LG Electronics, TP Vision and Toshiba Expand Market Reach with Smart TV Alliance

 

New Alliance Members Bring Wealth of Knowledge and Experience to Smart TV Universe

Smart TV Alliance, launched in June this year by founding board members LG Electronics and TP Vision with Toshiba joining shortly after, has expanded with new members with expertise from different areas of the Smart TV industry. As it continues to expand its market reach, the Smart TV Alliance will publish specifications for its software development kit (SDK) 2.0 on its official website www.smarttv-alliance.org. The actual SDK tool will be made available by the end of the year for use by developers.

In addition to Smart TV manufacturers, organizations that contribute in different ways to the Smart TV experience have also joined the Alliance. Qualcomm and MStar will bring their expertise and understanding in hardware design to the consortium while Obigo, a leading web browser provider and application developer, will provide valuable input from a developer’s perspective. And YuMe, a provider of video advertising software and services, will deliver knowledge and experience from the advertising community. 

“The expanding membership of the Smart TV Alliance is clear indication that these companies recognize the value of this Alliance,” said Richard Choi of LG Electronics, President of Smart TV Alliance. “This is an industry coming together to solve a common problem, which has clear benefits for the consumer. The diversity of the Smart TV Alliance is reassuring because it shows that this is an industry movement, not just an initiative from TV manufacturers.”

Demonstrating that developing common Alliance specifications is not an exercise in theory only, Obigo has developed apps based on Alliance SDK 1.0 specifications that run consistently on TV sets from Alliance members. Consumers will be able to enjoy these apps, including Accuweather and Vilanoise, when they become publicly available in September. In addition, more apps will be developed and become available through Smart TV Alliance members.

“This is an important step for the industry. Being able to work with a much larger install base presents great opportunities for us,”stated David Hwang, President of Obigo. “Now we can put our energy into making our apps better instead of testing the same app on many different TV sets. We can be a lot more productive this way.”

As different communities in the Smart TV industry come together, the Smart TV Alliance will announce the SDK 2.0 specifications on its website, which will be supported by 2013 products from member companies. By looking at these specifications, developers will be able to understand what capabilities to expect on 2013 products and plan their application development accordingly. After the specifications are announced, the SDK software tool will be available for download from www.smarttv-alliance.org.

 

 

Emirates unveils special fares, hotel deals to Kenyan travellers

 

Emirates, the world’s fastest growing airline, has announced a series of new special fares for travel out of Nairobi,  representing several tiers of savings going up to a massive 30 per cent.

 

The offer is open to economy class of tickets booked on Emirates between September 1^st and October 15^th 2012 for travel period between September 20^th and December 5^th 2012 and covers 17 popular destinations in North America, Asia and the Middle East.

Unveiling the promotional fares, Emirates Vice President for East Africa Khalid Bel Jaflah said: “These special fares provide an opportunity for our regular customers as well as those who have not experienced Emirates before to enjoy our award-winning product and value additions at a significant saving.”

 

The 17 destinations promoted with special fares include Dubai, Muscat, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait City, Riyadh and Dammam in the Middle East;  New Delhi, Chenai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram,  Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Dhaka and Colombo in Asia; and  Washington DC in the United States.

 

The special economy class return fare to Dubai costs USD495 down from USD670, a 27 discount. A return economy ticket to Muscat, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait City also costs USD495, while an introductory economy class fares to Washington D.C. is USD 1170.   The discounted fares to Riyadh and Dammam now start from USD605, to Delhi from USD940, to Chenai from USD930; to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram from USD685 and to Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Dhaka, and Colombo from USD990.

Discounted hotel stays

Besides the special fare offers, Emirates passengers also have a chance to enjoy a number of exclusive savings at hotels in Dubai when booked before September 10, 2012.

The offer is available to all classes of passengers for travel between now and October 15, 2012, and includes stays in Dubai’s Atlantis the Palm Jumeirah, and four Emaar properties across the emirate, including The Address Downtown Dubai, The Address Dubai mall, The Address Dubai Marina and The Address Montgomerie Dubai. Guests at Emaar properties will also receive a complimentary pass to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at Dubai Mall during their stay.

“More and more of our passengers choose to make Dubai their final destination in order to see this amazing city for themselves. Our hotel offer is designed to help Emirates’ guests reach their goal in luxury. We chose to work with The Atlantis and Emaar properties in order to satisfy the high-end expectations of our passengers as these hotels reflect Emirates’ premium onboard service,” Mr. Jaflah said. 

The winner of more than 500 top international awards, Emirates operates 14 flights a week out of Nairobi. The airline operates 180 wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 125 destinations in 74 countries. Over the next six months, the airline will launch a further five destinations:  Washington DC. On 12 September, Adelaide on 1 November, Lyon on 5 December, Phuket on 10 December and Warsaw on 6 February 2013.

For more information customers can log onto http://www.emirates.com/ke to check all the terms and conditions of this promotions.

LG UNVEILS PREMIUM IPS MONITORS PERFECT FOR BOTH GRAPHICS PROFESSIONALS AND ENTERTAINMENT ENTHUSIASTS

With 21:9 Cinematic Screen and WQHD Resolution, New IPS Monitors
from LG Offer Enhanced Multitasking and Superb Multimedia Performance                         

 

BERLIN, Aug. 28, 2012 – LG Electronics (LG) unveiled two new premium IPS moni-tors today at the IFA tradeshow in Berlin, the EA93 and EA83. The EA93 is designed to enjoy variety of entertainment and the EA83 is specifically crafted to handle graphics-intensive applications. The most noticeable feature on the EA93 is the cinematic screen, a 21:9 display – the same ratio used in real movie theaters –that works as a superb solu-tion for home entertainment and multitasking. The EA83 lets consumers take advantage of Wide Quad High Definition (WQHD) resolution (2560x1440 pixels). WQHD offers ample screen real estate for power users looking to multitask and provides one of the widest color spaces available. The monitor accurately reproduces 99 percent of the Adobe RGB color palette, providing graphics experts with a superior level of imaging quality.

“Through continuous innovation of our IPS monitors, we are raising the user experience to a whole new level for home entertainment and graphic professional use,” said J.J. Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the IT Business Unit at the LG Home Entertain-ment Company. “The EA93’s immersive 21:9 cinematic screen and the EA83’s advan-tages when it comes to advanced graphics applications make these newest monitors compelling additions to our premium IPS monitor line-up.”

Ideal Multimedia and Multitasking Solution
The 29-inch EA93 boasts 2560 x 1080 resolution, and since the aspect ratio is identical to that of a typical movie theater screen, contents are shown just the way they were in-tended. But it isn’t only the size of the screen that makes the monitor so adept with mul-timedia, the EA93 accurately captures 100 percent of the defined sRGB color space, and the monitor delivers 300nit brightness for higher quality, more lifelike colors. Put sim-ply, IPS technology plus a cinematic screen is the ideal combination for entertainment.

The extra-wide screen is also useful in work situations, helping to improve productivity. The 4-Screen Split feature can divide the display into four segments, transforming the monitor into an advanced multitasking tool. The additional Dual Link-up function al-lows two devices to connect to the monitor simultaneously. Sharing files from two de-vices at the same time - a PC and a smartphone - has never been easier.

Graphics Powerhouse
The EA83 was designed to be a comprehensive monitor solution for filmmakers, pho-tographers, designers, and other graphics experts by providing a combination of supe-rior resolution and lifelike colors. The WQHD (2560x1440 pixel) high resolution IPS monitor provides vivid picture quality while featuring one of the widest color spaces in its category. Expressing colors not available within sRGB, the EA83 is able to display 99 percent of the Adobe RGB color space and gives graphics professionals the exact colors they’re looking for. LG’s innovative IPS monitor is capable of producing images that are practically identical to their real-life counterparts. The EA83 ships with soft-ware and hardware color calibrators, enabling graphics professionals to ensure that the screen always displays the most accurate and natural colors.

Visitors to IFA will be able to experience both the EA93 and EA83 IPS monitors first-hand at the LG Electronics stand in Hall 11.2 of Messe Berlin.

Specifications

EA93

Screen Size 29-inch
Format 21:9
Resolution 2560 x 1080
Color Gamut sRGB 100%
Panel Type IPS
Brightness (Typ.) 300nits
Contrast Ratio (Typ.) Mega
Viewing Angle (Ver./Hor.) 178/178
Response Time 5ms GTG
Interface DVI-D Dual x 1, HMDI x 2 (MHL), USB3.0 (1 Up / 3 Down), Display Port x 1, PC Audio In, Headphone Out
Speaker 7W x 2
Stand Tilt
Features MHL, 4-Screen Split, Dual Link-up*, Super Energy Saving, PBP(Picture-by-Picture), PIP (Picture-in-Picture), Auto Ratio Control (Original, 21:9), Wall Mount (100 x 100)
Color Calibration True Color Finder (S/W)

EA83

Screen Size 27-inch
Format 16:9
Resolution 2560 x 1440 (WQHD)
Color Gamut Adobe RGB 99%
Panel Type IPS
Brightness (Typ.) 350nits
Contrast Ratio (Typ.) Mega
Viewing Angle (Ver./Hor.) 178/178
Response Time 5ms GTG
Interface DVI-D Dual x 1, HDMI x1, USB3.0 (1 Up / 3 Down), Display Port x 1 Headphone Out
Stand Slim Height Stand (Pivot, Tilt, Height Adjustment)
Features Dual Link-up*, PBP(Picture-by-Picture), PIP (Picture–in-Picture), Adapter Holder, Super Energy Saving, Wall Mount (100 x 100)
Color Calibration True Color FinderPRO (S/W), External Calibrator, Factory Calibration

* At least one DisplayPort required for Dual Link-up features.

STARTIMES MEDIA TO THE RESCUE OF EX – GTV AND SMART TV SUBSCRIBERS

 

Company to replace the now obsolete decoders with StarTimes T2 decoders at no cost…

StarTimes Media has today initiated an aggressive decoder upgrade offer targeted at not only current StarTimes T1 decoder holders but also ex – GTV and Smart TV decoder holders who were left with obsolete decoders when the two companies closed shop. The move will see the company upgrade its T1 decoders as well as replace the ex – GTV and Smart TV decoders with Communication Commission of Kenya approved StarTimes T2 decoders at no cost.

The company is targeting over 50,000 beneficiaries who will only be required to present the set top boxes at StarTimes Customer Service Centre where they will get a free StarTimes T2 decoder in return upon payment of the monthly subscription. The Pay TV company is currently operating six packages namely; Basic at Ksh 499, Classic or Indian package at Ksh 999; Classic + at Ksh, 1,499, Unique package at Ksh 1,999 and Unique + package at Ksh 2,499 per month.

Beneficiaries of this initiative will be required to subscribe for two months for either Unique +, Unique or Classic + package at Ksh 4,999, 3,999 and 2,999 respectively. Alternatively, they can opt for three months subscription for Basic +, Classic or Indian package at Ksh 2,999 or Seven months of the Basic package at Ksh 3,499.

Acknowledging this significant development, StarTimes Chief Executive Officer Mr. Leo Lee said, “We value our loyal subscribers and intend to recognize this loyalty by upgrading those with T1 decoders with approved StarTimes T2 decoders while at the same time provide an opportunity to former subscribers of the two fallen Pay TV companies to recoup their losses by exchanging  their now obsolete decoders with approved StarTimes T2 decoders thereby enabling them enjoy world class television content, using the latest approved technology at very pocket friendly subscription rates without incurring an extra cost in acquiring a new set top box”.

Counterfeit or non-registered T1 decoder holders will also benefit from this initiative as StarTimes lives up to its commitment of ensuring the majority if not all households in the country are able to access digital television content thereby playing a pivotal role in the digital migration process being spearheaded by the Government ahead of the global 2015 switchover deadline.

StarTimes is counting on its rich global experience in the Pay TV industry to provide unique programming for the whole family that includes local and international channels. The company has over 8 million global subscribers and is currently operating in ten African countries where it has amassed over 1.4 million subscribers to date.

LG UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST LTE SMARTPHONE WITH SNAPDRAGON QUAD-CORE

LG Electronics (LG) revealed its newest premium mobile device with the announcement of the Optimus G, a high-end smartphone that offers powerful performance, an elegant and sleek design, and an innovative user experience. As the first LTE device featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon™ S4 Pro Quad-Core processor, Optimus G will set the foundation for every future premium smartphone from LG.

Best-of-Best Technologies
To offer the best smartphone to consumers, LG gathered industry-leading partners and technologies to develop the Optimus G. In collaboration with Qualcomm, LG developed the Optimus G with the goal to be the first LTE smartphone with the Snapdragon™ S4 Pro CPU. LG also joined hands with vertically-integrated sister companies LG Chem, LG Display and LG Innotek for the ultimate battery capacity, viewing and user experience.

Next Generation Quad-Core with LTE
The Optimus G will be the first commercial and global smartphone to offer the Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) processor with a Quad-Core Krait CPU, LTE supported capabilities, and the newest generation Adreno™ 320 GPU. The Snapdragon S4 Pro runs at 1.5GHz and features Asynchronous Symmetric Multiprocessing (aSMP), which enables each core to power up and down independently, for maximum performance with better battery life. Furthermore, the Adreno 320 is over three times faster than the Adreno 225 found in previous Snapdragon processors for an enhanced gaming experience with faster frame rates, smoother play and support for higher HD resolution displays.

Cutting-edge Display and Outstanding Battery Efficiency
With help from LG Display, the Optimus G sports a beautiful 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS+ Display with 320ppi high pixel density (1280x768 pixels) and Stripe RGB IPS Panel with 15:9 aspect ratio. LG Display pushed the boundaries of its technology to offer True HD IPS+ Display, which is sharper and crisper with color accuracy of sRGB 100 percent to show natural and life-like images.

Moreover, the Optimus G will be the first smartphone to be equipped with LG Innotek and LG Display’s newly developed G2 Touch Hybrid Display for touchscreen panels (TSP). The G2 Touch Hybrid Display is thinner than current TSPs and offers the slimmest panel display with no diffused reflection for clearer and sharper visibility, even outdoors. Thanks to the new technology, the thickness of the screen panel has been reduced and the screen itself is much stronger to withstand damage from impact.

Lastly, LG Chem developed a high-density 2,100mAh battery that provides more power capacity and prolonged charging cycles. The new battery technology extended the battery lifespan to 800 cycles at 80 percent charging capabilities, much greater than the lifespan of 500 cycles in regular phone batteries.

Enhanced UX for Productivity and Entertainment
Whether users need functionality or fun in their daily lives, the Optimus G has it all, including a high-resolution 13.0MP camera and unique and differentiated user experience (UX) features, such as:

The added UX features are anticipated to provide instant and intuitive productivity to complete tasks beyond simple multitasking.

Innovative and Modern Look
LG maintained its differentiated design philosophy with the Optimus G. The Optimus G is encased in an eye-catching slim body epitomizing timeless beauty that perfectly demonstrates LG’s design philosophy. Premium glass is utilzied on the back cover with a polarized glass pattern that offers a clean, modern look. The G2 Touch Hybrid Display contributed significantly to the design of the Optimus G as it reduced the thickness of the device enabling Optimus G to fit more comfortably in the hand. And the jet black front display flows smoothly into the body for a seamless look with no gaps.

“We are confident that users will have a superior experience with everything that we’re offering in the Optimus G,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Optimus G isn’t just another high-performance phone with the latest bells and whistles. It’s a collaboration of some of the best component makers on the planet coming together for a singular cause, to develop a smartphone that stands out in a sea of me-too devices.”

NTT DOCOMO will be the first to unveil a Japanese edition of the Optimus G. The global version of the device will be launched in Korea in September, followed by other markets worldwide.

Key Specifications:

Ÿ Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro Processor with 1.5GHz Quad-Core CPU, Adreno 320 GPU with 4G LTE
Ÿ Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Ÿ Network: 2G / 3G / 4G LTE
Ÿ Display: 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS+ (1280x768 pixels) / 15:9 ratio
Ÿ Memory: 32GB
Ÿ RAM: 2GB DDR
Ÿ Cameras: 13.0MP rear / 1.3MP front
Ÿ Battery: 2,100 mAh
Ÿ Size: 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.45mm
Ÿ Weight: 145g
Ÿ Other: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, USB2.0 HS, A-GPS, MHL, DLNA, NFC

 

Sony delivers Slim Styles and unmatched performance with new range of Cyber-shot Digital Cameras

Sony, the leading consumer electronics brand, has announced nine new Cyber-shot™ cameras including the WX series (DSC-WX100, WX150), HX series (DSC-HX200V, HX20V, HX10V), W690, TX series (DSC-TX20, TX66), and H series (H90), which offer superior optical performance in some of the world’s slimmest and lightest cameras.

With this new range Sony continues to push the boundaries of digital photography, creating cameras that appeal to a dynamic market and meeting the demands of customers looking for high performance, convenience, style, and durability. With Sony’s new Advanced Aspherical (AA) lens, low noise technology, intelligent features and Extra High Sensitivity technology, this range raises the quality bar, making no compromise between style and performance.

From beautiful panoramas, high powered zoom, water and dustproof features to full HD Movie Making capabilities, the new range of Cyber-shot digital cameras offers more than just standard pictures; it makes capturing unforgettable moments an experience in itself, unmatched by any other in the market.

Coming at a time when customers’ demands are higher due to continuous exposure to a variety of products, Sony continues to cement its place in the market as the number one consumer electronics brand, commanding a loyal customer base with its consistent addition of new products to its portfolio.

Each of the nine cameras is designed to surpass the expectations of both professional and amateur photographers, and is at home whether in the city or on safari.  

The new range of Cyber-shot™ compact digital cameras (DSC-WX100/WX150, TX20, HX200V, HX30V/10V, H90, TX66, and W690) is currently available in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia.

LG Mobile Advances its L-Series Stable with Launch of Optimus L7 into the East African Market

Company banks on affordability, features and longer battery life in its battle for the regional smartphone market

LG Electronics’ has advanced its smartphone innovation trajectory with the introduction of the Optimus  L7 on its L-Series range of handsets currently in the market.

The launch of the L7 is a culmination of a sustained onslaught in the smartphone market by the company with the model already in stores in the local and regional market.

The latest model will retail at an introductory price of Kshs 27,000 and comes with a free 8GB memory card and a free stylus pen for “Quick memo”. The handset also boasts of a 5Mega Pixel camera.

Sporting a premium design and with a largest-in-class 4.3-inch display, the Optimus L7 offers Google’s latest Ice Cream Sandwich Android Operating System. And as part of the L-Series, it offers timeless style without sacrificing any features or functionality.

LG Electronics East and Central Africa Managing Director Josep Kim said the advancement of the L-Series had brought smartphones within the reach of a majority of middle and low income earners, a trend the company will sustain in its quest to further grow its market share.

“For consumers desiring high-end style and sophistication in a smartphone at the most cost effective price, LG Optimus L7 offers beauty and performance in one smart package. Our innovation team will continue coming up with handsets that meet and satisfy changing consumer lifestyles,” said Mr. Kim.

 

At 8.7mm, the LG Optimus L7’s slim and sleek body embodies the design-focused L-Style philosophy with an elegant look accentuated by metallic-decorated edges, a seamless key arrangement and the expansive 4.3-inch wide display providing optimal readability and viewability for a superb user experience.

 

Users of the new model will also get to explore the Ice Cream Sandwich Android OS on the Optimus L7. With the smarter and faster ICS OS, users can enjoy the more intuitive user interface and advanced multi-tasking capabilities.

The Optimus L7 also comes equipped with an advanced six-tenth of a second autofocus camera allowing users to capture precious scenes more accurately, whenever and wherever they may be.

“The L7 is a significant addition to our L-Series portfolio and we are confident that it’ll prove highly attractive to users. We expect it to be one of our most popular smartphones.” said Kim.

In the local market, LG kicked of their Optimus L-Series campaign with introduction of the Optimus L3 / E400 handset which runs on the ‘Gingerbread’ Operating System. This model is bigger in size than all the other competing models with a screen size of 3.2”. Retailing at Kshs9,999, the model features among other things “Quick Memo” which allows for easy texting. It also boasts a battery capacity of 1500 mAh.

It popularity in the market, especially within the youth segment is underscored by the fact that over 2500 units were sold within the first week of launch. The launching package includes a free 4GB memory card and a jelly case at only Kshs 9,999.

Other models within the L-Series category include the Optimus L5 which is being launched at an introductory price of Ksh 15,000 making it the most affordable Ice Cream Sandwich OS Smart phone. The other one is the Optimus L7 which this is the latest in the market with Ice Cream sandwich OS and a screen size of 4.3”.

“One of LG Mobile’s differentiates itself from competition in feature enhancements while maintaining affordability. Our phones are usually of a bigger battery capacity (giving you more talk-time) and our aim is being able to provide all the features and even more at the most affordable price,” said Godfrey Ngure, Marketing Manager LG Mobile Communications for East and Central Africa.

The phones can be found at LG Shops spread across the country.