Archive for the ‘Announce’ Category

New Customer Care Centre for Leica Camera Asia Pacific

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Leica Camera Asia Pacific reveals newly renovated and improved Leica Customer Care Centre at the International Building, Orchard Road, in Singapore.

Staff at the new Leica Customer Care Centre

Staff at the new Leica Customer Care Centre

The Customer Care Centre is now equipped with new Leica Rangefinder and sensor calibration machine for the M digital cameras.

The new equipment carries out adjustment and calibration checks. In particular, it confirms and aligns sensor flatness.

These services were previously conducted only in the Leica Customer Care Centre back in Solms, Germany.

The arrival of the new machines in Singapore will substantially shorten the waiting period for servicing for M-camera users since basic servicing can now be conducted in Singapore.

The waiting period for servicing will now take at least 7 working days and is subjected to parts availability from the factory.

The Leica Customer Care team has also been expanded into a 4-person team.

Leica Camera Asia Pacific’s chief Leica technician, Mr Andrew Chan is now joined by new technician, Mr Ser Lay Ghee.

Andrew has in-depth experience of over 30 years in photographic equipment, while Lay Ghee, brings along 20 years of experience in technical servicing.

Ms Juliana Yeo and Ms Adeline Lau will represent the Leica Customer Care Centre as main contact persons for Customer Care enquiries.

Fujifilm FinePix compact cameras for Spring 2012

Sunday, February 12th, 2012

Here is the Spring 2012 collection of compact cameras from Fujifilm. 11 of these models are being released for Singapore, out of which seven have already hit the shelves.

Fujifilm has a range of FinePix cameras ranging from the light and compact JZ100 to the superzoom HS25EXR.

Fujifilm has a range of FinePix cameras ranging from the light and compact JZ100 to the superzoom HS25EXR.

The FinePix cameras in the Spring collection are listed below.

Model SRP To release in Singapore?
F770EXR TBD Yes
F750EXR TBD Yes
HS30EXR S$799 Yes
HS25EXR S$699 Yes
JZ100 TBD Yes
JZ250 TBD Yes
S2980 S$299 Yes
S4200 S$379 Yes
S4300, S4400, S4500 No
SL260, SL280 No
SL300 S$519 Yes
XP150 S$469 Yes
XP50 S$329 Yes

Key specifications for those models being released in Singapore are tabulated below.

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Akamai acquires Blaze

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Akamai has acquired Blaze Software Inc, a provider of frontend optimization (FEO) technology. This will complement Akamai’s site acceleration solutions with technology designed to optimize the speed at which a web page is rendered, regardless of end user device.

Akamai announced today that it has acquired Blaze.

Akamai announced today that it has acquired Blaze.

The synergy derived from the combining Blaze’s FEO and Akamai’s site acceleration solutions will improve the performance of customers’ web sites and applications

“We believe Blaze has developed a powerful solution for frontend optimization, and that its cloud-based services approach is synergistic with Akamai’s offerings,” said Rick McConnell, executive vice president of Products and Development, Akamai.Akamai is also in the process of acquiring Cotendo – a company that offers an integrated suite of Web and mobile acceleration services – in an effort to help accelerate its pace of innovation in cloud and mobile optimisation.

With the rapid adoption of rich Internet applications and the increase in mobile browsing, new performance bottlenecks are emerging.

Websites are becoming richer and more complex, with more compute requirements built into a single page, impacting performance in the browser or client device.

As a result, content providers are faced with a growing set of challenges in maintaining a high-performing site and assuring a superior end-user experience.

“Our technology is aimed at reducing the number of requests required to load a page, reducing the size of each request, and improving the browser rendering experience for our customers,” said Michael Weider, CEO of Blaze.Blaze provides technology designed to automatically optimize the code on a web page during the delivery process to ensure faster transmission of content and a faster rendering of the page, regardless of whether it is served to a PC, tablet or smartphone.

As a cloud-based service that requires no software or code changes by the customer, Blaze’s offering is designed to work with any web site.

Akamai plans to integrate the technology into its global cloud platform for helping enterprises provide secure, high-performing user experiences on any device, anywhere.

Dell delivers new data solutions

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Dell improves Fluid Data architecture for more flexibility in meeting the changing demands of organisations, and for increased automation for management of primary, backup and archive data.

Dell has a range of data solutions for SMBs and large enterprises.

Dell has a range of data solutions for SMBs and large enterprises.

Enhancements include new storage backup, application and networking solutions to help SMBs and large enterprises.

“With Dell‟s new primary, archive and backup storage solutions, the Dell Fluid Data architecture delivers the storage intelligence customers need to deal with a sea of constant IT change without driving up costs, wasting time or continually replacing infrastructure.”Dell’s Fluid Data architecture is designed to enable customers to manage more information more effectively.

Specifically, the enhancements include the following:

  • Dell‟s first deduplication backup appliance that integrates intellectual property from the Ocarina acquisition
  • a major software release for Compellent storage arrays
  • a new storage optimization solution for Microsoft SharePoint
  • broader support for Dell Force10, PowerConnect and Brocade storage networking solutions

The solutions are listed below:

  • New Dell DR4000 Storage Platform with Deduplication and Compression
  • New Dell Compellent Storage Center 6.0
  • Dell Compellent VMware vSphere Storage APIs for Array Integration
  • Dell Compellent Storage Replication Adapter (SRA) for Site Recovery Manager 5
  • Dell Compellent vSphere 5 Client Plug-In and Enterprise Manager-vSphere 5 Integration
  • Expanded Support for Dell Force10, Dell PowerConnect and Brocade Storage Networking Solutions

DellAvailability

Currently available:

  • The Brocade 6510 and Brocade DCX 8510 data center switches will be available in January.
  • The Dell Force10 S4810 10Gb Ethernet switch and the deep-buffer S60 1Gb/10Gb Ethernet switches for EqualLogic are currently available.
  • The Dell PowerConnect 8024 10Gb switches and M8024-k Blade IO modules are currently available.

First quarter 2012:

  • The Dell DR4000 disk-based backup appliance with deduplication will be available in Q1.
  • The Compellent Storage Center 6.0 software will be available in Q1.

Detailed descriptions of the solutions can be found in the press release below.

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New superzoom camera: Olympus SZ-31MR

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

The 16-megapixel SZ-31MR has 24x zoom, shoots Full HD movie, gets iHS and high-res touch LCD. It’ll be available in May 2012 in either black or silver.

The Olympus SZ-31MR comes in either black or silver

The Olympus SZ-31MR comes in either black or silver

Olympus claims that the new SZ-31MR has the lightest, smallest (and cutest) body of any compact with a 20-plus optical zoom.

Olympus SZ-31MR

Olympus SZ-31MR

The SZ Traveller range is the first to capture 1080 Full HD movies and 16-megapixel stills simultaneously, using Olympus’ Multi Recording (MR) technology.

The AF is faster, the LCD is brighter and – thanks to the new touch interface – features like Multi Framing and Live Guide are even easier to use.

The SZ-31MR can now record movies and stills at high frame rates, and play back photo slideshows with music and transition effects.

Olympus SZ-31MR has 24x optical zoom

Olympus SZ-31MR has 24x optical zoom

The SZ-31MR is an extraordinary compact, despite its 24x wide optical zoom lens from 25-600mm (35mm equivalent).

The new iHS (Intelligence, High Sensitivity and High Speed) technologies make it possible to capture good blur-free images in the most challenging conditions, for example in low light or with backlight.

iHS draws on Olympus’ 16-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor and two separate TruePic V image processors (originally developed for D-SLR cameras) to dramatically improve low-light performance, speed up camera response and enhance scene and subject recognition.

Olympus SZ-31MR has16 megapixels

Olympus SZ-31MR has16 megapixels

Combined with high-speed sequential shooting and high-speed autofocus, iHS cuts down picture noise and enhances resolution and colour gradation with fast-moving subjects, night scenes and other tricky shots.

Multi motion Movie IS and Dual Image Stabilisation all but eliminate blur, even when you are walking and shooting at the same time.

IS is crucial with macros or close-ups of inaccessible subjects, when even the slightest wobble might otherwise ruin stand-out shots that regular lightweight compacts, with their weaker zoom lenses, simply can’t deliver.

Olympus SZ-31MR shoots Full HD

Olympus SZ-31MR shoots Full HD

When time is tight, Multi Recording and Multi Framing give another big advantage: You never have to choose between capturing one-off scenes as a 1080 Full HD movie or still photo – nor as a close-up or broader shot.

The SZ-31MR lets you do both.

A simple tap on the bright 3-inch 920,000-dot LCD takes a photo while you are filming.

Olympus SZ-31MR

Olympus SZ-31MR

Or resets the point of focus, shutter speed and zoom factor – all without interrupting your movie recording.

The touch-sensitive screen also gives you direct access to Live Guide, which in i-Auto mode displays a sliding scale that you can move with your finger to adjust key parameters such as brightness and depth of field.

You can check the effect of your changes in real time before you capture the scene.

Main features for the SZ-31MR:

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Company byte: Belkin rebranded

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

Belkin is a maker of network connectivity hardware, as well as accessories for consumer devices such as iPods and iPads. 

Belkin makes wireless routers, iPod accessories, iPad cases and energy saving devices.

Belkin makes wireless routers, iPod accessories, iPad cases and energy saving devices.

Belkin was founded in 1983 by Chet Pipkin and is headquartered in Playa Vista, Los Angeles, California, USA.

The rebranded Belkin logo.

The rebranded Belkin logo.

The company rebranded itself with a change in corporate logo during CES 2012, and a refocus onto developing “People-Inspired Products”.

Founder Pipkin, now President and CEO of the company, initiated the rebranding.

“The new Belkin logo, also known as PIP for ‘People-Inspired Products’, is an image made of dots configured to create a universal symbol of a person. It symbolises Belkin’s commitment in enhancing technology experiences for people, inspired by people,” said Alan Sparks, Vice President of Belkin, Asia Pacific.To achieve the promise of delivering People-Inspired Products, Belkin will put the emphasis on listening to the voices of their customers and partners.

These voices are to be integral to the development of Belkin’s products in their effort to improve and anticipate the evolving needs in our daily lives.

In conjunction with the rebranding, Belkin also announced its range of new products.

A list of these products is included in the press release below.

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CA Technologies leads in User Authentication

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

Gartner has positioned CA Technologies in the Leaders Quadrant of the Magic Quadrant for User Authentication.

CA Technologies has a range of User Authentication security solutions.

CA Technologies has a range of User Authentication security solutions.

Gartner estimates the overall growth in the market by customers to be approximately 30 percent year-over-year.

“By 2017, more than 50 percent of enterprises will choose cloud-based services as the delivery option for new or refreshed user authentication implementations, up from less than 10 percent today,” writes Ant Allan, Gartner Research Vice President.Because of the shift toward lower-cost authentication solutions, the overall growth by revenue is estimated to be approximately only 20 percent.

Considering Gartner’s user authentication market growth estimate, and the forecast that half of the implementations will be cloud services, CA Technologies is confident it is in a solid position for success in this sector.

“With more than 14,000 organizations leveraging our authentication solutions and more than 85 million identities protected by our cloud-based authentication services we should be on the short-list for anyone considering a cloud authentication solution,” said Vic Mankotia, Vice President of Security, Asia Pacific, CA Technologies.

Get a complimentary copy of the report here.

CA Technologies was also positioned by Gartner in the Leaders Quadrant of two Gartner reports: Magic Quadrant for Identity and Access Governance (IAG), and Magic Quadrant for User Administration/Provisioning.

CA ERwin solutions enable collaborative modeling for cloud and on-premise data

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Support for SQL Azure, new Web Portal helps stakeholders visualize data assets across the business.

ERwin solutions from CA Technologies

ERwin solutions from CA Technologies

Today’s resource-strapped organizations struggle to manage data complexity and share accurate information as new platforms and increasing volumes of data are added to their IT environments.

With CA ERwin data modeling tools, business and technical users can reap the benefits of a centralized, common view of business data in context.

This enables them to better understand and enforce critical data definitions and more easily leverage information as a strategic asset.

The products are described in more detail below:
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Timeless Love – a local movie supported by RIM

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Local production “那个夏天” will premiere in Singapore on March 8, 2012 (Gala on March 6). The Chinese movie was partly sponsored by Research In Motion – BlackBerry smartphones and Playbook tablets were used in the movie.

BlackBerry users include Aloysius Pang, Kimberly Chia and Dasmond Koh (below).

BlackBerry users include Aloysius Pang, Kimberly Chia and Dasmond Koh (below). Photo provided by Dasmond Koh.

“Timeless Love” is produced by Noon Talk Media and was shot mostly in Bintan. This youth romance and motivational movie is co-directed by Mediacorp Artiste Dasmond Koh (许振荣) and veteran director Lim Koong Hwee (林坤辉).

Directors Dasmond Koh (许振荣) and Christopher Lim (林坤辉)

Directors Dasmond Koh (许振荣) and Christopher Lim (林坤辉)

The cast includes Cynthia Ruby Wang (王心如), Joshua Ang (洪赐健), Aloysius Pang (冯伟衷), Kimberly Chia (谢静仪), Xu Bin (徐彬), Josephine Chan (陈映珍), Eugene Lim (林建辰) and Michelle Tay(郑荔分).

Morgan (Aloysius) visits a fictitious island where his grandmother (Wang) had her first love in her youth that didn’t quite work out.

He is accompanied by his friend Sky (Xu Bin) and trailed by paparazzi Uri (Eugene) who meets and falls in love with Xiao Wei (Kimberly) – a sweet and jovial girl who is the sister of the owner of the island, Eden (Joshua).

Morgan goes in search of his grandmother’s story while Uri and Xiao Wei falls for each other.

But history threatens to repeat itself as Uri discovers that his is stricken with terminal illness.

The relationship is put to the test as Xiao Wei discovers his secret identity.

The movie revolves around the six youngsters, with a theme of friendship and love.

Timeless love, "那个夏天"

Timeless love, "那个夏天"

Why “Timeless”?

奶奶在年轻时,和他的初恋情人在一个岛上邂逅,续而相恋的经历,让她一生无法忘怀。

当年,Eden(现今岛上的年轻岛主)的爷爷,把一只表送给了和他热恋中,向海洋的奶奶。

不久后,Eden的爷爷发现自己患上了绝症。

因为不想成为心爱的人的负担,他毅然和向海洋的奶奶分手。

备受打击的奶奶,把表抛进了大海后,离开了小岛。

Eden的爷爷也因此在岛上立了个规矩,凡是到岛上来的人都要交出手表。

因为这个岛是不应该有时间的!

Dasmond Koh, Kinberly Chia and Aloysius Pang will be sharing how they use their BlackBerry devices in their daily lives and during the movie making.

Telecom industry leaders join forces to form Global Meeting Alliance

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Tata Communications and nine other telecom leaders (including Telstra and Sprint) pledge their commitment today to interconnect their business video communities – driving global cross-network collaboration.

Tata Communications and nine other telecom leaders form Global Meeting Alliance

Tata Communications and nine other telecom leaders form Global Meeting Alliance

The Global Meeting Alliance is an open ecosystem that allows any service provider to connect to enterprises and institutions on all major continents, irrespective of carrier, following a similar business model to the airline alliance networks.

Peter Quinlan, Vice President, Integrated Business Video Services, Tata Communications, highlighted his company’s commitment towards “… facilitating an open, global ecosystem that moves business video from an intracompany experience to a collaboration tool with worldwide reach.”The community aims to solve shared-industry challenges to make business video available globally, simple to connect, and affordable for all.

The launch represents the largest functioning global collaboration between service providers in business video services.

Launch members include Safaricom in Africa, Telstra in Australia, Etisalat, Qtel and Mobily in the Middle East, Neotel in South Africa and Sprint, Glowpoint and TELUS in North America.

Leveraging Tata Communications’ large number of intercarrier agreements, customers of the Global Meeting Alliance members now have access to an international Telepresence network of 3rd party video endpoints, as well as the largest global public Telepresence room network consisting of 40 public Telepresence suites in 20 countries.

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