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The WAVE Report
Issue #0434------------------9/3/04 |
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0434.1 Storage Drives
LTO Generation 3 Super Tape Drive Format to Offer 800GB Capacity; 80-160MB/s Speed
0434.2 AC Adapter Recall
CPSC, IBM Announce Recall of AC Adapters for Notebook Computers
0434.3 Portable Accessories
0434.4 Color Printing
0434.5 Connectivity on the Road
Embassy Suites Hotels Offers High-Speed Internet Access Throughout All Hotels
0434.6 Instant Messaging
0434.7 Internet Telephony
0434.8 Laser Mouse
Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse 20 Times More Sensitive to Detail, Tracks on More Surfaces
0434.9 High-Definition Projection
Screen Research Announces Le Wing – the World’s First Retractable Projection Screen & Speaker System
0434.10 Digital Pacemakers
0434.11 PDP Shipments Rise
DisplaySearch Report Indicates PDP Shipments Rise 119% Y/Y in Q2’04
0434.12 MS Server 2003 Service Pack
Microsoft Releases Service Pack 1 for SharePoint Products and Technologies
0434.13 Satellite Communications
WORLDSAT-2 Satellite Readied for Atlantic Ocean Regional Mission
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***LTO Generation 3 Adds Maxell as Licensee; Latest Super Tape Drive Format to Offer 800GB Capacity; 80-160MB/s Speed
SILICON VALLEY, Calif.
Sept. 1, 2004
The LTO Ultrium format Generation 3 continues to garner great demand as Certance, HP and IBM Corporation, the three technology provider companies for the LTO (Linear Tape-Open) Program, today announced Maxell as the latest Ultrium format Generation 3 licensee.
The LTO Ultrium format continues to penetrate the tape market according to a March 24, 2004 Gartner Dataquest report: Tape Drive Market Shares, 2003, by Fara Yale, Research Vice President, which found that drives based on the LTO Ultrium format out-shipped Super DLT by more than 2:1.
The LTO Ultrium format, an open specification, provides increased competition to the marketplace, technical innovation through collaboration, data interchangeability with multiple tape drive manufacturers, multiple vendor feature choices, and scalability for growth. The LTO Program technology specifications are available to any company to license and develop products based on the Ultrium specifications.
LTO Ultrium format Generation 3 will feature doubled cartridge storage capacity of up to 800GB compressed (assuming a 2:1 compression) and data transfer rates up to 80-160 MB per second compressed (assuming a 2:1 compression). Generation 3 drives offer backwards-compatible read- and-write capability with the Ultrium format Generation 2 cartridges and backward read capabilities with Generation 1 cartridges helping to preserve user investments and ease integration of the LTO Generation 3 technology.
In adherence to its compliance testing, the LTO Program requires that all licensees pass a series of compliance verification tests, which call for rigorous data interchangeability testing before being issued a license and the right to display the trusted Ultrium trademark. Compliance testing of all Ultrium products must be completed annually to ensure that all manufacturers adhere to the LTO Ultrium format specifications. Buyers seeking true Ultrium format-Compliance products should look for the Ultrium format compliance verification marks on both tape drives and data cartridges.
About Linear Tape-Open (LTO) Technology
LTO technology is a powerful, scaleable, adaptable open tape format created by technology providers Certance, HP, and IBM Corporation to help meet the growing demands of data protection in the midrange to enterprise-class server environments. This ultra-high capacity generation of tape storage products is designed to deliver outstanding performance, capacity and reliability combining the advantages of linear multi-channel, bi-directional formats with enhancements in servo technology, data compression, track layout, and error correction.
The LTO Ultrium format has a well-defined roadmap for growth and scalability - a roadmap that projects a doubling of speed and capacity with each new generation. Independent compliance verification is vital to meet the free-interchange objectives that are at the core of the LTO Program. Ultrium tape mechanism and tape cartridge interchange specifications are available on a licensee basis. For additional information on LTO technology, visit the LTO Program Web site at
***CPSC, IBM Announce Recall of AC Adapters for Notebook Computers
WASHINGTON, DC
Sept. 2, 2004
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturers named below, today announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of product: AC Power Adapters
Units: About 225,000
Importer: International Business Machines (IBM) Corp., of Armonk, N.Y.
Manufacturer: Delta Electronics Inc., of Taipei, Taiwan
Hazard: The adapters can overheat, cause damage to the circuit board and melt through the housing, which poses a fire and electrical shock hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: IBM has received six reports of incidents, Including some with minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled 56W AC power adapters were shipped Primarily with IBM ThinkPad i Series, 390 and 240 Series, and s Series notebook computers. The adapters have three hollow pins at the AC inlet and part number 02K6549 on a label on the top of the unit. The IBM logo appears on top of the unit. Adapters with solid pins are not included in this recall.
Sold at: Electronics and computer stores nationwide, the IBM Web site, phone orders, mail-order catalogs, and resellers sold the adapters with the ThinkPad computers from January 1999 through August 2000. The adapters also were sold as an accessory during that time for about $55.
Manufactured in: China.
Remedy: Consumers should unplug the recalled adapters from the wall outlet immediately and contact IBM for a free replacement unit.
Consumer Contact: Call IBM at (800) 410-5629 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or log on to IBM's replacement unit Web site at
http://www.adapterprogram.com/
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting
the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from
more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents
cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed
to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire,
electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure
the safety of consumer products -- such as toys, cribs, power tools,
cigarette lighters, and household chemicals -- contributed significantly
to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated
with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Also, consumers can contact both IBM and the CPSC at:
IBM Recall Hotline: +1-800-410-5629
CPSC Recall Hotline: +1-800-638-2772
***New Mobile Accessories from Belkin; Hi-Speed USB 2.0 15-in-1 Media Reader & Writer, TuneDok for iPod mini, and OmniDock-L
COMPTON, Calif.
Sept. 2, 2004
Belkin this week announced new mobile computing and digital music accessories. The Hi-Speed USB 2.0 15-in-1 Media Reader & Writer works with 15 media cards including xD Picture Card, allowing you to drag and drop files, images, and music to your computer from your PDA or handheld, MP3 player, digital camera, or other device. The OmniDock-L for Handheld Devices holds your handheld device in your car's cup holder so you can view your data in the vehicle. And, the TuneDok for iPod mini mobile digital devices allows you to listen to the music from your iPod mini while keeping it secured in your car's cup holder. All three devices are currently shipping in North America.
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 15-in-1 Media Reader & Writer (F5U249
The Media Reader & Writer lets you transfer files from one media card to another, or transfer files from all four media cards simultaneously at transfer speeds of up to 480Mbps. It features four dedicated slots to accommodate all popular types of media including: xD Picture Card, CompactFlash I, CompactFlash II, SmartMedia, Secure Digital, Mini Secure Digital (Mini SD), MultiMediaCard, RSMMC(b), IBM Microdrive, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo(b), Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Pro Duo(a), Memory Stick MagicGate(a), and Memory Stick MagicGate Duo.
The Media Reader & Writer also increases bandwidth for transferring large multimedia files between DV camcorders, drives and other peripherals, and your PC. The package includes Ulead(R) Photo Explorer(TM) photo editor for Macintosh(R) computers, a digital photography solution designed to let you capture, view, and convert images, and share them over the Web.
OmniDock-L for Handheld Devices (F8U0802)
The OmniDock-L provides security and stability for your handheld device, along with flexible construction for a perfect fit in your car's cup-holder console. With its innovative height-adjustment capability, the ratcheting-neck feature lets you reposition your device easily. It includes one large and one small rubber base, plus adapter cup for different-sized cup holders.
TuneDok for the iPod mini (F8E485)
Instead of fumbling around to find your iPod mini on the car seat or dashboard, you can now have it conveniently close at hand. The TuneDok for the iPod mini provides security and stability, along with flexible construction for a perfect fit in your car's cup-holder console.
The innovative height-adjustment capability and its ratcheting-neck feature allow you to reposition your iPod mini quickly and easily. The cable-management clips eliminate loose and tangled cords. The device comes with two differently sized rubber bases and an adapter cup for exact fit in your cup holder.
Dell Helps Customers Print in Color for Less Green
ROUND ROCK, Texas
Sept. 1, 2004
Businesses that want their printed material to stand out can now add color to their documents for less money with Dell's new family of color laser printers, available today for prices usually associated with black and white laser printers.
The flagship model, the Dell Laser Printer 5100cn, is unparalleled in the workgroup color laser market. With its strong black and color print speeds (up to 35 and 25 pages per minute, respectively; actual print speeds will vary with use) and a price of less than $1,000, the 5100cn costs approximately 57 percent less than a leading competitor.(a) Completing the trio of new products are the Dell Laser Printer 3000cn and 3100cn, ideal solutions for customers who require fast, high-quality black printing, yet want the option to print in color with the same device.
All three printers are network-ready and designed to meet the robust printing needs of small-to-medium businesses, enterprise workgroups and home offices. In addition, the printers include new Dell ColorTrack software, which enables customers to toggle between mono and color printing, allowing them to use color for only their most important print jobs. ColorTrack helps reduce and manage supplies costs by ensuring that color toner is not used when printing documents in black.
Further highlights of each product announced today:
-- The Dell Laser Printer 3000cn is an affordable network-ready color laser for small or home offices. The 3000cn features up-to 2400 Image Quality (IQ) resolution, enabling high-quality color printing. It prints black text at speeds of up to 25 pages per minute (ppm) and color up to 5 ppm (actual print speeds will vary with use).
-- The Dell Laser Printer 3100cn, an office color laser printer that grows with the business, features the same resolution and print speeds as the 3000cn. The 3100cn is network-ready, comes standard with extra input drawers for greater paper handling capacity and a greater toner capacity. Because of its larger toner sizes, it can deliver a lower toner cost per page.
-- The Dell Laser Printer 5100cn is a robust workgroup printer with color capability for medium to large businesses. It prints at speeds of up to 35 ppm in black and 25 ppm in color (actual print speeds will vary with use). Networking and duplexing are standard, and its flexible memory and high-capacity paper capacity options accommodate virtually any print job.
Since entering the market in March 2003, Dell has expanded its printer product portfolio and global reach to address the needs of all customers -- from consumers to large offices -- with a full suite of single- and multi-function inkjet and laser products. All Dell printers come standard with Dell's award-winning service and support staff, 24x7 toll-free telephone troubleshooting and one year of either Advanced Exchange(b) or Next Business Day On-Site(c) service.
Dell printers also feature a suite of supplies management utilities, designed to make installation, configuration and reordering of ink, toner and paper easy and efficient. Additionally, through the Dell Recycling program, U.S. customers who purchase a Dell printer will receive pick-up and recycling of their old printer, regardless of the manufacturer, at no additional charge. For additional information and specifications, visit
0434.5 Connectivity on the Road
***Embassy Suites Hotels Offers High-Speed Internet Access Throughout All Hotels; Represents Only Major Upscale All-Suite Brand to Reach 100 Percent Hotel Compliance
MEMPHIS, Tenn.
Sept. 2, 2004
Embassy Suites Hotels has announced that the brand has completed installation of high-speed Internet access (HSIA) throughout its 174 hotels, offering either wired or wireless solutions depending on the property specifications. Wireless HSIA access also is available in all hotel lobbies, atriums and prominent guest dining areas, while wired or wireless solutions are available within all meeting and conference rooms.
Each Embassy Suites Hotel utilizes one of a brand-approved list of several certified technology providers or is in the process of undergoing certification. Hotel guest room charges for HSIA will vary depending on their providers, not to exceed $9.95 for a 24-hour period. Guests are able to use the guest room telephone lines and the HSIA without interruption to either service. Guest access devices will be available to guests who do not have computers with wireless capability.
All Embassy Suites Hotels will provide guests with detailed instructions regarding how to use the "plug-and-play" HSIA at the hotel as well as a toll-free 24-hour guest assistance number for technical questions relative to high-speed Internet connectivity. In addition, hotels will have the capability to network a group of PC-user guests within the hotel via a virtual LAN. Circuit types for Internet connection throughout the hotels include either standardized Business Class DSL, T1 circuit or business class cable broadband.
***Security Threats from Unregulated Instant Messaging - IM - Applications Create a Market for Enterprise IM
PALO ALTO, Calif.
Sept. 1, 2004
Despite public instant messaging (IM) technology's immense popularity among enterprises, it is likely to take second spot behind enterprise IM (EIM) in the long term. Unregulated IM's advantages of lure and reach are expected to lose out to its drawback of security issues.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, World Enterprise Instant Messaging Markets, reveals that the market earned revenue of $119 million in 2003.
Public IM throws up a host of security threats to enterprises. Moreover, with greater emphasis on compliance, it becomes even more necessary to archive and log all IM conversations for auditing purposes.
Although free public IM is flourishing and is projected to do so for the next five years, EIM vendors are likely to break through the market by stepping up efforts to integrate various capabilities and educate end users on the benefits of EIM.
There is huge potential for EIM all over the world. Even though 90 percent of enterprises in North America use some form of IM, the actual penetration of EIM is only 10 percent in the region.
EIM could also receive a shot in the arm from regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that require enterprises to stringently monitor their communication processes.
However, compliance with these regulations will involve huge capital expenditure for R&D, thus reducing the funds available for marketing and promotion. This can give IM vendors another chance to score over EIM vendors.
Further, IM vendors are finding it easy to improve their revenue as many enterprises are looking to monitor and control their IM networks without investing in EIM applications. If major EIM vendors do not focus on total interoperability, IM gateways vendors are expected to remain unchallenged.
Microsoft has been working toward interoperability by integrating with AOL and Yahoo networks for enterprise-level secure communications. Despite this move proving that interoperability is possible, vendors may be reluctant to open up their networks to their competitors without adequate compensation.
World Enterprise Instant Messaging Markets discusses significant industry challenges and market drivers and restraints that vendors face and provides strategic recommendations to help increase their presence and profitability in the EIM space. Interviews and executive summaries are available to the press.
http://www.communicationsapplications.frost.com
***META Group's METAspectrum Report Finds Organizations Revisiting Telephony Requirements Consider IP Telephony 90% of Time
STAMFORD, Conn.
Sept. 1, 2004
In its continued effort to aid users in the evaluation of vendor tools, META Group has announced the availability of a METAspectrum report on the enterprise Internet Protocol telephony (IPT) market. Enterprise IPT can enable enterprises to consolidate voice, fax, and other forms of information traditionally carried over the dedicated circuit-switched connections of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) with a single, converged communications infrastructure that can create operational efficiency and a foundation for a more flexible infrastructure.
The performance requirements for IPT are fairly basic. Offerings must emulate the circuit-switched world for reliability and stability, while enhancing usability and integration capabilities to provide the enterprise with a better business tool. Commoditization of basic features will continue over time, emphasizing the importance of partnerships, which will provide more customized, vertical personalities to the basic systems. These enhancements will include teamware and collaborative multimedia applications supported, in many cases, by presence.
Users should deploy a single, converged infrastructure with the aim of creating operational efficiency and a foundation for future efficiencies, as opposed to expecting a quick return on investment. When evaluating IPT vendors, users should predominantly consider a vendor's financial and technical stability, openness to partnerships, and interoperability with other best-of-breed infrastructure, applications, and management products. Leading vendors will either offer supporting applications themselves or provide bulletproof documentation and best-practice guidelines for integration. Functionality that anticipates business requirements, coupled with implementation partners that understand a user's specific business, is key to the personality of the system once it is installed and for go-forward support and refinement when adding future applications and services.
http://www.metagroup.com/metaspectrum
***Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse 20 Times More Sensitive to Detail, Tracks on More Surfaces
FREMONT, Calif.
Sept. 1, 2004
Logitech has announced the Logitech® MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse, the world's first mouse to use laser illumination and tracking. Combining laser with Logitech's powerful MX processing engine and Fast RF wireless technology, the Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse sets a new performance benchmark for responsiveness and accuracy.
Laser is the latest in a long list of mouse firsts for Logitech, a roster that includes the first commercially available mouse in 1982, the first cordless mouse in 1984, and the first cordless optical mouse in 2001. Now, Logitech introduces the first mouse with laser tracking technology.
The laser tracking technology is the result of an alliance between Logitech and Agilent Technologies. The nearly singular wavelength of laser light is capable of revealing much greater surface detail than the red light-emitting diode (LED) found in today's optical mice. In tests conducted at Agilent, the laser mouse was found to have 20 times more sensitivity to surface detail than LED optical mice. Hence, the laser can track reliably even on tricky polished or wood-grain surfaces.
In a recent Logitech survey of more than 2,000 LED-based optical mice users, more than two-thirds of respondents were interested in the ability to use a mouse on more surfaces. Because of their ability to illuminate the surface in greater detail, laser mice will track on surfaces on which LED-based optical mice tend to falter.
The laser light of the Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse is nearly invisible to the human eye - and very safe. The laser beam emanates through a polished silver ring on the base, illuminates the surface beneath the mouse, and then reflects back up through the same ring where the surface detail is captured by the sensor. The sensor has the ability to capture 5.8 megapixels of detail each second. As the laser mouse is moved, the sensor sees minute changes in the surface detail, which then translates into cursor motion on screen.
While the laser is the key technological innovation that powers the Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse, there are several other features that set it apart from other mice:
Optimized Navigation and Supreme Control
The Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse empowers people with new levels of navigation control. It features Logitech's new Tilt Wheel Plus Zoom, enabling the ability to scroll in three dimensions: up and down, left and right, and in and out. When working with applications such as PowerPoint or Word, it's easy to quickly zoom in to tweak the fine points of a slide or report, and then zoom out to see the entire document layout. When people apply pressure to the left or right of the wheel, they can efficiently scroll horizontally through wide documents in applications such as Excel, or easily browse left and right through images in the Windows® XP Filmstrip mode. The MX 1000 also incorporates Logitech's proprietary Cruise Control(tm) speed scrolling system, providing rapid scrolling through large Web pages and long documents when the user holds down the buttons above and below the scroll wheel. Also, a small chrome assembly atop the thumb rest includes Internet Forward and Back buttons and the Application Switch button, which allows one-click switching between open windows.
Sophisticated Design
The Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse has a sophisticated look and feel. Its contour shape is accentuated by a concave thumb-rest on one side, which is opposed by a sculpted side-grip for a pinkie and fourth finger. The chrome island that encircles the scroll wheel contrasts with its rubberized, black grips and steel grey keyplates. A polished metal ring on the base of the mouse encircles the laser exit. And the exterior is solid - it's void of any loose panels, and absent of any battery door because the mouse is rechargeable. The mouse has the kind of style, subtle detail, personality and comfort that are renowned traits of Logitech's award-winning product designs.
State-of-the-Art Fast RF Wireless
The Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse includes Logitech's proprietary Fast RF technology. Fast RF enables the same rate of wireless data transfer as that of corded mice operating through a USB port. Fast RF, which uses the 27 MHz band, allows mice to deliver up to 125 reports per second, approximately 2.5 times more than other RF-based cordless mice. As the number of reports per second increases, the motion of the cursor on the screen becomes more fluid. Likewise, as the number of reports per second increases, the motion of the cursor mimics the movement of the mouse with increased precision.
Advanced Power System
The Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse brings power management to new heights. It is the first mouse with a four-level integrated battery indicator. The four bars illuminate, allowing easy monitoring of the battery level. It's rechargeable - the mouse includes a docking cradle that is both a wireless receiver and recharger. The mouse is also maintenance free. The nuisance of battery replacement is non-existent in that the Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse ships with an integrated lithium ion battery. A complete charge for the mouse takes 3-4 hours, which typically lasts 21 days. In addition, with rapid recharge after 10 minutes in the cradle, the mouse is charged for a full day's worth of use.
Availability
The Logitech MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse will be available on retail shelves in the U.S. and in Europe and directly for Logitech beginning this month.
0434.9 High-Definition Projection
***Screen Research Announces Le Wing – the World’s First Retractable Projection Screen & Speaker System
Mission Viejo, CA
August 31, 2004
Screen Research has announced the availability of Le Wing - a revolutionary product that pairs their ClearPix acoustically transparent, motorized retractable screen with a left, center, and right speaker system. Designed for the high definition video projection market, Le Wing’s screen and speaker system lower and rise together, providing a unique solution for those wanting big screen performance when they desire, but also no visible screen or speakers the rest of the time.
First introduced in prototype stage at the Mondial Image Photo Son of Paris in late March, the final production version will be showcased in the StJohn Group booth (#69) at the CEDIA 2004 Expo in Indianapolis, IN, September 10 - 12. StJohn Group is the exclusive North and Central American distributor for Screen Research.
The full range of products from Screen Research will be featured at the CEDIA exhibit, including their new fixed frame and motorized screens, plus an Ultimate 4-way XMask(TM) professional-grade masking system.
Fitting In
While dedicated screening rooms are becoming more and more popular, in today’s homes, the multipurpose room – living room, family room, game room – is often used for home theater.
Models
Initially, Le Wing will be available in a 16:9 aspect ratio, in 80” wide and 96” wide (viewable area) models. False ceiling and floor cabinet models will follow in the very near future.
Speaker Components
Screen Research has partnered with renowned speaker expert, Triangle Industries, to supply the custom-tuned speakers for Le Wing. Triangle is known worldwide for high performance loudspeakers and will be introducing a new line of models in conjunction with Le Wing’s introduction, including timbre-matched surrounds and subwoofers under the Screen Research brand name.
Availability
Le Wing can be ordered now and will be shipping in November, 2004.
For technical data, visual and textual assets, and more background information go to:
and click on the Press Portal link in the navigation bar.
***FDA Approves Advanced Digital Pacemaker from Vitatron; Digital Technology Enables Faster and More Precise Data Processing for Enhanced Management of Slow Heartbeats
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Sept. 1, 2004
Vitatron, a European-based subsidiary of Medtronic, Inc. has announced the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and U.S. launch of the Vitatron T-series pacemaker, an advanced implantable heart device based on a digital processing platform. Vitatron first introduced digital technology for pacemakers with its C-series device in September 2003, and the follow-up introduction of the T-series expands Vitatron's commitment to advancing pacemaker therapy with digital signal processing.
Digital technology enables the T-series device to collect heart rate information more quickly and precisely than other pacemakers, which can help physicians better understand the patient's heart condition and confidently apply appropriate pacemaker and drug therapies. The device's data processing speed also translates into faster device checks for patients, as physicians can get device data reports in less than 20 seconds. The efficiency gains of digital data collection also contribute to the T-series' expected long lifespan of 9.3 years.
In addition, the T-series device features dual-channel electrograms, which allows physicians to review heart rhythm patterns simultaneously in the upper and lower chambers of the heart. With this additional information, physicians can see which chamber is causing a heart rhythm disturbance and how the other chamber reacts.
The Vitatron T-60 pacemaker was first implanted by Atul Prakash, M.D., electrophysiologist at Passaic Beth Israel Medical Center in Passaic, N.J., and Theodore Waller, M.D., director of cardiac electrophysiology at Bethesda North Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Well established in modern cameras, cellular phones, CD players and other electronics, digital signal processing has been adapted by Vitatron on a low-energy circuit chip for use in pacemakers. No other device manufacturer has successfully adapted fully digital signal processing technology for use in pacemakers.
The T-series devices build upon the digital technology first introduced in the Vitatron C-series, which opened an era in which physicians can evaluate and adjust data settings from implanted pacemakers almost instantaneously. The T-series pacemaker takes even greater advantage of the digital processing platform by capturing additional heart rhythm data. Both the T-series and C-series devices include a proprietary Therapy Advisor(TM) feature, which identifies heart rhythms of clinical concern and supplies instant therapy suggestions to physicians on the computer-like programmer used to review device settings and patient heart rate activity.
Like other pacemakers, Vitatron C- and T-series devices help individuals whose heart rhythm is too slow or weak to support the needs of their circulatory systems. Each year, more than 250,000 Americans are diagnosed with this condition that often results in dizzy spells, blackouts and fatigue.
***DisplaySearch Report Indicates PDP Shipments Rise 119% Y/Y in Q2’04; Even Faster Growth Expected in Seasonally Strong Q3'04
AUSTIN, TEXAS
August 31, 2004
DisplaySearch indicated in its latest Quarterly PDP Shipment and Forecast Report that Plasma Display Panel (PDP) shipments to the TV and Public Display markets rose 14% Q/Q and 119% Y/Y in Q2’04 to 799K units. Although the results were quite positive, shipments were about 43K units below expectations due to strong competition with microdisplay rear projection TVs in North America and slower than expected demand growth in Europe from the UEFA Euro 2004 soccer tournament. As a result, PDP and PDP TV street prices began falling faster than previously expected due to a rising surplus created from the demand shortfall and significant supply growth as a number of suppliers ramp new fabs. These lower prices combined with the traditional seasonal strength associated with production for the Q4 holiday season should lead to even faster growth of 26% Q/Q and 127% Y/Y in Q3’04 to over 1M units.
Additional highlights of the latest report include the following:
Matsushita overtook Samsung SDI to become #1 for the first time with a 23.1% to 22.5% advantage. It benefited from the simultaneous ramping of two PDP lines, one in Ibaraki, Japan and the other in Shanghai, China, resulting in the fastest supply growth of any supplier. It also benefited from strong internal demand and strong demand from a few select external brands.
The TV market accounted for 89% of shipments, down from 90% in Q1'04.
42” enhanced definition (ED, 854 x 480) panels grew from a 49% share in Q1'04 to a record high 54% share in Q2’04 on its attractive price points and broad availability. If other resolutions are included, the total 42”-43” share rose from 72% to 75% in Q2'04. In Q3'04, 42" XGA panels are expected to gain share at the expense of 42" ED due to their higher resolution, ability to receive HD signals, although not offering HD resolution, and the declining 42" XGA/42" ED price gap.
Less than 42" PDPs remained a significant segment with a 13% share and are expected to maintain a 13% share in Q3’04. 37” ED panels, which can be produced 3-up at a number of manufacturers, are gaining significant ground reaching attractive price points.
ED panels rose from a 52% to a 59% share in Q2'04, but are expected to fall to 56% in Q3'04 as they lose share to higher resolution panels at 42"-43". 720/768p panels fell from a 26% share in Q1’04 to a 21% share in Q2'04, but are expected to reach 25% in Q3’04.
0434.12 MS Server 2003 Service Pack
***Microsoft Releases Service Pack 1 for SharePoint Products and Technologies
REDMOND, Wash.
Sept. 2, 2004
Customers using Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies have begun applying two new Service Pack 1 (SP1) releases, which provide performance improvements for Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services. Available separately, the two SP1 downloads enable customers to build powerful and reliable collaborative work spaces for intranet and extranet communities.
In addition to improved stability and security, customers can take advantage
of the following enhancements in the Windows SharePoint Services SP1:
-- Support for larger files. With Windows SharePoint Services SP1, customers and partners can save and share documents as large as 2 GB.
-- Easy updates. Windows SharePoint Services SP1 greatly eases the patching process by enabling customers and partners to apply patches and hot fixes.
SharePoint Portal Server 2003 customers and partners will need to apply the Windows SharePoint Services SP1 to download and apply the SharePoint Portal Server 2003 SP1, which features improvements in the following specific areas:
-- Improved search results. SharePoint Portal Server 2003 SP1 improves search functionality in a number of areas, including propagation, crawling reliability, keyword or best-bet search results, alert conditions, more robust XML filtering, and linguistic accuracy.
-- Content Watson functionality. This enables improved product quality for customers through streamlined issue reporting between a customer's networked computer and the Microsoft development team.
Now with Windows SharePoint Services SP1, customers and partners will be able to access language templates for 11 additional languages, including Croatian, Latvian and Slovenian. Windows SharePoint Services, currently offered in 25 languages, is a feature of the Windows Server 2003 platform.
Availability
Customers and partners can access the free SP1 downloads by visiting the following Microsoft Web sites:
-- For Windows SharePoint Services SP1:
-- For SharePoint Portal Server SP1:
-- For additional information:
http://www.microsoft.com/office
0434.13 Satellite Commmunications
***WORLDSAT-2 Satellite Readied for Atlantic Ocean Regional Mission
PRINCETON, N.J.
Sept. 3, 2004
WORLDSAT has announced that its WORLDSAT-2 (WS-2) spacecraft, the first Spacebus 4000 spacecraft manufactured by Alcatel Space, is ready for final testing and then for shipment to Baikonur, Kazakhstan for its planned launch in the fourth quarter. It was also announced that SES ASTRA of Luxembourg, an SES GLOBAL Company, will be using WS-2 to expand its reach into Africa.
WORLDSAT-2 is a high-powered C-band satellite that will operate from 37.5 degrees West. The large, state of the art spacecraft has 72 transponders organized into three regional beams: North America, South America and Europe/Africa. The satellite's advanced design and high power levels will support a wide range of applications...from tv broadcasting to high-speed internet connections...facilitating reception and higher data throughput to smaller C-band antennas. WS-2's extensive coverage reaches from the U.S. to the eastern reaches of the Mediterranean...and from Cape Town, South Africa to Lima, Peru. For additional flexibility and reach, the three beams may be interconnected through on-board switching on an individual transponder basis.
SES ASTRA of Luxembourg has contracted for 24 transponders from the WS-2 Europe/Africa hemi beam and will market that capacity as ASTRA-4A. Their efforts will be focused on delivering satellite services to the entire African continent. This new capacity complements the Ku-band services ASTRA offers in Africa via ASTRA 2B at 28.2 degrees East. The other 13 satellites in the ASTRA fleet deliver services throughout Europe.
About WORLDSAT
WORLDSAT was created in 2003 by SES GLOBAL as a subsidiary of SES AMERICOM. WORLDSAT provides customers with applications as diverse as mobile communications, broadcasting, internet connections, and data networks, adding value with connections to the regional satellite fleets including SES AMERICOM and SES ASTRA in Europe and Middle East and Africa. The newly-formed business unit has satellites currently operating at 108.2 degrees East (WORLDSAT-1, formerly AAP-1), 172 degrees East (Spacenet-4), 47 degrees West (TDRS-6), and 37.5 degrees West (Satcom-C1). In addition, the company has two new satellites, WS-2 and WS-3, planned for launch in 2004 and 2005, respectively.
About SES ASTRA
The ASTRA satellite fleet is Europe's leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system, delivering services to more than 94 million DTH and cable households. The ASTRA fleet currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1400 analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as multimedia and Internet services. ASTRA's two prime orbital positions for DTH services are 19.2 degrees East and 28.2 degrees East. Professional services like Direct-to-cable (DTC), Satellite Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital positions of 23.5 degrees/24.2 degrees East and 5.2 degrees East.
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