At the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, Verizon Wireless revealed 10 gadgets with built-in access to its new high-speed wireless data network, including smartphones, tablets and laptops. Some are to launch as early as March. Verizon didn’t reveal what the new devices or wireless plans will cost.

The devices include Motorola’s Xoom tablet and Motorola’s Droid Bionic smartphone. LG, Samsung and HTC Corp. are bringing out similar phones for the network. Hewlett-Packard  is adding 4G capability to a laptop and a netbook.

Verizon’s fourth-generation, or “4G” network, went live for laptop modems in last month. Verizon is hoping to cash in on that advantage by selling tablets and smartphones that devour data.

Verizon, by number of subscribers, is the largest U.S. wireless carrier.

The most distinctive feature of 4G technologies like LTE and WiMax is that they’re designed to carry data rather than phone calls. That makes them more efficient at serving today’s smartphones, tablets and other gadgets that need data access on the go. It also makes the networks cheaper to build out and manage.[source]

Comcast Corporation, America’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, announced plans to enable in-home streaming for live and On Demand content this year on Apple’s iPad as well as Android powered tablets. Later this year, customers will be able to watch live news, TV shows and movies in their homes whenever they want. Comcast also made two more announcements about its Xfinity TV service today. First, Comcast provided details about the play now capability that will be available on the iPad in the coming weeks and which will enable the viewing of On Demand programming on the iPad. Second, Xfinity TV online (www.xfinityTV.com) has added additional features that transform any computer into a powerful search engine and remote control.

Play Now Capability on Xfinity TV iPad App: Comcast plans to roll out its new play now feature, which will enable customers using the popular Xfinity TV iPad app to watch nearly 3,000 hours of On Demand content, including popular movies and hit TV shows, either in the home or on-the-go, including anywhere there is a wireless connection.

Changing Channels on a Television Set from a Computer on Xfinity TV Online: Comcast has also launched a new feature that enables customers to search for their favorite programs and to change channels on a TV set from a computer via XfinityTV.com. The feature enables millions of customers with laptops or desktop computers to browse, search and find TV and On Demand content online and then select and watch it on their TVs or program their DVRs to record programs for later viewing. This feature also transforms any computer into a sophisticated remote control.[source]

Bharti Airtel, India’s largest telecom operator, has been selected as one of the top performers in the global Telecom Industry in a study conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Every year, the Telecom industry is creating a new milestone compared to the other industries by attracting millions of subscribers every year. Shareholders of America Movil (Mexico), China Mobile (Hong Kong) and Bharti Airtel have gained hugely with the total returns to shareholders (TSR) exceeding 25 percent. It is also observed that, telcos in developed countries generated just 2 percent TSR, while those in the developing countries generated a whopping 21 percent TSR.

Top telecom performers include América Móvil (27.1 percent), China Mobile (26.0 percent), and Bharti Airtel (25.6 percent).

With Bharti Airtel acquiring Africa based Zain Telecom for $10.7 billion has made Bharti the world’s fifth largest mobile operator, with operations across 18 countries. Comparing to other countries, India has had the highest growth in terms of Telecom in 2010.

The report also mentions there are five new strategic options that are coming up of which at least two will be adopted by the operators. The new trends will make operators become one stop shop for many consumers and small enterprises by providing new services and products. It also suggested that if telecom operators have to survive competition and challenges in future, they have to concentrate on satisfying their shareholders. [source]

From January 5, 2011 onwards, internet browsing charges through airtel’s Mobile Office will cost 30p/20 KB from the current 30p/50 KB rate, reports TOI. Airtel’s Live WAP Portal which is free until now will also be charged at 30p/20 KB from December 28, 2010 onwards.

The move to raise charges is not aimed at improving the margin or revenue of the operator, but to limit the rising demand for mobile internet. Through the hike, bandwidth can be effectively managed and the quality of internet service will also increase for users, the report concludes.

NIIT, leading Global Talent Development Corporation and Asia’s largest IT trainer, has been conferred with ‘Top IT Training Company Award 2010′ by Dataquest. NIIT has been receiving the coveted award successfully for the last 17 years since the magazine introduced this category.

NIIT received the award for its talent development initiatives across the world, in the year 2009-10. NIIT’s revenue of Rs.1199 crores in 2009-2010 formed 24% of the total IT education market in India.

The Indian IT education market has grown by 3% to reach Rs 4983 crore in FY 09-10, whereas e-Learning grew 4% with Rs 1721 crore in the year. Within the IT training market, Individual training segment recorded a turnover of Rs. 1370 crore and corporate training grew by 5% to reach Rs. 1892 crore. via.

The third generation Kindle e-reader had become Amazon’s best selling product of all time, according to reports from Amazon.com. Kindle had thus surpassed the  online store’s earlier record sales of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in 2007.

“[Customers] report preferring Kindle for reading because it weighs less, eliminates battery anxiety with its month-long battery life, and has the advanced paper-like Pearl E Ink display that reduces eyestrain, doesn’t interfere with sleep patterns at bedtime, and works outside in direct sunlight, an important consideration, especially for vacation reading,” Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO said.

The third generation Kindle e-reader comes with a Freescale i. MX353 applications processor, Freescale MC 13892 power management chip, Epson EINK controller and Samsung DRAM and Flash. Other features include expanded internal memory of 4GB, and support for additional fonts and international Unicode characters.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched its first aerostat radar meant for high precision surveillance. The indigenously-built helium filled balloon carries electro-optic and COMINT (communication intelligence) payloads and is also equipped with sound recorders and thermal-imaging cameras for surveillance during night and in low visibility conditions.

Scientists at the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment in Agra flew the aerostat at an altitude of one km and carried out surveillance all over Agra. While flying, the balloon had intercepted a variety of communications from the region. The device can survey an area of up to 20 kms away, and the range of its advanced cameras goes beyond 100 kms. The platform integrates high-end technology, aerodynamics, balloon techniques, hydraulics and high-pressure cylinder technology. [via]

Farmers in China’s remote villages are prospering with trading agricultural products through the world wide web using internet connectivity provided at various information centres in rural parts of the country.

Information centres with internet have been set up in 2,362 villages in the autonomous region of Ningxia as part of a national one to improve access to the internet in rural areas. Farmers are able to sell their products directly to the market and add to their income up to six times. 99 percent of towns in China are connected to the internet.

[via]

The Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), a leading news agency has launched free iPhone and Android phone applications for readers to keep themselves updated with the latest news, updates and analyses while on move. IANS covers news from India and South East Asia.

“The iPhone and Android applications allow users to read news on all major categories and topics, such as national, politics, diplomacy, business, sports, entertainment, technology and international,” IANS said in a statement.

You can download the iPhone application at iTunes store. [via]

UID, the Unique Identification Number project of India government will likely become the standard for fool proof mobile verification norms. Using UID as an alternative for the existing verification system can help mobile companies save time and effort spend on verification process.

“Serious consideration is being given to make UID the fundamental basis of subscriber verification. This will mean that the present arrangement will continue for a period of time but once UID is up and running the transition could occur very quickly and nationwide.”, reports Times Of India as quoted by DoT secretary R Chandrashekhar.