Humax Launches 19" HD ready LCD TVs

Humax, one of the world's largest set-top box manufacturers, has added to its digital TV range, with the launch of four new 19" and 22" HD ready LCDTVs. The new models combine a built-in digital receiver with new functions designed to add value for second room viewing. The LGB-19DTT, LGB-19DZT and LGB-22DYT all feature alarm clock and snooze features while the LGB-19DZT and LGB-22DYT models are packed with extra features for music lovers.

The LGB-19DZT and LGB-22DYT models are available in 19” and 22” screens and are great for both music and gaming lovers.

The internal digital tuner of the TVs gives users access to up to fifty Freeview TV and radio channels without the need for an additional set-top box. Available in black, the new TVs provide digital text and interactive services, as well as over the air upgrade capability which ensures maximum product life. In addition, the screens have PC input so they can be used as PC monitors.

Transfer Money Via Reliance Mobile Phones

Reliance Communications has launched "Money Transfer" through mobile phones across the country through it's tie- up with ICICI Bank.

This initiative offers Reliance Communications subscribers an alternative means of account to account transfer generally associated with banks and other agencies. Money Remittance market opportunity is estimated to be in the range of $24Billion annually including global remittances to India.

Through this arrangement, ICICI Bank's customers can transfer money to others having an ICICI bank account anytime, anywhere in the country using their Reliance mobile phones.

This service is available on Reliance Mobile World enabled phones including the recently launched Reliance Classic range of phones starting from Rs. 777 (Black and White) to Rs. 1234 (Colour Phones).

Anil Pande, Head Product Development , Reliance Communications said, "India is the fastest growing market in the world with a large mobile customer base and is also the world's highest receiver of remittances. In this context we believe M-commerce will be the next big thing. Our association with ICICI Bank brings a paradigm shift in the way domestic Money Transfer business is conducted in India, which is predominantly being done through the banks and other agencies."

ICICI Bank's Reliance mobile customers can go to the 'Finance' section > R World> Mobile Bank>M Banking>ICICI Bank>Saving Account to avail of this offer. The customers would be charged a mobile transaction fee of Rs.10 and can transfer up to Rs. 5000 with multiple transactions in a day. However the service will be free for an introductory period of 90 days.

MS Rolls Out Suite of Windows Live Services

Microsoft introduced on Wednesday a suite of Windows Live online services bundled into a single download in its latest effort to compete with Google Inc's growing array of applications delivered over the Web.

Microsoft released a test, or "beta," version of a free online software package available in a single download that includes versions of e-mail, instant messaging, photo gallery, blogging software and a security program.

The suite of Web services - available at http://get.live.com/wl/all - will also automatically update with improvements or new versions of those applications.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said this lays the foundation for other integrated Windows Live services due out in the "coming months."

The world's largest software maker aims to extend its dominance in desktop software running on computer hard drives into a new world of services delivered through a Web browser.

However, it faces a nimble and deep-pocketed rival in Google, which is also attempting to deliver an integrated experience using a single log-in to offer e-mail, calendar, productivity software and other services.

With a resolution quality of 1080p and a high resolution 210 milliwatt laser, the Blu-ray player is fully compatible with all current DVD devices and,

The war for the largest LCD TV is currently headed by Sharp, which will be unveiling its vision for the future of LCD televisions at this year’s IFA exhibition, in the form of the HD1 Aquos LCD TV.

Sharp will be displaying a Full-HD line-up including the world’s largest LCD TV at 108”. Also being unveiled will be three next generation televisions, designed to incorporate both exquisite aesthetics and breathtaking size.

These models all incorporate Full-HD technology and a built-in digital tuner.

The HD1 comes equipped with a built-in 160GB hard disc drive, RGB Plus II, an advanced contrast ratio of 15,000:1 and a panel contrast of 3000:1. The HD1 is also fitted with a USB port. Incorporating 100-hertz picture enhancement technology and with screen sizes of 46” and 52” offering Full-HD resolution of 1,920 x1,080p, the HD1 series offers top visual quality.

The release is set for mid October in UK retail stores. Expect it in India shortly after that.

For more info check www.sharp.co.uk.

Sharp Enters Blu Ray Player Market

It's not long before the supply and demand balance starts complying for us, with entrants like Sharp in the Blu-ray player market. Their new model is called the BDHP20S.

With a resolution quality of 1080p and a high resolution 210 milliwatt laser, the Blu-ray player is fully compatible with all current DVD devices and, because it is fitted with the current HDMI 1.3 protocol, it can extract the best image quality possible from the original material. With a built-in Quick Start feature reading the disc within seconds, the BD-HP20S is the perfect home entertainment partner for the new generation of Sharp AQUOS LCD TVs.

Microsoft Releases Silverlight 1.0

Microsoft has released to the Web (RTW) Silverlight 1.0, a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering a richer user experiences on the Web.

In addition, Microsoft will work with Novell to deliver Silverlight support for Linux, called Moonlight, and based on the project started on mono-project.com.

Silverlight reduces development and deployment costs and provides enhanced Web audio and video streaming and playback using Windows Media Technologies. Microsoft unveiled new Silverlight customer experiences on "Entertainment Tonight," HSN and World Wrestling Entertainment, and also launched the Silverlight Partner Initiative, a program designed to foster collaboration among solution providers, content delivery networks, tools vendors and design agencies.

"Our expectations for compelling, immersive experiences on the Web are increasing daily," said Ray Ozzie, Microsoft's chief software architect. "With today's release of Silverlight 1.0, we're making it possible for developers and designers to deliver to individuals the kind of high-def experiences they crave by integrating data and services in rich and unique ways. Silverlight will further accelerate the growth in rich interactive applications by giving developers and designers new options for delivering great experiences that span the Web, PC, phone and other devices."


The decision to work with Novell to offer Silverlight support for the Linux platform is in direct response to customer feedback.

"Silverlight is a popular new way to build and deliver cross-browser, cross-platform experiences on the Web," said Miguel de Icaza, vice president of Developer Platforms and leader of the Mono project at Novell. "Novell is excited to work with Microsoft to extend Silverlight beyond Windows and Macintosh to Linux with Moonlight, so Linux users everywhere can enhance their rich media and interactive experiences on the Web."

To foster greater involvement and collaboration within the interactive media industry, Microsoft is rolling out the Silverlight Partner Initiative. More than 35 companies have already signed up to support Silverlight.

In addition to the release of Silverlight 1.0, Microsoft released Expression Encoder 1.0 (formerly Expression Media Encoder), a tool that makes it simple for professionals to encode, enhance and publish rich media content to Silverlight. The intuitive interface allows users to rapidly encode a wide array of file-based media content formats into a Silverlight experience. Expression Encoder also eases production of live events using sought-after features such as multisource switching and publishing of content to services including Silverlight Streaming by Windows Live.

Click here for more info and to download Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 and Expression Encoder. At IBC2007 in Amsterdam Sept. 7–11, Microsoft will provide demonstrations of Silverlight 1.0, and Expression Encoder at the Topaz stand.