Tech digest
Set-top box to provide three-in-one service
Zhejiang Dahua Digital Technology, China's largest cable and internet protocol television (IPTV) set-top box supplier, and European chipmaker STMicroelectronics have released an advanced, three-in-one digital media system designed for the mainland.
Dahua's new single-chip, dual-mode digital set-top box, which began use in Hangzhou province this month, enables consumers to enjoy digital cable television, video-on-demand, interactive games, Voice-over-IP and video phone calls, short messaging service and Web browsing from just one system.
Robert Krysiak, STMicroelectronics vice-president and general manager for Greater China operations, said: 'The co-operation with Dahua is the first volume deployment in China of our latest H.264 single chip which is capable of both MPEG4 and MPEG2 decoding and it will enhance Dahua's position in the rapidly growing new cable and IPTV market.'
An estimated 360 million households in the mainland have television, including 114.7 million cable subscribers. China is expected to become the largest IPTV market over the next few years.
? US and Chinese online job sites form tie-up 51job, China's leading online human resources services provider, has forged an exclusive partnership with Chicago-based CareerBuilder.com to bring more recruitment information to employers and job-seekers in the mainland and the United States.
? Executives named for Nokia Siemens venture Nokia and Siemens last week announced the business unit and regional leadership team for Nokia Siemens Networks in China, with the appointments expected to be effective when the new company starts operations on January 1 next year.
Zhang Zhiqiang, general manager of Siemens Communications in the mainland, will lead the company's China operations.
David Ho, senior vice-president of China for Nokia Networks, will serve as chairman for Nokia Siemens Networks in the mainland.
Simon Beresford-Wylie will assume the position of global chief executive of Nokia Siemens Networks. He is currently executive vice-president and general manager of networks at Nokia.
? Harbin tech to build beijing airport rail link
Harbin Tech Full Electric, a subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed motor maker Harbin Electric, has entered into a joint development agreement with the Institute of Electrical Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to build a train and track transport system for the Beijing Airport railway line.
The completed system will start tests before the end of 2008 and is expected to cost US$3.13 million, with US$1.88 million to be invested by Harbin Tech and the remainder by the institute.
Harbin Tech Full Electric is responsible for designing and manufacturing certain components of the system, including the high-power linear traction motors, track reaction plates, the body of the test vehicle, and other auxiliary mechanical components.
Patents resulting from the project are to be jointly owned by the company and the institute.
Jockey Club first in China for HP service status
The Hong Kong Jockey Club last week became the first organisation in Greater China to be awarded Hewlett-Packard service provider certified status, marking its ability to deliver quality information technology services.
A non-profit enterprise with a government-granted monopoly on horse racing, football and lottery bets, the club is one of the largest IT users in Asia and a longtime HP customer.
HP said its global certification programme represented a comprehensive assessment of key aspects that impact on an IT organisation's ability to deliver reliable services.
It added the certification is expected to further strengthen customers' use of club services.
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