Google Acquires Emu for Smart Messaging Team

Google has acquired Emu, a start-up based in Palo Alto, California, that developed a texting application for the iPhone with a built-in, Siri-like assistant.  Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Emu application uses machine learning and natural language processing to interpret the meaning the message and then add to the calendar, create a lunch reservation, share location, etc.

Google plans to shut down the application as of 25-August-2014.

http://www.emu.is

• Emu was founded in 2012 by Gummi Hafsteinsson (formerly VP Product Siri,  previously at Apple and Google), Dave Feldman (previously with AOL/TechCrunch and Yahoo!), and an experienced team of mobile and machine-learning engineers. The company has received seed funding of $1.5M to date from Kleiner Perkins, TriplePoint Capital, Menlo Ventures, DFJ, and additional angel investors. 

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HP Announces Lower-Cost Helion Managed Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)

HP announced a leaner and lower-cost managed infrastructure-as-a-service solution.

HP Helion Managed Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) Lean allow organizations to reap the enterprise benefits of a managed VPC, such as a regionalized cloud for data sovereignty, low latency, compliance, high availability, security and a variety of continuity options, for a lower upfront investment. The service is now globally available to customers with pricing starting as low as $168 per month for a small virtual server configuration. A pilot trial service also is available for customers who want to certify an application to run in the cloud with the full support of the HP team.

“HP already offers a feature-rich industry-leading managed virtual private cloud offering for enterprise customers,” said Jim Fanella, vice president, Workload and Cloud, HP Enterprise Services. “The new HP Helion Managed VPC Lean now delivers a lower-priced alternative designed to enable clients to further optimize cloud workloads in the enterprise —while still providing superior, enterprise-class service and performance.”

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/hp-news/press-release.html?id=1749385#.U-MHfPldWP0

• In June 2014, HP introduced its Helion Network, a global, open network that promises a portfolio of services for enterprise customers and the ability to create a secure hybrid IT environment.
  The HP Helion Network will feature an OpenStack-based distributed cloud computing model. It will be hardware agnostic and HP promises that it will provide a unique commercial and operating model for service providers. HP hopes to attract a wide ecosystem of independent software vendors, developers, system integrators and value-added resellers.  It will also build on the HP CloudAgile Service Provider program, which has more than 115 service providers worldwide and 1,500 private cloud deployments. HP said its Helion Network will include companies such as AT&T, HKT, Intel and Synapsis. 
  HP expects to launch a pilot version of the Helion Network in Q4 2014.  General availability for HP Helion OpenStack and the HP Helion Development Platform is planned for the same time frame.

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LSI's 3rd Generation SandForce Flash Controller Hits 1800 MB/s

LSI's third-generation SandForce SF3700 flash controller has demonstrated sequential performance of 1800MB/s,as well as mixed 80/20 (read/write) workload performance of up to 1300MB/s with a native PCIe interface.  The company said this industry-leading performance is supported by its integrated SHIELD error correction with hard and soft LDPC and DSP technology.

The controller is optimized and architected for bi-directional PCIe traffic.

"Flash storage solutions used for client computing, big data, andhyperscale enterprises are continuing to grow at unprecedented levels, driving the need for more advanced flash controllers to manage these data-intensive environments," said Thad Omura, vice president of marketing, Flash Components Division, LSI. "The SF3700 is the ideal-building block for next-generation storage solutions with its
full-duplex architecture. Both enterprise and client applications will benefit from our proprietary LDPC engine which enables customers to significantly extend NAND flash life by dynamically balancing
performance and reliability with minimal latency."

http://www.lsi.com/sandforce

• LSI is now a subsidiary of Avago Technologies.

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Sprint Names Marcelo Claure as CEO

Sprint named Marcelo Claure as its new CEO, replacing Dan Hesse, who joined Sprint as President and CEO in December 2007 and led the company through a series of acquisitions, including the merger with SoftBank, and a multi-year overhaul of its nationwide network, including the shutdown of the Nextel network.

Claure, 43, is founder and CEO of Brightstar Corp., a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp., a specialized wireless distributor serving leading mobile OEMs, retailers, and wireless network operators. Brightstar handles procurement, logistics, programming and kitting for mobile handsets and accessories on a global basis. The company is based in Miami.

Sprint said Claure’s first priority will be to continue the build out of Sprint’s network by leveraging its strong spectrum holdings as well as ensuring that Sprint always maintains truly competitive offers in the marketplace.

http://newsroom.sprint.com/featured-articles/about-marcelo-claure.htm

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Ericsson to Provide Managed Service for Vodafone Egypt

Vodafone Egypt, which has over 36 million customers, has awarded a three-year contract to Ericsson to manage its network in the Cairo area.

The agreement is the first of its kind for Vodafone Egypt, which has chosen to outsource its network field services, and enhance the quality of its network in an effort to bring the latest services to Vodafone subscribers. Ericsson is the incumbent equipment supplier for the network.

http://www.ericsson.com

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Nutanix Cites $200 Million Bookings Run Rate

Nutanix, a venture-back start-up based in San Jose, California, reports that it has exceeded an annualized bookings run rate of $200 million.  The company has seen eleven consecutive quarter of rapid growth and now has 800 customers, including 29 customers who have purchased more than $1 million in aggregate products and services, up from 13 such customers in January 2014.

Nutanix offers a Virtual Computing Platform, which integrates compute and storage into a single solution for the data center.

Nutanix employs over 600 people and has sold products in 43 different countries, up from 30 countries only six months ago.

http://www.nutanix.com

• In June, Nutanix announced an OEM deal with Dell.
• In January 2014, Nutanix closed $101 million in Series D financing co-led by Riverwood Capital and SAP Ventures.

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Timex IRONMAN Smartwatch is Powered by Qualcomm + AT&T

Timex introduced its IRONMAN ONE GPS+ SmartWatch boasting cellular connectivity even without a phone.

The watch, which was developed in collaboration with Qualcomm, offers email-based messaging, user tracking, emergency location signalilng, the ability to track speed/distance/pace, and social media integration. The device is powered by a cloud-based service delivery platform managed by Synchronoss, which is also leading the development of the product's mobile application and web portal. AT&T provides data connectivity. The price: $400.
"Wearables, including smartwatches, is an emerging category that holds significant promise for Qualcomm, and we are very pleased to have worked with Timex and AT&T on the development of the IRONMAN® ONE GPS+ sports watch and delivery platform," said Derek Aberle, President of Qualcomm Incorporated. "The watch combines the human wrist ergonomics expertise of Timex with proven Qualcomm technologies and will provide fitness enthusiasts with a truly unparalleled design and connected experience."


http://about.att.com/story/iconic_watch_brand_introduces_innovative_smartwatch.html

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Interxion's Data Center Business Grows 9% YoY in Q2

Interxion reported Q2 revenue of €83.6 million, a 9% increase over the second quarter of 2013 and a 4% increase over the first quarter of 2014. Recurring revenue was €78.7 million, a 9% increase over the second quarter of 2013 and a 4% increase over the first quarter of 2014. Gross profit was €49.6 million in the second quarter of 2014, a 10% increase over the second quarter of 2013 and a 3% increase over the first quarter of 2014.

Equipped Space at the end of the second quarter of 2014 was 86,000 square metres, compared with 78,900 square metres at the end of the second quarter of 2013 and 82,900 square metres at the end of the first quarter of 2014.

Some updates on Interxion data centers:

• AMS7 (Amsterdam): Phase 2 (1,000 square metres) became operational in 2Q 2014; phase 3 (1,300 square metres) is scheduled for 4Q 2014; phase 4 (1,300 square metres) is scheduled for 1Q 2015; phases 5 and 6 (1,300 square metres each) are scheduled for 2Q 2015.
• FRA8 (Frankfurt): Phases 1 and 2 (900 square metres each) became operational in the second quarter of 2014; phases 3 and 4 (900 square metres each) are scheduled for 1Q 2015.
• MRS1 (Marseille): Phases 1 and 2 (500 square metres each) are scheduled for 4Q 2014 and 1Q 2015, respectively.
• STO3 (Stockholm): 900 square metres are scheduled to open in 4Q 2014.
• VIE2 (Vienna): Phase 1 (600 square metres) is scheduled to be operational in 4Q 2014; phase 2 is scheduled to open 300 square metres in 1Q 2015 and the remaining 300 square metres in 2Q 2015.

http://www.interxion.com/

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SingTel Offers Free, Unlimited Mobile Data on National Day

SingTel will provide its postpaid mobile customers with free unlimited data on National Day (9 August 2014). This year marks the 49th birthday of Singapore.

Various SingTel market promotions are also running in conjunction with the holiday.

http://www.singtel.com

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