Verizon Unveils V CAST Mobile TV, MediaFLO Partnership

Verizon took the wraps off its V CAST Mobile TV service, which is due to launch later this quarter. Verizon is working with MediaFLO USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM, which is building a dedicated multicast network to deliver programming in a linear format.



The new service will be accessible on new V CAST Mobile TV handsets via a dedicated V CAST Mobile TV key. The programming will be presented in "time block"/scheduled availability, consistent with familiar cable and satellite TV models, in both Eastern and Pacific Time zones.



Initial handset include the Samsung SCH-u620 and the LG VX9400 -- that also feature V CAST Music, V CAST Video, Mobile Web 2.0 and "Get It Now" capabilities.

Verizon's Media partners include CBS, Comedy Central, Fox, MTV, NBC News, NBC Entertainment and Nickelodeon.

http://www.verizon.com

• FLO technology is a new air interface originally developed by Qualcomm with multicasting capabilities designed to increase capacity and reduce content delivery costs to mobile handsets. The technology is independent of the cellular network but complements CDMA2000 1X, 1xEV-DO and WCDMA cellular network data and voice services.



• MediaFLO USA Inc. is building a nationwide network based on QUALCOMM's FLO technology to deliver multimedia content to mobile devices in the 700 MHz spectrum. QUALCOMM holds a nationwide footprint of spectrum licenses in this band.

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Seagate Debuts 60GB 1.8-Inch Hard Drive

Seagate introduced a single platter, 60GB 1.8-inch hard drive for mobile devices. Seagate's Lyrion (formerly known as the ST18) is the industry's first single platter 60GB 1.8-inch hard drive enabled by perpendicular recording technology and is 5-mm thick. This should be enough for up to 80 movies, up to 200 hours of music videos, up to 20 hours of standard definition video or up to 12 hours of high- definition video. A 30 GB version will also be offered.



Seagate also introduced "FreeAgent Pro data movers" drives (320GB, 500GB, 750GB), which include software to automatically synchronize content to the Seagate Internet Drive, its online service. Three portable versions (80GB, 120GB, 160GB) plug into any computer's USB 2.0 port for mobile access.

http://www.seagate.com

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Sony Ericsson W880 Walkman Phone Due in 1H07

Sony Ericsson pre-announced its W880 Walkman Phone. Product launch is now expected within the first half of 2007 when more details will be provided.



The company said more than 15 million Walkman phones have been sold since the introduction of the first Walkman phone, the W800, in August 2005.



Sony Ericsson also introduced the W200 Walkman phone -- a GPRS 900/1800/1900 & GPRS 850/1800/1900 handset and will be available in select markets from Q2 2007. This unit features storage of up to 37 tracks based on 128MB Memory Stick Micro, and up to 27MB internal memory and up to 255 tracks based on a 1G Memory Stick Micro.

http://www.sonyericsson.com/us

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Sprint to Offer OQO Pocket PC

Sprint will offer the new OQO model 02 computer, described as the world's smallest, full-feature Windows Vista PC. In addition to Sprint's mobile broadband, the model 02's features include a 1.5GHz CPU, 1GB RAM, 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, an ergonomic backlit keyboard, and a rugged magnesium chassis with a shock-mounted hard drive and drop detect technologyhttp://www.oqo.com

http://www.sprint.com

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Microsoft Shows IPTV-enabled Xbox 360

Speaking at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Microsoft's Bill Gates unveiled an IPTV-enabled Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, Windows Home Server, and a new partnership with Ford Motor Co. to extend digital experiences to the car.



The IPTV-enabled Xbox 360, which is slated for the Holiday 2007 season, will combine TV and digital video recording capabilities with gaming, movie downloads and even voice and video communications. The system will be offered through Service Providers that are deploying TV services based on the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform.



Microsoft TV IPTV Edition is in market deployment with five of the world's largest service providers and trials with 11 additional companies, representing a footprint across 14 countries on four continents.



Windows Home Server, a new software product for families with multiple PCs that want to connect their home computers, digital devices and printers to help easily store, protect and share their rapidly expanding collections of digital content and entertainment. Later this year, HP plans to deliver the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server.

Windows Home Server will be a new product to help consumers deal with digital content by automatically backing up home PCs and providing a central location for storing a family's photographs, music, videos and documents. HP plans to offer the product later this year. AMD, Inventec Corp. and Quanta Computer Inc. will demonstrate hardware reference designs for Windows Home Server. http://www.microsoft.com

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