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HP makes major push in Hybrid cloud services

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 5:25pm MST by Tim Conneally

IT solutions leader Hewlett-Packard has been very deliberate about its belief in Hybrid cloud solutions; that is, solutions that integrate public and private cloud solutions into a single, more controlled package. It was one of the top three company priorities erstwhile CEO Leo Apotheker outlined earlier this year, for which the company has set aside $2 billion in financing.

This week at HP Discover 2011 in Vienna, Austria, HP announced a series of additions to its cloud solutions portfolio many of which utilize this hybrid architecture and integrate solutions from HP's partners, as well as logistical solutions such as consultation, education, management, testing, and training.

This is important to watch because HP is trying to assume a stronger role as an all-in-one cloud services provider, with not just hardware and software solutions at its disposal, but also services brokerage and aggregation.

According to market research firm Gartner, when the delivery model changes from an exclusive on-site implementation to a mixture of private cloud/on-premises and public cloud services, lots of the traditional services associated with installation, integration and infrastructure upgrades disappear.

So one of the major announcements from HP this week was that it had partnered with telecommunications joint venture Alcatel-Lucent to integrate the HP Converged Infrastructure with the telecommunication network assets and cloud management capabilities provided by Alcatel-Lucent. The result is an automated provisioning and management system for both IT and telecommunications network services under HP's CloudSystem.

Next, HP announced CloudSystem Matrix 7.0, an update to the company's infrastructure-as-a-service offering that was known as BladeSystem Matrix until last June. This update to the Matrix Operating Environment certifies HP's CloudSystem for cloud bursting out of the box.

Cloud bursting is a cornerstone of hybrid cloud computing where a private cloud deployment "bursts" out to the public cloud for additional compute resources when demand spikes. The first service provider to partner with HP in this capability is CenturyLink subsidiary Savvis, other partners are expected to follow.

Third, HP announced the CloudAgile Service Provider Program, which adds the important "integration" factor to HP's CloudSystem, has expanded to Europe. HP CloudAgile is a specialized program open to AllianceONE members, and it provides new ways for all types of service providers to "deliver services faster with lower capital investment." HP has expanded the program with its first European partners and with new certified hosting options that enable service providers to deliver reliable, secure private hosted clouds based on HP CloudSystem.

Finally, HP announced the comprehensive HP Cloud Protection Program. This is made up of a consultation program (strategy, roadmap, design and implementation services), reference architectures, and lab testing of proposed solutions for enterprises looking to build a secure hybrid cloud.
iPhone 4S: 'Ours is not 4G'

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 3:00pm MST by Joe Wilcox

It's dress-down Friday here at BetaNews, and I can't resist letting Samsung dress down Apple. Yesterday, the South Korean electronics manufacturer uploaded to YouTube yet another TV commercial in "The Next Big Thing is Already Here" marketing campaign. This one answers the question I posed in late September: "What if iPhone 5 isn't LTE?" -- days before Apple revealed 4S; there was no 5 and only HSPA+.

What's the answer: Disappointment, as the commercial reveals. Apple's smartphone and standard Galaxy S II both have HSPA+, but S2 is better, offering maximum 21Mbps vs iPhone 4S' 14Mbps. The Galaxy S II Skyrocket has 4G LTE -- granted only in 9 markets. I have that phone. Absolutely hilarious: The commercial's huge gaffe that will give Apple fanboys chance to do a little dressing down of their own. The TV spot is set in Denver, which is not one of the cities where AT&T officially offers 4G LTE. Whoops! No one would have noticed or cared if the location label was Washington, DC, where there is service.

There's another problem, which is sure to delight the Apple Fanclub: When the Galaxy S2 owner holds up her phone, there's no connection of any kind. No HSPA+, no LTE, no WiFi. Nothing. That's not some fast 4G phone. It's magical, too.

However, in nice attention to detail, the phone screen shows December 1, same day the video debuted on YouTube and presumably TV.

It's helluva entertaining marketing, and Samsung's ad agency has brilliantly cut many different commercials from the same shoot. They deserve credit for nothing more than that. The editing is exceptional.

The TV spots are getting high rotation in US Prime Time. I've seen three different versions aired.

As for the Galaxy S II Skyrocket, AT&T starts selling the white model on Sunday (December 4). If you want a phone like the one in the commercial, it's available in two days.
Win CyberLink PowerDirector 10

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 1:59pm MST by Joe Wilcox

Heck, you might score something even better.

Earlier this month, CyberLink unveiled the "I Am a PowerDirector" community site and contest to promote it. BetaNews readers get special consideration. In addition to the regular prizes, CyberLink will hold a special drawing giving away 10 copies of PowerDirector 10 to our readers who enter the contest. We told you so 24 days ago and want to remind you before it's too late to participate.

CyberLink's contest differs slightly from the one including you. "Submit your written testimony and photo, or use video to tell us why you are a Power Director", according to CyberLink. "If the work is approved, you will be rewarded with a PowerDirector cap. You will also have a chance to join a lucky draw for amazing prizes". Videos must be 30 seconds to 2 minutes long and uploaded to YouTube before filmmakers (that's you) enter the contest. CyberLink recommends 720p video. Submission period ends Jan. 15, 2012, with drawing for prize winners two days later. See complete rules for more information.

The deadline for BetaNews readers is sooner for anyone wanting to participate in the separate drawing for one of 10 copies of PowerDirector 10. CyberLink asks to receive these entries by end of the year, with drawing planned during the first few days of January; your deadline is December 31. BetaNews submissions must be videos only, no written testimonies. Please mention that you saw the promotion at BetaNews or are one of our readers when making your submission. Additionally, CyberLink asks you to email us (joe at betanews dot com) as backup. No one wants any BetaNews readers to get overlooked in the fray.

This way you get two chances to win (but only one prize). PowerDVD 11 and Olympus XZ-1 digital camera are among the prizes available in the broader contest.

As I've oft-said, enthusiasts are any company's best evangelists. CyberLink's goal here is to churn up more interest in its video production software, while certifying new evangelists. Contest participants who receive 100 or more Facebook Likes for their submissions will be certified "PowerDirector Evangelist". This kind of engagement isn't new to CyberLink, which also hosts the DirectorZone community site.

Please do not submit entries here. After uploading to YouTube, please use CyberLink's official entry form.

As for what you might win, please read our October review of CyberLink Power Director 10.

Editor's Note: This story was originally posted on Dec. 2, 2011 at 1:59 pm ET
Antenna turns your PC into an Internet radio

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 12:02pm MST by Mark Wilson

When it comes to listening to the radio, the Internet means that you are no longer limited to listening to what you are able to pick up through your set’s antenna. There are a huge number of radio stations broadcasting online and while this means that there is no shortage of choice, it does mean that it can be difficult to find something you like unless you know about it in advanced. Antenna is a free Adobe AIR app that takes a new approach to internet radio.

Tracking down a new station to listen to is a wonderful interactive process that can be approached in a few ways. If you already know the name of station, you can simply perform a search for it, but if you would like to find something new, you can browse through the interactive map where pushpins are used to represent radio stations.

Alternatively, you can use the icon-driven interface to filter radio station based on the country they are broadcasting from or the language they use. Of course, there is the usual option of browsing through stations that fall into the genre of your preference, and an online chat facility is available to enable you to chat with other listeners and exchange details about your favorite stations.

If a station you like is not available through the app, you can adds its URL so you can use Antenna to listen to it in future, and the option to rate and bookmark stations provides you with additional filtering options and easy access to stations you like. Antenna also enables you to record streaming radio, although we did find that this was occasionally a bit hit and miss. Minor niggles aside, this is a great looking app that’s well worth checking out.

You can find out more and download a copy of the app by paying a visit to the Antenna review page.
Kindle is second-best selling tablet

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 11:23am MST by Ed Oswald

So says IHS iSuppli, which released projections for fourth-quarter tablet shipments on Friday. The firm predicts Kindle Fire will take about 13.8 percent of the market after having no share in the previous quarter. Kindle Fire went on sale at the end of September, with Amazon taking preorders right away but shipping November 14.

iSuppli expects Amazon to ship about 3.9 million units during the quarter, taking second place and all but tripling Samsung tablet market share. Kindle Fire's success comes at the expense of Apple as well as Samsung, however.

While iSuppli predicts Apple will hold the top spot, its share will drop 4.1 points to 65.6 percent. Samsung also takes a considerable hit, falling three points to 4.8 percent of the market. Despite the disruption, Kindle Fire's success will contribute to an overall increase in tablet shipments of 7.7 percent during the quarter.

"Nearly two years after Apple rolled out the iPad, a competitor has finally developed an alternative which looks like it might have enough of Apple’s secret sauce to succeed", iSuppli tablet research head Rhoda Alexander says. "Initial market response strongly suggests that Amazon, with the Kindle Fire, has found the right combination of savvy pricing, astute marketing, accessible content and an appropriate business model, positioning the Kindle Fire to appeal to a brand-new set of media tablet buyers".

Indeed any competitor looking to have any success against the iPad must have exactly what Alexander says: appeal to new buyers. Apple and Samsung have some of the most loyal customers, so marketing to this set is not going to win a new entrant much.

The drop in market share is likely less consumers switching from their Galaxy Tabs and iPads to the Fire, but more so new tablet consumers entering into the market at an affordable price: $199.

Amazon's pricing creates problems for its fellow Android brethren though, Alexander argues. "Most other Android tablet makers must earn a profit based on hardware sales alone. In contrast, Amazon plans to use the Kindle Fire to drive sales of physical goods that comprise the majority of the company’s business", he explains. "As long as this strategy is successful, the company can afford to take a loss on the hardware, while its Android competitors cannot".

This willingness to be a "loss leader" puts pressure on the entire industry at large, especially now that a bargain-priced tablet is enjoying so much success at retail. Who will be the first to respond? That remains to be seen.
Recover stolen mobile devices with Prey

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 10:55am MST by Mike Williams

If you’re worried about your phone or tablet being lost or stolen then it’s generally very easy to get some help. Just check a box in your iPad settings, or install a suitable app, and if your device goes astray you may be able to track its location, send messages to the thief, even remotely lock or wipe the device to prevent anyone accessing your files.

If you’d like the same protection for your Windows laptop, though -- or, even more conveniently, want to use the same service to cover all your devices -- then the choice is considerably more limited. Although, fortunately, there is one strong contender in the Prey Project.

Prey is lightweight, and works just about everywhere, with versions available for Windows, the Mac, Linux, iOS and Android. It’s also easily installed, and offers just about everything you’d expect from this kind of recovery tool.

Once you mark a lost device as “missing” at the Prey website, the program will pick this up if your system goes online, and begin sending reports. These may include its current location (the device needs wireless support for this to work), a picture of the thief (if you have a webcam), a grab of the desktop to show how your system is being used, and more.

If you’d like to try and take control of the situation, then you can also send a message to the device, perhaps offering a reward for its safe return. You’re able to remotely secure the device, hiding emails, and deleting stored passwords. And a Lock option will prevent anyone from using the device at all until a password has been entered.

And best of all, the basic Prey account does all of this for up to three devices at no charge at all.

If you need more, though, commercial Pro accounts are also available. These enable you to get “missing” reports faster, and more frequently, can support more devices, and make it easier to deploy Prey in the first place. Prices start at $5 a month and you can read more at the Prey site.

Photo Credit: Blazej Lyjak/Shutterstock
Try Windows Phone 7.5 on iPhone

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 10:18am MST by Joe Wilcox

Microsoft has a big problem. Windows Phone 7.5 is one of its best kept secrets. That's not a good thing. The operating system is fresh, remarkably different from Android and iOS and task-oriented. However, judging by US market share -- a puny 1.5 percent, according to Nielsen -- nearly no one knows about Windows Phone. In product marketing, secrets are very bad.

So, Microsoft is taking the marketing home -- to your competing handset. The Redmond, Wash.-based company has posted a live WP demo that Android and iPhone users can try in their mobile browser. I captured the screenshot right from Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket running Android 2.3.6. It's a clever marketing gimmick that also demonstrates the value of HTML5 (and JavaScript) -- after all, iPhone is an Adobe Flash-free zone.

If you've never experienced Windows Phone, please go to the demo on your Android or iPhone, try it and post your reaction in comments below. First impressions are everything, and that's all you really need share. The demo is a mockup, and while a pretty good one still not revealing enough about what Windows Phone could do for you.

I'd like the demo more, if it went further -- like selling something. Microsoft should offer option to buy Windows Phone from their carrier.

Really smart: Make gaining market share during the holidays matter more than moolah. Microsoft should offer extra carrier subsidies so that anyone who wants Windows Phone can get one even if otherwise ineligible for discounted, upgrade pricing.

Marginally related, I'll announce our Windows Phone contest winners early next week. Our panel of judges narrowed the choices with some difficulty and likely will choose the winner randomly among the best submissions. We had asked contest participants to explain what Microsoft's "glance and go" approach means to them. Microsoft graciously is providing a Samsung Focus S to the lucky winner. Everyone wins in my book, but we don't have enough prizes -- just the one.
Roll up for the Bing Magical Holiday Calendar tour

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 9:10am MST by Joe Wilcox

I'm a day late, but you shouldn't have to miss out. Caught up in reporting on the Carrier IQ scandal and editing responsibilities, I missed a Microsoft holiday promotion worth calling out: Bing Magical Holiday Calendar, which started yesterday.

Christmas is all about giving and people. Microsoft features Kelly Osbourne as centerpiece for a month of winnables, supposedly inspired from her gift list. That's a much better approach than some of Microsoft's past contests, which put faceless Bing front and center.

"In the spirit of celebrating traditions new and old, we’re trying something new and -- together with Ms. Osbourne and our partners -- Bing will unveil daily surprises in our Bing Magical Holiday Calendar this December", Lisa Gurry, Bing director says. "Part of the fun is the unexpected surprise awaiting you each day, and trust me you’ll want to check it out every day to see what we have in store".

Think of the promotion as a month-long advent calendar. It's smart marketing, and Microsoft needs to do more of it. As BetaNews reader Robert Johnson observed earlier this week: "Microsoft is in trouble", based on three Thanksgiving Day experiences. The company has perception problems, which promotions like this can change.
RIM can't give away PlayBook -- $485 million worth unsold

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 9:05am MST by Tim Conneally

Research in Motion sold 500,000 PlayBook tablets in its first quarter on the market, and 200,000 the next quarter. Because of these low sales figures, the company readily admitted there was a big surplus of PlayBooks, and based on some early promotions from the company, we assumed there were probably a lot of them laying around.

Today, the Canadian smartphone company confirmed this surplus and gave us a good idea about just how big it is. In the third quarter, only 150,000 PlayBooks sold through to customers, so the company is taking a $485 million markdown on its third quarter earnings because of the unsold PlayBooks in the channel.

"The Company now believes that an increase in promotional activity is required to drive sell-through to end customers," Friday's announcement said. "This is due to several factors, including recent shifts in the competitive dynamics of the tablet market and a delay in the release of the PlayBook OS 2.0 software. As a result, RIM will record a provision that reflects the current market environment and allows it to expand upon the aggressive level of promotional activity recently employed by the Company in order to drive PlayBook adoption around the world."

An additional strike RIM is taking in its third quarter earnings is the week-long global service outage that hit BlackBerry when a core switch failed and caused a cascading failure that knocked BlackBerry out for practically the entire world.

The company registered a $50 million charge against its third quarter revenue because of this failure.

Shipment of BlackBerry handsets was about the only thing that RIM managed to pull off according to quarterly guidance. The company estimates 14.1 million BlackBerry handsets shipped to retail in the quarter, but it did not say how many actually sold through to consumers.

It is entirely possible that there will be a surplus of BlackBerry handsets in the fourth quarter too, as RIM said it expects lower shipments due to "several factors including lower than expected sell-through in the third quarter."
Review: IObit Advanced SystemCare PRO 5

Posted: December 2nd, 2011, 6:57am MST by Mike Williams

There are two things that almost every computer owner is concerned with -- security and performance. When it comes to security there are all manner of tools that you can install from firewalls and antivirus to spyware and malware checkers, and there is certainly no shortage of tweaking tools available to help boost system performance.

Those that are more adept with computers are likely to feel comfortable with editing the registry to apply their own tweaks, but this is not a course of action that suits everyone. IObit Advanced SystemCare PRO 5 is an advanced suite of tools that has both performance security covered.

The suite is made up of a large number of individual components, but they can all be accessed through one neatly organized interface. The Quick Care section, as the name might suggest, provides access to a number of fast, everyday options that will quickly become part of your daily or weekly maintenance routine. Here you can scan your hard drive for malware -- and, of course, remove it -- check for and fix problems with the registry and remove invalid shortcuts that may exist. The Privacy Sweep option enables you to quickly cover your tracks by wiping your activity logs for all popular web browsers as well as a number of common applications such as Microsoft Office and Windows Media Player.

Quick Care can also includes a cleanup option that enables you to free up hard drive space by deleting temporary files, log files and other unnecessary remnants of computer use. Files cannot only be deleted; you can also opt to securely delete files by overwriting them to avoid the risk of them being recovered by others. All of these tools can help to keep your computer running smoothly and eliminate problems and performance bottlenecks, but even more options are available by heading to the Deep Care section. As you might expect, here you will find more advanced tools that perform more in-depth scans of your system – this means that this is a more time-consuming section to work with, but one that will bring more noticeable results.

Performance Boosting

Performance and stability issues can be overcome by running a deep scan of the registry while the vaguely named ‘system optimization’ settings include tweaks for internet and network performance. There is also a more powerful junk file deletion tool available and to help you to make the most of your hard drive and its newly recovered space, defragmentation helps to ensure that files are organized for the fastest possible access times. Additional tools enable you to boost startup times by disabling or staggering startup programs and you can also check you drives for errors to help avoid the risk of data loss.

If you’d like to take a more hands-on approach to system maintenance, you can work your way through the Turbo Boost section. Here you can choose from pre-defined modes that will automatically apply certain tweaks, but you can also manually adjust settings for enhanced performance. There are a huge number of options to work through here including disabling animation effects and unwanted services as well as cutting back on running services and visual effects.

If all of this isn’t enough for you, IObit Advanced SystemCare PRO 5 also includes a toolbox that is made up of a series of system utilities. Initially, it may seem as though this section has been added as almost an afterthought, but there is actually a great deal to work with here.

There are cleanup tools that can be used to optimize the registry, uninstall unwanted software and securely delete files and there are also utilities to free up memory, optimize your hard drive and fix a range of system problems. Secure deletion ensures that deleted files cannot be recovered, but there is also an undelete tool that can be used to recover files that have been deleted in the usual way, even if the Recycle Bin has been emptied. There are more advanced tools for examining and controlling running processes, meaning that you can get as involved with the optimization of your computer as you want.

The program benefits from a cloud-based database so malware definitions can be updated in an instant and all of the latest tweaks and optimum settings can be quickly disseminated to users.

IObit Advanced SystemCare PRO 5 finds itself in something of a saturated corner of the software market, but it is a seriously comprehensive tool that gives the competition a run for its money. There are countless other tweaking tools available, including some that offer security features as well, but this is a package that is not only well balanced, but also well priced. It would be easy to imagine a similar suite of tools being sold for twice the price, but this is perfectly pitched for its target audience.

The software lists for $19.95 and runs on Windows 2000 through 7.