable two-way stand makes the monitor even more convenient to use.

Equipped with convenient, smart technology, eco-friendly features, an exceptional picture quality and sophisticated design, LG’s E50 and E40 are set to raise the bar once more for the computer monitor market.

They are now available in all leading retail stores and will retail at AED 1199 (E2250V) and AED 1399 (E2350V).

Samsung Unveils X10 ‘Next Generation Camera’ in the UAE

Press release:
Samsung Digital Imaging Company Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, unveiled the Samsung NX10.

“The Samsung NX10 is an innovative digital camera that provides users with optimum image quality in a sleek, compact body. Delivering creativity without compromise, users can now be as creative as they want on the move, without having to compromise perfect images. With our thorough research these past few years, we have discovered that what consumers want consumers want from their cameras is evolving. We have reflected their needs in the Samsung NX10. The new Samsung NX10 marks the start of the next generation of cameras.” said Mr. Ram Modak, General Manager of Digital Imaging Division of Samsung Gulf Electronics.

“Now with specialised equipment open to everyone with no restrictions solely to the professionals, more people want to capture snapshots and tell a story through their camera—but they also want something compact that can be carried around all day. The large sensor and the ultra fast auto focus give consumers the quality they demand as well as the compactness they want in one exceptional package.” Ram Modak continued.

The NX10 incorporates a fast and decisive auto focus (AF), 14.6 MP APS-C size CMOS sensor and unique, large 3.0” AMOLED screen, allowing users to easily view their images, even in bright sunlight. Users can also record in HD movie to create the full story. Available in two colors, Noble Black and Titan Silver, the Samsung NX10 is small, light and ergonomically designed to ensure maximum portability for everyday use.

The Samsung NX10 ensures users never miss a moment, with one of the fastest AF in its class on the market. The company’s latest innovation, the new DRIMe II Pro engine and advanced AF algorithm, also provide ultra fast AF speed with the higher precision of contrast AF.

The new camera has the heart of a DSLR embedded inside the compact frame of a digital camera, successfully integrating the APS-C size CMOS sensor with a mirrorless interchangeable lens, for a sleek, lightweight camera that users can easily take with them everywhere they go.

Consumers are not just limited to taking shots, but can also tell their own stories in video format with HD movie recording (H.264 codec).

Samsung continues to extend the usage of AMOLED screens across many products, using a large 3.0” AMOLED screen in Samsung NX10. AMOLED provides easier viewing even in bright sunshine and at acute viewing angles, meaning users no longer need to shield their screen with their hand. The category leading screen also provides 10,000 times faster response rate than conventional LCDs, has a far lower power consumption and higher contrast ratio – 10,000:1 vs. 500:1.

Mr. Ram Modak continues: “Samsung has always been quick to implement cutting edge technology and no more so when it comes to quality of images. For the first time in the market, Samsung has successfully integrated an APS-C size sensor into a compact body by eliminating the mirror box, meaning that our users can now be as creative as they want to be on the move without having to compromise on image quality.”

The Samsung NX10 also contains a range of intelligent features to put professional quality images within reach of the amateur photographer. The Samsung NX10 includes in-depth manual controls and also a Smart Auto function which automatically detects the surrounding environment of the shot and selects the right shoot mode.

Its Smart Range feature also enables the user to vividly express both bright areas and dark areas in the same frame, and the Supersonic Dust Reduction system keeps those dust particles clear of the image sensor that can often impair an image. It even senses when the user brings the camera close to their face to look through the viewfinder, and puts the AMOLED screen on standby to conserve power.

Apple overtakes Microsoft as the World’s Biggest Tech Company

We kid, of course, no Bill Gates is not coming out of retirement. But it just might be the right time to because of Wednesday, Apple surpassed Microsoft to become the world’s most valuable technology company based on market capitalization.

At the end of yesterday’s trading, Apple’s market value stood at around $222 billion while Microsoft suffered a loss and was pegged down to the second spot at $219 billion. Apple’s shares closed down 0.4 per cent at $244.11, while Microsoft fell 4 per cent to a seven-month low of $25.01.

“Apple is now worth more than Microsoft. It may be different tomorrow but I thought it was worth a moment of reflection today,” tweeted Apple CEO Steve Jobs

In response, Steve ‘Developers!’ Ballmer said the company has good competitors but was sure Microsoft will make more profit.

“I will make more profit and certainly there is no technology company on the planet that is as profitable as we are,” Ballmer told reporters in India recently.

To put this whole thing into a perspective somewhat, Apple nearly went out of business in 1990s and had to resort to an investment of $150 million by none other than Microsoft in 1997 to keep things floating. A little more then ten years after, Apple has managed to surpass Microsoft, with all its 90 per cent market share for Windows, Xbox division, hardware, Hotmail and myriad of other businesses, is nothing short of awe inspiring, and with only what?, an iPhone, iPod, iPad, iTunes and Macbook?

NVIDIA Tesla GPUs Power New IBM Servers

Press release:
NVIDIA announced today that the latest IBM iDataPlex servers are the first mainstream high performance computing (HPC) systems to be built around NVIDIA® Tesla™ 20-series GPUs.

“NVIDIA provides an innovative solution for customers who push the envelope in high-performance computing,” said Dave Turek, vice president, Deep Computing, IBM. “GPU acceleration provides performance boosts for many applications in energy exploration, science and financial services. It is among the significant emerging supercomputer technologies to watch in the years ahead.”

NVIDIA Tesla M2050 is a GPU Computing module integrated into servers that delivers dramatic performance benefits, while enabling maximum reliability and tight integration with system monitoring and management tools, giving data center IT staff greater choice in how they deploy GPUs.

“IBM’s adoption of Tesla for their HPC server line is the most significant milestone in Tesla history,” said Andy Keane, general manager, Tesla business at NVIDIA. “Scientists worldwide can now access the power of Tesla and CUDA from the world leader in technical computing.”

GPU Computing is reaching critical mass. More than 350 universities are teaching CUDA, which enables GPUs to be deployed for supercomputing and other visual computing applications. In the past two years, 10 books have been written on the subject by researchers and developers. The CUDA developer toolkit has been downloaded more than 200,000 times, enabling the development of applications across many fields of scientific and high performance computing. These include financial modeling, oil and gas, federal and defense as well as key research codes in bioscience, such as AMBER, GROMACS and NAMD.

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