Cavium PureVu-based Miracast solutions to be Included in Wi-Fi Alliance demo at CES 2013

USA: Cavium Inc. announced that its PureVu technology will be included in the Miracast demonstration by Wi-Fi Alliance at CES 2013.

The live demonstration will include the Netgear PTV3K showing interoperability with an LG Optimus G smartphone. In addition to supporting the mandatory features of the Miracast certification, Cavium's solution enables several optional features, including support for premium content transmission using HDCP 2.x.

Additionally, through end-to-end optimizations with implementations of the technology underlying Miracast certification on Android, the demonstration will showcase an enhanced user experience with superior interactivity and robust wireless video transmission.

Leveraging Cavium's Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Miracast adapter solution, OEMs are able to quickly bring their own wireless display products into market, due to the fact that Cavium's certified solution is a complete market proven media adapter reference design.

Cavium's Miracast stack leverages the PureVu® CNW6611L media SoC to provide full HD 1080p performance, HDCP 2.x premium content protection, and Cavium's industry-leading low latency video processing. The flexibility of Cavium's media architecture makes its Miracast adapter reference designs suitable to support a wide range of wireless display and media sharing applications at mainstream retail price points.

Security appliance market growth continues to slow in Q3 2012

USA: According to the International Data Corp. (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Security Appliance Tracker, both factory revenue and unit shipments grew in the third quarter of 2012 (3Q12) compared to the previous year.

Worldwide factory revenue was up 5.7 percent year over year to just over $2 billion, as shipments increased 1 percent to 499,022 units. In the previous quarter, factory revenue growth was 6.6 percent and unit growth was 5.8 percent compared to the second quarter of 2011.

Geographically, revenue grew fastest in Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) with a 13.3 percent year-over-year increase. Western Europe continued to see sluggish growth, increasing just 0.5 percent year over year.

Japan had the highest unit growth year over year of 8.3 percent, followed closely by combined Central and Eastern Europe and Middle East, and Africa at 7.9 percent. The United States recorded 4.6 percent revenue growth on a unit decrease of 1.2 percent vs.3Q11, indicating some softness in lower price bands and that revenue growth was driven by larger enterprises and service providers.

"Overall, macroeconomic conditions have been questionable at best. While the security market remains more resilient than others, there was a definite slow-down in growth rates in the third quarter," said John Grady, research manager, Security Products at IDC. "That being said, the evolving threat landscape continues to drive spending on security products as organizations battle to keep their infrastructures secure and their data protected."

The combined shares of the top five global vendors represented 48.5% of the market in 3Q12. Cisco continues to lead the overall security appliance market with 16.2 percent share in factory revenue for the third quarter, but this was down from 17.3 percent in the prior year period.

Check Point held the number two spot with 12.8 percent share for the quarter as revenue increased 12.8 percent compared to the third quarter of 2011. Fortinet saw the largest growth among the top five vendors at 17.2 percent. The share of Others increased primarily due to strong quarters from Palo Alto Networks and Sourcefire.

At the functional market level, the Unified Threat Management (UTM) segment saw the largest year-over-year revenue growth at 24.3 percent and accounted for 33.3 percent of security appliance revenues in 3Q12, as multi-function appliances continue to drive growth in the overall market.

The firewall/VPN market represented 26.7 percent of the security appliance revenues thanks to 7.3 percent year-over-year growth due primarily to Cisco and Juniper. The IPS and VPN segments were the only markets to show revenue declines compared to 3Q11.

"The shift in network security for continuous security processes in detecting threats that other solutions miss is leading the move for unified security management for protection against advanced threats, modern malware, and data theft," said Ebenezer Obeng-Nyarkoh, senior research analyst, Worldwide Trackers Group.

Kia Motors announces Google Maps integration to enhance in-car connectivity

USA:  Kia Motors America (KMA) will work with Google to provide content and search-based solutions enabled by Application Program Interfaces (APIs) for the second-generation of the automaker's innovative UVO eServices telematics system.

These new solutions will initially be introduced on the new 2014 Sorento CUV. The immediate integration of Google solutions will utilize Google Maps and Google Places to acquire driving directions and locate Points of Interest (POIs) in a seamless and organic manner. KMA and Google look forward to continuing to work together to bring innovative navigation solutions to enhance the connected car experience.

Available with the 2014 Sorento CUV, the new Google-powered UVO system will serve Kia owners whether they are in their cars or away from them. Enabled by the Send2Car feature, Kia owners can send a POI or destination to their car directly from the Google Maps via their Smartphone UVO app. From within the car, Kia owners will benefit from Google Places, which will provide POI and destination resources such as a dealership location, and Google Maps, which will provide directions to virtually anywhere and everywhere a car can travel.

"The newest iteration of the UVO platform is a breakthrough as one of the industry's first mobile pure app-based telematics systems, and now with the Google solutions and APIs, we take the platform to yet another level of enhancement for the Kia customer," said Henry Bzeih , head of the connected car program and chief technology strategist, KMA. "Due to the popularity and ease-of-use of Google Maps, owners can remain confident in the technology and information being delivered to them."

UVO continues to offer drivers hands-free mobile phone management capabilities and hands-free control of music from a variety of media sources, including CD, radio, USB, media player, and the Digital Jukebox.

With UVO eServices, users will now be able to control the 2014 Sorento's on-board navigation system through voice commands when the vehicle is outfitted with the UVO eServices/navigation package.  Also new with UVO eServices is an enhanced telematics suite that offers a number of maintenance and infotainment functions, including 911 Connect, enhanced Roadside Assist, Automatic Diagnostics, Manual Diagnostics, Scheduled Diagnostics, vehicle maintenance, and eServices Guide, many of which are run through the owner's Smartphone equipped with the UVO eServices app available at no charge.

Advanced Voice Recognition makes it simple to operate many of UVO eServices functions, including the Sorento's voice activated navigation system. USB connectivity allows users to download music files from a memory stick into the Digital Jukebox. The large eight-inch touch screen is easy to operate and incorporates Sorento's rear camera display4, Infinity5 Premium Sound System and My POIs (personal Points of Interest via online maps), a feature that makes it easy to customize the owner's most visited locations.

UVO eServices is compatible with iPhone6 at launch and Android phones are expected to be compatible in the second quarter of 2013.

Key features of UVO eServices
Google Integration: Utilization of Google Maps and Google Places to provide direction and location information.

eServices Guide: Accessed via the touch-screen or voice command, eServices Guide places a phone call via Bluetooth hands free connectivity7 to a voice response system that explains UVO eServices to the driver in an interactive manner.

Car Care Web: Through the UVO eServices owner's portal, known as "Car Care Web," owners can check vehicle diagnostics, vehicle status, maintenance schedules, driving behavior, and schedule appointments with their preferred or nearby dealer via their home computer or mobile device. Owners also can earn awards for safe and eco-friendly driving viewable on Car Care Web should they rank high enough among their fellow UVO eServices owners.                                                                                                                                    

My POI: Also available to UVO eServices owners is My POI, a feature that allows owners to send a destination from Google Maps through their Smartphone to their UVO eServices vehicle.  In the convenience of their home or office, the customer selects a destination from the Web via Google Maps, once the customer's Smartphone receives the destination it will send the destination to the vehicle's navigation system the next time the Smartphone is paired via Bluetooth wireless technology.

In addition, all destinations sent from Google Maps will be copied to the owner's Car Care Web. (My POI is only available with UVO eServices vehicles equipped with navigation).

Vehicle Diagnostics: If UVO's eServices identifies a problem by way of the Automatic Diagnostics function, it will communicate the vehicle's issue(s) and its location to Kia's 24/7 call center or will schedule an appointment online with the nearest Kia dealership upon user request.

With Manual Diagnostics, at the owner's preference, UVO eServices can connect the user with Kia's 24/7 call center or schedule an appointment online with the nearest Kia dealership, should an issue be found.  Additionally, the user can take advantage of Scheduled Diagnostics from their Smartphone, setting a monthly diagnostic check of the vehicle.  Upon completion, any issues found are automatically forwarded to Car Care Web.

911 Connect: In case of an airbag deployment, the Crash Notification Assist function will alert emergency services. During a 10-second window, the driver has the option to cancel the call, otherwise UVO eServices will dial 9-1-1, read the vehicle's location out loud to the emergency services operator and allow the operator to speak with the vehicle occupants.

Parking Minder: If the driver happens to forget where they parked the car, the Parking Minder function helps find it by sending the location of the vehicle to the driver's phone. If preferred, the owner also can take pictures of the surrounding area for reference, write a reminder note, email his or her location and set an alarm if the car is parked at a meter.  To guide the owner back, the UVO eServices Smartphone app will display the owner and the vehicle's locations on a map.

Following the introduction of UVO eServices in the Sorento, the system will be offered in other models in the Kia lineup, including the all-new 2014 Forte sedan.

Samsung unveils premium touch-screen monitor

2013 International CES, USA: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd debuted two new additions to its lineup of premium monitors, putting professional-grade picture quality within reach for professional and consumer audiences alike.

The innovative Series 7 SC770 Touch Monitor comes optimized for Windows 8, while the Series 7 SC750 features a slim, ergonomic design and premium picture quality. These CES Innovation Award-winning monitors will be on display at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Samsung’s booth, #12004 in Central Hall, from January 8-11, 2013.

“We are committed to serving an expanding market of aspiring young professionals with the professional-grade monitors that match their needs,” said Jung-Hwan Kim, senior VP, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “As the industry leader for seven consecutive years, Samsung is exploring new technology that provides discerning users with affordable, cutting-edge monitors that deliver a differentiated user experience.”

Series 7 Touch (SC770): Touch-sensitive monitor
The Series 7 SC770 touch monitor is Samsung’s first multi-touch display optimized for Windows 8. Supporting up to 10 points of simultaneous multi-touch, users can drag, rotate or select objects on the monitor using their fingers.

The flexible, ergonomic stand of the SC770 conveniently adjusts to user preferences, offering a 60-degree tilt for comfortable use of the touch display. Additionally, the ultra-thin bezel along with wide viewing angles provides a truly immersive viewing experience.

Series 7 (SC750): Ergonomic design
The Series 7 SC750 monitor sports a slim, ergonomic design that is capable of a 90-degree pivot for enhanced convenience to users. It is optimized for surfing the web and viewing documents in both landscape and portrait modes.

The monitor’s sleek stand precisely positions the screen at a comfortable eye-level without the need for a support fixture and its cylinder-shaped metal stand accentuates the beauty of the slim monitor. Displaying ultra-sharp images, the SC750 monitor touts a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, which is five times that of a standard monitor.

The Series 7 SC750 monitor and the Series 7 SC770 Touch Monitor will be available worldwide in the first quarter of 2013.

Series 9 (SB970): Professionally pre-calibrated monitor
First released in the second half of 2012 to the US market, Samsung’s award-winning Series 9 monitor will also be on display at CES. Offering unparalleled picture quality and life-like color accuracy, each individual monitor is individually hand-tuned by technicians before it is shipped.
In addition, a built-in color calibration engine enables users to adjust the uniformity, gamma and white balance of the display using Samsung’s proprietary Natural Color Expert technology, resulting in the most accurate color possible.

The Series 9 monitor also utilizes a PLS (Plane Line Switching) panel and Wide-Quad high-definition resolution (WQHD), delivering four times more detail than traditional HD. Inspired by modern skyscrapers, the product’s elegant, minimalistic design has netted the SB970 monitor some of the industry’s top design honors, including the 2012 IDEA Bronze Award and Japan Good Design Award.

LG bolsters smart TV for 2013

USA: Offering a host of new applications and easy access to content, the 2013 Smart TV line from LG Electronics (LG) will include an updated Magic Remote for a simplified, intuitive user experience (UX).

The wide variety of new models and sizes – including LG's awe-inspiring 84-inch Ultra HD and 55-inch OLED TVs – will be highlighted at next week's 2013 International CES.

"LG strives to provide the most engaging and convenient user experience to consumers all over the globe," said Havis Kwon, president and CEO of the LG Home Entertainment. "We have an uncompromising attitude when it comes to both developing and improving the LG Smart TV platform. As a result, we are confident the user experience of our 2013 models will shatter all expectations and demonstrate that LG is one of the leaders of the Smart TV movement."

Massive Dynamics finalizing arrangements to offer WEB 4.0 Android tablet

USA: Massive Dynamics Inc. announced that company management is executing final arrangements to offer a new breakthrough computing tablet that works on the Google Android operating system.

The company management believes this move will give the company access to the potential 210 million tablets forecast by Digitimes to be sold in 2013.

According to the forecast, 70 million tablets will come from companies other than Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics and Microsoft Corp. With that size of market available for a Massive Dynamics entry, management believes this new tablet can capture a sizeable portion of these estimated 2013 sales.

According to management, this new tablet is in line with the company's focus on lucrative new WEB 4.0 technology as it can receive information and instructions without its user having to touch the tablet or use a peripheral device of any kind.