Universal phone charger
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved an energy-efficient one-charger-fits-all new mobile phone solution. Every mobile phone user will benefit from the new Universal Charging Solution (UCS), which enables the same charger to be used for all future handsets, regardless of make and model. In addition to dramatically cutting the number of chargers produced, shipped and subsequently discarded as new models become available, the new standard will mean users worldwide will be able to charge their mobiles anywhere from any available charger, while also reducing the energy consumed while charging.
The new UCS was based on input from the GSM Association (GSMA), which predicts the UCS will result in a 50 percent reduction in standby energy consumption, elimination of 51,000 tons of redundant chargers, and a subsequent reduction of 13.6 million tons in greenhouse gas emissions each year. Based on the Micro-USB interface, UCS chargers will also include a 4-star or higher efficiency rating — up to three times more energy-efficient than an unrated charger. Apple, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research in Motion, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Texas Instruments are already moving towards adoption of the UCS.
Stemming the brain drain
More universities in Africa and the Middle East will now benefit from a joint project between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Hewlett-Packard (HP) that seeks to provide the technology and tools needed to stem the migration of graduates and reduce the “brain drain” from these regions.
Building on the successful pilot phase of the Brain Gain Initiative — which was carried out at institutions in Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Zimbabwe — 15 universities will be involved in its expansion. Those universities are in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda.
The Brain Gain Initiative, set up in 2003, allows schools to collaborate with experts worldwide in innovative education and research projects with the help of advanced grid and cloud computing technologies.
These technologies include hardware and software infrastructure that clusters and integrates high-end computer networks, databases and scientific instruments from multiple sources to form a virtual environment.
By the end of 2011, this infrastructure could span some 100 higher education institutions in 20 countries provided like-minded corporations and organizations join UNESCO and HP in this initiative. Learn more about it through www.unesco.org/en/higher-education/themes/reforming/brain-gain-initiative/
Telco summit bigger
At a time when many conferences and exhibitions are scaling down, Informa Telecoms & Media has attracted 25 percent more registered delegates than last year to the 14th Annual GSM 3G Middle East Telco World Summit set to open 7-8 December in Dubai. This is largely due to the fact that the subscriber base in the Middle East is set to grow 34 percent between now and 2010 to reach 193 million people. The Kingdom is expected to be particularly profitable for telecom providers and the conference will feature a “Saudi Arabia Focus Day” dedicated to the Middle East’s fastest growing market.
Acer overtakes Dell
According to both IDC and Gartner, Acer has reached the second spot in the worldwide PC market ranking. IDC’s PC tracker report found that for the very first time, for the third quarter of 2009 Acer is the second highest producer of PCs in the world, with 14 percent. HP still rules the global market with 20.2 percent of PCs shipped. Dell drops to third position with 12.7 percent of the market.
Gartner’s preliminary worldwide PC Vendor Unit Shipment data for the third quarter of 2009 found that the consumer segment continues to drive worldwide PC shipments which showed an increase of 0.5 percent in 3Q09 compared to 3Q08 after three consecutive quarters of year on year shipment decline. Despite the difficulties, Acer showed a remarkable growth of 23.6 percent when comparing the data between 3Q09 vs 3Q08.
Acer Inc. also announced that consolidated revenues for the third quarter of 2009 should reach $5.19 billion, representing approximately, 40 percent growth on-quarter or five percent growth year-on-year. Analysts believe that that company has shipped about 21.4 million units through 3Q09. Acer had a goal of shipping 28 million notebooks in 2009 and it is widely anticipated that the company will exceed this total.
Global recall of products
Belkin International has initiated a voluntary global product recall of its TuneBase Direct with Hands-Free, TuneBase FM with Hands-Free and TuneBase FM with ClearScan. Belkin has identified that a component of the TuneBase, the washer, may cause an electrical short circuit when plugged into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter adapter.
Belkin has determined that under certain conditions of heat, humidity and prolonged periods of power-on, some units have shown the potential to smoke or pose a risk of fire. Depending on the region in which they were purchased, the affected TuneBases are known by the following model numbers. The product box may have a slightly different model number, so refer to the actual product to find the correct model number. Those model numbers are: F8Z441, F8Z442, F8Z176, F8Z441ea, F8Z442ea, F8Z176eaBLK. Learn more through www.belkin.com/tunebaserecall
