Building on the work of the Cloud Signature Consortium, announced last June, Adobe
has unveiled the first cloud-based digital signature technology built on an open
standard, Adobe Document Cloud and Adobe Sign. A newly-released open
standard specification built in collaboration with the Cloud Signature
Consortium enable digital signatures in
any browser or on any mobile device.
Adobe Sign lets users work with over 200 providers from the European Union Trust List (EUTL) and Adobe Approved Trust List (AATL).
Cloud Signature-compliant digital ID solutions will be available from
the following providers over the coming months: Asseco Data Systems,
Certinomis (a subsidiary of La Poste Group), D-Trust (a subsidiary of
Bundesdruckerei), InfoCert, Intarsys, Intesi Group and Universign.
“Open
standards propel entire industries forward, allowing interoperability
between otherwise fragmented solutions, and paving the way for
widespread adoption,” said Bryan Lamkin, executive VP and GM, Digital
Media, Adobe. “Adobe pioneered digital signatures. And as the creator
and champion of standards like PDF, we are proud to have once again
rallied the industry to develop a new, open standard for digital
signatures in the cloud, ensuring a great customer experience.”
Adobe has unveiled new functionality in Adobe Sign that
enables users to create end-to-end business workflows that go beyond
signing and approvals. Complex workflows like new bank
account enrollment, loan applications or managing HR benefits, can now
be managed processes digitally. The solution is
also integrated with SharePoint for easier requesting of signatures, progress tracking and document archival. A proof of receipt and delivery feature shows if the
recipient both viewed and acknowledged a document such as a legal
notification or change of terms (available within 30 days).
“With so many of today’s critical business processes
moving to cloud based solutions, it’s imperative that people trust the
information they are interacting with,” said Alan Lepofsky, VP and
principal analyst at Constellation Research. “Digital signatures play a
vital role in that trust, but for them to be successful they must be a
frictionless part of the process. Building signatures on an open
standard that works across browsers and mobile devices creates the
seamless experience that people expect.”
Interested?
The
Adobe Sign preview release will be available to customers in the coming
weeks. Adobe customers can contact their customer support manager to
join the
product preview
Service providers can join the Adobe Cloud Signature Partner Program
Tuesday, 28 February 2017
Blockchain settlement company waives charges for transfers to Singapore in 2017
OKLink, the global settlement platform, has announced the first completely free corridor for remittances. Transfers of up to US$100,000 per month in to Singapore will be free of charge for all of 2017, the company said.
OKLink previously charged 0.1% of the amount to make cross-border payments to Singapore, while some companies charged as much as US$5 per transaction.
Jack Liu, Chief Strategy Officer at OKLink, said, “As the world’s largest global settlement network powered by Blockchain, we can conduct cross-border payments faster and at a cheaper rate as more partners join the network. We believe that our initiative will make a revolutionary impact on the global economy, especially for markets with a high degree of overseas workers. There is no better alternative for Singapore today.”
Launched in August 2016, OKLink currently offers payouts to 40 countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and already has more than 100 partners on its network. As of December 2016, OKLink had completed over 10,000 transactions via its settlement network.
Interested?
Transfers to Singapore can be made after registering an account. It can take as little as one business day for the payout to be deposited in the recipient's account.
OKLink previously charged 0.1% of the amount to make cross-border payments to Singapore, while some companies charged as much as US$5 per transaction.
Jack Liu, Chief Strategy Officer at OKLink, said, “As the world’s largest global settlement network powered by Blockchain, we can conduct cross-border payments faster and at a cheaper rate as more partners join the network. We believe that our initiative will make a revolutionary impact on the global economy, especially for markets with a high degree of overseas workers. There is no better alternative for Singapore today.”
Launched in August 2016, OKLink currently offers payouts to 40 countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and already has more than 100 partners on its network. As of December 2016, OKLink had completed over 10,000 transactions via its settlement network.
Interested?
Transfers to Singapore can be made after registering an account. It can take as little as one business day for the payout to be deposited in the recipient's account.
Tableau is named a Leader by Gartner for the fifth consecutive year for BI and analytics
Tableau, a global player in visual analytics, has announced that Gartner has positioned the company as a Leader in its 2017 Magic Quadrant for Business Intelligence and Analytics Platforms report. The annual report evaluated 24 different software vendors on 15 critical capabilities in addition to naming Tableau a Leader for the fifth consecutive year.
Tableau was also positioned the highest for 'Ability to Execute' for the fourth consecutive year. Tableau believes this recognition establishes its analytics software as the first choice in the industry.
“We believe being named a Leader for the fifth consecutive year is a testament to the success our customers have had using Tableau to see and understand their data, and feel it confirms Tableau as the industry standard for interactive visual analytics,” said Francois Ajenstat, Chief Product Officer at Tableau. “We are an established enterprise platform for data analytics, and we’re continuing to invest in enabling our customers to do more with their data, as well as broadening the impact of analytics in organisations.”
The roadmap for the Tableau enterprise platform includes natural language processing (NLP), machine learning-enabled data prep and smart data discovery.
Interested?
The roadmap for the Tableau enterprise platform includes natural language processing (NLP), machine learning-enabled data prep and smart data discovery.
Interested?
Read the Gartner report on 2017 Magic Quadrant for Business Intelligence and Analytics Platforms
HPE, Red Hat commit to accelerate CSP adoption of NFV, OpenStack
Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Red Hat are working together to accelerate the deployment of network functions virtualisation (NFV) solutions based on open, production-ready, standards-based infrastructures. HPE plans to offer ready-to-use, pre-integrated HPE NFV System solutions and HPE Validated Configurations incorporating Red Hat OpenStack Platform and Red Hat Ceph Storage for communications service providers (CSPs).
HPE is collaborating with Red Hat to accelerate OpenStack adoption by CSPs worldwide, offering customers increased choice through multiple commercial distributions, including both HPE Helion OpenStack Carrier Grade and Red Hat OpenStack Platform. Red Hat OpenStack Platform offers a fully open source foundation for NFV deployments.
"The expansion of the relationship brings together two leaders in telecommunications well positioned and committed to helping CSPs accelerate their network transformations," said David Sliter, VP and GM, Communications Solutions Business, HPE. "Red Hat and HPE share a common vision and commitment to enable a rich ecosystem of NFV solutions - our work together is aimed at easing customers' ability to leverage the expansive options we collectively provide."
With these new offerings, HPE and Red Hat are building upon an existing alliance, focused on helping customers overcome the inflexibility and high costs created by data centre, application and IT sprawl by shifting resources to business innovation. This expanded collaboration enables Red Hat to make use of HPE OpenNFV Labs for virtual network function (VNF) validation and for Red Hat OpenStack Platform customers to access HPE VNF Onboarding Services. The HPE OpenNFV Solution Portal is also being expanded to include VNFs from Red Hat partners, providing customers with access to pre-validated solutions that can help simplify deployments.
"With an open foundation for their NFV deployments, CSPs have access to a more flexible, agile, and scalable platform that can meet dynamic requirements, now and in the future," said Radhesh Balakrishnan, GM, OpenStack, Red Hat. "By bringing Red Hat OpenStack Platform and Red Hat Ceph Storage to HPE's NFV solution, we are offering even more choice to CSPs as they transform and modernise their networks."
HPE and Red Hat are additionally collaborating to certify HPE NFV operations solutions, including HPE NFV Director for management and orchestration (MANO), HPE Service Director for operations support systems (OSS), HPE VNFs and the OpenDaylight-based HPE OpenSDN Solution on the Red Hat OpenStack Platform, backed by end-to-end support from HPE.
Interested?
Red Hat OpenStack Platform and Red Hat Ceph Storage integration is planned for availability with the release of HPE NFV System 1.4. HPE NFV System is a pre-integrated solution bundle containing an optimal mix of hardware and software to simplify and accelerate NFV deployments, providing customers a simplified end-to-end experience from ordering, deployment, operations, lifecycle management and services. HPE NFV System 1.4 is targeted for availability in April 2017 for both HPE Helion OpenStack Carrier Grade and Red Hat OpenStack Platform.
For customers seeking guidance, systems integration and support for Red Hat open source technologies on HPE NFV System, HPE Technology Services offers services spanning strategy planning, proof-of-concept, assessment, validated active design, integration, solution support and programme management.
HPE is collaborating with Red Hat to accelerate OpenStack adoption by CSPs worldwide, offering customers increased choice through multiple commercial distributions, including both HPE Helion OpenStack Carrier Grade and Red Hat OpenStack Platform. Red Hat OpenStack Platform offers a fully open source foundation for NFV deployments.
"The expansion of the relationship brings together two leaders in telecommunications well positioned and committed to helping CSPs accelerate their network transformations," said David Sliter, VP and GM, Communications Solutions Business, HPE. "Red Hat and HPE share a common vision and commitment to enable a rich ecosystem of NFV solutions - our work together is aimed at easing customers' ability to leverage the expansive options we collectively provide."
With these new offerings, HPE and Red Hat are building upon an existing alliance, focused on helping customers overcome the inflexibility and high costs created by data centre, application and IT sprawl by shifting resources to business innovation. This expanded collaboration enables Red Hat to make use of HPE OpenNFV Labs for virtual network function (VNF) validation and for Red Hat OpenStack Platform customers to access HPE VNF Onboarding Services. The HPE OpenNFV Solution Portal is also being expanded to include VNFs from Red Hat partners, providing customers with access to pre-validated solutions that can help simplify deployments.
"With an open foundation for their NFV deployments, CSPs have access to a more flexible, agile, and scalable platform that can meet dynamic requirements, now and in the future," said Radhesh Balakrishnan, GM, OpenStack, Red Hat. "By bringing Red Hat OpenStack Platform and Red Hat Ceph Storage to HPE's NFV solution, we are offering even more choice to CSPs as they transform and modernise their networks."
HPE and Red Hat are additionally collaborating to certify HPE NFV operations solutions, including HPE NFV Director for management and orchestration (MANO), HPE Service Director for operations support systems (OSS), HPE VNFs and the OpenDaylight-based HPE OpenSDN Solution on the Red Hat OpenStack Platform, backed by end-to-end support from HPE.
Interested?
Red Hat OpenStack Platform and Red Hat Ceph Storage integration is planned for availability with the release of HPE NFV System 1.4. HPE NFV System is a pre-integrated solution bundle containing an optimal mix of hardware and software to simplify and accelerate NFV deployments, providing customers a simplified end-to-end experience from ordering, deployment, operations, lifecycle management and services. HPE NFV System 1.4 is targeted for availability in April 2017 for both HPE Helion OpenStack Carrier Grade and Red Hat OpenStack Platform.
For customers seeking guidance, systems integration and support for Red Hat open source technologies on HPE NFV System, HPE Technology Services offers services spanning strategy planning, proof-of-concept, assessment, validated active design, integration, solution support and programme management.
Urban observatory to guide city planning for Iskandar, Malaysia
 |
| Datuk Ismail introducing the smart city of Iskandar in Malaysia. |
Iskandar city in Malaysia is halfway through a 20-year journey towards becoming Asia's smart metropolis, according to Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive, Iskandar Regional Development Authority.
"Along the way, we need to embrace new concepts, such as the 'smart city'," he said during the ASEAN Smart City Projects sessions at the Asia IoT Business Platform conference, explaining that Iskandar was set up in 2007 but that the smart city guidelines were only introduced in 2016.
 |
| The Iskandar Regional Development Authority has solutions for the major challenges it expects to encounter in bringing Iskandar into the digital age. |
Although the authorities may have relatively limited resources, the strategy for Iskandar is comprehensive, with solutions identified for major challenges such as providing a conducive business environment and intensifying human capital development. Datuk Ismail shared that the smart city will be built along six dimensions: the economy, environment, people, governance, mobility, and living.
"What is important is how to go about it given that we are working within limited resources, and our level of knowledge is limited," he said. "We make the most of what we have."
Key is to first understand the city's inhabitants and their culture, rather than replicating technology from other smart cities and introducing it without warning, he said. "We need to involve the people (inhabitants) even at the design stage," he said. "We must work in partnership with people and agencies...The need to collaborate extends not just from business to business (B2B) and government to government (G2G), but also people to people."
The city authorities identified 35 programmes that could be initiated to build community awareness of smart city services, among them the Iskandar Malaysia Urban Observatory (IMUO), river revitalisation project and an integrated water treatment plant. The IMUO, introduced in August 2016, is a ‘single window’ where information and data is collected, kept and analysed in a smart city framework for better policy decisions.
"At the end of the day it’s about connectivity, if you’re not able to build the necessary connectivity you’re not able to build the necessary capabilities, and therefore you cannot be competitive. It’s about having the right system," Datuk Ismail said. "A measure of success of a smart city is that the people will truly benefit."
Towards 2025 Iskandar Regional Development Authority will focus on insights from the IMUO, Datuk Iskandar said. "At the end of the day we need to have our own agenda. If we try to be like others we are not really addressing why we are growing in the first place."
Monday, 27 February 2017
HPE, Tata Communications to partner on India's first LoRaWAN network
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has announced that it is working with Tata Communications, a provider of a new world of communications, to support the rollout of India’s first LoRaWAN (LoRa) based network. LoRaWAN is a low power wide area network (LPWAN) specification intended for wireless battery-operated 'things' from the Internet of Things in a regional, national or global network.
Tata Communications unveiled plans for the LoRa network last year. It is part of Tata Communications’ long-term strategy of creating mobile platforms and ecosystems that enable its customers and partners to connect people and IoT-connected devices seamlessly on a global scale. The first phase of the rollout targets Tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 cities in India, touching over 400 million people. Alongside successful field trials in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, there are also 35 proof-of-concept applications in trial on the network.
The association between Tata Communications and HPE paves the way for a new era in enabling devices with embedded connectivity for enterprise customer solutions throughout the country. The project involves connecting devices, applications and other IoT solutions over the LoRa network in smart buildings, campus, utilities, fleet management, security and healthcare services in nearly 2,000 communities, covering over 400 million people, making it the first-of-its-kind initiative in India.
“Tata Communications has 15 years of experience in delivering impactful and innovative communications solutions to its customers globally,” said Anthony Bartolo, President, Mobility, IoT and Collaboration Services, Tata Communications. “As part of our commitment to innovation and in driving digital transformation globally, we are creating a cohesive, resilient and highly secure network to deploy IoT applications in India. We are excited to be partnering with HPE in this project as this platform is critical to amalgamating all the complex variables in enabling a truly digital India.”
Designed for massive scale, multivendor and multinetwork support using the oneM2M interoperability standard, the HPE Universal IoT Platform streamlines interoperability and management of heterogeneous IoT devices and applications that power the intelligent edge. The platform supports long-range, low-power connectivity deployments, as well as devices that use cellular, radio, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Recent enhancements announced for the HPE Universal IoT Platform include increased LoRa gateway support, enabling the use of multiple LoRa gateways with a common set of applications to simplify device provisioning and control in heterogeneous LoRa environments.
“The sheer size of this project is incredible, bringing new services to millions of people,” said David Sliter, VP and GM, Communications Solutions Business, HPE. “Through our partner-centric approach, the HPE Universal IoT platform will enable Tata Communications to build multiple vertical use cases for its Indian IoT network on a common platform with a common data model.”
Tata Communications has also selected HPE to be an integral part of its global cellular IoT connectivity services. This provides a range of domestic and cross-border IoT connectivity and management services, particularly for applications requiring elements of mobility, such as connected cars, fleet management and transportation services.
Interested?
Hashtag: #MWC2017, #MWC17
Tata Communications unveiled plans for the LoRa network last year. It is part of Tata Communications’ long-term strategy of creating mobile platforms and ecosystems that enable its customers and partners to connect people and IoT-connected devices seamlessly on a global scale. The first phase of the rollout targets Tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 cities in India, touching over 400 million people. Alongside successful field trials in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, there are also 35 proof-of-concept applications in trial on the network.
The association between Tata Communications and HPE paves the way for a new era in enabling devices with embedded connectivity for enterprise customer solutions throughout the country. The project involves connecting devices, applications and other IoT solutions over the LoRa network in smart buildings, campus, utilities, fleet management, security and healthcare services in nearly 2,000 communities, covering over 400 million people, making it the first-of-its-kind initiative in India.
“Tata Communications has 15 years of experience in delivering impactful and innovative communications solutions to its customers globally,” said Anthony Bartolo, President, Mobility, IoT and Collaboration Services, Tata Communications. “As part of our commitment to innovation and in driving digital transformation globally, we are creating a cohesive, resilient and highly secure network to deploy IoT applications in India. We are excited to be partnering with HPE in this project as this platform is critical to amalgamating all the complex variables in enabling a truly digital India.”
Designed for massive scale, multivendor and multinetwork support using the oneM2M interoperability standard, the HPE Universal IoT Platform streamlines interoperability and management of heterogeneous IoT devices and applications that power the intelligent edge. The platform supports long-range, low-power connectivity deployments, as well as devices that use cellular, radio, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Recent enhancements announced for the HPE Universal IoT Platform include increased LoRa gateway support, enabling the use of multiple LoRa gateways with a common set of applications to simplify device provisioning and control in heterogeneous LoRa environments.
“The sheer size of this project is incredible, bringing new services to millions of people,” said David Sliter, VP and GM, Communications Solutions Business, HPE. “Through our partner-centric approach, the HPE Universal IoT platform will enable Tata Communications to build multiple vertical use cases for its Indian IoT network on a common platform with a common data model.”
Tata Communications has also selected HPE to be an integral part of its global cellular IoT connectivity services. This provides a range of domestic and cross-border IoT connectivity and management services, particularly for applications requiring elements of mobility, such as connected cars, fleet management and transportation services.
Interested?
Find out which Asian telcos are already working on LoRa trials in this TechTrade Asia blog post on the Asia IoT Business Platform conference
Hashtag: #MWC2017, #MWC17
Sony Mobile delivers on innovation promise at Mobile World Congress 2017
Four new X-Series smartphones announced
"Xperia Touch is a revolutionary interface," said Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO, Sony Mobile Communications. “A year on from unveiling our new brand direction and vision for the future of communications, not only are we announcing Xperia XZ Premium, equipped with the most advanced technologies to enhance the essential features on smartphones, we’re creating whole new interactive communication experiences with our Xperia Smart Products.”
The company has made four additions to its X-series, enhancing both the premium and mid-range models - the flagship Xperia XZ Premium, Xperia XZs and super mid-range Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra. The XperiaXZ Premium and Xperia XZs belong to Sony Mobile’s premium range, while the Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra are the brand’s super mid-range models. All four new X-Series smartphones will be available in Singapore.
Hideyuki Furumi, EVP, Global Sales & Marketing, Sony Mobile Communications said: “We’ve continued to evolve and transform our smartphone portfolio, with an unwavering focus on delivering the most advanced technology in elegantly designed products. Whether it’s a memory-stacked camera system capable of super slow motion capture or the world’s first 4K HDR smartphone display, we’re delivering experiences that connect with users in emotional and meaningful ways like never before.”
Xperia XZ Premium showcases Sony’s new Motion Eye camera system to enable advanced features and excellence in picture quality, as well as the world’s first 4K HDR display1 (5.5”). Motion Eye camera provides 960 frames-per-second (fps) super slow motion video capture and playback, four times slower than any other smartphone2. Xperia XZ Premium is available globally from late spring 2017 (editor's note: roughly Q1 to Q2).
The flagship variant Xperia XZs brings the same re-engineered Motion Eye camera to selected markets in a 5.2” form factor and is available from April 2017.
Building on the success of the Xperia XA models launched last year, Xperia XA1 and the 6” large screen XA1 Ultra feature a borderless design with edge-to-edge screens. Both will surpass camera expectations with high-end rear camera specs including 23MP sensors and low-light capabilities, whilst XA1 Ultra has been designed for selfie lovers with a 16MP front camera. Both smartphones will roll out from spring 20173 with Android Nougat.
Built with Sony’s SXRD projection display technology, Xperia Touch is an interactive projector that turns any flat surface into a 23” HD touchscreen. This allows people to gather around a table or flat wall to play games, watch video, or communicate on social networks. The Xperia Touch is compatible with the PlayStation 4 Remote Play4, as well as any app or game downloaded from the Google Play Store5.
The unique projection, touch capability and sensor architecture will provide developers with an entirely new platform on which to build and create. It rolls out initially in Europe from spring 2017, with a suggested retail price of €1,4996.
The Xperia Ear “Open-style CONCEPT” is based on 'open-ear' audio technology developed within Sony's Future Lab Program, an incubator that enables consumers to trial and shape prototypes from Sony’s R&D division. The product utilises Sony's acoustics research and expertise to deliver wireless 'openear' stereo headphones, so wearers can listen to music and receive notifications, whilst simultaneously hearing sounds from the world around them.
Just as with Xperia Ear, Xperia Ear “Open-style CONCEPT” will be powered by Sony Agent Technology - a personal assistant that uses conversational voice interaction and head gestures to help users get things done.
Sony Mobile will continue to develop new features to further increase the in-ear assistant capability. An example of this is Anytime Talk, a new voice chat service that will allow users to start a group conversation in real-time with just a press of a button or a single head movement. The beta version will roll out for the first-generation Xperia Ear over the coming months.
Sony Mobile is also exploring collaborative possibilities with Sony Agent Technology on Xperia Smart Products and the new cloud artificial intelligence (AI) platform from LINE Corporation, the company behind the popular LINE messaging app, to develop and co-create a new communication experience.
Hashtag: #MWC2017
1 Xperia XZ Premium features a 4K UHD (2,160 x 3,840 pixels) High Dynamic Range (HDR) 5.5" display. Verified by Strategy Analytics' SpecTRAX Service against the published display specifications for over 9,800 smartphones. Correct as of 16 December 2016.
2 Xperia XZ Premium and XZs features a memory stacked image sensor capable of slow motion video at 960 fps in HD (720p) using device hardware. Verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX service against the published camera sensor specifications for over 9,800 smartphones. Correct as of 16 December 2016
3 Availability varies by market, please check with local operators or retailers
4 Single player only - no local multiplayer support
5 Application and game performance may vary and/or have limited functionality if leveraging gyroscopic sensing and/or movement, designed for portable devices
6 Pricing and availability may vary by market
Xperia Touch, the Android projector with multi-touch, rolls out to selected markets
First showcase of Xperia Ear “Open-style CONCEPT”
Sony Mobile Communications (Sony Mobile) has unveiled new consumer experiences focused on innovation.
"Xperia Touch is a revolutionary interface," said Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO, Sony Mobile Communications. “A year on from unveiling our new brand direction and vision for the future of communications, not only are we announcing Xperia XZ Premium, equipped with the most advanced technologies to enhance the essential features on smartphones, we’re creating whole new interactive communication experiences with our Xperia Smart Products.”
The company has made four additions to its X-series, enhancing both the premium and mid-range models - the flagship Xperia XZ Premium, Xperia XZs and super mid-range Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra. The XperiaXZ Premium and Xperia XZs belong to Sony Mobile’s premium range, while the Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra are the brand’s super mid-range models. All four new X-Series smartphones will be available in Singapore.
Hideyuki Furumi, EVP, Global Sales & Marketing, Sony Mobile Communications said: “We’ve continued to evolve and transform our smartphone portfolio, with an unwavering focus on delivering the most advanced technology in elegantly designed products. Whether it’s a memory-stacked camera system capable of super slow motion capture or the world’s first 4K HDR smartphone display, we’re delivering experiences that connect with users in emotional and meaningful ways like never before.”
 |
| Source: Sony Mobile. The Xperia XZ Premium. |
Xperia XZ Premium showcases Sony’s new Motion Eye camera system to enable advanced features and excellence in picture quality, as well as the world’s first 4K HDR display1 (5.5”). Motion Eye camera provides 960 frames-per-second (fps) super slow motion video capture and playback, four times slower than any other smartphone2. Xperia XZ Premium is available globally from late spring 2017 (editor's note: roughly Q1 to Q2).
The flagship variant Xperia XZs brings the same re-engineered Motion Eye camera to selected markets in a 5.2” form factor and is available from April 2017.
Building on the success of the Xperia XA models launched last year, Xperia XA1 and the 6” large screen XA1 Ultra feature a borderless design with edge-to-edge screens. Both will surpass camera expectations with high-end rear camera specs including 23MP sensors and low-light capabilities, whilst XA1 Ultra has been designed for selfie lovers with a 16MP front camera. Both smartphones will roll out from spring 20173 with Android Nougat.
Built with Sony’s SXRD projection display technology, Xperia Touch is an interactive projector that turns any flat surface into a 23” HD touchscreen. This allows people to gather around a table or flat wall to play games, watch video, or communicate on social networks. The Xperia Touch is compatible with the PlayStation 4 Remote Play4, as well as any app or game downloaded from the Google Play Store5.
The unique projection, touch capability and sensor architecture will provide developers with an entirely new platform on which to build and create. It rolls out initially in Europe from spring 2017, with a suggested retail price of €1,4996.
 |
| Source: Sony Mobile. The Xperia Ear "Open- Style CONCEPT". |
Sony Mobile will continue to develop new features to further increase the in-ear assistant capability. An example of this is Anytime Talk, a new voice chat service that will allow users to start a group conversation in real-time with just a press of a button or a single head movement. The beta version will roll out for the first-generation Xperia Ear over the coming months.
Sony Mobile is also exploring collaborative possibilities with Sony Agent Technology on Xperia Smart Products and the new cloud artificial intelligence (AI) platform from LINE Corporation, the company behind the popular LINE messaging app, to develop and co-create a new communication experience.
Hashtag: #MWC2017
1 Xperia XZ Premium features a 4K UHD (2,160 x 3,840 pixels) High Dynamic Range (HDR) 5.5" display. Verified by Strategy Analytics' SpecTRAX Service against the published display specifications for over 9,800 smartphones. Correct as of 16 December 2016.
2 Xperia XZ Premium and XZs features a memory stacked image sensor capable of slow motion video at 960 fps in HD (720p) using device hardware. Verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX service against the published camera sensor specifications for over 9,800 smartphones. Correct as of 16 December 2016
3 Availability varies by market, please check with local operators or retailers
4 Single player only - no local multiplayer support
5 Application and game performance may vary and/or have limited functionality if leveraging gyroscopic sensing and/or movement, designed for portable devices
6 Pricing and availability may vary by market
Operators exploring new ways to engage with customers
 |
| The Regional Telco and Connectivity IoT Leaders' Panel. |
Operator revenues are no only longer about providing connectivity, which is now a given for business operations, said panelists at a Regional Telco & Connectivity IoT Leaders Panel at the recent Asia IoT Business Platform conference in Singapore.
"Customers don’t really care about connectivity, it should just be there," said Mikael Lindholm, Head of Asia Pacific, Telenor Connexion, who moderated the Regional Telco & Connectivity IoT Leaders Panel.
Apinetr Unakul, Member of the Board of Directors, CAT Telecom, where he sponsors the CAT City Digital Platform business team said, "We try to engage startups, we can’t do everything ourselves so we provide a platform for incubation for small companies. We put in a lot of effort for other people to come in and join it. We're creating an ecosystem in various cities...if we’re friends in the future we can do something together. We're creating a lot of friends and have invited a lot of friends and will help them grow."
Michael Frausing, Head, Enterprise & IT Enabled Services Group, Globe Telecom, shared that the Globe sales team used to sell connectivity. "Now it is about the customer's pain points, how to solve them, an end-to-end conversation," he said.
Zamry bin Abdullah, CMO, Telekom Malaysia's subsidiary VADS Lyfe, which aims to be the market leader in smart home and smart city services for real estate development in Malaysia, disclosed that the company works with suppliers and customers on a revenue sharing model.
Zamry elaborated that vendors have to 'rearrange their thoughts' about the way they do business. "They have to change, and at least in my organisation we don’t even have the term 'vendor'. We only have 'partnership' and 'management'. It’s all about collaboration," he said. "Big companies have fallen because they are not willing to change their business."
When a company comes to VADS Lyfe looking for office connectivity, VADS Lyfe may turn the discussion towards access control instead, or offer a wider solution that includes access control, parking, and video surveillance using third party smart equipment with more features to reduce TCO, he explained.
"We get returns from services that we provide. We must allow for other partners to come in," he said.
Alfian Manullang, GM, M2M Product Development, Telkomsel, the largest mobile operator in Indonesia, said that Telkomsel aims to be a digital company with the technology and infrastructure part of the conversation in the background, instead of at the forefront. "It's a new growth path. We need to incubate an end to end sales team," he said. "What we are offering is analytics, data, insights, a platform play as well. It is open for everybody. We are competing with startups and everything, and we have to develop a startup-based organisation in the company. It’s not easy, but it’s a new game; this is the only way."
Alfian has developed various connected products and services, including the first connected motorbike solution in the region.
Tran Viet Ha, Deputy Head, Multimedia and Value Added Services, Mobifone
said that the company - the second largest telco in Vietnam - wants
to be a digital operator engaging in new business models. The Mobifone
strategy involves revenue-sharing partnerships with customers in which
Mobifone may share up to 95% of the proceeds, with co-owned IT
applications. "We create a new IT," he said.
Panelists said that the new business models had to embrace risk when asked by Lindholm if risk-sharing was a problem.
"If we want to be different from a vendor just selling (products and services), we have to share risk," Zamry said. He gave the example of a mall owner which had approached VADS Lyfe about buying digital signage. VADS Lyfe counter-proposed paying for digital signage and running it instead. While the mall owner can still add its own messaging onto the digital signage, VADS Lyfe profits from charging other parties for exposure on the same signage.
"We’ll share the profit with your business; we will take that off your budget and invest our own money. Otherwise they will see us as vendors pushing the smart city or what-have-you," he explained.
Frausing noted that a revenue-sharing business model used to be taboo, but holds both risk and reward. At Globe, consultants conduct discussions with the C-suite of prospective customers. "We guarantee the savings; it’s all about savings at the end of the day, If we don’t share the savings, we reimburse them. Otherwise it’s just (a conversation about) cost, cost, cost and in the end it doesn’t scale," he said.
Frausing shared that Globe works very closely with customers and partners, to the point where staff from partners are seconded to Globe. "We have to put skin on the game with our clients," he said."We feel the pain and we can work out something together. There has to be value."
Lindholm further noted that everyone is still in a testing mode for many IoT platforms. Tran said that IoT trials are on the books in 2018, noting that customers which are not familiar with the benefits of IoT are not going to be willing to change.
Zamry added that VADS Lyfe is always looking for ways to drive down the costs of providing a service. New standards such as LoRa are being studied as a way to connect buses. "It's something we are looking at, to connect street lights and parking," he shared.
"We're always testing new things. What is important for us to ensure that the architecture of such technologies allows (other) services to be connected. If it doesn’t allow for the integration of services, then we are creating silos," he said. "You turn around the corner and there’s a new technology to be developed. You just have to make a call on what technology you want to use."
Frausing recommended showing relevance instead of going for a big, general goal. "Focus on areas that are pain points in society that you can address with IoT and then start there. Try not to be (too esoteric), With smart cities, you have got to do it in bite sizes," he said.
"You've got to be quick or you’re dead. What we do as an operator is we come up with innovative infrastructure that people can (try). We're testing LoRa in a few cities, if that turns out successful then we can expand," Unakul said.
posted from Bloggeroid
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia announces Dispatcher Phoenix customer
A large international financial services provider has contracted Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia (BSA), a print and enterprise content management provider, to implement the Dispatcher Phoenix automated workflow solution.
Launched in July last year, Dispatcher Phoenix makes business workflow processes smarter by automating printing, routing, and imaging processes. In addition, users can access cloud services like DropBox, OneDrive, and Google Drive via the Konica Minolta bizhub MFP control panel.
"As a digital company, Konica Minolta continues to add value to customers by offering solutions that help them shift into digital smart workplace, optimise information, and repurpose it for greater insight", said Jonathan Yeo, GM, Konica Minolta BSA.
The key issue that the company faced was time-consuming manual workflow processes. The time spent on retrieving documents had led to a slow turnaround time for many tasks. In addition, some departments printed in high volumes, leading to expensive paper usage and physical storage requirements.
Konica Minolta offered workflow automation for easy retrieval of documents while enhancing document security in the organisation. The automated workflow streamlines the company's operations and reduces the amount of paper needed for tasks. Documents are scanned, so they can be converted into searchable and Microsoft Office formats for easy storage, retrieval and editing.
Dispatcher Phoenix also enhances document security with its ability to redact confidential information within the document. In addition, documents can only be released through user authentication.
Launched in July last year, Dispatcher Phoenix makes business workflow processes smarter by automating printing, routing, and imaging processes. In addition, users can access cloud services like DropBox, OneDrive, and Google Drive via the Konica Minolta bizhub MFP control panel.
"As a digital company, Konica Minolta continues to add value to customers by offering solutions that help them shift into digital smart workplace, optimise information, and repurpose it for greater insight", said Jonathan Yeo, GM, Konica Minolta BSA.
The key issue that the company faced was time-consuming manual workflow processes. The time spent on retrieving documents had led to a slow turnaround time for many tasks. In addition, some departments printed in high volumes, leading to expensive paper usage and physical storage requirements.
Konica Minolta offered workflow automation for easy retrieval of documents while enhancing document security in the organisation. The automated workflow streamlines the company's operations and reduces the amount of paper needed for tasks. Documents are scanned, so they can be converted into searchable and Microsoft Office formats for easy storage, retrieval and editing.
Dispatcher Phoenix also enhances document security with its ability to redact confidential information within the document. In addition, documents can only be released through user authentication.
ZTE to launch 5G pre-commercial base stations at MWC
ZTE Corporation, an international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the mobile Internet, is releasing a full range of 5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz pre-commercial base stations at Mobile World Congress 2017 (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain. The release of the full range of 5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz base stations has paved the way for subsequent 5G pre-commercial tests and deployment.
ZTE's proprietary pre-5G
solutions enable operators to emulate the performance of 5G networks on
existing 4G LTE infrastructure, delivering gains in data throughput and
reductions in latency. ZTE's pre-5G solutions are designed to be easily
upgradable to 5G in the future, and have been deployed in more than 40
networks in 30 countries around the world. MmWave and sub-6 GHz frequency spectrum bands are all candidates for 5G communications. ABI Research has forecast that the market will deploy more than 1 million sub-6 GHz licensed backhaul links by 2020.
The ZTE range includes support for 3rd Generation Partnership Projects (3GPP) 5G new radio (NR) new air interfaces and mainstream 5G frequency bands in the industry. Products in the range use massive multiple input, multiple output (MIMO), beam tracking, beam forming and other key 5G technologies, meeting the 5G pre-commercial deployment requirements in various scenarios. ZTE says the 5G sub-6 GHz base stations are the smallest and lightest base stations with the industry's highest level of integration, with a maximum data throughput of 10 Gbps.
ZTE invests more than RMB 1 billion annually on research and development of 5G. In 2016, ZTE became the world's first vendor to verify key technologies in the 5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz fields. The company also successfully completed 5G mmWave field tests as well as 5G single-point technology and prototype verification. ZTE was the first to pass all parts of the first phase of National 5G tests in China. It has now entered the 5G solution verification and product research and development (R&D) phase.
As one of the key 5G technologies, massive MIMO plays a vital role in improving frequency efficiency and air interface bandwidth. In June 2014, ZTE became the world's first vendor to introduce the concept of pre-5G in the 4G era - making use of 5G technologies within 4G infrastructure. The company has put Massive MIMO into commercial use ahead of time, meeting customers' increasing data requirements and allowing a smooth evolution into the 5G era. So far, ZTE's Pre5G Massive MIMO has been widely deployed with China Mobile, Softbank in Japan and in other global markets. The company's partners for 5G development also include KT Group, China Telecom and China Unicom.
Massive MIMO is already used in 5G scenarios in existing mobile networks. It can solve technology and application problems caused during the commercial operation process, and will accelerate the maturity of core 5G technologies and shorten the time needed for product verification and large-scale commercial use. ZTE has applied for hundreds of technical patents, and contributed to many valuable proposals from standards organisations in regards to this technology process based on massive data collected from actual scenarios.
Zhang Jianguo, SVP of ZTE, said: "ZTE will continue its innovation in the 5G field to meet the product and service needs of customers. ZTE will occupy a place in the world's first 5G commercial market and lay a solid foundation for the future Internet of Things (IoT)."
The ZTE range includes support for 3rd Generation Partnership Projects (3GPP) 5G new radio (NR) new air interfaces and mainstream 5G frequency bands in the industry. Products in the range use massive multiple input, multiple output (MIMO), beam tracking, beam forming and other key 5G technologies, meeting the 5G pre-commercial deployment requirements in various scenarios. ZTE says the 5G sub-6 GHz base stations are the smallest and lightest base stations with the industry's highest level of integration, with a maximum data throughput of 10 Gbps.
ZTE invests more than RMB 1 billion annually on research and development of 5G. In 2016, ZTE became the world's first vendor to verify key technologies in the 5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz fields. The company also successfully completed 5G mmWave field tests as well as 5G single-point technology and prototype verification. ZTE was the first to pass all parts of the first phase of National 5G tests in China. It has now entered the 5G solution verification and product research and development (R&D) phase.
As one of the key 5G technologies, massive MIMO plays a vital role in improving frequency efficiency and air interface bandwidth. In June 2014, ZTE became the world's first vendor to introduce the concept of pre-5G in the 4G era - making use of 5G technologies within 4G infrastructure. The company has put Massive MIMO into commercial use ahead of time, meeting customers' increasing data requirements and allowing a smooth evolution into the 5G era. So far, ZTE's Pre5G Massive MIMO has been widely deployed with China Mobile, Softbank in Japan and in other global markets. The company's partners for 5G development also include KT Group, China Telecom and China Unicom.
Massive MIMO is already used in 5G scenarios in existing mobile networks. It can solve technology and application problems caused during the commercial operation process, and will accelerate the maturity of core 5G technologies and shorten the time needed for product verification and large-scale commercial use. ZTE has applied for hundreds of technical patents, and contributed to many valuable proposals from standards organisations in regards to this technology process based on massive data collected from actual scenarios.
Zhang Jianguo, SVP of ZTE, said: "ZTE will continue its innovation in the 5G field to meet the product and service needs of customers. ZTE will occupy a place in the world's first 5G commercial market and lay a solid foundation for the future Internet of Things (IoT)."
ZTE
separately said that its 5G solutions are scheduled for commercial pre-deployment
starting from Q318. The company also projects that its 5G products will
be deployed in commercial 5G networks in Q119.
At MWC 2017, ZTE also unveiled the world's first Gigabit smartphone, supporting data transmission rates of 1 Gbps.
At MWC 2017, ZTE also unveiled the world's first Gigabit smartphone, supporting data transmission rates of 1 Gbps.
Hashtag: #MWC2017, #MWC17
Sunday, 26 February 2017
APEC CBET boot camp to put Brunei on ASEAN e-commerce map
DHgate, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) China, and ABAC Brunei have launched the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Cross-Border E-commerce Training (APEC CBET) boot camp in Brunei to cultivate more talent in the cross-border e-commerce industry while upgrading industry standards for training.
According to the APEC CBET website, 60 to 80% of e-commerce exporters survive their first year in business compared with a 30% to 50% survival rate for traditional businesses. Additionally, as many as 40 different economies can be reached on average by e-commerce export firms, compared with traditional exporters who reach an average of three to four economies.
The APEC CBET boot camp is an upgraded version of the APEC CBET capacity building programme, and is designed to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ASEAN region to migrate to a cross-border e-commerce centric business model.
The APEC CBET boot camp will be funded and provided by the government of Brunei. DHgate, a B2B transactional cross-border e-commerce marketplace in China, will provide mentors and professional resources to transform Brunei into the centre of e-commerce in the ASEAN region. China, as the specialist in global digital trade, and DHgate, as the cross-border e-commerce specialist, aim to share best practices through online and offline training with ASEAN SMEs.
According to the three organisations, SMEs are not aware of available digital platforms and technologies, nor do they have the skills to correctly utilise them. These factors prevent SMEs from upgrading their business model. The boot camp will identify the unique needs of local businesses and provide localised classes. It will focus on:
1. The transition in mindset of SME owners and operators from a traditional business to a digital business.
2. The involvement and participation of decision makers and employees to acquire the skills and professional knowledge to run and operate a business with a digital model.
3. To integrate and transform the existing business model through both online and offline trade with the support of digital trade platforms.
The camp will start off as a one-day class and in late 2017 be upgraded to a three-month class. In addition to classroom training, the boot camp will also provide students with both online and offline hands-on experience and guidance. A special zone on DHgate.com will be launched for mentors and students to engage in online discussion.
At the end of every three-month class cycle, DHgate and ABAC Brunei will select star students and provide them with a series of entrepreneurship incubation resources, including startup capital, offices
and opportunities for partnerships and community relations. The goal is to transform them into role models for SMEs in the ASEAN region.
Interested?
Take a free CBE course
According to the APEC CBET website, 60 to 80% of e-commerce exporters survive their first year in business compared with a 30% to 50% survival rate for traditional businesses. Additionally, as many as 40 different economies can be reached on average by e-commerce export firms, compared with traditional exporters who reach an average of three to four economies.
The APEC CBET boot camp is an upgraded version of the APEC CBET capacity building programme, and is designed to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ASEAN region to migrate to a cross-border e-commerce centric business model.
The APEC CBET boot camp will be funded and provided by the government of Brunei. DHgate, a B2B transactional cross-border e-commerce marketplace in China, will provide mentors and professional resources to transform Brunei into the centre of e-commerce in the ASEAN region. China, as the specialist in global digital trade, and DHgate, as the cross-border e-commerce specialist, aim to share best practices through online and offline training with ASEAN SMEs.
According to the three organisations, SMEs are not aware of available digital platforms and technologies, nor do they have the skills to correctly utilise them. These factors prevent SMEs from upgrading their business model. The boot camp will identify the unique needs of local businesses and provide localised classes. It will focus on:
1. The transition in mindset of SME owners and operators from a traditional business to a digital business.
2. The involvement and participation of decision makers and employees to acquire the skills and professional knowledge to run and operate a business with a digital model.
3. To integrate and transform the existing business model through both online and offline trade with the support of digital trade platforms.
The camp will start off as a one-day class and in late 2017 be upgraded to a three-month class. In addition to classroom training, the boot camp will also provide students with both online and offline hands-on experience and guidance. A special zone on DHgate.com will be launched for mentors and students to engage in online discussion.
At the end of every three-month class cycle, DHgate and ABAC Brunei will select star students and provide them with a series of entrepreneurship incubation resources, including startup capital, offices
and opportunities for partnerships and community relations. The goal is to transform them into role models for SMEs in the ASEAN region.
Interested?
Take a free CBE course
posted from Bloggeroid
Techsci: head-up display market to grow at CAGR of over 20% through to 2021
The TechSci Research report, Global Head-up Display Market By Technology, By Component, By End User, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 - 2021, forecasts that the global head-up display market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 20% from 2016 to 2021. Head-up displays refer to technology that enables data to be projected onto a screen in a vehicle in such a way that the user does not need to lower the eyes to view it.
According to the research-based global management consulting firm, growing military spending and rising adoption of latest technology by civil aviation and automotive sectors are anticipated to propel growth in the global head-up display market in coming years. Rising safety concerns are further driving demand for head-up displays from the automotive sector. The number of road traffic deaths across the globe increased from 1.2 million in 2010 to 1.33 million in 2014. Additionally, growing technological advancements are helping head-up display manufacturers to reduce prices and sustain stiff competition in the global market. Consumer segments such as gaming, sports and infotainment are also driving demand for head-up displays.
The Asia-Pacific is projected to demonstrate the fastest growth in the global head-up display market due to increasing demand from the automotive segment and rising per-capita income levels. The major end-user sectors for the market are defense, automotive and civil aviation. Continuously growing fleet size of helicopters, land vehicles, airplanes, etc., is driving demand for head-up displays from the defense sector. Demand for head-up displays from the automotive sector is forecast to witness robust growth over the next five years due to their rising integration in luxury cars. Moreover, launch of low cost head-up displays is anticipated to further fuel adoption of these devices from low and medium range cars.
“Head-up displays integrated with high resolution projection and enhanced picture quality technologies, and other advanced technologies such as 3D holographic projection technology are anticipated to propel growth in global head-up display market during 2016 to 2021. Another innovation in head-up displays are augmented reality based head-up displays that display speed or turn-by-turn directions on the windshield. Rising focus of manufacturers on technological advancements in head-up displays in line with the demands of various end user industries is projected to boost growth in the global head-up display market in the coming years.” said Karan Chechi, Research Director, TechSci Research.
Interested?
Buy the TechSci Research Global Head-up Display, By Technology, By Component, By End User Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2011 – 2021 report (December 2016)
According to the research-based global management consulting firm, growing military spending and rising adoption of latest technology by civil aviation and automotive sectors are anticipated to propel growth in the global head-up display market in coming years. Rising safety concerns are further driving demand for head-up displays from the automotive sector. The number of road traffic deaths across the globe increased from 1.2 million in 2010 to 1.33 million in 2014. Additionally, growing technological advancements are helping head-up display manufacturers to reduce prices and sustain stiff competition in the global market. Consumer segments such as gaming, sports and infotainment are also driving demand for head-up displays.
The Asia-Pacific is projected to demonstrate the fastest growth in the global head-up display market due to increasing demand from the automotive segment and rising per-capita income levels. The major end-user sectors for the market are defense, automotive and civil aviation. Continuously growing fleet size of helicopters, land vehicles, airplanes, etc., is driving demand for head-up displays from the defense sector. Demand for head-up displays from the automotive sector is forecast to witness robust growth over the next five years due to their rising integration in luxury cars. Moreover, launch of low cost head-up displays is anticipated to further fuel adoption of these devices from low and medium range cars.
“Head-up displays integrated with high resolution projection and enhanced picture quality technologies, and other advanced technologies such as 3D holographic projection technology are anticipated to propel growth in global head-up display market during 2016 to 2021. Another innovation in head-up displays are augmented reality based head-up displays that display speed or turn-by-turn directions on the windshield. Rising focus of manufacturers on technological advancements in head-up displays in line with the demands of various end user industries is projected to boost growth in the global head-up display market in the coming years.” said Karan Chechi, Research Director, TechSci Research.
Interested?
Buy the TechSci Research Global Head-up Display, By Technology, By Component, By End User Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2011 – 2021 report (December 2016)
Unabiz launches first nationwide IoT network in Southeast Asia
 |
| Source: Unabiz. Some of the Unabiz partners with their MoUs on UnaDay, together with Bong on the right. |
Internet of Things (ioT) network operator UnaBiz has launched the first IoT-dedicated network in Singapore at the inaugural UnaDay, delivering commercial grade connectivity and services for IoT in the city-state, starting from as low as S$1 per device per year.
This network, which is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, will help improve energy efficiency, facility management and customer-centred solutions for businesses in the region with the capacity to support over 100 million connected devices while maintaining high network reliability and security. The deployment of the IoT dedicated network, which runs on Sigfox’s low-power wide area network (LPWAN), complements existing connectivity options by providing low power, efficient and low-cost connectivity as a standard service.
The exclusive Sigfox network operator in Singapore and Taiwan is fully operational just six months after its incorporation with Sigfox, which runs a global dedicated communications network for IoT and No. 1 independent energy player ENGIE. UnaDay also takes place about three months after Unabiz was granted the first facilities-based operator (FBO) licence in Asia that does not require SIM cards, from the Info-Communications Media Development Authority of Singapore.
"I believe Singapore has the potential to become a powerhouse and showroom in terms of IoT," said Henri Bong, CEO & Founder of UnaBiz. He disclosed that low-power, wide-area (LPWA) outdoor coverage stands at 95% of Singapore's population and 93% of the territory. Full deployment is expected to be complete in Q317. Unlike traditional wireless networks, the Sigfox network requires lighter infrastructure, thus making it simpler and faster to install.
UnaBiz is capping its network subscription charges at S$1 per device per month, which comes with a data plan for up to 140 messages per day. Qualified channel partners who commit to volume can ultimately enjoy subscription charges from as low as S$1 per device per year.
Unabiz IoT devices for sale include trackers which send alerts each time they are moved; sensors for objects such as doors and water tanks, as well as a Taiwan-developed smart button that can be deployed in a range of situations to send feedback. Use cases include situations where manual feedback is required, such as when a panic button is needed at banks or with the elderly, initiating a call-back from customer service, to the completion of a task at a warehouse.
Jonathan Tan, VP, Business Development & Sales, UnaBiz said, "Sigfox's technology is built for massive deployment and we are offering ultra-low cost connectivity to grow exponentially the base of devices that can access the network. Compared to existing local networks, businesses on our global network can generate savings of at least 90% off data plan subscription charges."
Partners Dimension Data, Fujitsu and Kyocera, Advantech and Aztech are some of the 36 ecosystem partners* which participated in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony on Unaday.
"MyRepublic shares UnaBiz's vision for a vibrant and accessible IoT eco-system in Singapore. We look forward to working with UnaBiz to develop an exciting suite of IoT solutions, reach new market segments and fast-track the adoption of IoT," said Yap Yong Teck, MD, MyRepublic Singapore.
Andy Cocks, Chief Technology Officer, Dimension Data said, "What UnaBiz is doing in Singapore is part of a global IoT movement led by Sigfox. I believe this is a game changing technology that will make IoT a reality for thousands of companies in Singapore, at a palatable price point."
Unabiz further announced partnerships with a number of academic institutions in Singapore. It works with Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and the National University of Singapore, among others. "The collaboration with partners such as UnaBiz and Sigfox provides our students with access to technologies that help hone their skills in developing smart solutions. Students from courses such as our Specialist Diploma in Internet of Things gain relevant hands-on training to respond to industry needs," said Oh Chin Lock, Director, School of Informatics & IT, Temasek Polytechnic.
The company also announced UnaBiz Ventures, a new entity set up to support startups which want to join the IoT revolution and bring their ideas from conception to reality. Aspiring entrepreneurs can leverage on UnaBiz's ecosystem of experts and developers to accelerate their go-to-market process and deploy solutions in Singapore and beyond. Sigfox's network is present in 30 other countries.
"This is just the beginning; we have built an impressive ecosystem in a mere six months, a clear sign of an enormous appetite and an accelerating demand for IoT solutions in the local market. We are proud to kick off the IoT revolution in Singapore in alignment with the goal of becoming the first Smart Nation in the world. We are confident that our strategy and solutions will soon be replicated across Asia and beyond," said Bong.
Bong disclosed that 22-man Unabiz is working on 15 proofs of concept in Singapore, many of them building management-related in conjunction with existing ENGIE customers. The buildings include commercial buildings, academic institutions and hospitals.
In 2015, ENGIE acquired a minority stake in Sigfox and established ENGIE M2M to act as the exclusive national network operator of Sigfox's connectivity solution in Belgium. In other countries, ENGIE is also a user of Sigfox solutions for on-going projects such as the remote monitoring of boilers, metering of heat distribution and smart lighting.
Csilla Kohalmi-Monfils, Executive VP, Strategy & New Business, ENGIE Asia Pacific said: “As the world gets increasingly digitalised and the rate of disruption accelerates, producers, consumers and marketplaces can exchange energy in the same way that we exchange information on the Internet. As part of the digital transformation strategy of ENGIE worldwide and in line with Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative, our participation, together with our partners Sigfox and UnaBiz, will provide a highly reliable, power efficient and cost-effective connectivity solution for businesses to thrive in this digital economy.”
 | |
| Fourtet explains how Sigfox works. |
Christophe Fourtet, Co-Founder and Scientific Director, Sigfox said: “Our strategic partnership with ENGIE and UnaBiz allows us to bring our global network spanning 1.9 million square kilometres with a population of 486 million people in 31 countries to Asia. We are thrilled to connect Singapore to our secure global IoT network and deliver new opportunities for businesses to build applications, systems and smart city solutions that will drive Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative to the next level.”
Fourtet explained that the company is focused on building a chip-agnostic network for 'abandoned objects' - IoT devices that are placed in the field and which continue to operate for years, without maintenance. Sigfox has used unlicensed spectrum to create its global IoT network, which can easily handle the tiny amounts of data that are being sent per device, even when there are large numbers of devices.
Fourtet said Sigfox has reinvented the way spectrum is used and managed. "The technology and network are very cost effective," Fourtet said. "The network has to be pervasive. You don't need to care about where you put the object, you don't have to care about where the object is in the network."
The concept of 'roaming' as with phone services while travelling does not exist for Sigfox. Once a device is registered on a Sigfox network in one country, it will work on the Sigfox network in any other country, without change or cost differences. Fourtet demonstrated with a device that he had brought with him from France. The information sent from the device was received and recorded on the Singapore Sigfox network run by Unabiz in seconds.
Sigfox is present in 31 countries today, and the company aims to be operational in 60 countries by the end of this year, Fourtet said.
In the Asia Pacific region, Sigfox is targeting to launch networks in Malaysia and Thailand in 2017. There are also ongoing deployments in Australia and Japan.
Interested?
View a real-time visualisation to see where Unabiz provides coverage in Singapore. As the green spots show, the network can even cover parts of Johore.
Hashtag: #unaday
*The partners are:
1 Advantech Co. Singapore Pte Ltd
2 Ascent Solutions
3 Aztech Technologies
4 Cyclet Electrical Engineering
5 Dimension Data Asia Pacific
6 KYOCERA Communication Systems Singapore
7 Viseo
8 Astek Singapore Innovation Technology
9 Fujitsu Asia
10 GRID Communications
11 LKH Precicon
12 MyRepublic
13 PCI
14 Schneider Electric South East Asia (HQ)
15 Sunseap Energy
16 Adi-Designs
17 BeyondEdge
18 Konbini Vending Automation
19 Nuratech Labs
20 Pevoli Enterprise
21 PTGEM
22 SpaceAge Labs
23 V&V Innovations
24 Swee Lee Holdings
25 MicroSec
26 NUS Enterprise
27 Republic Polytechnic
28 Singapore Polytechnic
29 Temasek Polytechnic
30 IOTSG
31 IDA PIXEL Labs
32 Avnet
33 Microsoft
34 ST Microelectronics
35 Trusted Objects
36 Wisol
posted from Bloggeroid
Jinhai Heavy Industry divulges digital transformation plans
Jinhai Heavy Industry Company (JHI) plans to spend RMB500 million on digital transformation, with business contracts to be signed before June 2017.
Last July, JHI announced an investment of RMB3 billion in the construction of an intelligent shipyard that is sophisticated and flexible according to the requirements of 'one workshop, one shipyard, one system'. The intelligent upgrading will lay equal emphasis on hardware and software.
JHI will bring in several dozen units of intelligent manufacturing equipment, construct an intelligent steel stockyard, intelligent workshop, intelligent tube workshop, intelligent coating workshop and an intelligent shipyard. Enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing execution system (MES) and other information systems and software will be installed to control the hardware and link the whole process from design, manufacturing, logistics, and quality to on-site operations.
Suo Zhe, Director of JHI Chief Engineer's Office said, "according to the principle of 'overall planning, step-by-step implementation', we will primarily focus on the construction of automatic production lines and improve the capabilities of lean production and flexible manufacturing in the first phase."
Suo said the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. In addition, the newest technology like double-curved-surface steel plate bending machines will be co-developed, "to explore a path to intelligent upgrading that fits in with shipbuilding sector."
Last July, JHI announced an investment of RMB3 billion in the construction of an intelligent shipyard that is sophisticated and flexible according to the requirements of 'one workshop, one shipyard, one system'. The intelligent upgrading will lay equal emphasis on hardware and software.
JHI will bring in several dozen units of intelligent manufacturing equipment, construct an intelligent steel stockyard, intelligent workshop, intelligent tube workshop, intelligent coating workshop and an intelligent shipyard. Enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing execution system (MES) and other information systems and software will be installed to control the hardware and link the whole process from design, manufacturing, logistics, and quality to on-site operations.
Suo Zhe, Director of JHI Chief Engineer's Office said, "according to the principle of 'overall planning, step-by-step implementation', we will primarily focus on the construction of automatic production lines and improve the capabilities of lean production and flexible manufacturing in the first phase."
Suo said the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. In addition, the newest technology like double-curved-surface steel plate bending machines will be co-developed, "to explore a path to intelligent upgrading that fits in with shipbuilding sector."
Saturday, 25 February 2017
Customer experience can't be viewed in a vacuum
A recent Adobe and Econsultancy survey of 14,000 marketers which included respondents from the Asia Pacific (APAC) region has found that marketers regard customer experience as the primary way for their organisations to differentiate themselves from competitors in 2017.
While businesses investing in the right technology is crucial, businesses are also recognising the importance of a customer-oriented, agile and collaborative company culture, Adobe said. Over one-fifth (22%) of client-side respondents ranked ‘optimising the customer experience’ as the single most exciting opportunity for the year ahead, slightly ahead of other areas such as ‘creating compelling content for digital experiences’ (16%) and ‘data-driven marketing’ (12%).
With the strong adoption and stickiness of mobile apps in APAC, marketers in the region have prioritised mobile app engagement above their peers in North America and Europe. In some APAC countries social apps are the preferred customer engagement channel – 31% of APAC marketers are more likely to view social media engagement as a top priority compared with 28% in North America and 27% of European respondents.
Adobe notes in the report that there are challenges to effective mobile app engagement:
· Without data, organisations will struggle to better understand their customers. The customer data trail – breadcrumbs left behind from interactions with every possible external touchpoint – is what allows organisations to learn and optimise the customer experience. That said, analytics is further down marketers’ lists of priorities for 2017, a conflict that needs to be addressed.
Separate research has indicated that marketers find manipulating and using outputs from customer data difficult. Even 59% of respondents who would consider their ability to understand the customer journey as 'advanced' or 'intermediate' stated that they had difficulty unifying different data sources.
· The second roadblock is culture. Driving digital transformation, which is intrinsically linked to creating a great customer experience, requires the orchestration of numerous parts. An organisation should be wholly aligned, both in terms of goals and ways of achieving those goals, across every department.
While businesses investing in the right technology is crucial, businesses are also recognising the importance of a customer-oriented, agile and collaborative company culture, Adobe said. Over one-fifth (22%) of client-side respondents ranked ‘optimising the customer experience’ as the single most exciting opportunity for the year ahead, slightly ahead of other areas such as ‘creating compelling content for digital experiences’ (16%) and ‘data-driven marketing’ (12%).
With the strong adoption and stickiness of mobile apps in APAC, marketers in the region have prioritised mobile app engagement above their peers in North America and Europe. In some APAC countries social apps are the preferred customer engagement channel – 31% of APAC marketers are more likely to view social media engagement as a top priority compared with 28% in North America and 27% of European respondents.
Adobe notes in the report that there are challenges to effective mobile app engagement:
· Without data, organisations will struggle to better understand their customers. The customer data trail – breadcrumbs left behind from interactions with every possible external touchpoint – is what allows organisations to learn and optimise the customer experience. That said, analytics is further down marketers’ lists of priorities for 2017, a conflict that needs to be addressed.
Separate research has indicated that marketers find manipulating and using outputs from customer data difficult. Even 59% of respondents who would consider their ability to understand the customer journey as 'advanced' or 'intermediate' stated that they had difficulty unifying different data sources.
· The second roadblock is culture. Driving digital transformation, which is intrinsically linked to creating a great customer experience, requires the orchestration of numerous parts. An organisation should be wholly aligned, both in terms of goals and ways of achieving those goals, across every department.
A third (34%) of respondents believed that this would be difficult to achieve. That said, 13% of respondents actually mentioned that building a cross-team culture that keeps the customer at the heart of all initiatives was actually the easiest task of all. Companies that are smaller and nimbler and/or those born digital have the customer-centric approach embedded in their DNA, while more traditional organisations may struggle.
· The third roadblock is processes (or the lack thereof). Eight in 10 (82%) of organisations value creativity highly and about 75% are investing in design to differentiate their brand. However, about 40% also say they lack the processes to achieve a design advantage – in fact, 36% of respondents say well-designed user journeys that enable clear communication and a seamless transaction are difficult to master.
Understanding data enables a company to refine its customer segments, Adobe noted., and then to produce additional creative content in real time to engage these segments – a concept called 'content velocity'. Design-centric businesses with robust technology will outperform those that have not invested in relevant resources.
Marta DeBellis, VP of Marketing, APAC, Adobe said in a foreword in the report that the results show that the 'era of experience' is definitely here, but that there are key challenges for businesses making the change. "For example, the respondents overwhelmingly claim that customer experience is their most exciting opportunity. Many of them are investing in content and design, looking to create those experiences that will feel personal, compelling and memorable," she stated.
"At the same time, the report shows that investment in analytics is lagging. It seems that many businesses are so excited to get into the experience game that they overextend, neglecting to take care of the basics. But if you want to take design and content to deliver truly personalised experiences, you need a strong foundation of data."
The report recommends that marketers focus on content and design data to boost the customer experience; foster customer-centric organisational culture; and consider mobile personalisation, artificial intelligence and virtual reality going forward.
Interested?
· The third roadblock is processes (or the lack thereof). Eight in 10 (82%) of organisations value creativity highly and about 75% are investing in design to differentiate their brand. However, about 40% also say they lack the processes to achieve a design advantage – in fact, 36% of respondents say well-designed user journeys that enable clear communication and a seamless transaction are difficult to master.
Understanding data enables a company to refine its customer segments, Adobe noted., and then to produce additional creative content in real time to engage these segments – a concept called 'content velocity'. Design-centric businesses with robust technology will outperform those that have not invested in relevant resources.
Marta DeBellis, VP of Marketing, APAC, Adobe said in a foreword in the report that the results show that the 'era of experience' is definitely here, but that there are key challenges for businesses making the change. "For example, the respondents overwhelmingly claim that customer experience is their most exciting opportunity. Many of them are investing in content and design, looking to create those experiences that will feel personal, compelling and memorable," she stated.
"At the same time, the report shows that investment in analytics is lagging. It seems that many businesses are so excited to get into the experience game that they overextend, neglecting to take care of the basics. But if you want to take design and content to deliver truly personalised experiences, you need a strong foundation of data."
 |
| Source: Adobe and Econsultancy report. Respondents were asked what would excite them the most in 2020. |
The report recommends that marketers focus on content and design data to boost the customer experience; foster customer-centric organisational culture; and consider mobile personalisation, artificial intelligence and virtual reality going forward.
Interested?
Friday, 24 February 2017
ESET: Android banking botnet has victims in 48 countries
Android banking botnet malware based on publicly-available source code has been discovered on Google Play, security specialist ESET has reported.
Read a detailed analysis of the malware along with advice on prevention and cleaning
Hashtag: #MWC2017, #MWC17
In their investigation of the botnet-forming Android banking malware, ESET researchers discovered that both the Android Trojans and the command and control (C&C) server directing compromised devices were built using source code that was made public on Russian forums in December, 2016. Weak security of the C&C server had allowed ESET to analyse the botnet.
“On top of the source code being available to virtually anyone, the C&C server itself has also been left accessible to whomever has the URL, without requiring any credentials,” says ESET Malware reseracher Lukáš Štefanko.
Android users were exposed to malware disguised as weather forecasting apps, ESET's blog WeLiveSecurity.com has reported. The malware is capable of stealing banking credentials and locking the screens of infected devices. Two versions of the botnet-forming Trojan made it onto Google Play. Each had a lifetime of several days and together achieved thousands of downloads before being detected by ESET and taken down by the Google security team in mid-February. The earlier version specifically targeted Turkish mobile banking apps; as it happens, a high proportion of the victims are from Turkey.
Android users were exposed to malware disguised as weather forecasting apps, ESET's blog WeLiveSecurity.com has reported. The malware is capable of stealing banking credentials and locking the screens of infected devices. Two versions of the botnet-forming Trojan made it onto Google Play. Each had a lifetime of several days and together achieved thousands of downloads before being detected by ESET and taken down by the Google security team in mid-February. The earlier version specifically targeted Turkish mobile banking apps; as it happens, a high proportion of the victims are from Turkey.
 |
| Source: ESET blog. Most of the victims of the Android banking botnet are Turkish. |
The C&C server had been active since February 2, 2017. By February 23, when the C&C server was taken down by the hosting company based on ESET’s notice, the botnet contained 2,810 victims from 48 countries.
The fact that the source code of another example of Android banking malware has been made available online may lead to its proliferation, according to ESET security experts. “With tools for creating Android banking malware now accessible more easily and for free, Android users should take even more care about prevention,” recommends Štefanko.
The fact that the source code of another example of Android banking malware has been made available online may lead to its proliferation, according to ESET security experts. “With tools for creating Android banking malware now accessible more easily and for free, Android users should take even more care about prevention,” recommends Štefanko.
Interested?
Read a detailed analysis of the malware along with advice on prevention and cleaning
Hashtag: #MWC2017, #MWC17
Singtel, Ericsson announce Massive MIMO and cloud RAN pilot
Singtel and Ericsson are collaborating on a pilot Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) and cloud radio area network (RAN) on Singtel’s 4G LTE network. Both technologies are key components in the evolution to 5G and will enable Singtel to expand its mobile network capacity to offer faster speeds by the end of the year.
With video traffic representing more than half of mobile traffic today and more bandwidth-heavy technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality emerging, both companies believe that networks need to evolve to gradually achieve ultra-high bandwidth, pervasive connectivity and low latency. Massive MIMO is key to achieving Gigabit LTE speeds as it improves spectral efficiency to triple or quadruple the number of data paths of cellular base stations. This expands network capacity and improves user experience. Sub-Gigabit LTE networks are available today and classed as 4G or 4.5G depending on the type of technology deployed.
The Ericsson AIR 6468 radio, providing 64T64R Massive MIMO capabilities, will be tested and progressively deployed on Singtel’s 4G LTE network. Both companies will also embark on a pilot of cloud RAN which will provide Singtel with the flexibility to centralise, distribute, scale and virtualise radio access network functions to efficiently meet performance requirements today and on the road to 5G.
Yuen Kuan Moon, CEO, Consumer Singapore, Singtel, said, “Data traffic is on the rise and will increase exponentially with 4K video, virtual reality and augmented reality services on the horizon. We are investing ahead to ensure that our networks have the capacity and speeds that will offer our customers the best mobile data experience in Singapore.”
Arun Bansal, Head of Business Unit Network Products, Ericsson, said, “The strategic collaboration with Singtel, provides a unique opportunity to be part of their 5G journey.”
Singtel offers Singapore’s widest mobile coverage and fastest mobile data speeds at 450Mbps. Singtel and Ericsson first signed a 5G MoU in January 2015 and were the first to showcase a 5G system in Southeast Asia in August 2016, achieving a downlink speed of 27.5 Gbps.
Hashtag: #MWC2017
With video traffic representing more than half of mobile traffic today and more bandwidth-heavy technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality emerging, both companies believe that networks need to evolve to gradually achieve ultra-high bandwidth, pervasive connectivity and low latency. Massive MIMO is key to achieving Gigabit LTE speeds as it improves spectral efficiency to triple or quadruple the number of data paths of cellular base stations. This expands network capacity and improves user experience. Sub-Gigabit LTE networks are available today and classed as 4G or 4.5G depending on the type of technology deployed.
The Ericsson AIR 6468 radio, providing 64T64R Massive MIMO capabilities, will be tested and progressively deployed on Singtel’s 4G LTE network. Both companies will also embark on a pilot of cloud RAN which will provide Singtel with the flexibility to centralise, distribute, scale and virtualise radio access network functions to efficiently meet performance requirements today and on the road to 5G.
Yuen Kuan Moon, CEO, Consumer Singapore, Singtel, said, “Data traffic is on the rise and will increase exponentially with 4K video, virtual reality and augmented reality services on the horizon. We are investing ahead to ensure that our networks have the capacity and speeds that will offer our customers the best mobile data experience in Singapore.”
Arun Bansal, Head of Business Unit Network Products, Ericsson, said, “The strategic collaboration with Singtel, provides a unique opportunity to be part of their 5G journey.”
Singtel offers Singapore’s widest mobile coverage and fastest mobile data speeds at 450Mbps. Singtel and Ericsson first signed a 5G MoU in January 2015 and were the first to showcase a 5G system in Southeast Asia in August 2016, achieving a downlink speed of 27.5 Gbps.
Hashtag: #MWC2017
Verizon's Exponent to support carriers in digital transformation
Verizon has launched Exponent, a new business and technology venture offering a portfolio of software and Internet platforms designed to enable carriers around the world to quickly deploy and launch next-generation solutions.
Created by a carrier for carriers, Exponent has the potential to change the carrier landscape by helping to generate new revenue streams, reduce investment risk, and embrace tomorrow's business opportunities. Exponent combines Verizon's innovation with the operating knowhow of running one of the most advanced networks on the planet to provide carriers with the expertise and capabilities to accelerate growth, optimise performance, and monetise assets.
"As carriers around the world seek to compete with new, emerging technology players and over the top (OTT) service providers, Exponent provides a cost-effective way for them to leverage Verizon's investment and experience to diversify and help grow their revenue streams while relying on our tradition of innovation, reliability and excellence," said Guru Pai, Chief Product Officer at Verizon.
Exponent platforms include:
Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Platform – designed to assist carriers to unlock and monetise their wealth of data through the application of advanced machine learning techniques, deep analytics, and artificial intelligence. This new platform enables service providers to utilise their data sets in the marketplace and open new business opportunities.
IoT Platform – from silicon to vertical solutions, this platform eliminates many of the limitations carriers have traditionally faced in managing the complexities of their IoT businesses. By integrating a wide set of capabilities, from managing all end user devices and connections to a developer and customer marketplace, carriers are empowered to accelerate their IoT use cases.
Media Services Platform – through cross-platform video and advanced media services allow carriers to process at scale any type of video content at a very convenient cost structure, while delivering a rich and customisable user experience.
Internet Services Delivery Platform – with the goal of managing the ever-increasing infrastructure demand, this platform provides a powerful and flexible real-time flow-based solution that helps operators launch revenue-generating Internet services, create value-based pricing and consumer engagement plans, and deliver dynamic network optimisation capabilities through a simple management interface.
Cloud Computing and Storage Platform – designed and built with carrier-sized deployments in mind, this container-based architecture allows carriers to rapidly deploy new services with a focus on scale and security, all while optimising performance and cost.
Exponent's platforms were designed to bring the flexibility and openness of internet technologies with the scale and consistency of carrier-grade solutions, leveraging open source software, comprehensive application programming interfaces (APIs) and micro-services architectures.
"Exponent's approach to designing and deploying platforms with an open architecture model offers carriers an innovative and much-needed entry into new growth areas while mitigating the required investment and resources to get started. There is significant value for both sides in this model," said Courtney Munroe, Group VP at IDC Research.
"Our launch of Exponent demonstrates our commitment to providing best-in-class experiences and services to the carrier community. After many years of hard work, we are ready to launch and share our learnings, and we welcome all services providers globally to partner with us," said Brian Higgins, VP and GM of Exponent.
Hashtag: #MWC2017, #MWC17
Created by a carrier for carriers, Exponent has the potential to change the carrier landscape by helping to generate new revenue streams, reduce investment risk, and embrace tomorrow's business opportunities. Exponent combines Verizon's innovation with the operating knowhow of running one of the most advanced networks on the planet to provide carriers with the expertise and capabilities to accelerate growth, optimise performance, and monetise assets.
"As carriers around the world seek to compete with new, emerging technology players and over the top (OTT) service providers, Exponent provides a cost-effective way for them to leverage Verizon's investment and experience to diversify and help grow their revenue streams while relying on our tradition of innovation, reliability and excellence," said Guru Pai, Chief Product Officer at Verizon.
Exponent platforms include:
Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Platform – designed to assist carriers to unlock and monetise their wealth of data through the application of advanced machine learning techniques, deep analytics, and artificial intelligence. This new platform enables service providers to utilise their data sets in the marketplace and open new business opportunities.
IoT Platform – from silicon to vertical solutions, this platform eliminates many of the limitations carriers have traditionally faced in managing the complexities of their IoT businesses. By integrating a wide set of capabilities, from managing all end user devices and connections to a developer and customer marketplace, carriers are empowered to accelerate their IoT use cases.
Media Services Platform – through cross-platform video and advanced media services allow carriers to process at scale any type of video content at a very convenient cost structure, while delivering a rich and customisable user experience.
Internet Services Delivery Platform – with the goal of managing the ever-increasing infrastructure demand, this platform provides a powerful and flexible real-time flow-based solution that helps operators launch revenue-generating Internet services, create value-based pricing and consumer engagement plans, and deliver dynamic network optimisation capabilities through a simple management interface.
Cloud Computing and Storage Platform – designed and built with carrier-sized deployments in mind, this container-based architecture allows carriers to rapidly deploy new services with a focus on scale and security, all while optimising performance and cost.
Exponent's platforms were designed to bring the flexibility and openness of internet technologies with the scale and consistency of carrier-grade solutions, leveraging open source software, comprehensive application programming interfaces (APIs) and micro-services architectures.
"Exponent's approach to designing and deploying platforms with an open architecture model offers carriers an innovative and much-needed entry into new growth areas while mitigating the required investment and resources to get started. There is significant value for both sides in this model," said Courtney Munroe, Group VP at IDC Research.
"Our launch of Exponent demonstrates our commitment to providing best-in-class experiences and services to the carrier community. After many years of hard work, we are ready to launch and share our learnings, and we welcome all services providers globally to partner with us," said Brian Higgins, VP and GM of Exponent.
Hashtag: #MWC2017, #MWC17
Qualcomm, LG partner on boosting vehicle connectivity
Qualcomm subsidiary Qualcomm Technologies and LG Electronics (LG) are working together to facilitate testing and adoption of 5G and Cellular-V2X (C-V2X) communications into vehicles.
Qualcomm Technologies and LG expect to showcase these next-generation wireless technologies through trials during the 1H18. This work builds on an existing relationship between Qualcomm Technologies and LG, which began when the companies delivered their first telematics system in 2004.
With the ability to support multi-Gigabit speeds, services with ultra-reliable low latency communication and massive numbers of nodes, 5G will support a unified connectivity platform to the always-connected, autonomous vehicle of the future.
On the path to 5G, LG is developing advanced automotive connectivity solutions based on Qualcomm Technologies' connected car platform, which features support for Gigabit LTE speeds using the Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 LTE modem, and is complemented by the QCA65x4 Wi-Fi 802.11ac solution. The connected car platform also supports 802.11p/DSRC and C-V2X, based upon 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 14 specifications.
"The advanced wireless capabilities of 5G and C-V2X will usher in new use cases necessary to fulfill our vision for increasingly connected and autonomous vehicles," said Kim Jin-yong, Executive VP, VC Smart Business Unit, LG Electronics. "As a leading inventor of 5G technologies and our key modem provider for telematics, Qualcomm Technologies is the company of choice for bringing the next-generation wireless solutions that leading automakers need and expect."
With a strong evolution path to 5G, C-V2X technology is a key feature for safety conscious and autonomous driving solutions. C-V2X complements other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) sensors, such as cameras, radar and LIDAR, to provide information about the vehicle's surroundings even in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. In addition to allowing for 360-degree NLOS, C-V2X is also designed to allow for enhanced situational awareness by detecting and exchanging information using direct communications in the 5.9GHz ITS band with other vehicles, infrastructure and pedestrians' devices, as well as network-based communications to cloud services using commercial cellular bands.
Compared to current technologies, C-V2X is designed to deliver enhanced V2X direct communication range, reliability, latency and superior NLOS performance. The technology is supported by a broad ecosystem based on 3GPP Release 14 specifications, with trials expected to begin later this year.
"Wireless communications provide the vehicle with data that truly complements what other sensors deliver. For instance, C-V2X and its evolution to 5G can help the car discover what is around corners, detecting a pedestrian's smartphone or a car approaching an intersection even when the object is obstructed by buildings or other large vehicles," said Patrick Little, Senior VP and GM, automotive, Qualcomm Technologies.
"Building on our successful collaboration on telematics and infotainment systems, which have resulted in more than 25 million cumulative units shipped to date for carmakers throughout all key automotive regions, we are pleased to expand our relationship with LG in ushering in both C-V2X and 5G technologies in future vehicles."
C-V2X evolution to 5G offers more wireless communication capabilities for autonomous vehicles, supporting advanced use cases such as high-throughput sensor data/map sharing among vehicles, see-through capabilities streaming camera information from one car to another, and wideband ranging for improved positioning – all while maintaining backward compatibility with 3GPP Release 14 C-V2X.
Hashtag: #MWC2017, #MWC17
Qualcomm Technologies and LG expect to showcase these next-generation wireless technologies through trials during the 1H18. This work builds on an existing relationship between Qualcomm Technologies and LG, which began when the companies delivered their first telematics system in 2004.
With the ability to support multi-Gigabit speeds, services with ultra-reliable low latency communication and massive numbers of nodes, 5G will support a unified connectivity platform to the always-connected, autonomous vehicle of the future.
On the path to 5G, LG is developing advanced automotive connectivity solutions based on Qualcomm Technologies' connected car platform, which features support for Gigabit LTE speeds using the Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 LTE modem, and is complemented by the QCA65x4 Wi-Fi 802.11ac solution. The connected car platform also supports 802.11p/DSRC and C-V2X, based upon 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 14 specifications.
"The advanced wireless capabilities of 5G and C-V2X will usher in new use cases necessary to fulfill our vision for increasingly connected and autonomous vehicles," said Kim Jin-yong, Executive VP, VC Smart Business Unit, LG Electronics. "As a leading inventor of 5G technologies and our key modem provider for telematics, Qualcomm Technologies is the company of choice for bringing the next-generation wireless solutions that leading automakers need and expect."
With a strong evolution path to 5G, C-V2X technology is a key feature for safety conscious and autonomous driving solutions. C-V2X complements other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) sensors, such as cameras, radar and LIDAR, to provide information about the vehicle's surroundings even in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. In addition to allowing for 360-degree NLOS, C-V2X is also designed to allow for enhanced situational awareness by detecting and exchanging information using direct communications in the 5.9GHz ITS band with other vehicles, infrastructure and pedestrians' devices, as well as network-based communications to cloud services using commercial cellular bands.
Compared to current technologies, C-V2X is designed to deliver enhanced V2X direct communication range, reliability, latency and superior NLOS performance. The technology is supported by a broad ecosystem based on 3GPP Release 14 specifications, with trials expected to begin later this year.
"Wireless communications provide the vehicle with data that truly complements what other sensors deliver. For instance, C-V2X and its evolution to 5G can help the car discover what is around corners, detecting a pedestrian's smartphone or a car approaching an intersection even when the object is obstructed by buildings or other large vehicles," said Patrick Little, Senior VP and GM, automotive, Qualcomm Technologies.
"Building on our successful collaboration on telematics and infotainment systems, which have resulted in more than 25 million cumulative units shipped to date for carmakers throughout all key automotive regions, we are pleased to expand our relationship with LG in ushering in both C-V2X and 5G technologies in future vehicles."
C-V2X evolution to 5G offers more wireless communication capabilities for autonomous vehicles, supporting advanced use cases such as high-throughput sensor data/map sharing among vehicles, see-through capabilities streaming camera information from one car to another, and wideband ranging for improved positioning – all while maintaining backward compatibility with 3GPP Release 14 C-V2X.
Hashtag: #MWC2017, #MWC17
Thursday, 23 February 2017
Amobee to buy Turn
Singtel subsidiary Amobee, a global digital marketing technology company serving brands such as Airbnb, Dell EMC and Lexus, has signed an agreement to acquire Turn, a data and analytics solutions provider, at an enterprise value of US$310 million.
Samba Natarajan, Singtel’s CEO of Group Digital Life, said, “With marketers increasingly shifting from traditional to digital media to engage consumers, global digital ad spend is expected to exceed US$200 billion in 2017*. The strategic acquisition of Turn strengthens Amobee’s technological edge in the rapidly evolving market of digital advertising and accelerates its growth into a significant global digital marketing player. It will also prime Amobee for expansion beyond the US and into the Asia Pacific, where the Singtel Group reaches some 640 million customers across 22 countries.”
Turn allows marketers to better understand customer interactions across ad formats and devices and also offers programmatic advertisement buying capabilities. The acquisition will enable Amobee to offer marketers an independent end-to-end advertising and data management platform across all channels, formats and devices, access to proprietary Amobee Brand Intelligence insights as well as advanced analytics and media planning capabilities.
Samba Natarajan, Singtel’s CEO of Group Digital Life, said, “With marketers increasingly shifting from traditional to digital media to engage consumers, global digital ad spend is expected to exceed US$200 billion in 2017*. The strategic acquisition of Turn strengthens Amobee’s technological edge in the rapidly evolving market of digital advertising and accelerates its growth into a significant global digital marketing player. It will also prime Amobee for expansion beyond the US and into the Asia Pacific, where the Singtel Group reaches some 640 million customers across 22 countries.”
Amobee’s CEO Kim Perell, said, "This acquisition makes Amobee one of the largest independent buy-side marketing technology providers globally, boosts our data analytics capabilities and understanding of consumers, and provides a strong foundation for our future growth. Effectively powering advertisers’ digital marketing is about enabling them to better understand and reach their customers, and enhance the way they engage them, on a global scale. To differentiate and capitalise on the growing market opportunity, we will offer world-class technology paired with advanced data and insights.”
Bruce Falck, CEO of Turn, said, “Turn’s vision is to help marketers understand what works, what doesn’t, and why, by providing a powerful insights, analytics and programmatic buying platform. Today is a significant moment for us and a recognition of the quality of our technology platform. As a part of Amobee, we will be able to enhance the value delivered to our customers and partners on a global scale and accelerate innovation in this space.”
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and fulfilment of closing conditions, and expected to be completed within 1H17.
Bruce Falck, CEO of Turn, said, “Turn’s vision is to help marketers understand what works, what doesn’t, and why, by providing a powerful insights, analytics and programmatic buying platform. Today is a significant moment for us and a recognition of the quality of our technology platform. As a part of Amobee, we will be able to enhance the value delivered to our customers and partners on a global scale and accelerate innovation in this space.”
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and fulfilment of closing conditions, and expected to be completed within 1H17.
*Source: eMarketer, September 2016.
ULI Asia Pacific Summit to focus on the future of real estate
More than 500 of the world’s top leaders in real estate and land use will convene at the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) 2017 Asia Pacific Summit between June 6 and 8 at the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore.
With the theme The Future is Now, Are you Ready? the summit will focus on the key issues impacting the real estate industry across the region and will explore digital topics including:
· Creating competitive and innovative cities
· Workforce of the future driving innovation and growth in the digital age
· The impact of smart cities
· E-commerce and logistics real estate
There will be a ministerial keynote address by Lawrence Wong, Singapore Minister for National Development & Second Minister for Finance, on Creating Competitive and Innovative Cities and Goh Kok Huat, COO, GIC, one of the world’s largest global investors, will speak with Patrick Phillips, Global CEO of the Urban Land Institute about Driving Innovation and Growth in the Digital Age.
John Fitzgerald, CEO, ULI Asia Pacific said of Singapore, “The city’s transformation from a third-world port city to a modern world-class metropolis offers inspiration to leaders in business and government."
The ULI Asia Pacific Summit is expected to attract institutional investors, funders, developers, advisers, planners, architects and city leaders.
“Attendees will be able to experience firsthand ULI's global network of thought leaders and influencers, expand their professional network and most importantly access ULI's wealth of content,” added Fitzgerald.
ULI is a multidisciplinary real estate forum that facilitates an open exchange of ideas, information, and experience among industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places.
With the theme The Future is Now, Are you Ready? the summit will focus on the key issues impacting the real estate industry across the region and will explore digital topics including:
· Creating competitive and innovative cities
· Workforce of the future driving innovation and growth in the digital age
· The impact of smart cities
· E-commerce and logistics real estate
There will be a ministerial keynote address by Lawrence Wong, Singapore Minister for National Development & Second Minister for Finance, on Creating Competitive and Innovative Cities and Goh Kok Huat, COO, GIC, one of the world’s largest global investors, will speak with Patrick Phillips, Global CEO of the Urban Land Institute about Driving Innovation and Growth in the Digital Age.
John Fitzgerald, CEO, ULI Asia Pacific said of Singapore, “The city’s transformation from a third-world port city to a modern world-class metropolis offers inspiration to leaders in business and government."
The ULI Asia Pacific Summit is expected to attract institutional investors, funders, developers, advisers, planners, architects and city leaders.
“Attendees will be able to experience firsthand ULI's global network of thought leaders and influencers, expand their professional network and most importantly access ULI's wealth of content,” added Fitzgerald.
ULI is a multidisciplinary real estate forum that facilitates an open exchange of ideas, information, and experience among industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places.