Posts Tagged ‘upgrade’
Suzuki Kizashi hybrid to hit US in 2011
August 19th, 2009 | 
Author: 
Based on GM hybrid technology
Suzuki will bring the Kizashi hybrid to North America in 2011, according to reports. The new Suzuki hybrid will be built on a “next generation” hybrid system developed with GM, which probably means that the Kizashi will utilize GM’s upgraded BAS hybrid drive.
A non-hybrid version of the Kizashi is still on track to hit the US, the this year.
Posted in Cars, Hybrid Cars | 
Tags: ash, blog, car, idc, suzuki, system, Technology, upgrade | 
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UK: consumers prefer to cut back on dining out than buying broadband, mobile telephony
Customers are looking to save money on communications and media deals but are still willing to pay up for services that enhance the experience, such as digital video recorders and mobile broadband.
Britons are shopping around more, signing long-term contracts in exchange for cheaper payments, and bundling services such as TV, phone and telephony, Ofcom’s Communications Market Report said.
“Despite the recession, people are spending more time watching TV, using their mobile phone or accessing the Internet,” said Ofcom partner Peter Phillips.
“Meanwhile, we are becoming more canny about the way we pay for these services (and) as well as getting better deals we are demanding more control.”
In the first quarter of 2009, 46 percent of consumers took a bundle with two or more services from one operator, such as pay TV groups BSkyB and Virgin Media, up from 39 percent a year earlier.
For mobile phones, some 70 percent of users said they would rather retain their existing handset than upgrade if it meant a cheaper deal.
But the report showed that despite the pressure on spending, consumers were still prepared to pay for services that enhanced the experience, such as digital video recorders, high definition television and mobile broadband.
According to the report, more than a quarter of UK homes had a digital video recorder, while consumers with faster broadband access were also catching up on programs via online catch-up sites.
More than 2 million households had access to a high definition service, according to the report, and 17.6 million HD-ready sets, in nearly 9 million households, have been sold in the UK.
Almost 70 percent of homes took broadband by the end of the first quarter of 2009, up from 58 percent a year ago, while more than one in 10 households had access to mobile broadband.
Of those taking mobile broadband, three quarters also had access to fixed-line broadband, showing the two services can complement each other.
While online, some 19 million Internet users visit Facebook, spending an average of nearly 6 hours per month on the site, although those in the 15 to 24 age group were spending less time on social networking sites in general, down from 55 per cent in the first quarter of 2008 to 50 per cent in 2009.
There were 2.6 million Twitter users by May 2009 — up from 0.1 million on the previous year.
Posted in Communications |
Tags: blog, blogs, Communications, consumers, facebook, Internet, Mobile, mobile broadband, mobile phone, mobile phones, money, Network, Networking, online, reuters, social networking, social networking sites, upgrade |
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USA: AT&T reports significant growth in use of its Wi-Fi hotspots in Q2 2009, fueled by smartphones
In the second quarter, AT&T handled nearly 15 million Wi-Fi connections on its network — a 41 percent increase over the first quarter. With approximately 25.6 million connections so far in 2009, AT&T Wi-Fi connections this year have already surpassed the 20 million connections seen in all of 2008.
Additionally, the number of customers with Wi-Fi access as part of their AT&T service continues to grow. AT&T broadband connections — which include both wireline broadband and wireless LaptopConnect cards — grew by 209,000 in the second quarter to reach 16.9 million in service. AT&T includes unlimited Wi-Fi access with qualifying AT&T High Speed Internet plans, 3G LaptopConnect plans and with select smartphone plans.
Wi-Fi Connections Increasingly From Smartphones Versus Laptops
In the second quarter, 49 percent of the total connections were made by integrated devices. This is an increase of 41 percent over the first quarter 2009 — a significant shift that tracks with the growth of Wi-Fi enabled devices.
“Our Wi-Fi network is a competitive differentiator for AT&T and a major value for our customers,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We include unlimited Wi-Fi access with the majority of our broadband and smartphone plans, and our customers are clearly taking advantage of it. It’s another reason that twice as many smartphone customers choose AT&T than any other carrier.”
AT&T Investing in Wi-Fi Network
Since the beginning of the year, AT&T quadrupled its Wi-Fi network authentication capacity in preparation for increased sessions, the ongoing rise in consumer demand for Wi-Fi, and to ensure reliable performance on the network.
“Our customers want both speed and mobility,” said Angie Wiskocil, senior vice president, AT&T Wi-Fi Services. “They love the convenience that AT&T Wi-Fi offers, and we continue to enhance our Wi-Fi network, expand our portfolio of Wi-Fi enabled devices and extend our hotspot footprint to offer the best customer experience.”
Also in the second quarter, AT&T made several Wi-Fi enhancements and formed strategic relationships including smartphone-friendly upgrades to the Giants Digital Dugout Wi-Fi portal at AT&T Park in San Francisco, which serve to enhance the fan experience at Giants home games, and a strategic agreement with Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide to provide complimentary Wi-Fi to any customer that visits a store.
AT&T’s Wi-Fi network complements its wired broadband and wireless 3G networks, offering Wi-Fi connectivity in more than 20,000 hotspots in the U.S. — including retail stores, restaurants and airports from coast-to-coast.
Largest Wi-Fi network claim based on non-municipal company and owned and operated hotspots. An 802.11 b/g enabled device required.
AT&T Sees Significant Rise in Wi-Fi Hotspot Connections During Second Quarter
see also A full list of AT&T Wi-Fi locations
Posted in Communications |
Tags: 3g, amp, blog, blogs, car, connectivity, game, Games, high speed internet, Internet, Investing, laptops, Marketing, Network, smartphone, upgrade, wi-fi, wifi, Wireless |
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They’re coming! Small hybrid cars, at least from Japan
Will America compete?
When it comes to hybrid cars, it’s still all about the Toyota Prius. Surprisingly, however, after a decade on the market, only Honda has sought to challenge the Prius. American automakers, on the other hand, seem inclined to eventually sell some new, conventional small cars to both compete with the Prius and to help meet tougher CAFE standards.
Still, after decades of small car market domination in America, Japanese automakers again seem to be taking a far more aggressive approach to the small vehicle market. Quite simply, small cars are not enough. Ultra-efficient small cars seem to be Japan’s next focus.
For instance, Toyota’s Yaris and Corolla platforms are already being upgraded for hybrid production, and numerous small and compact hybrids are now inevitable. Likewise, Honda will soon offer hybrid versions of the Fit and the CR-Z.
Small hybrids, priced well under $20,000, will soon hit American shores. Yet, much like the American response to the Prius, American automakers seem to believe this front requires no response.
For decades US automakers have completely misunderstood and underestimated the small car market in America. Is history set to again repeat itself, or is it Honda and Toyota that have misjudged the importance of small hybrids?
Posted in Cars, Hybrid Cars |
Tags: auto industry, blog, car, Cars, honda, hybrid car, Hybrid Cars, hybrids, idc, prius, upgrade |
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Ghana: Mobile penetration at the end of 2008 was close to 50% and could reach 60% in 2009
Ghana Ended 2008 With A Mobile Penetration Rate Close To 50%
Posted in Communications |
Tags: 3g, amp, blog, blogs, car, Communications, connectivity, Health, Internet, internet service, Investing, Mobile, mobile subscriber, Network, upgrade, vodafone, Wireless |
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