LCD TV Integrates Media Functionality

Acer’s 37” HD-ready LCD TV — the AT3705 — has become the world’s first LCD TV to pass the Intel Viiv technology verification — a test that checks for compatibility of networked media devices with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs, while sharing content over a home network.

“By providing customers with an integrated digital experience via the range of practical and convenient applications, Acer envisages that the arrival of the Digital Home era will be realized soon when Digital Home experiences converge bringing together information with entertainment,” said Krishna Murthy, general manager, Acer Computer Middle East Ltd.

Intel Viiv technology is Intel’s new brand for in-home entertainment PCs designed to transform how consumers manage, share and enjoy a broad and growing assortment of movies, programs, music, games and photos. The AT3705 LCD TV allows playing back content such as recorded digital broadcast TV programs and protected content purchased at content service providers over a home network by its support for DTCP-IP.

HP & Microsoft ‘People-Ready’

Microsoft and HP have signed an agreement to deliver an expanded portfolio of solutions for enterprise customers around the world. The companies plan to invest at least $300 million over three years to cover collaborative efforts in solution development, testing, validation, deployment, and joint sales and marketing. HP is the first premier global partner to deliver comprehensive solutions for the People-Ready Business, Microsoft’s vision for how people, armed with the right software, are the key to driving business success.

“With the recent announcement of the largest product launch to business customers in our company’s history with Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system, we are bringing to market more than 30 new products and services in the next year that will further enable People-Ready Businesses,” said Kevin Turner, chief operating officer at Microsoft. “Through our collaboration with HP, our more than 20,000 joint customers will have access to an expanded set of solutions and services to tackle their most pressing business problems.”

To help enterprise customers worldwide realize greater value from their existing IT assets, capitalize on next-generation technologies, and achieve a more agile, adaptive enterprise, the new HP and Microsoft Solutions for the People-Ready Business portfolio will focus on five high-growth areas of IT investment: Messaging and unified communications; collaboration and content management; business intelligence; business process integration; and core infrastructure.

John Gantz, chief research officer with IDC, believes that the agreement is significant for customers.

“This agreement means that the two companies and their combined ecosystems have an opportunity to bring complete solutions to their customers in these critical areas,” he said. “Just the software markets alone in business intelligence, collaboration, content management and infrastructure software running on Windows will be a $49 billion market in 2007. Add in communications, hardware, and services, it is easily over $100 billion.”

New Mobile Operator for Palestine

Wataniya International and the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) have signed a shareholders’ agreement to form a new mobile telecommunications company in Palestine. Under the shareholder agreement, Wataniya International, the manager of the operations, will eventually own 40 percent of the new company, PIF will own 30 percent and 30 percent will be offered to the Palestinian public through a public IPO.

“We are proud to partner with the Palestine Investment Fund. Together, we will build a national asset that will enhance the lives of users, businesses and investors alike through the provision of communication services that will deliver high-quality customer and employee experiences,” said Faisal Al-Ayyar, chairman of Wataniya International.

“The growth potential of the telecommunications sector in Palestine, supported by its liberalization and reform, present a highly attractive business opportunity,” said Dr. Mohamed Mustafa, general manager, Palestine Investment Fund.

In September 2006, the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology in Palestine (MTIT) awarded Wataniya International, the company responsible for leading the pursuit of global expansion opportunities on behalf of the Wataniya Telecom group of mobile operations, the license to build and operate the second mobile telecommunication service in Palestine, with a bid of 251 million Jordanian dinars. Wataniya International and PIF will announce the name of the new company and the composition of its board in the near future.

“We believe that with our partners in the country, we can build and maintain a healthy and sustainable operation while actively contributing to the growth and welfare of the people in Palestine,” said Al-Ayyar. “We will do that by being a significant contributor to the building of a strong and independent Palestinian economy, fueling Palestinian economic growth through direct foreign investment, contributing to the advancement of the information and communication technology sector in Palestine, investing in the build-up and retention of human capital and by delivering direct and indirect employment opportunities.”