JVC will sell radio that lets users slow speed of audio output, making it easier for listeners to understand broadcasts. Model to go on sale next month in Japan has signal processor that slows output when program is tuned in, Nikkei said. Processor then gradually increases speed to normal, but shortens pauses between speech so that program occupies allotted amount of broadcast time. Radio receives AM, FM and TV audio, has large display and controls, MSRP of about $279.
Standards making is increasingly important as technologies change and businesses face more competition, SBC Pres. William Daley said in speech at World Standards Day dinner last week. “With the increasing pace of new technologies, it’s critically important for the standards process to keep up,” he said. “When the average shelf life of some new high-tech products is as little as 6 months, businesses don’t have time to pause and wait.” Daley said SBC was working with others in telecom business to develop more-streamlined standards process, which has “become even more important with the increasing competition in our industry and the increasing number of new networks and technologies.” He said industry was working with Alliance for Telecom Industry Solutions (ATIS) to develop priorities so investment went to issues most important to industry. Communications companies want to set priorities that “eliminate overlap and duplication” of standards efforts, he said: “Too many standards can basically mean no effective standards.” ATIS Pres. Susan Miller told group that “traditional approaches to standards development must move to a new paradigm.” Daley received Ronald Brown Award for leadership in U.S. standardization efforts.
Teledesic decision to suspend operations and restructure business (CD Oct 3 p12) is another indication slump for satellite telecom and broadband market isn’t over and new projects will continue to languish, analysts and industry officials told us. Company had planned ambitious 30- satellite constellation to distribute broadband and data services before concluding it was too risky to continue. “This happens in the course of a global meltdown,” Satellite Industry Assn. Exec. Dir. Richard DalBello told us: “The demand hasn’t been as strong as [Teledesic] had hoped. It appears Teledesic wants to bide their time. There is a tremendous amount of pain in the telecom market. It’s hard to mount aggressive new projects in this type of environment.”
Pace Micro Technology unveiled digital terrestrial personal video recorder (PVR) in Britain that would allow over-air viewing with PVR features, company said. “Twin Digital TV Recorder,” expected to retail for about $540 just before Christmas, gives viewers access to more than 20 free digital TV channels and allows them to pause, rewind, fast- forward, etc. PVR has 20 GB hard disc drive, twin digital tuners, dual recorder.
More details on PlayStation 2 (PS2) shipment numbers were made available by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) after our Thurs. deadline. Company said 40.04 million units of console that we reported had been shipped were through Sept. 17. Breakdown by region was indeed 12.06 million for Europe and other PAL countries, 17.01 million for N. America and 10.97 million for Japan, as reported (CED Sept 20 p2).
Apparently setting stage for radio version of personal video recorder (PVR), terrestrial digital radio developer iBiquity Digital acquired exclusive worldwide license for Command Audio (CA) patents, technology and other assets in field of digital radio, companies said Tues. Companies are privately held and terms of agreement weren’t disclosed. IBiquity said acquisition set stage for radio broadcasters to provide consumers with content on-demand, as well as selecting radio programs via electronic guide, scanning content and pausing or saving for later listening. CA technology also will give content providers and advertisers tools to design innovative programming, iBiquity said.
Terrestrial digital radio developer iBiquity Digital acquired exclusive worldwide license for Command Audio (CA) patents, technology and other assets in field of digital radio, companies announced Tues. Companies are privately held and terms of agreement weren’t disclosed.
Proposed exemption from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) disclosures of critical infrastructure-related data was dropped from homeland security bill (HR-5005) marked up Thurs. by House Commerce Committee. White House-initiated plan to create cabinet-level Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) includes language that would prevent public release of network vulnerability data submitted voluntarily by industry, move that’s backed by Internet and telecom interests and has gained momentum in Congress. However, Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.), who also advocates creation of narrowly crafted FOIA exemption for threat data shared with govt., said any changes in FOIA “must protect the purposes” of existing disclosure laws.
After “polarizing experience” for CE industry from Broadcast Protection Discussion Group report (CED June 6 p1) on content protection for DTV, Thomson said it planned to discuss issues and present its positions at news briefing planned for late Wed., after our deadline. Spokesman told us company supported “broadcast flag” but would express its concerns about content controls that flag might trigger in CE equipment, as well as its concern that single digital interface favored by some parties was not to advantage of consumers or industry.
As reports continue to emerge indicating Microsoft might be planning to introduce follow-up to its Xbox videogame console as soon as next year, SWS Securities analyst Arvind Bhatia told us introduction of new machine so soon after first version of game machine could be “disruptive” to market and do more harm than good. Xbox wasn’t introduced in N. America until Nov. and next game console cycle hadn’t been expected by game makers and analysts until at least 2005.