Friday, April 24, 2009

News from Around The World "LIVE"

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

PBS Unveils Video Portal Featuring Full-Length Programs for Online Viewing


Thousands of Hours of Iconic PBS Programs to Be Available in One Place for the First Time Ever; Special Programming for April 22 Earth Day Launch


Portal Enables Local PBS Stations to Access Unprecedented Video Library and Share Local Content with National Audiences


ARLINGTON, Va., April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PBS announced today the beta launch of the PBS Video Portal (www.pbs.org/video), featuring full-length videos from PBS. The offerings span all PBS genres and the system's most renowned award-winning programs, as well as content from local PBS stations, and will ultimately include feature-length films and documentaries, and live events and performances, with more content arriving literally every week.

The portal will bring thousands of hours of PBS programming to the Web -- together in one place for the first time ever -- including iconic PBS programming such as AMERICAN EXPERIENCE (including the recent documentary series WE SHALL REMAIN), AMERICAN MASTERS, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, FRONTLINE, FRONTLINE/World, GREAT PERFORMANCES, JULIA CHILD COOKING WITH MASTER CHEFS, MASTERPIECE, NATURE, THE NEWSHOUR WITH JIM LEHRER, NOVA, NOVA scienceNOW and more. PBS producers are also planning to deliver regular web-original content to the PBS Video Portal, which will include a state-of-the-art player and curated "collections" of content across PBS' deep video library.


The PBS Video Portal will mark its Earth Day launch by showcasing a series of environmentally focused programs, including full episodes from FRONTLINE, NOVA, JEAN MICHEL COUSTEAU OCEAN ADVENTURES, PLANET FORWARD, GREEN BUILDERS and DESIGN E2 and NATURE "Under Antarctic Ice." Each program addresses the causes of our planet's environmental crisis and suggests ways to reverse the course.
The new video portal will provide improved navigation capabilities, allowing users to search and find their favorite shows by theme, episode, host and date and watch full-length programs on demand. In addition, local PBS stations now have easy access to signature programming for their websites, as well as the ability to share their own locally produced content with the national audiences on PBS.org and with other PBS stations. This will provide increased opportunities for local producers to be discovered by national audiences.

"This launch illustrates our commitment to deliver PBS' signature programming to the widest possible market," said Jason Seiken, PBS senior vice president of Interactive. "Our goal is to ensure that audiences have online access to the remarkable depth and breadth of PBS programming -- in a format that puts the user in control."

As part of the launch, the premiere episode of TIME TEAM AMERICA will debut today on PBS.org before its national broadcast premiere this summer. Co-produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and Videotext Communications, TIME TEAM AMERICA takes viewers to America's most intriguing archaeological dig sites with a team of archaeological experts. For three days, they race against the clock, uncovering the past as they unearth the site's buried secrets. The new series will debut on PBS stations in July.


Oregon Public Broadcasting president and CEO Steve Bass commented, "Having the ability to reach a national audience through PBS.org expands our mission in a way we could not do otherwise. For OPB-produced national series like TIME TEAM AMERICA and HISTORY DETECTIVES, the player lets us meet the audience wherever they live. It gives us one more way to enrich their experience."


The expanded online video portal is a part of a larger PBS effort to leverage new technology to serve the public better. The PBS KIDS GO! Video Player (www.pbskidsgo.org/video), launched in September 2008, now features interactive games for children and parents and is streaming more than one million video clips each week. Currently, stations can link their sites to the national KIDS GO! experience or incorporate the player as a module into their own sites.


PBS was the top broadcast network TV web site in 2008, according to Hitwise* data. This comprehensive upgrade to PBS.org furthers the network's commitment to attract new audiences and to serve as the premiere multimedia destination for online content in science, history, children's programming, documentaries, dramas and live performances.


About PBS

PBS, with its 357 member stations, offers all Americans -- from every walk of life -- the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches more than 115 million people on-air and online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and Web site, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.PBS.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Nokia 6650 Phone, Silver (AT&T)

The stylish and innovative Nokia 6650 flip phone for AT&T is packed with loads of communication, multimedia, and location features and services. You’ll be able to quickly download video, music and more over AT&T’s lightning quick HSPDA 3G network. In addition to access to AT&T Mobile Music (compatible with Napster and eMusic subscriptions), this GPS-enabled phone is compatible with the AT&T Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions as well as its Video Share service, which enables you to send video of yourself to ancompatible phone while making a voice call. It’s also one of AT&T’s first handsets to be compatible with the Loopt location-based social network–simply pull out your phone and see where your friends are and what they are doing. The 6650 also features a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, digital audio player, MicroSD memory expansion to 8 GB, Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, access to personal email and popular instant messaging services, and up to 4 hours of talk time. Mobilize your communication with access to email and instant messaging, connectivity to the Loopt social networking service, and more. AT&T Service This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the dual-band UMTS 850/1900 MHz network, which provides download speeds ranging from 700 Kbps to 1.7 Mbps, and upload speeds ranging from 500 Kbps to 1.2 Mbps. This makes it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services, and it gives you the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services. In areas where the 3G network is not available, you’ll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it’s fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You’ll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming. With 3G connectivity, you’ll be able to access AT&T’s Video Share service, which enables you to send a live, one-way video stream to ancompatible phone during a standard voice call. The service also allows you to switch the direction of the video stream during the same phone call. (Customers must be in an area served by the company’s 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone.) A majority of users in the architecture, engineering and construction industries rated the ability to share live video through Video Share highly, according to research commissioned by AT&T. Video Share lets you see progress on a job site or review the day’s work without having to drive from an office or site to do so. You can take advantage of the AT&T Navigator GPS software and service, a full-featured premium navigation application that includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search. With 3G connectivity, you’ll be able to access AT&T’s Cellular Video (CV) service and the Internet while on the go. Cellular Video features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster and eMusic subscription music services, stream music video, discover what’s playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what’s hot with The Buzz music news portal. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T’s Internet, video, and music services.) Instantly contact any AT&T user with this phone’s Push-to-Talk (PTT) functionality, which works across the entire network to make sure you have a clear signal so you can get things done. Easy-to-read icons let you know when members of your contact list are available, not available, or have their status set to Do Not Disturb. You can also set your own status to let others know that you’re busy. When a quick PTT call needs to be a longer discussion convert the call easily to a regular voice call–works for one-to-one calls as well as group calls. Save time on group calling by pulling up your contacts and simply marking those you wish to include on a call–no need to set up and save groups before calling, unless you want to. The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T’s MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. Flip open your mobile phone anytime and connected to your friends via the GPS-enabled Loopt social networking service. Loopt Social Networking The optional Loopt social networking service is really more social mapping, using GPS location technology to connect you to your friends. It provides the ability to find where friends are and what they’re doing via interactive maps, instantly share photos and comments with friends and communities and discover and explore nearby places and events friends have recommended. Your mobile phone now becomes a social compass. No need to manually update location; simply pull out your phone and see where your friends are and what they are doing. Once friends are found, text or IM them right from the map. You can even set alerts to be notified when friends are nearby. Access your Loopt account from your mobile phone and computer–everything you can do on Loopt mobile, you can do on the web. The 6650 features a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth stereo music streaming, and compatibility with 8 GB MicroSD cards. Phone Features Designed with premium materials and customizable illumination, the Nokia 6650 has a brushed metal fold design. It’s a terrific portable entertainment device, with external soft keys and a 1.36-inch display that allows you to capture quality photos, control music and change profile settings without ever having to flip open the phone. Flip open the phone to reveal the 2.2-inch LCD screen (with a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and a 16 million color depth) and the standard alpha-numeric keypad–which is complemented by a dedicated menu key for AT&T Navigator right below the five-way navigator. The S60 operating system enables you to personalize your mobile experience, providing access to tens of thousands of applications for anything from gaming to productivity as well as themes and profile settings. The 6650 has an internal 30 MB memory, which can be expanded via optional MicroSD memory cards (up to 8 GB in size). The internal phonebook can store up to 2000 contact entries, with each offering fields for multiple phone numbers and support for picture and ringer ID. You can also easily synchronize with Outlook contacts, calendar, and notes. Convenient access to music, camera, calender, profiles, and more thru the external display. Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0+EDR), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking–surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server. The 2-megapixel camera can capture still images up to 1600 x 1200 pixels, great for printing up to 8 x 10-inch photos. It features a 4x digital zoom, flash, and a self-timer with three settings. You can also capture video clips up to 60 minutes in length (depending on available memory on your inserted memory card), and it records clips at a 240 x 320-pixel resolution at 15 frames per second (fps). The digital audio player is compatible with MP3, WMA, and AAC/eAAC+ formats, and it offers playlist and random/repeat playback. You can use your music tracks for ringing, game, and alert tones. This phone also includes an XM Radio application to access radio broadcast thru the Internet (additional charges applicable). The 6650 offers a full range of email, text, and multimedia messaging options. It includes support for mobile email services such as AOL, Yahoo!, and Windows Live. You can also keep up with your instant messaging buddies using the built-in IM application that connects to those same services. T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for entering text on handsets, is built into the unit–a plus for mobile email and text messaging users. features include: Organization: Calendar, Address Book, Countdown timer, World Clock, File Manager, Audio Recorder, Notes, and Clock Screensaver Voice commands for control of your mobile phone Voice dialing–just speak the number and the phone dials for you Audio recorder lets you record speech or make your own ring tones Interface: Symbian OS (3rd Edition, Feature Pack 2) with S60 UI interface; JavaTM MIDP 2.0 Micro USB 2.0 connectivity with mass storage capabilities Offline (flight) mode allows use of the device while cellular transmitter is switched off Hearing Aid Compatibility Rating: M3/T3 Included Applications: AT&T Navigator, Push To Talk, MobiTV, XM Radio, Music ID, Yellowpages, The Weather Channel, Mobile Banking Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BIP (for sending images to andevice), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures) Vital Statistics The Nokia 6650 weighs 3.95 ounces and measures 3.93 x 1.86 x 0.64 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4 hours of talk time, and up to 336 hours (14 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as AT&T’s 850/1900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA 3G frequencies.