This is in conjunction with the launch of LG’s LH50, LH70 and LH35 Full HD TVs. Viewers only need log in here to watch the documentaries and cast their vote by 9 August 2009.

South-east Asian viewers can now vote for their fave HD documentaries from National Geographic Channel in a collaboration with LG Electronics.

SHOWCASE: Well folks, CommunicAsia 2009 is at an end and the team behind HardwareZone.com have put together four separate videos chronicling the sights, sound and new phones being announced.

There are four separate videos, each covering separate event launches this week: Nokia Connection, Samsung Unpacked, the CommunicAsia showfloor itself and Sony Ericsson. For our regional readers, these events were all held in Singapore.

We’ve taken the liberty to put all of them here for you.

Samsung Mobile Unpacked event (15 June 2009, evening):

(more…)

It's been a long wait but iPhone users can cut, copy, paste & MMS by tomorrow.

CORP TALK: Apple iPhone and iPod touch owners can download iPhone OS 3.0 on June 18, 2009 from here.

The software update is free for all existing iPhone users and US$9.95 for iPod touch customers.

The iPhone OS 3.0 software update includes over 100 new features, which we first highlighted here. Currently, there are well over 50,000 applications on Apple’s App Store. (more…)

SHOWCASE: Besides the mobile phones announced by Nokia, Samsung, LG and Garmin-ASUS (for its nuvofone series), there are other highlights from the show worth mentioning and taking note (at least from a HWM regional standpoint).

1) Bridgewater gives iPhone and BlackBerry users control over data usage and roaming charges

Mobile personalization company Bridgewater Systems introduced its myPolicy solution which will enable Apple iPhone and BlackBerry subscribers to control components within their devices so that they don’t get a shock on their data charges in their phone bill.

Hoping to work with potential mobile operators, the firm’s solution features real-time usage tracking of data, SMS and apps, including voice and roaming charges; the ability to set personalized limits, notifications and roaming controls; as well as support for special offers in real time such as day passes for new apps, bandwidth top-up and free SMS with mobile advertising.

Bridgewater Systems can be found at Hall 3 (booth 3J2-01) at CommunicAsia 2009.

2) Asia leads the world as broadband grows 4% despite downturn
The Broadband Forum announced that broadband and IPTV growth has been on the rise despite the economic downturn. Industry analysts Point Topic points out that broadband grew by 16.6 million lines globally in the last quarter alone, with Asia being the dominant riser.

Within Asia, China dominated with an addition of 4.8 million lines with others like India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam, Australia and Singapore taking top spots. For IPTV growth, there is now nearly 7 million lines of IPTV across Asia. Download the PDF report to read the rest of the findings here.

3) Huawei branded smartphones unveiled at CommunicAsia 2009

Huawei's U8230 is based on Google's Android platform, featuring a 3.5-inch touch screen and QWERTY keyboard.

Huawei's C8000 is Windows Mobile-based, has a 2.8-inch touch screen and optimized power management features.

Shenzhen, China-based Huawei Technologies showcased two new smartphones at CommunicAsia 2009 - an Android-powered U8230 and a Windows Mobile-based C8000. Huawei expects these two smartphones to be commercialized by the second half of 2009.

The Android-powered U8230 features full and half QWERTY keyboards and a 3.5-inch LCD touch screen. It uses Google Chrome Internet browser as it’s based on Google’s Android platform. Battery is a 1500mAH. The C8000, on the other hand, being Windows Mobile powered, incorporates a 3-D menu user interface on a 2.8-inch touch screen. It has an optimized power management for usage to last 6-8 hours.

4) MDA forms FutureTV network initiative with partners

Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) has put its support behind a group of companies coming together to form a FutureTV network initiative to shape a new generation of media experiences. Leading the network are StarHub, SingTel and so forth, where together with MDA, the network will seed ideas and collaborations to explore greater interactivity and personalization in the way visual media is consumed and experienced.

5) Panasonic wows broadcasters at BroadcastAsia 2009 with 3D Theater showcase and new P2HD and AVCCAM cameras

Panasonic's AG-HPX302EN is the world's first AVC-Intra Camera-Recorder with 1/3-inch, 2.2-Megapixel image sensor.

For broadcasters, filmmakers and producers, Panasonic Systems Asia Pacific has launched an affordable, Asian-made 3D Theater solution in Full High-Def featuring a dramatic 10-minute 3D Thai film. The film was shot in full HD with Panasonic’s P2HD AVC-Intra camera (AJ-HPX3000). The theater itself includes 5.1-surround sound, 2.7 x 1.5-meter silver screen and two Full HD DLP projectors (PT-DZ6710).

Of course, besides the 3D theater, new products demo-ed at their booth include:

• AG-HPX302EN (world’s first P2HD AVC-Intra camera-recorder with 1/3-inch, 2.2-Megapixel image sensor)
• E-series P2 cards
• AG-HMC40 (low-cost professional AVCCAM handheld with 10.6-Megapixel still cam)
• AG-HMR10 (AVCCAM portable recorder/player)
• AG-HCK10 (multi-purpose 3-MOS HD camera head)
• AW-HE870 (2/3-inch 3-CCD high def convertible camera)
• AV-HS450 (16 input multi-format HD/SD switcher with built-in dual display multi-viewer)

Panasonic Systems Asia Pacific is located in Hall 8 (8L3-01) of the Singapore Expo as part of BroadcastAsia.

6) Hong Kong-based firm, BNS, showcases revenue-centric interactive shopping app for IPTV operators

BNS Touch utilizes the IPTV platform to give home shoppers a richer experience when browsing catalogs.

One of Asia’s leading IPTV technology and content solutions provider, BNS, has launched a multimedia solution integrating the IPTV platform, shopping catalog/advertisement in a magazine and an RFID pen called The Wiz to enhance customer loyalty when it comes to shopping experiences.

Called BNS Touch, the system combines IPTV technology with sophisticated invisible dot-code printing and recognition technology, allowing hotel guests or catalog shoppers to browse (printed catalog), view (via the IPTV rich media network) and order (via the pen called Wiz) the items they want (including selecting quantity, color preference, etc.). BNS is located at Hall 3 in CommunicAsia. Check out the trailer to get a better idea of what the platform does.

As countries like the US transition its TV signals from analog to digital, consumers will be forced to buy digital tuners and get on the digital TV bandwagon.

T&A: Known as the great analog switch-off, US has joined a group of nations to be some of the first to transition its national TV broadcasts from analog to digital signals nationwide.

According to reports from several major news sources, including this one by the New York Times, many stations were anticipating calls from unsuspecting viewers when they shut down their analog broadcasts. The report quotes research firm Nielsen as saying that about 2.8 million homes in the US are completely unprepared for the switch.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the US, which monitors and regulates communications channels across the country, has released an official report on its site, including launching a site to help consumers ease their analog-to-digital transitions smoothly. 

The switch would have no impact on cable and satellite users of course, as they receive their signals via other sources. Homes relying on over-the-air signals will need to buy a digital converter box or purchase a TV with an internal digital tuner. (more…)