networking

The Broadband Forum and the University of New Hampshire-InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) have issueed their first set of BBF-069 Certificates to Broadcom, Cisco, D-Link, Huawei and Lantiq. The certificate signifies that the device is TR-069 protocol compliant, which means it can be remotely manage. With TR-069 devices service providers have a easier job of managing remote base devices, removing the need to send out service engineers for common faults.

A new report by NPD DisplaySearch is predicting a 15 per cent growth in smart connected TV worldwide in 2012.  The research found that Japan has the highest penetration of Smart and Connected TV, Western Europe and China are at the same growth rate and that North America is the slowest compared to other develop countries.

Motorola's EDGE Manager has become Time Warner Cable (TWC) chosen platform for device management. The solution will allow TWC to access its subscribers devices and provide services such as software update and troubleshoot problems.  Time Warner Cable will be able to see these devices operating in real-time so that they can identify and address issues before they become a problem.
 

Texas based Ube has released a new iPhone and Android app that can control over 200 IP based smart home appliances. The new app according to Ube will supplement and in some case replace the other control devices, such as smart TVs, set top boxes, AV receivers, DVD players, thermostats, garage door openers and more.

STMicroelectronics and PacketVideo have collaborated to port the Twonky Media Server software to the STiH416 (Orly) connected home system-on-chip device.  According to both companies, the solution delivers state-of-the-art home multimedia capability, where content from many different sources can be stream to many different devices in the home, regardless of the original content format or the screen resolution of the display device.

Service providers will welcome the news that NAGRA OpenTV 5 is supported on Set-Top Box, Gateway Platforms and other client devices. In partnership with IC manufacturer Broadcom NAGRA has developed a reference design for the NAGRA HomeCruise platform. The “off-the-shelf” solution now provides an accelerated path for service providers to get their product to market. At last month’s IBC 2012 show, NAGRA showcased the NAGRA HomeCruise microGateway, a solution that will allow service providers to extend their broadcast services in the home.

Makers of set-top boxes, gateways and smart home controllers with Zigbee RF4CE should now find it easier to integrate home automation into their smart home products.  That is because Greenpeak, a semiconductor company has release a new chip (GP710) that supports Zigbee RF4CE and Zogbee IP/Zigbee PRO protocols.  Therefore, products developed with the GP710 chip will be able to extend their functionality within the home.

The UNH-IOL (University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory) has setup a new home networking consortium, which is to act as a one stop shop for broadband forum TR-069 and IPv6 testing.  UNH-IOL said manufacturers of CPE (customer premise equipment) can have their devices tested for IPv6 CPE Ready Logo and compliance to the TR-069 protocol.  The UNH-IOL has been named the world’s only official laboratory for all Broadband Forum TR-069 testing and is the only approved laboratory for IPv6 CPE Ready Logo testing in North America.

Cisco has developed a new software platform for its Linksys Wi-Fi Routers. Labelled Cisco Connect Cloud, the new platform will make it easier to add devices to your home network and make them more accessible, said Cisco. To support the Connect Cloud, Cisco has also release Cisco Connect Cloud Mobile App, which features SimpleTap, a new interface for the Linksys Wi-Fi Router.  Cisco also released six new developer apps to offer more control and convenience.

Cisco is offering a new range of home network wireless solutions based on the latest 802.11ac technology. The Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router (EA6500) and Universal Media Connector (WUMC710) available this month promises to offer wireless speed of up to three times faster than current 802.11n devices. The router also features Cisco’s latest home network software platform, Cisco Connect Cloud, which offers hassle free network setup and management.