Data Centre In A Box

HCL Infosystems has launched an integrated solution that meets the complete IT infrastructure requirements of small and medium enterprises. The solution comes with high-technology modules along with network components and remote management systems in a single rack with a space and power saving design that is highly cost-effective for the emerging enterprises.

The HCL 'Data centre in a box' can support business application including enterprise resource planing, customer relationship management, supply chain management, mail, web(proxy) and print services that are required by small and medium enterprises. It is also adaptable and scale to the evolving business needs.

High-Speed Impact Printer

WeP Peripherals has launched the HQ 2100 high-speed impact printer that can print 710 pages per hour-claimed to be the fastest in its segment. Capable of printing 1000 characters per second, the printer is best suited to multiuser networked applications.

Moreover, it is claimed to have the highest uptime in its segment. The printer complies with the European Union's RoHS directive, making it eco-friendly. It comes with serial and parallel interface with auto-share, 1+8 multi-part capability, 64kb input buffer, 10 LQ fonts and one-year warranty including print-head. A zoom function quickly and easily enlarges (up to 1600 percent) and reduces (down to 66 percent) the size of the printed characters. All major types of bar codes can be output with speed and clarity.

Chip for digital home

Mos-Chip Semiconductor  Technology has launched a chip that provide solutions for SOHO applications like USB servers, print servers, NAS servers, set-top boxes, etc.

The MCS8140 consists of CPU sub-system, Ethernet interface, USB host, PCI host, memory controller, TOE and security engine, and general interface blocks. CPU subsystem contains a 200MHz, 32-bit RISC microprocessor delivering approximately 1.1 MIPS per MHz.

An integrated general-purpose net-word processor, the MCS8140 connects a wide range of USB-based devices to an Ethernet network to enable communications via the internet or an intranet.

Dust-Resistant Projectors

Panasonic Asia Pacific has launched a series of dust-resistant, fixed-installation projectors, PT-F100. At 3200 lumens, the projectors fitted with auto-rolling filter are durable with long-lasting brightness and can survive extreme conditions. A lamp drive system helps to maintain the brightness of the projector longer. It prevents the wear of electrodes and reduces blackening and whitening effect.

In addition to a LAN terminal for PC connection and component video inputs for connecting digital AV devices, the projector is equipped with RS-232C and remote (contact control) terminals. Panasonic provides for a wireless remote control whose operating range has been  enhanced through two signal transmitters, each with a different angle. A laser pointer and page-up and page-down buttons (which can be used during a wireless/wired LAN presentation) have also been added into it.

The projectors are priced at Rs 161,000 onwards.

Robotics Development toolkit

Microsoft Robotics Studio 1.5-an improved version of Microsoft's robotics application development toolkit-adds support for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and Windows Mobile 6, allowing developers to more easily develop advanced scenarios and software applications on embedded platforms of a wider variety and lower cost.

Microsoft Robotics Studio 1.5 includes improvements to its visual programming language and 3D real-world-physics-based visual simulation environment, built on the AGEIA Technologies-based PhysX engine. New services have also been added, including support for vision and speech recognition, expanded documentation and a new editor that makes it easier to configure and target software services for robotics platforms.

Solid-State Micro-Batteries

St Microelectronics and CEA will establish a common laboratory in Tours and Grenoble, France, that will pursue advanced research in solid-state micro-batteries that promise longer life, greater safety and lower environmental burden than existing battery technologies, and micro-fuel cells for clean energy generation. Other promising energy generation, conversion and storage technologies that will be investigated include thermoelectric and mechanical scavenging techniques that convert, for example, physical motion into electrical power, always with a focus on low-power applications.

The joint research team will work on a variety of projects. These include micro fuel cells specifically designed to power mobile phones using fuel that can be topped up at any time, thin-film micro-batteries for use in applications such as 'smart labels,' which are expected to replace existing bar code technology, and radio frequency ID tags, and the development of new energy-scavenging technologies. 

Low-power Bluetooth for mobiles

Texas Instruments (TI) is going to leverage its expertise in ZigBee, low-power RF and mobile connectivity to develop products and solutions for ultra-low power (ULP) Bluetooth. The recent merger between Wibree Forum and Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) created ULP Bluetooth.

ULP Bluetooth is an open technology extending wireless connectivity between mobile devices or PCs and human interface devices using small, button cell batteries, including watches, wireless keyboards, toys and sports sensors.

TI will utilise radio technology in the 2.4GHz frequency band to meet ULP Bluetooth specifications.

Mobile blog phone

Samsung Electronics has unveiled a UMTS 3G slider phone equipped with 2-megapixel camera, really simple syndication reader, FM radio with radio data system, the latest music features and much more.

The USP of this phone is that you will be able to maintain your blogs without accessing a PC. You can update content and photos to your blogs anywhere with just one click, by uploading contents as in the form of 'title + description + tag.' This helps you keep your blogs up-to-date, especially while traveling.

Non-stop laptop guardian

Alcatel-Lucent have introduced the OmniAccess 3500 security and management system to secure, monitor, manage and locate a mobile computer, and to destroy its data if it's lost or stolen even if the computer is turned off.

With this solution, IT departments will be able to enforce policies for compliance, protect and recover stolen devices, and deliver patches and upgrades to an increasingly mobile workforce, thereby increasing productivity and efficiency.

Theft-tracking phones

With service providers and manufactures installing tracking software's, it might become difficult to steal a phone.

For example, Samsung has put a software on its select models that sends SMS to a predesignated mobile number and e-mails when a new subscriber identity module (SIM) card is inserted into the phone. As these messages will have the SIM card number of the new user, tracking the thief down would merely be a phone call away.

GSM operator Bharti Airtel has introduced this technology and BPL Mobile is close to launching it, while Vodafone-Essar and Idea Cellular are considering it. The tracking software also ensures that data on the phones, like phone book and other details, are password-protected.