DVD format race begins, Toshiba first off the block

The next-generation DVD player for high-definition movies are out. They are from Toshiba, cost over 800 and support the HD-DVD format, rival of the Blu-Ray Disc faction.

The next-generation DVD player for high-definition movies are out. They are from Toshiba, cost over 800 and support the HD-DVD format, rival of the Blu-Ray Disc faction. Samsung, which belongs to the latter category, has delayed the launch of its first consumer Blu-Ray Disc player by a month until June 25. But the battle will only begin after July, when the technology to encode a regional code in the players will also be ready. It will cost 999, going by company statements. After that, being behind the first HD disc player won8217;t matter. Being in the right market, first, at the right time, might.

Google grabs the ads

Google is raking in the moolah from traditional advertising media such as TV and print classifieds as the global advertising industry shifts towards Internet marketing once again, forgetting the dot-com crash more than a decade ago. The online search engine leader reported excellent first-quarter earnings, with a net profits jump of 60; revenues were up too, by 79. Only 5-10 of the global advertising industry is online, which means that Google and other Internet companies have huge profits in the making.

Shrink-wrapped PC troubles

Security experts have spotted a new virus that can infect both Windows and Linux computer systems. It8217;s a 8216;8216;proof-of-concept8217;8217; virus, non malicious and will not spread, but demonstrates the problematic possibilities ahead. The bad news is, once a proof of concept code is established, virus writers are never far behind and take the virus to new levels of infectiousness. Then, many will be thankful that the proof of concept is already in a petri dish, so that an anti-virus can be juggled out too.

Adoption of 3G

A much-awaited report on 3G by the Yankee Group and CII is finally out. The report says that mobile operators worldwide are allocating 20-30 of their capital expenditure to 3G network rollout. That amounts to 30-50 of 3G population coverage, since the rural areas will take several years in every country, especially in India. Here, there will be limited 3G availability from towards the end of 2006, and the operators are already going no-holds-barred. Though no one8217;s talking about it yet, few service providers will be uninterested in 3G handsets. All, in fact, will be testing, squeezing, driving and mapping the latest, India-friendly and longest-lasting, not to mention least expensive, 3G handsets as of now. Expect announcements after September.