Highly Anticipated FINAL FANTASY XIV Expansion Is Now Available
LOS ANGELES, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- SQUARE ENIX, Inc. today launched FINAL FANTASY® XIV: Heavensward(TM) in North America, the highly anticipated first expansion pack for the popular MMORPG FINAL FANTASY XIV®, which has already captured the hearts of more than four million adventurers worldwide. Players can adventure together with seamless cross-platform play on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Windows PC, and for the first time, Mac®.
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward features a new story that plunges adventurers into the heart of the Dragonsong War, the bloody thousand-year conflict between the knights of Ishgard and the dragons of Dravania. Adventurers can enjoy an increased level cap from 50 to 60 for all disciplines, a new playable race, new dungeons and raids, new primal battles, and new mounts that allow players to take to the skies--flying black chocobos, single-rider airships, dragons and more.
"FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward marks the beginning of the second season of our journey through the vast FINAL FANTASY XIV universe," said Naoki Yoshida, producer and director of FINAL FANTASY XIV. "Having laid a strong foundation in A Realm Reborn®, we are extremely excited that Heavensward will build upon this with new and diverse gameplay and content that continue to be the hallmarks of the online FINAL FANTASY experience."
Key Features
-- All the hallmarks of the FINAL FANTASY® franchise, including
genre-leading graphics and real-time cut scenes, an all-new soundtrack,
and an immersive story experience
-- Level cap increased from level 50 to level 60
-- New player race, the Au Ra - with unique curved horns and scaled skin,
the Au Ra hail from the eastern continent of Othard
-- New jobs: dark knight, astrologian and machinist - players will be able
to master three FINAL FANTASY jobs such as dark knight (Tank) who wields
a two-handed greatsword and the power of darkness, astrologian (Healer)
who use a divining deck and star globe to call on the powers of the
stars to heal allies and support party members, or machinist (DPS) who
deals damage from afar by using a combination of firearms and mechanical
turrets that can be deployed on the battlefield
-- High-end raids, includes a new raid dungeon series within the mechanical
colossus "Alexander," based off the legendary boss in the FINAL FANTASY
series
-- New beast tribes and powerful primals - players will encounter the Vanu
Vanu and their primal, Bismark, and the Gnath, and their primal Ravana,
allowing players to form new allegiances
-- Flying mounts - Accompanying the vast new areas that feature floating
islands are flying mounts for players to pilot such as the flying black
chocobo and single-rider airships
-- New gear, recipes and more
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward is available now for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 systems, Windows PC and Mac for $39.99. The physical Collector's Edition is available for $129.99 and the digital Collector's Edition for $59.99. FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, the new all-in-one bundle that includes both A Realm Reborn and Heavensward, is available for $59.99. A free 30-day trial is included for new FINAL FANTASY XIV accounts, with monthly subscriptions starting at $12.99.
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at http://www.esrb.org for more information about ratings.
Since the release of FINAL FANTASY in 1987, this unique RPG series continues to showcase the spectacular visuals, highly imaginative worlds and rich stories leading the industry and earning the highest accolades from users around the world. Titles of the series have so far achieved a cumulative shipment of over 110 million units worldwide.
About Square Enix Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix Group. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 110 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 64 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 42 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
FINAL FANTASY, FINAL FANTASY XIV, the FINAL FANTASY XIV: HEAVENSWARD logo, A REALM REBORN, CHOCOBO, DRAGON QUEST, EIDOS, HEAVENSWARD, SPACE INVADERS, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, TAITO and TOMB RAIDER are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies. "PlayStation" and "PS3" are registered trademarks. "PS4" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
SOURCE Square Enix Inc.
Square Enix Inc.
CONTACT: David Yang, Square Enix, Inc., 310-846-0400, na.pr@us.square-enix.com
NUU Mobile's Unlocked Phones Roll Out in Meijer Stores
First brick & mortar retailer to carry NUU Mobile's unlocked Android Phones with 4G LTE
ROCHESTER, Minn., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- NUU Mobile is launching four of its unlocked Android phones at 165 Meijer stores throughout the upper Midwest. NUU Mobile will offer the first unlocked phones sold at Meijer. The phones are compatible with T-Mobile and AT&T networks including Cricket Wireless, H20 Wireless, Lycamobile, Metro PCS, Net10 Wireless, Red Pocket Mobile, Simple Mobile and TracFone.
"We're excited to partner with Meijer stores throughout the upper Midwest," said Chris Rutherford, vice president of consumer sales for NUU Mobile. "Having a presence for NUU Mobile in store allows us to be closer to our consumers and help meet the growing demand for feature-rich unlocked phones."
Pricing and Availability
Meijer stores will feature four NUU Mobile phones - the NU2S, NU3S, X1 and X3. The range of devices, priced $99.99 - $229.99, represent features that appeal to consumers new to the smartphone and unlocked market as well as current smartphone users looking for a cost-effective unlocked device.
"As consumers look to save money on their wireless service each month and move away from lengthy contracts with high subsidies, unlocked Android smartphones from NUU Mobile offer a great value to meet this demand, without compromising on the quality and features one would expect, at a fraction of the price," said Rutherford.
The NUU Mobile unlocked phones are being sold in 165 select Meijer stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.
The X Series - X1 and X3:
-- Features 4G LTE speeds up to 150 Mbps
-- Supports LTE networks on bands 2, 4 and 17 (T-Mobile and AT&T networks
and their MVNOs)
-- Built on Android's 4.4 KitKat operating system
-- Designed with a sleek black outer shell
The NU Series - NU2S and NU3S:
-- Features 4G HSPA+ speeds up to 21 Mbps
-- Supports T-Mobile and AT&T networks including Cricket Wireless, H20
Wireless, Lycamobile, Metro PCS, Net10 Wireless, Red Pocket Mobile,
Simple Mobile and TracFone
-- Built on Android's 5.0 Lollipop operating system
-- Dual SIMS supports 4G & 2G
-- Designed with a durable outer shell in black
Functionality and Flexibility
Equipped with dual SIM slots, consumers can have two phone numbers on one device, eliminating the need to carry separate phones for work and personal life. Also, the NUU Mobile devices boast expandable memory with microSDa (up to 32 GB) and removable lithium-polymer batteries.
"Many consumers still want to touch and feel devices prior to making a purchase," said Rutherford. "Not only are the features and functionality important in the buying process, the weight and feel of phones is also critical so having a presence in Meijer will help us meet that consumer need."
Clarity and Sharpness
The phones all feature crisp HD displays with wide-angle views, making the screens come to life with crystal clarity and vivid graphics when watching movies, videos or gaming.
"Our mission is to design and manufacture smartphones that match the best performance of leading brands, all at reasonable prices," said Rutherford.
Customize and Accessorize
Consumers can personalize phones with protective cases and tempered glass screen protectors, which will be available for $19.99 each through Meijer stores and at select online retailers.
Headquartered in Hong Kong and launched in 2012, NUU Mobile designs, engineers and manufactures high quality unlocked Android(TM) smartphones. The company provides an alternative option to rigid, long-term contracts for mobile consumers by offering smartphones with the latest technology, increased flexibility and exceptional quality at more accessible prices. The brand expanded to the United States in 2014, with offices in Rochester and Mendota Heights, Minn., and is currently growing its distribution in North and South America.
About Meijer
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 217 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As a pioneer of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, garden centers and electronics offerings. Additional information on Meijer and the ability to shop for more can be found at http://www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer or become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/meijer.
QNAP® Deepens Relationship with AMD®; Ships New Product Line Incorporating AMD G-Series Processor & 10GbE-ready Networking - A Home Run for Budget-conscious SMBs
POMONA, Calif., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- QNAP(®) Inc. knows small and medium business IT storage needs well; and starting today has a new Turbo NAS offering that perfectly blends storage capacity, performance, and business productivity - the TS-563. This new 5-drive desktop NAS features up to 30TB (with 5 6TB drives) of storage and is 10GbE network ready. This new model also features 2GB of DDR3L RAM (an 8GB model will also be available). The TS-563-2G is the second QNAP product line to be introduced; which features the AMD G-series quad-core 2.0GHz embedded processor with its impressive, virtualization and hardware accelerated encryption capabilities.
Today's small and medium businesses need to wring every dollar of productivity out of their IT spends and that extends to storage. QNAP's Turbo NAS' have evolved into being far more than just networked storage, file/printer sharing, and backup solutions. Today they can host virtual machines without the expense of VMware, host websites, and a bevy of other business critical applications. Extend the capabilities of a QNAP NAS further with a wide range of free Apps available from 3(rd) party developers, right from the dashboard of the embedded QTS management interface. QNAP's brand new Qsirch search feature makes it fast and easy to find documents, videos, photos, music, and more on the NAS through natural-search terms similar to how one would use a search engine.
The TS-563 - Deeper Dive
The TS-563 is available in 2 base configurations: The TS-563-2G with 2GB of DDR3L RAM pre-installed. The TS-563-8G has 8GB of DDR3L RAM but otherwise is the same. Both units are upgradable to 16GB RAM maximum. SSD-caching is supported for maximum multi-tasking for demanding SMB/workgroup environments. Both models have built-in Gigabit LAN ports and an expansion slot to allow up to two 10GbE ports to be added (or 2 additional Gigabit ports. 5 USB 3.0 ports and 2 eSATA ports are standard equipment.
Both new models feature the QTS 4.1 embedded NAS management software, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, JBOD support, a full range of virtualized network connectivity options, Windows AD support, and much, much more. The storage capacity can be easily expanded to up to a whopping 126TB (21 x 6TB drives) through the UX-800P expansion chassis. Naturally, private cloud support is included through QNAP's MyCloudNAS feature at no additional cost.
Price & Availability
The new TS-563-2G and -8G models are currently shipping in the US and Canada markets. For pricing, please contact QNAP sales or any reseller listed on the QNAP website.
About QNAP
QNAP Inc., as its brand promise "Quality Network Appliance Provider", aims to deliver comprehensive offerings of cutting edge network attached storage (NAS) and network video recorder (NVR) solutions featured with ease-of-use, robust operation, large storage capacity, and trustworthy reliability. QNAP integrates technologies and designs to bring forth quality products that effectively improve business efficiency on file sharing, virtualization applications, storage management and surveillance in the business environments, as well as enrich entertainment life for home users with the offering of a fun multimedia center experience. Headquartered in Taipei, QNAP delivers its solutions to the global market with nonstop innovation and passion.
Media Contact
Erick Oliveros, QNAP Inc.
Office 909-595-2819 ext. 196
Email
World's Smallest All-in-One Portable Printer - Primera Trio® - Now Shipping
Print, copy & scan from laptops & other USB-enabled devices
PLYMOUTH, Minn., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Specialty printer manufacturer Primera Technology, Inc., today announced the availability of the Primera Trio, the world's smallest and lightest portable all-in-one printer. Primera Trio prints, copies and scans in full color or black monochrome from a unit that weighs just 2.6 lbs. (1.2 kg), is about the size of a hardcover book, and fits easily into computer bags, backpacks and briefcases, setting a new benchmark in the portable printer market.
Designed for business and leisure travelers as well as local users with on-the-road printing needs, Primera Trio copies, scans and prints on standard A/A4-size paper with fast and reliable full-color inkjet technology. It can print text, graphics and photo-quality images on plain paper with up to 4800 dpi print resolution. Postcards, invitations and 4" x 6" borderless photos can be printed by using the printer's rear feed slot.
Innovative patent-pending design keeps the size small. For example, the top cover opens to reveal a built-in 10-sheet input feeder. A unique rotating print head is then moved to the "up" position so that the printer is ready for use. For traveling, the print head folds back down, caps itself to prevent drying out or leaking while in transit, and the top cover folds back into the case.
Primera Trio also:
-- Connects to any computer, laptop or tablet that includes a USB port and
supports Windows® Vista®, 7 and 8x or Mac® OSx 10.7+.
-- Includes scanning and copying software, which allows scans to be saved
as .pdf files, .jpg images or other common file formats.
-- Offers an optional battery pack that delivers up to 350 printed pages on
a single charge.
-- Personalize your printer with optional top covers in silver, white, pink
and blue.
"Until now, portable printing has never really been practical. Existing page-size portable printers are heavy and bulky; the smallest machines print only in black monochrome with low print resolution on old fax-style thermal paper that curls, fades in sunlight and easily scratches; and hotel business centers are notoriously outdated, out of order, out of paper and not secure," said Mark D. Strobel, Primera's vice president of sales and marketing. "Primera Trio is a true road warrior's dream. It is as easy to carry as a laptop, as full-featured as much larger and heavier desktop all-in-ones, and as close as your computer bag when you need it."
Pricing and Availability
Primera Trio sells for $399.95 (MSRP) and is available on most popular web stores or at http://www.primeratrio.com for USA orders. For orders from Canada or Latin America, call 1-855-797-2332. Prices vary in regions outside of the USA. Complete product details are available at http://www.primeratrio.com. Follow Primera Trio on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PrimeraTrio.
About Primera
Headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, Primera is one of the world's leading specialty printer manufacturers. Its products are sold worldwide in more than 183 countries through Primera's Authorized Resellers and Distributors. More information about Primera and its full line of products is available at http://www.primera.com or by calling 1-800-797-2772 (USA and Canada). Outside the USA and Canada, call (763) 475-6676 or FAX (763) 475-6677. E-mail to sales@primeralabel.com.
For Europe, Scandinavia, Middle East and Africa, contact Primera Europe GmbH in Germany by phone at +49-(0) 611-92777-0, by FAX at +49-(0) 611-92777-50, online at primeratrio.eu or by e-mail at sales@primera.eu.
For Asia Pacific, contact Primera Asia Pacific in Australia by phone at +61 3 8586 3030, online at store.primera.com.au or by email at sales@primera-ap.com.
Notes to Editors: Primera is a registered trademark and Primera Trio is a trademark of Primera Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies. Patents pending. Specifications subject to change.
Turtle Beach Corporation Partners With Amplified Resource Group, LLC For Groundbreaking HyperSound Clear(TM) Hearing Solutions Product
SAN DIEGO, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Turtle Beach Corporation (NASDAQ: HEAR), the leading-edge audio technology company, today announced a new partnership with Amplified Resource Group, LLC (ARG) as the Company continues making preparations to launch HyperSound Clear(TM) later this year. A first-of-its-kind hearing healthcare product, HyperSound Clear utilizes the Company's patented directional audio technology to deliver rich, 3D sound to the targeted listener to improve sound clarity and speech intelligibility for individuals with hearing loss - for a crisp, clear home entertainment listening experience when watching TV, listening to music and playing video games. Under this newly formed partnership, ARG - a leading provider of products and consulting services to the hearing healthcare industry - will add HyperSound Clear to its portfolio as soon as it becomes available.
"We're very excited to announce this partnership with ARG as they quickly grasped the value HyperSound Clear offers people with hearing loss and the hearing healthcare market," said Rodney Schutt, Senior Vice President and General Manager for the HyperSound® business at Turtle Beach Corporation. "HyperSound Clear is a great fit for the hearing healthcare industry, whether as a gateway product at the early stages of a patient's hearing health journey, or as an 'unplugged' entertainment solution after they've purchased hearing aids. Additionally, we believe HyperSound Clear reaches an even younger demographic who start struggling with the TV volume as early as their 40's, which helps lower the overall age when people address their hearing issues."
"Turtle Beach has a history of developing transformational products to bring to market," said Ken Payne, Director, Amplified Resource Group. "At ARG we are thrilled to partner with this innovative company and deliver HyperSound Clear to the people with hearing loss in the U.S. We're confident that this offering will be an unparalleled success."
HyperSound technology is a fundamentally new approach to sound delivery that utilizes thin panels to generate an ultrasound beam that carries audio through the air. The panels direct sound in a narrow, controlled beam; much the way a flashlight directs a beam of light. When an individual enters the beam, they hear immersive 3D audio, similar to wearing a surround sound headset.
HyperSound Clear speakers have been shown to improve sound clarity and speech intelligibility in individuals with hearing loss. Researchers estimate that one in five Americans, and one in three people over age 65, suffer from hearing loss. Impacting over 48 million Americans, hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition in the United States. An estimated 360 million people worldwide suffer from some form of hearing loss, and HyperSound Clear is on the verge of offering a new way for people with hearing loss to once again enjoy home entertainment.
About Amplified Resource Group, LLC
Amplified Resource Group, LLC (ARG) supplies a wide range of products and services and develops success strategies for private practice otolaryngology and private practice audiology. The company also provides extensive training to practitioners to ensure the successful implementation of strategic plans. More information on ARG can be found on the company's website at http://www.amplifiedresourcegroup.com.
About Turtle Beach Corporation
Turtle Beach Corporation (http://www.turtlebeachcorp.com) designs leading-edge audio products for the consumer, commercial and healthcare markets. Under the Turtle Beach brand (http://www.turtlebeach.com), the Company markets a wide selection of quality gaming headsets catering to a variety of gamers' needs and budgets, for use with video game consoles, including officially-licensed headsets for the Xbox One and PlayStation®4, as well as for personal computers and mobile/tablet devices. Under the HyperSound brand (http://www.hypersound.com), the Company markets pioneering directed audio solutions that have applications in digital signage and kiosks, consumer electronics and healthcare. The company's shares are traded on the NASDAQ Exchange under the symbol: HEAR.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Except for historical information contained in this release, statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements regarding assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events. Forward looking statements are based on management's statements containing the words "may", "could", "would", "should", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "target", "project", "intend" and similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current belief, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management.
While the Company believes that its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurances that its goals and strategy will be realized. Numerous factors, including risks and uncertainties, may affect actual results and may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements made by the Company or on its behalf. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the substantial uncertainties inherent in acceptance of existing and future products, the difficulty of commercializing and protecting new technology, the impact of competitive products and pricing, general business and economic conditions, risks associated with the expansion of our business including the implementation of any businesses we acquire, our indebtedness, and other factors discussed in our public filings, including the risk factors included in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's other periodic reports. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company any is under no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement after the date of this release whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
MecklerMedia Announces Launch of 3DPrinting@home and Robot@home at CEATEC in Tokyo; Japan's Largest Consumer Electronics Show, October 7-10, 2015
NEW YORK, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- MecklerMedia Corporation (OTCQX: MECK) announced its partnership with CEATEC (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) to produce 3DPrinting@home powered by Inside 3D Printing and Robot@home powered by RoboUniverse at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Tokyo on October 7-10, 2015.
Launched in 2000, CEATEC JAPAN has become the largest annual consumer electronics and IT exhibition in Japan. CEATEC brings together leading companies in advanced technologies and electronics where they can present the latest developments to the world. CEATEC attracts over 550 exhibitors and over 150,000 attendees.
CEATEC and MecklerMedia have joined forces to present 3DPrinting@home and Robot@home. This exhibition will feature the latest innovations, advancements, and technologies in 3D printing and robotics, and will show how these technologies are revolutionizing industries and making consumers' lives easier around the globe.
"We are pleased to have been selected by CEATEC, Japan's largest consumer electronics show, to curate an exhibition that brings together 3D printing and robotics innovators and trail blazers who are moving the industries forward," says Alan Meckler, Chairman and CEO, MecklerMedia.
If your company is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at 3DPrinting@home at CEATEC or an upcoming Inside 3D Printing event, please contact 3dprinting.sponsors@mecklermedia.com.
If your company is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Robot@home at CEATEC or an upcoming RoboUniverse event, please contact robouniverse.sponsors@mecklermedia.com.
About MecklerMedia:
MecklerMedia (OTCQX: MECK) is the leading producer of global trade shows, conferences, and digital publications covering 3D printing, robotics, and bitcoin/blockchain. MecklerMedia produces more than 25 conferences annually, including Inside 3D Printing, Inside Bitcoins, RoboUniverse, and the 3D Print Design Show. MecklerMedia's news sites include Inside Bitcoins News and 3D Printing Industry, which provide up-to-date coverage to help drive business forward.
SOURCE MecklerMedia Corporation
MecklerMedia Corporation
CONTACT: For press inquiries, please contact press@mecklermedia.com.
Chinasoft Launches IT Crowdsourcing Platform, JointForce, in Beijing
BEIJING and HONG KONG, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 19, 2015, the leading Chinese IT service company, Chinasoft International Limited (Ticker: 0354.HK), announced the launch of the enterprise services for its Jointforce platform ("liberation") at the Beijing International Conference Center. This "liberation" and the launch of Jointforce's enterprise services signifies an important step for the Company's transformation from a traditional IT services company to an Internet based platform company.
The Chairman and CEO of Chinasoft, Dr. Yuhong Chen, the ITS Group CEO, Mr. Qiang Tong and CTO of Chinasoft, Mr. Peng Han jointly initiated the "liberation" launch ceremony and explained the function and service of the platform in detail. Industry leaders including Alibaba Group CTO, Dr. Jian wang, the Chairman and CEO of UFIDA software, Mr. Wenjing Wang, the CEO of Kingsoft Cloud, Mr. Hongjiang Zhang, the Chairman of DHC Software, Mr. Xiangdong Xue, Chinasoft Industry Association Chairman, Mr. Xiaofan Zhao joined the event with more than 500 IT elites to discuss the future model and development of Jointforce.
The Jointforce platform ("liberation") is an IT crowd sourcing platform that allows one to optimize management through a trusted network. It is also a massive solution development, implementation and integration platform. The platform will gather industry talents, and quickly identify their expertise to create an IT services ecosystem. The platform will help IT companies to effectively utilize society resources to organize project deliveries and help clients "fast and affordable" IT services. The platform promises to find contracting engineers within 72 hours of posting jobs.
As up this writing, there are close to 40,000 engineers and over 1,000 IT companies registered on the Jointforce platform, forming a certain influence in the industry. In the future, the Company will cooperate with large platform companies in China including Alibaba and Tencent, further broadening the scope of Jointforce.
As Jointforce launches its enterprise services, it is expected that the amount of registered IT companies and engineers will continue to increase, helping the company to consolidate long tail markets and increase revenue. Furthermore, Jointforce will transform the Company's structure to increase the Company's profit. Lastly, once Jointfoce reaches certain activity levels, the company will develop value-add services on the platform to better consolidate the entire IT industry and create a multi-dimensional Internet ecosystem.
About ChinaSoft International Limited, "CSI" (354.HK)
Founded in 2000, ChinaSoft International Limited is a listed company in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange with its code of 354.HK. It is a large Chinese comprehensive software and information services provider, ranging from end to end services of consulting, solution, outsourcing and talent training. It serves clients including government, manufacturing, finance, telecommunication, high-tech, transportation as well as energy. It provides global services to over 100 multinational companies with more than 25,000 employees located worldwide based in 39 cities including mainland China, Hong Kong, Princeton, Seattle, London and Tokyo. For more information, please visit http://www.chinasofti.com.
SOURCE ChinaSoft International Ltd.
ChinaSoft International Ltd.
CONTACT: Jane Lin, +86-10-8286-2706, linss@chinasofti.com; Tracey Li, +86-10-8286-2706, lilinnan@chinasofti.com
D-Link Now Shipping Wide Angle 1080p Business IP Camera
Latest Network Camera includes Wide Angle Lens, PoE Support, 64GB SD Card Capacity and Free Cloud Service
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today D-Link announced it is now shipping the Full HD PoE Day/Night Network Camera (DCS-2210L). The new DCS-2210L replaces the current DCS-2210 and doubles the frame rate to 30 FPS, increases the field of view to a wide 103 degrees, doubles the SD card storage capacity from 32GB to 64GB, and adds support for the mydlink(®) cloud service, allowing convenient remote viewing of the camera from a mobile device or computer.
"This new HD Network Camera is quite unique. It packs in more features than most of our cameras in a compact, easy to install package," said Vance Kozik, director of marketing for IP Surveillance, D-Link Systems, Inc. "Wide angle viewing, 1080p resolution and a PIR motion sensor make it an attractive camera for both small businesses and residential locations."
The new camera offers 1920 x 1080 resolution, a built-in microphone and speaker, and integrated infrared illumination for seeing in complete darkness. Other features include a PIR (passive infrared) sensor for enhanced motion detection and PoE (Power over Ethernet), allowing for convenient single cable installation.
For added flexibility, the DCS-2210L network camera includes an integrated microSD card slot for local "in camera" recording of event-triggered video clips and snapshots for later review using a web browser. Also featured is H.264, MPEG-4 and MJPEG video compression, multiple independent streaming profiles and ONVIF compliance. With the included D-ViewCam software, users can also view, manage and record up to 32 cameras on a single computer in a central location as well as receive e-mail alerts if motion or digital input devices are detected. The DCS-2210L is mydlink-compatible, allowing for convenient and free remote access via web browser or mobile apps for iOS and Android.
More about the DCS-2210L:
-- Two Megapixel Full HD 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080)
-- Infrared LED night vision with viewing up to 15 feet in complete
darkness
-- 2.8mm lens (103 degree field of view)
-- microSD/SDXC card slot accepts up to 64GB card
-- Video motion detection and Passive Infrared motion detection
-- Integrated microphone and speaker for two-way audio
-- Built-in 802.3af compliant PoE module for easy installation in a variety
of locations without the need for supplemental power cabling
Pricing & Availability
The DCS-2210L is available now for an estimated price of $225. D-Link's IP surveillance cameras are sold through D-Link's vast network of channel partners, including value-added resellers, solution providers and distributors. Detailed specifications are available online at D-Link's website.
About D-Link
D-Link is the global leader in connectivity for home, small business, mid- to large-sized enterprise environments, and service providers. An award-winning designer, developer, and manufacturer, D-Link implements and supports unified network solutions that integrate capabilities in switching, wireless, broadband, storage, IP Surveillance, and cloud-based network management. For more information visit us.dlink.com, or connect with D-Link on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/d-link), Spiceworks (http://community.spiceworks.com/networking/d-link) and the D-Link Blog (http://businessblog.us.dlink.com/).
SerialTek Announces Advanced Adapters For PCI Express® Technology
Cost-Effective and Versatile PCI Express Adapters for BusXpert Analyzers
SAN JOSE, Calif., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- SerialTek, a leader in storage protocol analysis, improves upon the capabilities of its test solutions for PCI Express® (PCIe®) technology today by unveiling an advanced set of cost-effective and versatile adapters.
PCIe architecture continues to be a critically important specification that the company supports. SerialTek offers two analysis solutions for PCIe 3.0 technology that interoperable with SerialTek adapters. The BusXpert PRO, which supports data rates up to eight lanes at a maximum of 8.0 GT/s, and the smaller form-factor Micro, which supports four lanes at a maximum of 8.0 GT/s. At 4.5 lbs, the Micro is the smallest and lightest analyzer in its class. SerialTek analyzers, interposers and adapters for PCIe technology are designed and optimized for storage design and test validation. In addition to supporting the PCI Express architecture, the newer NVM Express specification for flash storage is also supported.
All SerialTek solutions for PCIe technology utilize low cost, reliable and high performance cabling. SFF-8644 cables have been slightly modified for use with the analyzers to be able to pass-through PCIe sideband signals. Each SFF-8644 cable combines four 12 Gb/s connections, making it ideal for connecting an interposer or adapter to a BusXpert Analyzer even at the 8 GT/s data rates supported by the PCIe 3.0 architecture; yet, unlike some other high speed cables, SFF-8644 cabling is easier to handle and use. They are also more reliable and cost substantially less.
In many test scenarios, interposers are used to probe data communication traffic for PCIe technology and SerialTek offers a wide variety of passive interposers for use with its analyzers.
However, there are test configurations where it is useful to validate with different form-factors on the host and device side. As an example, with SerialTek adapters, an engineer could utilize a host side slot adapter and a device side M.2 adapter. This permits an M.2 device to be plugged into a slot host while the communication data is being probed by a BusXpert analyzer. Adapters are also smaller than their interposer counterparts, permitting them to be used in more confined spaces. Lastly, these adapters are more cost-effective than traditional interposers, allowing them to be deployed as test harnesses for use only when issues arise at which point a BusXpert analyzer can be deployed without re-cabling or disruption to the system under test. Host and device side adapters are available for slot, M.2 and SFF-8639 form-factors.
As a PCI-SIG member, SerialTek holds a valued role in the advancement of PCIe technology," said Al Yanes, PCI-SIG chairman and president. "Products such as these analysis solutions support the growing adoption of the PCI Express architecture by giving developers and businesses improved tools to validate their PCIe implementations."
"These new adapters from SerialTek's are an exciting development for engineers that perform test and validation on PCI Express systems where flexible and cost-effective methods of probing data traffic on a PCIe architecture are important," says Mike Engbretson, Chief Technology Engineer at Granite River Labs, a world-leading engineering services and test solutions firm for high speed connectivity. "From our experience helping to enable the adoption of new connectivity technologies, we expect these SerialTek adapter technologies will help storage developers and manufacturers contain costs while enhancing their ability to troubleshoot PCIe technology in systems and devices."
"SerialTek has established a reputation for innovation in the storage tools market space. Small form-factors, ease of connectivity and low cost make these adapters ideal for situations where multiple setups are required such as in development and qualification labs," says Steve Wong, Director of Marketing at SerialTek. "In addition, SerialTek adapters offer flexibility in use by allowing users to mix interfaces of both the host system and target devices while performing analysis of the PCIe architecture."
The SerialTek advanced adapters for PCI Express technology are currently shipping. SerialTek offers no cost, no obligation evaluation systems, including PCIe adapters and interposers to qualified customers. For more information on the new advanced adapters for BusXpert Analyzers, please contact us at info@serialtek.com or one of our worldwide sales partners (http://www.serialtek.com/sales.asp). Alternatively, please visit the adapters landing page at http://www.serialtek.com/pcie-adapters.asp.
About SerialTek
SerialTek is a provider of innovative data storage test tools and solutions since 2007. Leading storage manufacturers depend on our products to improve product quality and drive time-to-market requirements. The company was founded with the goal of making test and measurement solutions more powerful and fast, yet easier to use. SerialTek's engineers include the original inventors of many of the popular features found in protocol analyzers, including hardware indexing during capture, buffer segmentation with auto-re-arm, ultra-fast histograms and multiple trigger sequencers. Our solutions support the Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), SATA (Serial ATA), PCI Express (PCIe), and Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) protocols.
About PCI-SIG
PCI-SIG is the consortium that owns and manages PCI specifications as open industry specifications. The organization defines I/O (input/output) specifications consistent with the needs of its members. Currently, PCI-SIG is comprised of nearly 800 industry-leading member companies. To join PCI-SIG, and for a list of the Board of Directors, visit http://www.pcisig.com.
PCI-SIG, PCI Express, PCIe and M-PCIe are trademarks or registered trademarks of PCI-SIG.
SOURCE SerialTek
SerialTek
CONTACT: Steve Wong, 408-391-0866, steve.wong@serialtek.com
Lebanon Opens London Office for Tech Entrepreneurs
LONDON, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
A new London office for Lebanese tech entrepreneurs, enabling them to use the UK as a
springboard for global growth, has opened in the heart of Tech City in Shoreditch.
The London office is the first overseas base of the new UK Lebanon Tech Hub, which
aims to support the growth of the knowledge economy in Lebanon.
It will allow the most promising Lebanese companies to base themselves at home but
visit London to tap into UK expertise and mentoring, develop partnerships, and use it as a
platform to break into new markets.
The UK Lebanon Tech Hub, launched on 30 April, is a joint initiative by Banque du
Liban, Lebanon's Central Bank, and the UK government through the British Embassy in
Beirut.
In the past, Lebanese business success has usually been achieved overseas: 90 per cent
of Lebanese live abroad and the diaspora is estimated to be around 14 million.
But in the last few years the ICT sector in Lebanon has witnessed significant growth:
during 2009-2014 due to factors such as the 'youth bulge', a new generation are looking to
take forward opportunities within their own country, rather than move abroad to start up.
The tech sector has grown by an average annual rate of 7.9 per cent to reach a market
size of US $381 million in 2014. The Beirut Digital District (BDD), launched in September
2012 that hosts the country's growing tech community, is symbolic of this change.
Government assistance has also improved, with entrepreneurs receiving financial
support through various initiatives including the Banque du Liban's Circular 331 scheme,
launched in 2013, which made available $400 million to encourage banks to invest in the
knowledge economy through direct investments or venture capital funds. Under the scheme,
the Banque du Liban covers 75 per cent of investment by commercial banks.
Colm Reilly, CEO of the UK Lebanon Tech Hub, said:
"For thousands of years Lebanon has had a reputation for trading and entrepreneurship.
Despite tough conditions in the region, this spirit is evident in the new generation of
entrepreneurs that are developing the country's tech scene.
"With the opening of the UK Lebanon Tech Hub office in Silicon roundabout, Lebanese
companies can be based in Beirut and also access London's flourishing tech cluster. With
an office in the heart of the capital, they can use it as launch pad for global growth."
The Tech Hub hopes to stimulate more start-ups that go on to bigger things, such as
shahiya.com, an Arabic recipe site established in 2010, which received around $500,000 in
VC funding in 2012. It has three million monthly users and was sold last year to Cookpad,
Japan's largest recipe site Cookpad for $13.5m.
Notes to editors:
More information about the UK Lebanon Tech Hub can be found
at:http://www.uklebhub.com/en/Home
Banque du Liban, Lebanon's Central Bank, and the UK government through the British Embassy in Beirut
CONTACT: David Hands, Senior Account Director, Apollo Strategic Communications, Tel: +44(0)20-7871-0587
iWedia's MHEG-5 Engine Enables Motive's TabletTV UK App to Give Support to "Red Button" Services
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for TV devices to service operators
and Consumer Electronics manufacturers, today announced it has provided the MHEG-5 engine
of the TabletTV UK app of London-based Motive Television, the digital television
technology, software and solutions provider.
Motive's TabletTV UK app combined with a mains-powered tuner (for use in the home), or
a battery-powered portable tuner (for use on the go) is the first and only of its kind to
deliver a full Freeview viewing experience on tablets in the United Kingdom.
The TabletTV UK app allows the viewer to benefit from the Freeview "red button"
interactive capabilities plus from additional state-of-the-art Motive features to watch
and record all Freeview channels.
To give support to the "red button" services, Motive has chosen to integrate iWedia's
MHEG-5 engine within the TabletTV UK app.
"Supporting the 'red button' services is a key advantage of our TabletTV UK product,"
commented Leonard M Fertig, CEO at Motive. "In order to efficiently achieve that goal, it
was essential for us to leverage a third party's MHEG-5 software and expertise; iWedia has
been the ideal partner with that respect."
"We are delighted to have provided our MHEG-5 products and services to Motive," said
Herve Creff, VP Marketing at iWedia. "And we are excited to have been part of their
innovative TabletTV UK project."
About Motive Television plc
Motive Television provides broadcasters and pay television operators with enabling
technology that provides opportunities to deliver highly valued services to viewers that
generate additional income and retain existing subscribers.
TabletTV
With a proprietary app and specified antenna-tuner, tablet owners around the globe can
watch and record all the programming currently broadcast over digital terrestrial
channels. Additionally, TabletTV subscribers have the ability to download a selection of
video-on-demand movies and programmes without the need for Internet access and, when they
are connected, use integrated social networking and access anything available over the
Internet.
Motive Television was founded in London in 2005 and its shares are quoted on the
London Stock Exchange (AIM).
iWedia, a Swiss based company, is a leader in provision of integrated software
solutions for television devices. iWedia provides a world class portfolio of intellectual
property (IP) for broadcast, IPTV, and over-the-top television and also software
integration services to combine this IP into high volume CE products. iWedia is
headquartered in Switzerland with development labs in Belgrade and Novi Sad, Serbia, and
sales and support offices in China, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, and Korea.
Studycat Announces Launch of ABC Galaxy, a New One and Two Player English Language Learning App for Kids
HONG KONG, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Studycat, a leading mobile application development company that specializes in interactive language learning tools for children, is announcing the launch of its new English language learning app ABC Galaxy, which will be available for download from Tuesday June 23.
Developed over 18 months in conjunction with schools and hundreds of kids, and designed for both kids learning English as a second language (ESL) and native speakers, ABC Galaxy takes a new approach to teaching young learners the English alphabet, phonics and vocabulary. Physics based gameplay tests kids' concentration, coordination, listening and problem-solving skills, while taking them on an exciting journey across space, land and sea. The design has already received incredibly positive feedback from teachers, parents and kids.
"ABC Galaxy takes a unique approach to teaching kids the English alphabet," says Mateo Solares, Founder and CEO of Studycat Limited. "Kids can play and learn alone or against friends in exciting two-player physics-based challenges. Learning the English alphabet has never been so much fun."
ABC Galaxy will be released for iOS devices (iPhone & iPad) on June 23, 2015 and will be available for download from the Apple App Store. The free to try version includes upper and lower case letters A to F, 42 illustrated vocabulary words, ten one-player levels and four two-player levels; the full version, available via in-app purchase, contains upper and lower case letters A to Z, 250 illustrated words and useful English phrases and 58 levels of gameplay -- 42 one-player levels and 16 two-player levels.
For more information about Studycat, ABC Galaxy and the full range of language learning apps available, visit http://studycat.net or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
About Studycat
Studycat has been creating educational language learning apps for kids since 2011. With apps designed to provide beginning language learners with an ever-increasing variety of games to ignite their natural language abilities, players test their dexterity while learning all the building blocks of language. Studycat are the developers of Fun English which has over 4 million users worldwide, is a top 5 ranking education app in 108 countries and a highest grossing iPad education app in 81 countries
Studycat Announces Launch of ABC Galaxy, a New One and Two Player English Language Learning App for Kids
HONG KONG, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Studycat, a leading mobile application development company that specializes in interactive language learning tools for children, is announcing the launch of its new English language learning app ABC Galaxy, which will be available for download from Tuesday June 23.
Developed over 18 months in conjunction with schools and hundreds of kids, and designed for both kids learning English as a second language (ESL) and native speakers, ABC Galaxy takes a new approach to teaching young learners the English alphabet, phonics and vocabulary. Physics based gameplay tests kids' concentration, coordination, listening and problem-solving skills, while taking them on an exciting journey across space, land and sea. The design has already received incredibly positive feedback from teachers, parents and kids.
"ABC Galaxy takes a unique approach to teaching kids the English alphabet," says Mateo Solares, Founder and CEO of Studycat Limited. "Kids can play and learn alone or against friends in exciting two-player physics-based challenges. Learning the English alphabet has never been so much fun."
ABC Galaxy will be released for iOS devices (iPhone & iPad) on June 23, 2015 and will be available for download from the Apple App Store. The free to try version includes upper and lower case letters A to F, 42 illustrated vocabulary words, ten one-player levels and four two-player levels; the full version, available via in-app purchase, contains upper and lower case letters A to Z, 250 illustrated words and useful English phrases and 58 levels of gameplay -- 42 one-player levels and 16 two-player levels.
For more information about Studycat, ABC Galaxy and the full range of language learning apps available, visit http://studycat.net or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
About Studycat
Studycat has been creating educational language learning apps for kids since 2011. With apps designed to provide beginning language learners with an ever-increasing variety of games to ignite their natural language abilities, players test their dexterity while learning all the building blocks of language. Studycat are the developers of Fun English which has over 4 million users worldwide, is a top 5 ranking education app in 108 countries and a highest grossing iPad education app in 81 countries
- New SPC-1 Result confirms Infortrend advantages with the lowest cost per SPC-1 IOPS
TAIPEI, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Infortrend® (Public TPE: 2495) is pleased to announce that its latest SPC-1 Result with the EonStor DS 3024B delivered the best SPC-1 IOPS per dollar ratio while providing strong performance in the mid-range enterprise storage segment, bringing exceptional value to mid-range customers.
The Infortrend EonStor DS 3024B, is a dual controller small form factor (SFF) 2U 24-bay system. Infortrend is among the first of a small group of storage vendors that utilized a 16Gb/s Fibre Channel configuration, delivering 218,007.79 SPC-1 IOPS. Combined with that excellent enterprise, midrange performance, the product established a new #1 ranking with the best SPC-1 Price-Performance, to date, with an SPC-1 IOPS per dollar ratio of $0.24[1].
"The latest metrics show our efforts are bearing fruit in delivering users advanced performance at real world prices for actual scenarios," said Thomas Kao, Senior Product Planning Director at Infortrend.
"We are glad to see such a good SPC-1 Result for Infortrend's EonStor DS 3024B RAID system with "PX02SM" - Toshiba's first eSSD to utilize 24nm eMLC NAND technology with a 12Gb/s dual port SAS interface. We worked closely with Infortrend to ensure the best performance as well as reliability and endurance," said Mr. Kashiwabara, Senior Manager of Marketing Dept., Toshiba Electronic Components Taiwan Corporation.
About Infortrend
Infortrend (Public TPE: 2495) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions for businesses and organizations since 1993. Innovation joins impeccable quality thanks to a passionate team of professionals and an emphasis on in-house design, testing, and manufacturing. Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards, backed by user friendly data services, personal after-sales support, and unmatched value. Core product families are EonStor DS, EonNAS, and ESVA. For more Information, please visit http://www.infortrend.com.
About the Storage Performance Council
The Storage Performance Council (SPC) is a vendor-neutral standards body focused on the storage industry. The SPC created the first industry-standard performance benchmark targeted at the needs and concerns of the storage industry. From component level evaluation to the measurement of complete distributed storage systems, the SPC benchmark portfolio provides independently audited, rigorous and reliable measures of performance, price-performance and power consumption. For more information about the SPC and its benchmarks, please visit: http://www.StoragePerformance.org.
Storage Performance Council, SPC-1, SPC-1 IOPS, SPC-1 Price-Performance and SPC-1 Result are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Storage Performance Council.
[1] The SPC-1 Executive Summary and Full Disclosure Report for the EonStor DS 3024B are available at: http://www.storageperformance.org/results/benchmark_results_spc1_top-ten/#spc1_top10_price
Infortrend®, EonStor®, EonNAS®, and ESVA® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology, Inc., other trademarks property of their respective owners.
Infortrend Europe Ltd.
Agnieszka Wesolowska
Tel:+44-1256-305-220
E-mail:marketing.eu@infortrend.com
Oracle Extends World's Most Comprehensive Enterprise Cloud Portfolio
-- New platform and infrastructure services enable developers, IT professionals, and business users to drive innovation and accelerate digital transformation
REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- At a live event today, Oracle Executive Chairman of the Board and CTO Larry Ellison announced new additions to the Oracle Cloud Platform, a comprehensive, integrated suite of services that make it easier for developers, IT professionals, business users and analysts to build, extend and integrate cloud applications. With more than 24 new cloud services, the Oracle Cloud Platform extends Oracle's leadership with the world's broadest and deepest portfolio of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS. Newly available Oracle Cloud services include Oracle Database Cloud - Exadata, Oracle Archive Storage Cloud, Oracle Big Data Cloud, Oracle Integration Cloud, Oracle Mobile Cloud, and Oracle Process Cloud.
The Oracle Cloud Platform helps customers build new applications, extend existing ones, and easily move existing on-premises workloads to the cloud with no application changes. The services are designed to maximize end user experience and productivity; enable developers to manage and analyze data, rapidly develop, test and deploy applications; enable architects to quickly integrate across on-premises and cloud applications; and enable business users to drive rich business insights and enterprise collaboration. With the Oracle Cloud Platform, customers and partners are able to take advantage of the industry-leading Oracle middleware and database software that thousands of global organizations already use to run their own businesses, all delivered via cloud. The extensive level of automation that has been engineered into the Oracle Cloud results in faster time-to-value, greater innovation, and lower cost for customers.
"Oracle is growing really fast. We sold $426M worth of business in SaaS and PaaS last quarter, a 200 percent increase over the same quarter last year. That's an industry record, no company has ever sold that much in just one quarter," said Ellison. "Oracle is the only company on the planet that can deliver a complete, integrated, standards-based suite of services at every layer of the cloud. Those technology advantages enable us to be much more cost-effective than our competitors. Our new Archive Storage service goes head-to-head with Amazon Glacier and it's one-tenth their price."
Oracle Cloud Platform is experiencing exponential growth and is already powering some of the world's most recognizable brands and organizations. Oracle Cloud Platform has more than 1,800 customers with 1,419 added in the last quarter. Australian Finance Group, Avaya, and Calix are a few of the many organizations using currently available Oracle Cloud Platform services, including the Database Cloud, Java Cloud, Documents Cloud, Business Intelligence Cloud, and the Database Backup Service.
"According to IDC's CloudView Survey, the top IT benefit of PaaS is having 'a self-service environment for access to development and deployment tools'- and for business users the top benefit is 'built-in integration with my SaaS applications,'" according to Robert Mahowald, program vice president, Cloud Software, IDC. "Having a full-service PaaS platform alongside a complete applications portfolio satisfies both needs, and users of the Oracle Cloud Platform benefit from access to the robust application development and deployment, data management, Big Data analytics, integration, and mobile capabilities, satisfying the key IT and LOB needs."
Oracle Cloud continues to show strong adoption, supporting 70+ million users and more than 33 billion transactions each day. It runs on 54,000 devices and more than 700 petabytes of storage in 19 data centers around the world.
The new Oracle Cloud Platform and Infrastructure services now available:
-- Oracle Database Cloud - Exadata Service brings the full power of the
Oracle Exadata database platform to the cloud. With this service,
customers can run Oracle databases in the cloud with the same
functionality, performance and availability of on-premises Oracle
Exadata-based production databases, already in operation at thousands of
mission critical sites worldwide. Oracle databases deployed in the cloud
as part of this service are 100 percent compatible with those that are
deployed on-premises, enabling a smooth migration to the cloud, as well
as a seamless transition to a hybrid cloud strategy.
-- Oracle Archive Storage Cloud Service provides storage for applications
and workloads that require long-term retention at the lowest price in
the industry. As a "deep cloud" archive, the Archive Storage Cloud is
suited for infrequently accessed large-scale data sets, such as
corporate financial records, medical and pharmaceutical archives,
cultural preservation content, insurance records and digital film
masters. The service, backed by enterprise-grade SLAs, enables
organizations to access archived documents and data sets using
industry-standard APIs, and integration with Oracle and third-party
backup, archival and preservation software. It also provides an
additional tier for on-premises Oracle storage systems, including ZS
Series, FS Series and Oracle StorageTek tape solutions.
-- Oracle Big Data Cloud Service and Big Data SQL Cloud Service provides a
high-performance, secure platform for running diverse workloads on
Hadoop and NoSQL databases to help enterprises acquire and organize Big
Data. Combined with the new Big Data SQL Cloud, Oracle Big Data Cloud
extends Oracle's industry-leading implementation of SQL to Hadoop and
NoSQL, providing users with a comprehensive Big Data Management System
in an enterprise cloud.
-- Oracle Integration Cloud Service simplifies integration between the
cloud and on-premises Oracle and third-party applications. Innovative
new features, such as pre-built integrations and embedded best practice
recommendations, provide an entirely new application integration
experience...
-- Oracle Mobile Cloud Service ...
-- Oracle Process Cloud Service ... for the full release text, please
visit: http://bit.ly/1RraEaS
About Oracle
Oracle offers a comprehensive and fully integrated stack of cloud applications and platform services. For more information about Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), visit oracle.com.
Trademarks
Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
RS Components Introduces DesignSpark Mechanical Premium Add-on Modules for 3D Design Tool
Two new optional premium modules available for intuitive 3D design software, adding new functionality to make the tool more powerful to support engineers in the rapid development of product concepts
BEIJING, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, today announced the expansion of DesignSpark Mechanical with two new optional premium modules that significantly extend the functionality of the existing version of the tool.
Developed in conjunction with SpaceClaim, the leading provider of flexible and affordable 3D modelling software for engineers, DesignSpark Mechanical is an advanced 3D direct modelling tool that can be downloaded free of charge. Notwithstanding the availability of these optional premium paid-for modules, which can now be purchased from RS, very importantly the fundamental software that is available today will remain free to all users with continued support, new versions and updates from RS into the foreseeable future. DesignSpark Mechanical is a key element of the initiative by RS to provide tools for engineers that enable them to rapidly develop prototypes in the product concept design stage. For example, the software's STL-output format enables the direct export of designs to 3D printers.
The first premium module available is DesignSpark Mechanical Exchange, which adds advanced import/export capabilities and enables the import, modification and export of industry-standard STEP and IGES file formats, which allows full exchange of design data with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Catia, ProEngineer and AutoCAD. The module can enable engineers to integrate DesignSpark Mechanical into a product development toolchain that works across various software platforms, moving beyond concept creation to a seamless workflow for producing final designs. It means that companies can pass designs to their mechanical department or outside contractors for final design creation and manufacturing and do not have to invest in highly expensive 3D CAD licences or training.
The second premium module -- DesignSpark Mechanical Drawing -- adds SpaceClaim's Associative Drawing environment, which allows the changing of designs, as well as the ability to create and modify geometry from within drawing views. It enables the creation of detailed dimensioned drawings allowing designers to move beyond concept development and the 3D printing of prototypes and on to final manufacturing. The drawing environment also provides a familiar workspace for those accustomed to working in 2D. In this environment, drawings support annotations, including geometric dimensioning and tolerances, notes and leaders, to JIS, ISO, and ANSI standards.
"The advanced capabilities of the essential and free version of DesignSpark Mechanical will meet the 3D design requirements of the large majority of users," said Glenn Jarrett, Global Head of Product Marketing at RS Components. "However, these two premium modules will further enhance the tool and offer more functionality to highly advanced users at a very competitive price, and enable them to create a seamless concept-to-production workflow."
These two new premium modules build on top of the latest version of free-to-download DesignSpark Mechanical. Version 2 of the software was released in December 2014 and added several features that had been requested by DesignSpark Mechanical users to enable an even better 3D design experience. These improvements include a simplified user interface and access to a new 3D catalogue allowing the rapid insertion of tens of thousands of 3D models from leading component manufacturers. Also integrated in version 2 were all the necessary RS purchasing data for fast Bill-of Materials (BOM) creation and also a QuickParts® 3D printing service, which is available via RS in conjunction with its partner 3D Systems.
The DesignSpark Mechanical Add-On modules are available for purchase on the RS site at http://www.rs-online.com: DesignSpark Mechanical Exchange is priced at $795 DesignSpark Mechanical Drawing is priced at $795 and the DesignSpark Mechanical Add-On Bundle, comprising both the Exchange and Drawing modules, is priced at $995.
RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc, the global distributor for engineers. With operations in 32 countries, we offer more than 500,000 products through the internet, catalogues and at trade counters to over one million customers, shipping around 44,000 parcels a day. Our products, sourced from 2,500 leading suppliers, include electronic components, electrical, automation and control, and test and measurement equipment, and engineering tools and consumables.
Electrocomponents is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year ended 31 March 2015 had revenues of GBP1.27bn.
Thrivent Financial Invites Race Fans To Play 'Driven To Thrive--To 95' Online Game Benefiting Habitat For Humanity®
Race Fans Can Win Grand Prize of VIP Trip to Homestead, FL to Meet NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Michael McDowell
MINNEAPOLIS, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Through a new interactive game introduced today by Thrivent Racing, fans not only have the chance to win prizes, they also can be part of a $95,000 donation from Thrivent Financial to Habitat for Humanity. Plus, just by playing, they will also be entered into a grand prize drawing for a VIP trip for two to the championship race weekend on Nov. 22 in Homestead, Fla.
Thrivent Racing represents the partnership of not-for-profit financial services organization Thrivent Financial, Leavine Family Racing and NASCAR driver Michael McDowell. Thrivent is a primary sponsor of Leavine Family Racing's No. 95 NASCAR Sprint Cup car and McDowell for the 2015 NASCAR race season. Their relationship has been extended to include fans through ThriventRacing.com, a microsite that brings fans under the hood of a growing race team and offers real-time updates and access to behind-the-scenes action with McDowell. Now through Oct. 15, fans can engage even further by playing the Driven to Thrive--to 95! game for the chance to win prizes and live generously through Thrivent's contribution to Habitat for Humanity.
"This game is a fun way for us to engage with NASCAR fans and let them experience Thrivent's mission to live generously while benefiting a cause that's especially meaningful to us," said Craig Stacey, Thrivent Director of Marketing. "Habitat for Humanity is an organization Thrivent has partnered with for many years, and now we welcome the NASCAR community to join us. Plus, we are giving fans a chance to win No. 95 merchandise and even a trip to the championship race in Miami where the lucky winner will get to meet our driver, Michael McDowell."
After launching the online game at http://www.ThriventRacing.com, participants will click to uncover each of nine tiles to reveal "hidden" game symbols. By matching three like symbols, the player wins one of the various prizes. Uncovering one special tile will unlock a donation by Thrivent to Habitat for Humanity in an amount ranging from $1 to $95*.
Thrivent Racing prizes include No. 95 diecast cars, branded koozies, autographed hero cards and more. All players will be entered to win the grand prize - a VIP trip for two to the championship race in Homestead, Fla.
No purchase is necessary to participate and fans will have the choice to add their own contribution to Habitat for Humanity to the Thrivent donation, or express interest in volunteering for a Habitat build, if desired.
The game furthers Thrivent's commitment to Habitat for Humanity and offers race fans a chance to participate in the effort. Thrivent is the largest non-governmental supporter of Habitat through a unique partnership called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, which is in its 10(th) year. More than 4,000 homes have been built or repaired in the U.S. and abroad as part of Thrivent Builds, and 4.4 million volunteer hours have been contributed by Thrivent member volunteers through this program.
Leavine Family Racing and Michael McDowell recently participated in a Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity Repairs project in North Carolina alongside Thrivent Financial representatives and members.
"I'm really glad that Thrivent is able to bring what they do with Habitat to the NASCAR community," said McDowell. "We really enjoyed being hands on and giving back at the Thrivent Builds event and I'm thrilled that we can bring a part of that to NASCAR fans who can help us donate $95,000 to this great cause and have a chance to attend the championship race weekend in Miami."
A digital speedometer housed on the Thrivent Racing website will track progress toward the $95,000 commitment to support Habitat for Humanity's mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.
After completing the game, players can earn bonus entries into the grand prize drawing for each friend that enters through a link they share via Facebook and Twitter.
The online game launches on June 22, 2015 and ends Oct. 15, 2015. For official rules and more information, please visit http://www.ThriventRacing.com. Race fans can like or follow Thrivent Racing on Facebook (facebook.com/ThriventRacing) and Twitter (@ThriventRacing) for the latest news, photos and videos from the team.
* Thrivent will make a $95,000 contribution to Habitat for Humanity International in connection with this Promotion. Unlocking a tile is for entertainment purposes only and will not affect Thrivent's contribution amount.
About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent Financial is a Fortune 500* financial services organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. As a membership organization, it offers its nearly 2.4 million member-owners a broad range of products, services and guidance from financial representatives nationwide. For more than a century it has helped members make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. The organization has $96.1 billion in assets under management (as of December 31, 2014), and has been named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for four years in a row by The Ethisphere® Institute (2012-2015). For more information, visit http://www.thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent. For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures
*Fortune, June, 2015
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.
Halokit Announces a New High Tech Electroplating Process That Gives Steel Apple Watch an 18-karat Gold Body
Halokit's new, advanced electroplating technology makes 18-karat gold Apple Watches affordable with true color-matched authenticity
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Halokit has developed a new technology that permanently bonds real 18-karat gold onto any Apple Watch. The advanced electroplating process uses a low powered current to bond gold to all the standard stainless steel components of the Apple Watch.
Halokit is targeting a huge gap in the Apple Watch market. The special edition watch that features an 18-karat gold body, is currently being sold for more than $10,000, making it one of the most expensive wearable devices on the planet.
That hefty price tag puts the gold Apple Watch out of range for the average consumer. However, with its affordable technology, Halokit is making the gold watch a reality at a fraction of the retail price.
Electroplating involves passing an electric current through a solution called an electrolyte. This is achieved by dipping two electrode terminals into the electrolyte and connecting them into a circuit with a stable power supply. When the electricity flows through the circuit they make the electrolyte split up and the gold metal atoms are deposited in a layer on top of one of the electrodes - the steel Apple Watch -- creating a permanent gold bond.
According to Halokit's CTO, Brian Yang, their proprietary 18-k gold electroplating method uses the latest technology to coat each watch with exactly color-matched 18-karat gold that is extremely resistant to fading. The gold plating is thicker than that offered through any other process - and comes with a full two-year warranty guaranteeing customer satisfaction.
"There are other gold plating services and kits on the market, but they have been known to damage the Apple Watch," says Yang. "That's because most services use an extremely imprecise process called 'pen plating' that will leave your watch blotchy with an uneven coating. Our method completely immerses the watch in a safe solution for a thick, uniform coating that makes the gold layer resistant to fading and scratching. In addition, most services are using a 24-karat gold solution that does not color-match the authentic Apple Watch. Halokit uses 18-karat gold, just like the real thing, giving you the most precise and authentic looking gold hue you can find anywhere."
Yang stresses that Halokit's gold plating technology avoids the use of cobalt as an additive because it commonly gives an orange brown appearance to plated gold.
Using insured and tracked shipping, watches are sent to the Halokit facility in Vancouver, BC. The gold transformation electroplating process is completed and shipped back to anywhere in North America within three to four business days. The service costs $299. The tracked shipping is free of charge.
Halokit emphasizes that its gold-plating alternative is not only cost-effective, but also not harmful to the environment.
"Most consumers don't know where gold comes from or how it is mined," notes Yang. "Gold mining can be a destructive industry that displaces communities, contaminates drinking water, hurts workers and destroys pristine environments. Halokit takes pride in using ethically sourced gold, which has minimal effect on our environment."
Halokit offers a choice of traditional 18-karat yellow gold or rose gold, which can be viewed on their website. All of their gold is 98% pure and will match the Apple Watch Edition. Two-year warranty protection is included.
For those desiring extra bling, the company can also add an optional Swarovski crystal to the crown, in a choice of colors. Diamonds are another option.
To learn more about Halokit services and technology or to place an order, visit http://www.halokit.ca. For press related inquiries contact: b.yang@halokit.ca, +1-604-355-7358
Can You Walk the Walk? Puts You Where Only One Person In The History Of Mankind Has Ever Been
Walk 110 Stories in the Air Through Virtual Reality Using "Project Morpheus" for PlayStation®4
CULVER CITY, Calif., June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA), Sony Pictures Entertainment, and IMAX Corporation today are teaming up to deliver "Can You Walk the Walk?" - a virtual reality (VR) experience that puts you right out onto a high-wire walk between the towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. The demo will be presented on "Project Morpheus" (Morpheus) - a VR system developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) that takes the PlayStation®4 (PS4(TM)) system to new levels of immersion and demonstrates the future of gaming.
"Can You Walk the Walk" will be on display this week at CineEurope in Barcelona.
Morpheus enables players to experience a sense of presence, where they feel as though they are inside the virtual world of a game, through high resolution visuals, advanced tracking, 3D audio technology, and the power of PS4. This unique VR system has been met with huge interest and industry enthusiasm since the unveiling of Morpheus in March 2014. Featuring a 5.7-inch 1920 x RGB x 1080 resolution OLED display, 120fps output, nine LEDs for accurate positional tracking with PlayStation®Camera, and a user-friendly design, Morpheus is set to launch as a consumer product in the first half of 2016.
In "Can You Walk the Walk," Morpheus users can experience for themselves what it was like to balance in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers, the feat dramatized in the upcoming film The Walk. In the film, Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), guided by his real-life mentor, Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), is aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, who overcome long odds, betrayals, dissension and countless close calls to conceive and execute their mad plan. Academy Award® winner Robert Zemeckis, the master director of such marvels as Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Back to theFuture, Polar Express and Flight, again uses cutting edge technology in the service of an emotional, character-driven story. With innovative photorealistic techniques and IMAX® 3D wizardry, The Walk is genuine big-screen cinema, a chance for moviegoers to viscerally experience the feeling of reaching the clouds. It is also one of the rare live-action films that is a PG-rated, all-audience entertainment for moviegoers 8 to 80 - and a true story to boot. Already honored as the opening night of the New York Film Festival, The Walk is a love letter to Paris and New York City in the 1970s, but most of all, to the Towers of the World Trade Center.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the screenplay is by Robert Zemeckis & Christopher Browne, based on the book "To Reach the Clouds" by Philippe Petit, and produced by Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis, and Jack Rapke.
"Can You Walk the Walk" invites users to try Petit's walk for themselves - stepping out onto the wire to make Petit's historic pass between the towers. Petit trained for years to make his 'coup' possible; only in Virtual Reality is such a feat possible for the rest of us.
Sony Pictures commissioned the team at Culver City-based Create Advertising Group to develop and deliver the "Can You Walk The Walk" VR experience.
Commenting on the announcement, Dwight Caines, president, Theatrical Marketing, said, "'Can You Walk the Walk' is a thrilling experience. With Morpheus, now ordinary people can see what it is like to walk between the 140 feet between the World Trade Centers, over 1,300 feet up in the air. It's one thing to imagine stepping onto that thin wire and quite another when that's your entire frame of reference, as only VR can show. 'Can You Walk the Walk' gives a first-person look at something only one person has ever or will ever see, and it gives another layer of meaning to the motion picture experience that Robert Zemeckis is creating."
"We've been thrilled with the reception Project Morpheus has received within the gaming community, and we look forward to giving a broader audience a chance to experience virtual reality from PlayStation," said Phil Rosenberg, senior vice president, business development and publisher relations, SCEA. "VR is a powerful new medium, and 'Can You Walk the Walk?' demonstrates the potential for this exciting technology outside of gaming."
"Not only is The Walk the crowning achievement of a master filmmaker, it is a once-in-a-lifetime motion picture experience, unlike anything you've ever seen before. That's why we jumped at the chance to be a part of this campaign," said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President of IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. "IMAX is thrilled to be teaming up with Bob Zemeckis and our partners at Sony Pictures on 'Can You Walk the Walk?' as we support the delivery of this innovative virtual reality experience to a select audience."
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) has revolutionized home entertainment since the first PlayStation® console launched in 1995 in the United States, followed by the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system launch in 2000. SCEA continued to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system, PlayStation®Network, PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) handheld entertainment system, and the PlayStation®4 (PS4(TM)) computer entertainment system. Recognized as an undisputed industry leader, SCEA markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for PS3, PS Vita, and PS4 systems in North and South America. Based in San Mateo, California, SCEA serves as headquarters for all North and South American operations.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. As of March 31, 2015, there were 943 IMAX theatres (820 commercial multiplexes, 18 commercial destinations and 105 institutions) in 63 countries.
The traditional summer games drop is in full swing at MyRealGames.com, the hot gaming
destination that allows players to download free games for PC
[http://www.myrealgames.com/download-free-games ], mobiles or tablet devices. This June, it
will give gamers more choice than ever with dozens of new titles uploaded and ready to be
enjoyed across a number of popular genres.
One of the first of the new set of games is Royal Envoy 2, a time management challenge
for players of all ages. Gamers must take on the role of city planner and help the King to
return his kingdom of Middleshire to its former glory. While building homes and repairing
factories, there are ancient caves and mines to explore, leprechauns to befriend and
snowball fights and volcanoes to contend with. The entire game can be downloaded for free
to enjoy through the summer.
For summer brides and brides-to-be, the PC downloadable Dream Day Wedding: Viva Las
Vegas offers a fun way to whittle away a few hours. A romantic hidden object seek and find
adventure, Dream Day Wedding: Viva Las Vegas turns Sin City into one big treasure hunt!
Players are tasked with the job of locating more than 1000 items, essential to the big
day. As the clock ticks down to the nuptials, gamers must crack a series of mini games and
puzzles, navigate ever more difficult obstacles and get ready to hit the jackpot!
New in the Match 3 and puzzle genre is the hotly anticipated, The Path of Hercules.
With more than 60 levels and free to download for Windows users, players have their work
cut out for them appeasing the angry Gods of Ancient Greece. In order to win back the
Greek people's riches, gamers must explore seven famous cities, matching three-in-a-row
and finding hidden objects to revive the neglected empire and restore wealth once again.
Also new in June is the Treasures of Montezuma 2 - a match 3 game for mobile and
online use. Compatible with Android, iPhone and iPad, players have to combine multiple
pieces of the same color and successfully complete challenging missions within a set
timeframe. Those succeeding will unlock bonuses and upgrades to progress further through
the game.
Nikolai Veselov from MyRealGames.com said, "Summer is a great time to explore My Real
Games as we have so many hot new titles that can be enjoyed anywhere. Why not play by the
pool on a mobile device?"
Dacuda Releases World's Smallest Wireless Scanner To The Global Public
Following a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, PocketScan is giving anyone the ability to scan anything at any time and immediately turn text and tables into editable content.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Dacuda launched its groundbreaking PocketScan product to the public today, making the world's smallest wireless scanner available to users across the globe. The limited Kickstarter edition of PocketScan is now available on shop.dacuda.com. Until July 19th, a limited amount of PocketScans will be sold at $99 instead of $169 as a special launch promotion.
The public launch happens exactly one year after PocketScan's wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, which flew past its $50,000 goal and raised $542,732 in June 2014, making it one of the most successful projects in Kickstarter's history. Dacuda has since completed the campaign and shipped PocketScans to thousands of backers worldwide, receiving rave reviews from early customers - nearly 90% of all users would recommend it to their friends. Now, anyone can buy a PocketScan and begin transforming the way they work, study, and create.
"This thing is bloody amazing - I use it every day to scan in roughs for my illustrations," said Hamish McDonald, a Kickstarter backer. "The other day I scanned in a recipe, and was stunned to find the Optical Character Recognition hit 100% accuracy. I have never ever seen OCR that good," he adds. Other Kickstarter backers are just as excited, with additional comments flooding in from PocketScan early adopters: "I like it. I'm in a school of 70 teachers and spreading the word," "great text recognition - makes studying a lot easier," "mindblowing product," and "I am proud to have backed you on Kickstarter."
The possibilities are endless for what PocketScan can be used for. Favorite recipes can be scanned and personalized, works in foreign languages can easily be translated and read out loud, antique pictures, and those that are too big for traditional scanners can easily be cataloged and treasured. This all from a handheld scanner that is barely larger than a business card.
PocketScan is also a productive office tool, producing high-quality scans and offers powerful text recognition that is ideal for Word and Excel, magically transforming text or tables on paper into editable content. The size makes the device an ideal companion for laptops, tablets and smartphones and is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, connecting to your device via Bluetooth.
"Many thanks again to thousands of Kickstarter backers, who have helped to make PocketScan a truly unique device and who use it on a daily basis," says Dr. Peter Weigand, CEO of Dacuda, "We are now looking forward to providing PocketScan to anyone who missed our Kickstarter campaign and wants to work smarter and be more creative."
About Dacuda
Dacuda is a privately held computer vision company that pioneered a new way of scanning. Dacuda's patented and mass-market proven SLAM Scan® technology enables real-time image stitching over space and time for any handheld device. Applications include smart peripherals (e.g. PocketScan), mobile photography (e.g. LTL Wide Angle), and 3D imaging. The headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland.
SOURCE Dacuda
Dacuda
CONTACT: Tony Keller, tkeller@sspr.com, 312-750-0858
OWC Announces Hard Drive SMC Compatibility Kit for all Apple iMacs 2009 and Newer Now Supports Capacities Up to 8TB
Apple iMac owners can now upgrade their storage capacity to 8TB, maintaining proper system fan control and full Apple Diagnostics compatibility
WOODSTOCK, Ill., June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Other World Computing (OWC), a leading zero emissions Mac and PC technology company, announced today that the OWC Hard Drive DIY Kit for iMac now enables iMac owners to replace the factory-installed hard drive with a new hard drive up to 8TB, all while maintaining proper system fan control and native compatibility with Apple Diagnostics.
-- Eliminates excessive fan noise and maintains correct system fan control
when upgrading the storage of a 2009 or newer iMac
-- Engineered to work natively with Apple Diagnostics
-- Eliminates thermal compatibility issues with third party drives; Use
virtually any SATA drive!
-- Ideal for iMac owners and service providers
-- OWC Install Videos guide you every step of the way
-- Backed by OWC's award-winning customer support
The Problem: Custom Drive Firmware
With the introduction of the iMac, Apple's factory-installed drives contained custom firmware that communicated thermal data to the System Management Controller (SMC). Off-the-shelf hard drives do not include the custom firmware, and as a result, SMC is unable to monitor the temperature of the hard drive and the iMac fans will run at full speed and fail Apple diagnostics as a failsafe.
Despite various 'hacks', the best solution is to still use Apple's SMC to ensure proper monitoring of drive and system health.
The Proven Solution: OWC Hard Drive DIY Kit
With easy step-by-step videos and installation tools, the OWC Hard Drive DIY Kit includes a custom-designed digital thermal sensor that connects virtually any 3.5" SATA drive to the iMac. The thermal module communicates drive temperature data to the SMC, enabling proper system fan control.
This innovative plug-and-play device requires no software hacks and is also fully compatible with Apple diagnostic testing, allowing all 2009 and newer iMac owners to retain proper cooling and pass the Apple Hardware Test when installing a replacement drive.
"The Hard Drive DIY Kits for 2009 and newer iMacs represent our commitment to DIY enthusiasts and upgraders," said Larry O'Connor, Founder and CEO, OWC. "It's an unfortunate fact that all hard drives will eventually fail, but this innovative kit from OWC represents the best complete, proven solution for replacing and upgrading with more capacity while retaining proper system operation."
Includes:
-- OWC In-Line Digital Thermal Sensor Cable and Fan Control assembly for
iMac
-- NewerTech 14-piece Toolkit
-- OWC Microfiber Cloth
-- 2 NewerTech Suction Cups
-- Quick Start Guide
Compatibility:
OWC's In-Line Digital Thermal Sensor HDD DIY Kit is available for immediate ordering.
iMac 2009 - 2010 $57.00
---------------- ------
Mac 2011 $57.00
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iMac 2012 -present
(including Retina 5K) $59.00
---------------------- ------
Bringing it to a professional installer or already have your own tools? All kits are also available without installation tools for $39.75.
The OWC Trust Advantage(®)
-- Over 25 years of product design and innovation
-- OWC tested for compatibility, speed and reliability
-- Comprehensive step-by-step installation and support videos
-- 24/7 award-winning, U.S.-based customer support
About OWC
OWC is the manufacturer and upgrade provider of choice for Apple and PC enthusiasts and has been providing OWC memory upgrades for Apple computers since 1988. Widely recognized for its exemplary customer service, OWC provides extensive US-based technical support for Mac and PC users around the world.
Jabra Introduces World's First Wireless Earbuds With Cross Training Coaching And Music
Jabra Sport Coach Wireless offers an integrated motion sensor and companion Sport Life app to provide real-time in-ear audio coaching
LOWELL, Mass., June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For fans of burpees, lunges, squats and planks who want the added motivation of individual coaching while listening to music, the world's first wireless cross-training audio solution has arrived! The Jabra Sport Coach(TM) wireless earbuds combine personalized in-ear coaching with premium Dolby sound to get the most out of cross training workouts. The launch of the Sport Coach extends Jabra's sport audio product line, and follows the award-winning Jabra Sport Pulse(TM) wireless earbuds that introduced in-ear heart rate monitoring for the very first time. Jabra Sport Coach is available exclusively at Best Buy retail stores and at BestBuy.com beginning today.
Key features of the new Jabra Sport Coach Wireless earbuds include:
-- Optimization for cross training
-- Best music experience with premium Dolby® sound quality
-- Integrated motion sensor and advanced Sport Life app provide real-time
in-ear audio coaching
-- Secure fit, lightweight and compact design
-- Extends Jabra's sports audio product range, pioneered by the
award-winning Sport Pulse wireless earbuds for runners
Developed to meet the needs of cross training enthusiasts, the Jabra Sport Coach Wireless creates customized workouts based on over 40 different exercises via the Sport Life companion app. The app lets users plan, track, and analyze cross training workouts, choosing exercises from beginner to advanced, with in-the-moment, personalized in-ear audio coaching. In addition, the integrated TrackFit(TM) motion sensor provides advanced tracking of pace, distance, step count, cadence and calories to ensure optimal performance.
"For sports, we are committed to delivering innovative audio solutions designed to enhance the training experience for fitness enthusiasts," says Jabra CEO Rene Svendsen-Tune. "We started by specifically targeting runners, and now we are taking the next step by delivering a solution optimized for cross trainers. We see clear possibilities for in-ear audio solutions combined with biometrics."
Cross training - or high-intensity interval training - has been identified by fitness experts at the American College of Sports Medicine as the top trend for 2015((1)). Research shows it offers an excellent way to improve muscle tone, energy, speed and performance, giving results in less time. The Jabra Sport Coach earbuds are designed specifically for cross-training and HIIT, whether at the gym, at home or in a hotel room, ensuring users stay motivated and achieve fitness performance goals.
The Sport Coach wireless earbuds are available for purchase online and in Best Buy retail stores for $149. Additional information can be found at Jabra.com or Facebook.com/Jabra.com.
About Jabra
Jabra is the brand of GN Netcom, a subsidiary of GN Store Nord A/S (GN) - listed on NASDAQ OMX. A world leader in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of a broad range of communications and audio solutions, Jabra has a reputation for innovation, reliability, and ease of use that goes back more than two decades. Jabra's consumer and business divisions produce corded and wireless headsets, plus mobile and in-office speakerphones that empower individuals and businesses through increased freedom of movement, comfort, and functionality. Jabra employs close to 1000 people worldwide and in 2014 produced an annual revenue which amounted to DKK 2,871 million. http://www.jabra.com.
CONTACT: John Leroy, 360 Public Relations for Jabra, 617-585-5791, jleroy@360pr.com; Sheila Tayebi, 360 Public Relations for Jabra, 617-585-5764, stayebi@360pr.com
Gimbal, Inc., PlaceWise Media Partner to Deliver More Targeted and Personalized Offers to Shoppers Nationwide
PlaceWise Media to Leverage Industry-leading Gimbal App Publisher Ecosystem to Enhance User Engagement and Relevant Offers in Shopping Malls
SAN DIEGO and DENVER, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Gimbal, Inc., the leader in location and proximity-based mobile engagement, and PlaceWise Media, the largest provider of digital media services for the shopping center industry, today announced a partnership to provide Gimbal's proximity engagement services to PlaceWise's client base of mall properties. To better connect and engage with shoppers, PlaceWise will begin by installing Gimbal Proximity Beacons Series 21 across more than 60 premier malls and retail centers by the end of 2015.
The initial phase of deployment, which is already underway, includes 27 PlaceWise client properties. With Gimbal technology, PlaceWise adds beacons to its proximity marketing layer of Wi-Fi and geofencing capabilities. PlaceWise's private digital network of nearly 700 centers nationwide, currently exceeding 10 million monthly visitors, will be able to reach a broader audience of on-premise shoppers through all three components of mobile engagement.
With a complete hardware and software solution, Gimbal provides a means for brands and retailers to utilize physical or digital infrastructure to actively engage with opt-in users. Additionally, the Gimbal digital ownership model associated with its proximity beacons allows PlaceWise to deploy beacons and decide who can use them. This ownership opens up new revenue models, but also gives shoppers the security and protection they want and need.
"Gimbal has established the largest nationwide proximity network and is thrilled to continue to expand this network with innovative partners like PlaceWise Media," said Kevin Hunter, chief operating officer of Gimbal. "The deployment of Gimbal beacons in the retail space provides a huge opportunity for digital marketers and mall retailers to leverage our industry-leading app publisher ecosystem with expanded ways to reach consumers with relevant, personalized and proximate information."
In its new partnership with Gimbal, PlaceWise is focused on reaching shoppers throughout major malls and retail centers. Through both companies' respective audience insights and unique, first-party location data, Gimbal and PlaceWise Media's offerings align to deliver targeted and personalized content that better meet shoppers' needs. Advertisers will benefit from reaching shoppers at the very time they are most likely to convert.
"We're excited to expand this powerful, proximity-based beacon technology to our shopping center clients through our partnership with Gimbal," said Mort Aaronson, CEO, PlaceWise Media. "Gimbal has far and away more widely-used app publishers than any other beacon solutions provider, giving our clients' centers and our advertisers the immediate benefit of connecting with a larger number of relevant shoppers primed to buy."
About Gimbal, Inc.
Gimbal, Inc. is connecting brands, venues, events and retailers with their customers in exciting new ways by providing leading-edge mobile technologies and solutions. With advanced geofencing, the world's largest deployment of industry-leading Bluetooth Smart beacons, location-based engagement, analytics, unmatched security features and privacy controls, the Gimbal platform helps drive mobile app engagement and loyalty. Visit http://www.gimbal.com for more information.
About Placewise Media
Based in Denver, PlaceWise Media is the leading provider of digital marketing services to retail destinations and the companies that own them. PlaceWise's advertising and data network includes nearly 700 malls and shopping centers and 1,400 grocery retailers nationwide. With 10 million monthly visitors and more than 200 million total page views annually, PlaceWise offers shopping centers, retailers and brands real-time access to active shoppers currently intending to purchase relevant products and services, as well as unique first-party shopper data to help clients better understand their target shoppers' intentions and make more informed business decisions. For more information visit http://www.placewise.com.
Gimbal is a trademark of Gimbal, Inc. iBeacon is a trademark of Apple. Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Pure Storage Enhances FlashStack(TM) CI, Adds Microsoft SQL Server and Citrix XenDesktop Solutions and New Partner Tier
Company broadens opportunity for members of its global P3 Partner Program to leverage FlashStack CI and help customers accelerate the transition to an all-flash future
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Pure Storage, the market's leading independent solid-state array vendor, announced it has enhanced its FlashStack(TM) Converged Infrastructure (CI) offering with the addition of the FlashStack CI Accreditation partner tier under the P3 Partner Program as well as the availability of new solutions. FlashStack CI is a flexible, all-flash converged infrastructure solution that combines the latest in compute, network, storage hardware and virtualization software, into a single, integrated architecture that speeds time to deployment, lowers overall IT costs and reduces deployment risk. FlashStack CI streamlines the implementation of all-flash infrastructure for enterprises and service providers. FlashStack CI now offers the Pure Storage FlashArray product family with Microsoft SQL Server and Citrix XenDesktop adding to previously published configurations for Cisco UCS Blade Servers, Cisco Nexus switches, VMware vSphere® 5 and VMware Horizon 6.
"Since the launch of FlashStack CI in December 2014, the response from our channel and customer base about our CI solutions has been resoundingly positive. By bringing new converged infrastructure offerings to market based on all-flash, partners are equipped to support their customers' transition to an all-flash future," said Michael Sotnick, Vice President of Global Channels and Alliances at Pure Storage. "We've attracted new global partners through the proven-success of our solution. By introducing Microsoft SQL Server and Citrix XenDesktop configurations, FlashStack CI equips our customers and partners with the performance, simplicity, high-availability and reliability they need to increase revenue opportunities and lead their perspective markets."
IT departments are increasingly turning to converged infrastructure solutions to simplify the design and repeatability of their data center infrastructure investments. FlashStack CI streamlines the selection, planning, design, implementation and support of a complete data center infrastructure stack powered by virtualization and flash. In addition, FlashStack CI eliminates performance bottlenecks, increases infrastructure reliability and provides dramatic savings in power, cooling and rack space.
New FlashStack CI for Citrix XenDesktop and Microsoft SQL Server
The Pure Storage FlashStack CI for Citrix XenDesktop 7.6 delivers virtual applications and desktops to allow enterprises to securely mobilize business at the speed of flash memory. The configurations can scale with ease up to 7,500 production-ready VMs in a single rack. This allows for the virtualization of mobile workspaces and applications with high performance, low latency and a quality user experience to drive employee productivity without interruption or downtime. Citrix XenDesktop is optimized for each customer device in order to meet the performance, security and mobility requirements of each user while simplifying deployment and management of virtual desktop environments.
"Pure Storage's FlashStack Converged Infrastructure is designed to be a reliable, cost-effective, high-performance platform for XenDesktop," said Calvin Hsu, Vice President of Product Marketing, Windows App Delivery at Citrix. "Together, Citrix and Pure Storage provide powerful new ways to drive employee productivity and satisfaction."
The Pure Storage FlashStack CI for Microsoft SQL Server 2014 delivers mission critical performance across all workloads and insights from their data at a faster rate. Deployments that require high performance are perfectly suited for FlashStack CI integration as it implements simple, repeatable SQL infrastructures that provide predictable performance at a lower total cost. A simple deployment leads to faster reports and queries to be able to make better decisions based on the data, reliable performance without costly downtime or outages, disaster recovery capabilities and native storage-based data replication.
New FlashStack Partner Accreditation Allows Partners to Resell FlashStack and Expand Opportunities
The new FlashStack CI Partner Accreditation makes FlashStack sales opportunities available to an expanded group of Pure Storage P3 partners and provides new potential revenue growth opportunities to a wider group of partners. FlashStack CI customers now have a choice to receive support either from a FlashStack Authorized Support Partner or directly from the infrastructure vendors at the core of FlashStack CI: Pure Storage, VMware and Cisco. This option augments the previously announced program, which includes the FlashStack Authorized Support Partner Accreditation for partners who offer single-call support across the entire solution stack. For customers, this means more solutions choices, design guidance and a wider range of services available for a better experience.
FlashStack Authorized Support Partner Quotes
"Our customers are looking to converged infrastructures to alleviate the time, complexity and cost associated with managing a data center. As FlashStack is built on a flexible, scalable, high performance infrastructure, our customers can achieve consistent deployments at rapid speed. We developed FlashStack-as-a-Service to provide even more simplicity to our clients, giving them an enterprise-grade private cloud service, ensuring complete agility and scalability to meet changes in their business." - Mark Butcher, Commercial Director, Proact
"Stordata is pleased to announce our status as a Pure Storage FlashStack CI Partner. We believe FlashStack CI provides a simple, efficient and high-powered data center architecture that enables data center capabilities previously unachievable. Our FlashStack status is a confirmation of our superior IT service capabilities and our commitment to customers and their continued success." - Patrick Dufour, Director of Strategy and Services, Stordata
"FlashStack converged infrastructure will provide our customers a powerful foundation for their cloud -- and are a great complement to support and cloud services from Venture Technologies. FlashStack provides performance and power in a standardized and repeatable package that takes the guesswork out of cloud IT for our customers. Venture is proud to partner with Pure Storage to take our customers to the next level of IT innovation." - Win Farnsworth, President, Venture Technologies
More Information
To learn more about Pure Storage FlashStack CI solutions, download the reference architectures, or to locate an authorized reseller in your region visit: http://www.purestorage.com/flashstack. For pricing and configuration information, customers should contact either a FlashStack Authorized Support Partner or FlashStack Partner in their region for a quote.
About Pure Storage:
Pure Storage, the market's leading independent solid-state array vendor, enables the broad deployment of flash in the data center. The company's all-flash enterprise arrays offer significant performance and efficiency gains over mechanical disk, at a lower price point per gigabyte stored. Pure Storage FlashArrays are ideal for performance-intensive applications, including server virtualization and consolidation, VDI, OLTP database, real-time analytics and cloud computing. To learn more, visit: http://www.purestorage.com.
Pure Storage and the "P" Logo mark are trademarks of Pure Storage, Inc. All other trademarks or names referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners.
Lightspeed Design, Inc. and LC-Tec Displays AB Sign a New Exclusive Distribution Agreement
BORLANGE, Sweden, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightspeed Design, Inc. (Seattle, USA) and LC-Tec Displays AB (Borlange, Sweden) have today signed a new multi-year exclusive distribution agreement ensuring that the patented PolarSpeed® technology manufactured by LC-Tec will continue to be solely used in DepthQ® 3D Passive Polarization products for Digital Cinema.
The DepthQ® Polarization Modulator and DepthQ® CineBright(TM) high-brightness 3D Light Recycler allow Digital Cinema projectors to display stunning stereoscopic 3D films and meet Hollywood's demanding image quality standards. With powered, symmetrical 50 microseconds switching time between the eyes, both DepthQ® products enable the world's shortest dark times - thus easily ensuring bright, low-crosstalk operation.
Further details of the agreement are not disclosed.
Chris Ward, President, Lightspeed Design, Inc. / DepthQ: "The high-speed liquid crystal polarization modulation technology manufactured by LC-Tec is a market proven best-in-class product. We are very pleased with the co-developed 3D Digital Cinema technology, with over 1800 operational screens worldwide. We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with the talented people at LC-Tec."
Dr. Jesper Osterman, Managing Director, LC-Tec: "We are delighted to sign a new agreement with Lightspeed Design. The outstanding progress made during the recent years in terms of product development is a direct result of the unique combination of expertise between our two companies. The unmatched experience in 3D that Lightspeed possesses is a perfect match with our skills in LC-device research and manufacturing."
To learn more about DepthQ® products please visit Booth # 704 at CineEurope 2015, June 22-25, Barcelona, Spain.
About Lightspeed Design, Inc.
Lightspeed Design, Inc. / DepthQ®, located in Bellevue, WA, USA, has 22 years' experience in 3D film & video production and stereoscopic 3D technology development. Our knowledge and expertise allows us to create immersive, impactful experiences and precise technology solutions for clients such as Mercedes Benz, Microsoft, Disney, NASA, Christie, and VOX Cinemas. DepthQ® is a registered trademark of Lightspeed Design, Inc.
About LC-Tec
LC-Tec is a technology company specializing in optical components based on liquid crystal (LC) technology. The company has over 25 years' experience of designing and manufacturing a wide range of LC-based products, including optical shutters, polarization modulators, variable filters, and information displays. Located in Borlange, Sweden, the facilities house advanced electro-optical laboratories as well as a modern passive matrix LCD manufacturing line. LC-Tec Displays AB is a fully owned subsidiary of LC-Tec Holding AB, listed on NGM Nordic MTF. PolarSpeed® is a registered trademark of LC-Tec Displays AB. For more information, please visit http://www.lc-tec.se.
For further information, please contact:
Chris Ward
President
Lightspeed Design, Inc.
Tel: +1-425-637-2818
Jesper Osterman
Managing Director
LC-Tec Displays AB
Tel: +46-243-794070
or visit the website http://www.depthq3d.com or contact the sales department at sales@lightspeeddesign.com or at +1-206-784-1385.
Mira Fitness Merges Fitness and Fashion at Techweek Chicago
Women-Led, Chicago-Based Tech Start Up Brings a Stylish Twist to Wearable Devices
CHICAGO, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- After a successful Kickstarter campaign in late 2014 and positive reviews during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, the women-led entrepreneurs at Chicago-based Mira(TM) Fitness are ready to strut their stuff during Techweek Chicago, June 22-28, 2015.
Mira is making a statement - both functional and fashionable - in the crowded wearable fitness device category with its unique design and user experience. The beautifully crafted tracker and bracelet, in brushed gold or midnight purple, is a personal fitness journal that doesn't sacrifice style while encouraging an active lifestyle.
During Techweek Chicago, Mira will slip its bracelet on the wrists of some of Chicago's top female tech entrepreneurs, giving them the opportunity to experience a new kind of fitness tracker - one designed by women for women to empower positive changes in health and wellness. In fact, the company will be giving the $169 bracelets away to sixteen lucky attendees throughout the week who visit the Mira booth (Merchandise Mart; Booth 3115), with drawings every hour.
"It's an exciting time to be a tech start up in Chicago," said Suzanne EL-Moursi, creative director for Mira. "Our goal is to become one of the city's next success stories, and Techweek is the perfect venue to get our mission and product in front of an influential audience that appreciates boundary-pushing companies."
With its mission to inspire people to achieve the goals that matter most to them, Mira acts as a workout buddy and best friend - one who recognizes that sometimes obstacles get in the way of fitness. Unlike other devices, Mira doesn't just track your movements and push out data. Instead, it takes your data and provides useful insights and recommendations to keep you motivated. The Mira system actually understands your fitness level and preferences and offers relevant tips, such as the best time of day for you to work out, or simple ways to keep active if you can't get to the gym.
"Mira really came to life after women across the country brought honesty, personal anecdotes and a dose of good humor to the development process," added EL-Moursi. "They told us they find it hard to fit in exercise, need motivation, and want a device that's stylish and versatile so it can be worn to work, to the gym, or out at night."
Every Woman Needs a Boost
The Mira mobile app also features unique Mira boosts - fun ways to maximize fitness. Boosts celebrate and encourage healthy choices and fit moments, no matter how small. They are simple and effective suggestions to help busy women make the most of every healthy opportunity.
"You don't always have time for a 60 minute yoga class; sometimes an inspirational boost telling you to do 20 squats before you start a quick walk does the trick," said EL-Moursi.
In addition to automatically tracking steps, distance, elevation and calories, Mira acts as a journal and allows other activities (i.e. yoga, swimming, weight lifting) and food choices to be added throughout the day.
When not worn as a bracelet, Mira can be discreetly clipped to clothing or placed in a pocket. The bracelet comes in three sizes: petite, small and medium. Mira's custom mobile app is available on iPhone® 4S and above, iPad® (3(rd) Generation) and above, iPad® Mini, iPod® Touch (5(th) Generation) and above, and iOS 7 and above. It will be compatible with Android devices this fall.
Mira is available now for online purchase at MyMiraFit.com.
About Mira Fitness
Mira(TM) Fitness is a health and fitness technology company devoted to helping real people meet their health and wellness objectives. Our user-centric offerings incorporate a balance of sophistication and approachability coupled with actionable insights that help people make the most out of their fitness routines. Our mission is to inspire individuals to achieve the goals that matter most to them.
For more information, visit mymirafit.com. Stay up-to-date by liking Mira on Facebook and following on Twitter.
Alma Technologies Announces Availability of a New Ultra High Throughput JPEG Decoder IP Core
ATHENS, Greece, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Alma Technologies S.A., a semiconductor IP provider, today announced the immediate
availability of a new Ultra High Throughput JPEG decoder IP Core, completing its UHT(TM)
JPEG compression family of IPs. This new UHT JPEG decoder IP, paired with Alma
Technologies UHT JPEG encoder, offers massive pixel rates with very low end-to-end latency
in video transmission systems using constrained bandwidth channels. The low complexity of
this solution enables 4K/8K resolutions and high frame rates using highly cost-effective
FPGA or ASIC technologies.
The key advantage of using JPEG compression is the simplicity of the resulting
implementation, which keeps system costs to a minimum even when multiple parallel
processing engines are used to speed-up processing. JPEG is capable of visually lossless
compression in low compression ratios, while retaining a very good image quality up to
medium compression ratios. In addition, the Constant Bitrate feature of the Alma
Technologies UHT JPEG encoder, permits minimal memory buffering in the decoder side,
enabling sub-frame latency in a live video system with compression, transmission and
decompression. Applications such as video surveillance, operating remote machinery over
video feedback, ultra high speed video recording and playback, or upgrading an available
transmission channel from Full HD to Ultra HD video, can benefit from using the UHT JPEG
encoder - decoder technology.
The UHT-JPEG-D [https://www.alma-technologies.com/ip-core.UHT-JPEG-D ] IP is based on
a multiple internal processing engine - scalable parallel architecture. In a similar way
to the UHT JPEG encoder, the input JPEG stream is split into chunks allocated to each of
the decoding engines. This is done in a way which is totally transparent to the system
utilizing the IP, abstracting all the parallelization complexity from the rest SoC
components. The number of the available internal decoding engines is configurable, ergo
the performance and the footprint of the design are scaled according to the application
requirements. Rates up to 32 MSamples/MHz are possible by the UHT-JPEG-D architecture,
enabling ultra high throughput even in low-cost FPGA devices.
The UHT JPEG decoder is strictly compliant to the ITU T.81 and ISO/IEC 10918-1
specifications. It supports 4:4:4, 4:2:2, 4:2:0 and 4:0:0 chroma sampling formats, in 8,
10 or 12 bits per component sample depth. The core uses a single compressed data input
interface - accepting the standard compliant JPEG byte stream generated by the UHT-JPEG-E
[https://www.alma-technologies.com/ip-core.UHT-JPEG-E ] IP core - and produces the decoded
raw video data in interleaved raster scan format. Its operation is completely standalone,
without needing any host processing power. The decoder can be implemented using only
on-chip memory resources, while using off-chip memory is also natively supported.
Alma Technologies IPs are designed to ensure a fast and trouble-free integration in
any FPGA or ASIC design. They are available either as standalone, high quality and
implementation technology independent VHDL or Verilog RTL, or as optimized Netlists for
Altera, Lattice, Microsemi and Xilinx FPGA and SoC devices.
About Alma Technologies
Alma Technologies is a semiconductor IP provider, developing high quality IP cores
since 2001. Its products stand out for their engineering, being complete, easy-to-use and
reliable IP solutions. Best-in-class technical support and a long track record of proven
designs by more than 200 licensees provide Alma Technologies customers with the best
service and value. Learn more at: http://www.alma-technologies.com
[https://www.alma-technologies.com ].
UHT is a trademark of Alma Technologies.
All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
Kalray's Newest Acceleration Boards To Provide Big Leap Forward For Cloud-Computing And Networking And Storage Applications
Uniquely combines the necessary performance, power consumption and programmability for new requirements such as virtualization protocols and deep learning
MONTBONNOT, France, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Kalray, the inventor of supercomputing on a chip(TM), today announced two new cloud acceleration boards: TurboCard3(TM) for computing acceleration; and K-ONIC(TM) for networking and storage applications, which are programmable in C/C++. The boards are based on Bostan, Kalray's second generation MPPA2® (massive parallel processing array) 256 cores processor, which brings a huge boost in FPU performance and computational power efficiency over the previous generation, and integrates 128 crypto accelerator cores and a smart load balancer between the Ethernet interface and internal cores further strengthening its position and offerings for the cloud.
TurboCard3, built on four MPPA2® 256 processors, is Kalray's newest PCIe card. It accelerates workload and kernels that do not typically perform well on traditional host processors such as x86 or ARM. It also improves the 1 TFLOPs SP performance of its predecessor, TurboCard2 by a factor 3. For critical power saving, TurboCard3 consumes three times less power than a GPU board. All this gives TurboCard3 a competitive advantage over other solutions for applications such as oil and gas seismic algorithms, Monte Carlo algorithms for finance risk option calculation, OpenSSL security protocol, and deep learning. The large internal memory of the Kalray processor makes it an extremely powerful solution for convolutional neural networks (CNN) deep learning algorithms.
K-ONIC, a smartNIC, solves a critical problem facing networking today. Existing ASIC-based solutions cannot adapt to the quick pace of change imposed by new virtualization protocols, forcing protocols to run on the host using up to fifty percent of its workload. Offloading this function, the K-ONIC enables the host processor to spend its time on clients' services to generate revenue. Because of the deterministic architecture of Kalray's Bostan-N processor, its configurable dispatcher, its crypto accelerators and the availability of 256 cores in parallel, K-ONIC is an ideal solution for implementing networking protocols such as OVS, VxLAN, NVGRE, and TRILL. On the storage side, K-ONIC will be able to pass through all data stored in a remote server using NVME and iSCSI protocols. There will be two versions of these smartNIC boards: K-ONIC80 (half length, full profile); and K-ONIC40 (half length, low profile) offering 80GBE (up to 240 million of packets) and 40GBE respectively.
TurboCard3 and K-ONIC80 will available in the fourth quarter of 2015.
About Kalray
Kalray is a fabless semiconductor company and pioneer in developing many-core processor solutions. Its innovative MPPA® architecture uniquely delivers supercomputing on a chip(TM), enabling real-time acceleration for cloud applications in video, networking, telecom and big data, and embedded high performance computing for embedded applications in aerospace, defense and automotive.
Kalray, MPPA, TurboCard3, K-ONIC, and supercomputing on a chip are registered trademarks of Kalray or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries. http://www.kalrayinc.com