‘Demands for smart home tech increases by 65%’

Sweden–based Berg Insight has projected that the use and deployment of smart home technologies across the world rose by 65 per cent with total number of 0.44 million in the market.

The chief executive officer, Berg Insight, Mr. Johan Fagerberg, informed ITRealms Online that the number of new smart home installations worldwide was 0.44 million in 2010.

According to him, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 65 per cent, this number is expected to reach 5.38 million by 2015.

“The total revenues will simultaneously grow at a CAGR of 32.8 per cent from US$ 2.3 billion about N347.5bn in 2010 to almost US$ 9.5 billion in 2015,” he said.

The research was quick to add that smart homes and connected home technologies have been around for decades, but up till recently, which has been a niche segment either for the very affluent or extreme technophiles.

“Things are changing for this industry due to a perfect confluence of market, regulatory, strategic and technology trends”, according to the report’s lead analyst Alan A. Varghese, stressing that first is the pull from consumers in the mobile age, who desire to use products such as iPhones and iPads to control their lifestyles through user-friendly interfaces.

Alan also said that the regulatory drivers come from governments, whereby countries and utilities are mandated to better control the generation, distribution and consumption of power in residences.

“The strategic push comes from new entrants such as broadband providers who are already inside consumers’ homes and are looking for the next opportunities to increase Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), which reduces churn and become complete solution providers,” he said.

As said by him, finally, as the technology piece is coming together with increasing focus on interoperability, even as the cost of modules, chipsets, and software trend downwards.

He explained that there is an increasing shift in smart home technology adoption from custom and luxury residences to mainstream and production homes.

“Whereas only 0.1 percent of mainstream homes had any form of automation in 2010, almost 4 percent will have that by 2015,” he said.

Adding that since new housing construction is in a slump worldwide, vendors are focusing their attention on retrofit of existing housing stock, and easy-to-deploy technologies such as wireless.

Investigations by Berg Insight, he said, discovered that this market will soon be crowded with dealer-installers from traditional industries such as security service providers, as well as new entrants such as broadband, wireless and utilities service providers, so finding the right partnerships, business models and pricing is key to success.

Remmy Nweke
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Samsung launches 12.1 Notebook

Samsung Electronics West Africa, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, has launched into the market the sleek and stylish Series 3 350U2A notebook, reports CHARLES OKOH.

Weighing just 1.3kg and less than the height of a N1 coin, the thin and light notebook also comes in a choice of vivid colors to complement one’s personality.

According to the IT Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mrs. Chioma Iwuckukwu-Nweke, In addition, its premium-style design incorporates an elegant slim bezel display, which has the benefits of a larger screen without having to sacrifice portability.

She said an anti-reflective display provides an outstanding image clarity and text legibility even when outdoors, which is just as well, given that the 350U2A boasts an extensive a battery life of up to 7.4 hours, as well as the optimized performance of an Intel Core i3/i5 Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) processor, Windows 7 and Samsung’s unique Fast Start technology.

“When you need to get things done on the move, but still want to look good then the Samsung Series 3 350U2A notebook is the perfect choice. As well as boasting an extremely thin and light design, with a stylish slim bezel display and choice of vivid colors, it’s also packed with the latest mobile technology for optimized performance and ease of use on the go. So with the 350U2A there’s really nothing to slow you down,” she said.

On the slim Bezel style just 1.3 kg light, she said the Series 3 350U2A’s ultra portable design features a slim bezel display that is as thin as a finger, making it smaller and lighter, but without compromising on screen size.

“In fact, its ultra thin and light design is less than the height of a N1 coin (20.6mm) and weighs just 1.35kg. So it is easy to take it with you almost anywhere as you can comfortably carry it in one hand or quickly slip it into almost any bag, case or luggage.

“Although you won’t want to hide it away as you’ll always look good when you’re out and about thanks to its fashionable, modern design. Its premium finish is accentuated with a choice of vivid colors (black, silver and pink) that simply demand attention. So with the Series 3 350U2A you can be a real style leader and stand out from the crowd with a truly individual color,” she said.

She also said with the Series 3 350U2A one can also get more done on the move, stressing that it has an extensive battery life of 8 hours.

In addition, Samsung’s intelligent charging technology, PowerPlus, keeps up to 80 per cent battery capacity for up to 1,000 recharges – 3x longer than a typical battery. So it’s more economical and environmentally friendly as fewer batteries need to be replaced.

“You don’t even have to wait the usual 30-60 seconds for the notebook to boot-up as Samsung’s Fast Start technology provides an ‘instant on’. This innovative hybrid sleep mode combines the fast start-up of sleep with the stability of hibernation, so you can get started within a few seconds of opening the display or pressing the power button.

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Intel 2nd generation core debuts, ready for video boom

Intel’s second generation core processor is ready for the expected boom in video traffic by the year 2013.

This was disclosed in Lagos at the launch of Intel 2nd generation core processors by the Middle East, Turkey and Africa sales manager, Mr. Ozerk Ege Ertem.

He also said that the first generation of Intel processor came in 1971, stressing that by 2013, an estimated 90 per cent of Internet Protocol (IP) traffic will be video and Intel second generation is ready for that influx.

Also speaking the Sales Manager, South and sub Sahara Africa at Intel Corporation, Mr. Frans Pieterse, while introducing the product said there would be rise in the personal computing usage in the coming years.

He gave the overview of the new product saying it offers a visible smart performance, stressing that customers who use Intel 2nd generation core processor would get a blast of extra power then they need it and save energy when the unexpected happens.

The Intel second generation core processor, he said, comes in i5 and i7 inches format.

This, he also said could be built-in visuals, which enables customers to enjoy a richer, seamless, visual experience for gaming, movies, photos and more without hesitations or interruptions.

Additionally, Mr. Pieterse said that the Intel second generation core processors facilitates smarter multi-tasking, noting that work on multiple tasks at the same time without waiting for your computer to catch-up.

“Intel hyper-threading technology makes it possible,” he declared.

Remmy Nweke
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Dimension Data acquires OpSource, boosts cloud computing

The last weekend acquisition of OpSource by Dimension Data has been described as a strategy to accelerate global cloud computing.

Making this assertion while announcing the acquisition, the chief executive officer, Dimension Data, Mr. Brett Dawson said that by this deal Dimension Data, would become a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT Holdings, and to accelerate its cloud computing services offerings.

Equally, he said that Dimension Data, a US $4.7 billion, about N718.1 billion Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services and solutions provider has created a centralised Cloud Solutions Business Unit which will report directly to Dimension Data’s CEO office.

Confirming this in a press statement made available to Daily Champion, the global Public Relations Manager, Dimension Data plc, Mr. Hilary King quoted his CEO as saying that OpSource would become part of the Dimension Data Cloud Solutions Business Unit.

He pointed out that OpSource employs 150 staff and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California with operations in Virginia, United Kingdom, Ireland and India.

Over 600 enterprises, service providers and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) employ OpSource’s expertise, experience and cloud automation technology to operate high-availability, business-critical cloud computing and hosting environments.

Mr. Dawson said that market readiness for cloud services is being enabled by technology maturation, along with clients’ needs for more flexible services-centric, IT sourcing options.

“Our decision to accelerate our focus on cloud services aligns to our long-standing strategy to become a services-led business. Over the past few years, Dimension Data has been building cloud-related skills and capabilities in the areas of virtualization, data center and storage, managed services and hosting, and IT outsourcing – all critical to enabling cloud architectures for our clients,” he said.

OpSource, Dawson said, brings a rich set of services, a sound cloud architecture, and extensive experience in cloud services that will meet immediate client needs in addition to a cloud infrastructure, which supports development and growth in this space.

“We believe OpSource provides us with an accelerated time-to-market as their infrastructure and services are well-established and tested. Dimension Data is now well-positioned to provide our clients with services that help them at each step in their journey toward cloud architectures,” Dawson said.

Remmy Nweke
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NigComSAT to host confab on new satellite

The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited, has concluded plans to host a pre-launch stakeholders’ conference on replacement satellite (NIGOMSAT-1R) on Thursday, July 28 this year at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

The spokesman of the company, Mr. Sonny Aragba-Akpore made this disclosure on Monday, saying that the theme of the conference would focus on “Optimizing Satellite Communications for National Development.”

The conference planned for Abuja International Conference Centre, he said, would serve as a prelude to the launch of NigComSat-1R, the replacement satellite due for last quarter of 2011.

He also said that the conference would address salient issues including stakeholders’ expectations, the critical need of communications satellites and its collaborative potential with other Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools that could aid national growth.

Mr. Aragba-Akpore also said, industry players, regulators of telecommunications, broadcasting and ICT sectors are expected to participate at the conference.

He confirmed that the chief executive officer, NIGCOMSAT, Mr. Ahmed Rufai would be speaking at the event alongside his counterparts from blue-chip companies, government agencies, the academia, legislators, and politicians among others.

In addition, he said, the conference is expected to address the concerns of Nigerians and stakeholders about communications satellites, its potentials for revenue and job creations.

“The conference will also address the vital position of Satellite as a national backbone infrastructure for communications and the important role it will play in the drive for accelerated Broadband penetration nationwide,” he said.

Stressing that it would serve as a marketing window and update on NigComSat-1R which has reached its launch stage.

Remmy Nweke
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