News and Info

Intel has new designs on laptops
Published 08-06-2009




With the Classmate PC - or so-called Fizzbook - Intel is exploring a new design of portable that could bring new users into the market.


The Intel Classmate PC or Fizzbook as it has been dubbed, is an attempt by the processor company to establish a new form of convertible laptop that just about anyone, and school-children in particular can both use and afford.


The Classmate is essentially a simple netbook. It can be used in tablet or traditional mode and reviews report that the handwriting recognition software included with the Classmate is very good. You can also draw onto the screen.


The swivel aspect of the tablet capability though, might prove to be more important than the handwriting. Being able to swivel the display to any angle makes it easier to share the device. One of the really cool features here is the ability of the screen to fit the display to whatever orientation it is being held in. Like the iPhone, it has a built-in accelerometer so, when used as a tablet and held p on its end, the display will flip around to portrait mode.

Touch-sensitive

You can also have a touch-sensitive display and ahead of the launch of Windows 7 with its wider touch features this could be significant. There is a built-in camera that rotates 180 degrees as well and this also helps with interaction and sharing. The light, durable and water-resistant design makes them easy to move around. Some models have been drop-test certified up to 50cm - most laptops only stand about 30cm.

There is of course, a keyboard as well and it is when the Classmate is placed in this normal usage mode that grown-up users will notice just how small it is. It is not a full-sized keyboard of course and with a screen size that is quite a bit smaller than the standard 10.1-inch seen on most netbooks, it will never be ideal for business use.

At the heart of the Classmate is the Atom N270 1.6Ghz processor and the Intel 945GSE chipset - at the moment. Later this year we will see Intel launch a Dual Core Atom and updated Classmate PCs will be amongst the first to feature this new processor. The models have 512Mb or 1Gb of RAM and between 2Gb and 16Gb of Flash and 60Gb of disk - try getting anything less these days! They run either Windows XP or Linux right now - but Windows 7 is looming of course.

Displays are small - the variants are 7-inch 800x480 LCD or 8.9-inch 1024x600 standard or touch screen versions. As standard, 10/100Mbs Ethernet is included along with 802.11b/g, Mesh support (Linux only) and support for wireless protection standards. Either four- or six-cell batteries are available. There is basic integrated audio, two USB ports and an SD slot.

New kids on the block

Classmates are shipped with a set of apps designed for schools including a system for managing touch usage and a classroom management system that has file sharing and screen broadcasting video streaming, test and assessment and group management functions. There is also access control, anti-theft security and PC management software.

The Classmate is really an attempt to get more kids on the PC ladder earlier. The Blue Dolphin interface is designed to appeal to youngsters and the touch-screen models are designed to resist cursor skipping so the cursor won't always shoot off to another area of screen when someone leans or points.

Overall the Classmate is being seen as very capable and a device that could set the trend for other manufacturers. None have yet come out with a similar offering but when we get the new Intel Atom processors later this year, we are likely to see a whole new wave of smaller laptop devices and many of them could take their lead from the Fizzbook, perhaps with larger screens, but making use of the tablet format and more advanced touch features.
This article was taken from the Computer 2000 news flash - June 2009

Patton Wins INTERNET TELEPHONY Product of the Year for the Fourth Consecutive Year
Published 27-01-2009

SmartNode™ 4961 PRI VoIP Gateway Recognized for Outstanding Innovation

GAITHERSBURG, MD and BERN, SWITZERLAND: Patton—the leader in business-class network access, connectivity, and VoIP equipment—together with Patton-Inalp Networks AG—creator of SmartNode™ industry-leading VoIP technology—announced today that Patton's SmartNode™ 4961 PRI VoIP Gateway has won the 2008 Product of the Year Award from Technology Marketing Corporation’s (TMC®) INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine (http://www.itmag.com/).

"This marks the fourth consecutive year that SmartNode™ has earned Product-of-the-Year,” said John Wu, product manager, “and we are deeply honored." The SmartNode 4961 features a high-precision clock that solves interoperability failures that often occur with DECT, PBX and FAX equipment when converting ISDN systems to IP telephony. The SmartNode 4961 also solves stability issues often encountered when WiMAX or other wireless E1 lines are used to connect VoIP gateways to the PSTN.

Give Viper IT a call on 0844 5 000 333 to talk about how you can make use of SmartNode technology in your business.

Keep your mobile or smartphone in sight this party season
Published 24-12-2008

Whilst drinks and cheer are flowing make sure you keep an eye on your mobile or smartphone this festive season.

Why I hear you ask? Have you thought of the consequences of it being lost? What data might be on there that you don't want getting out?

Examples of data that might be on your mobile and unsecure:

  • Emails;
  • Passwords;
  • Contact names and details;
  • Other security codes;

If someone picked it up could they assume your identity?

Consider doing some of the following to protect yourself and your company.

  • Back up the data on your smartphone - just incase it goes missing;
  • Encrypt your smartphone - to protect any important data;
  • Strengthen your password - remember otherwise its an open door to your data;
  • Have your name, number and possibly a reward on it - if it does get found you are more likely to get it back;
  • Activate the PIN - you've got it so use it;
  • Think about what you keep stored on it - don't keep revealing pictures of texts;
  • Delete sensitive data - get into a routine of clearing out text messages and such like;
  • Clear out the mailbox clutter - empty the drafts, saved and outbox folders, clear the call list;
  • Make your mark - make a physical mark with personal information, if it is lost their won't be as high a resale value so you are likely to get it back (or it'll get binned);
  • Find out your IMEI - a unique 15-digit electronic serial number that can be tracked and traced by most mobile providers;
  • Security your wireless signals - disable or make your handset invisible for any Wi-Fi or bluetooth features;
  • If it is lost - call the police and your provider and give them your IMEI number.

For more help or information on such matters contact Viper IT on 0844 5 000 333 or visit http://www.viperit.co.uk/.

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IP Telephony solution reduces costs

Viper have reduced our quarterly telephone bill expenditure by 60% over our previous BT Featureline system, whilst providing a solution with greater flexibility and feature set.

We wanted to replace our BT Featureline system with a more cost-effective option, but we didn’t want to lose any of the features it provided. We considered many options, but Viper provided the best package in terms of both feature set and cost saving. We make heavy use of our telephones for both UK and International calls and therefore reliability was important as the lower call rates and line rental. Viper’s VoIP system has proved to be very reliable and has saved us over 60% on our quarterly telephone bills.

John Jefferies, School Director
Language Studies International Brighton

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