Technology

SmartStart with Apple's latest technology

The Viper SmartStart is the latest example of automotive electronics functions migrating into Apple iPhone and other smartphones, including turn-by-turn directions or locating the closest gas station.

Such ideas are a challenge for automakers and after market suppliers for whom advanced auto electronics have been highly profitable.

"The days of these dedicated products we could put in our cars are rapidly coming to an end unless those products evolve into something more integrated," says William Matthies, an auto electronics veteran who now heads market research firm Coyote Insight.

Some automakers are embracing such integration rather than fighting it. Ford's latest version of Sync, an in-car communications system developed with Microsoft, works with a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone to offer turn-by-turn directions.

And Ford just announced partnerships with the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit Mercy to encourage students to devise new mobile applications.

"We recognized the trend," Ford spokesman Alan Hall says.

"Sync will be able to leverage the power of your mobile device." Other automakers rolled out new iPhone apps, as well.

Some are practical, such as BMW Mini's free app letting owners call a tow truck with the push of a button.

The Mini Road Assist was developed by Allstate Roadside Services to let Mini owners summon services such as a battery boost or tire change.

Others are just fun, such as an app from Toyota Scion that lets would-be DJs time the precise speed of a song by tapping the phone to the beat.

Pioneer Electronics just unveiled its first iPhone app for owners of its in-dash navigation and media units. Drivers can enter addresses on the phone, then transfer the information to the nav system for voice and on-screen guidance.

The SmartStart remote-start and lock app lets the owner be really remote. Mike Simmons, executive vice president of Directed Electronics, the parent of the maker, has demonstrated starting his car in California using an iPhone in Kansas City.

The system which works on any car with electric windows and locks, but does not require an existing remote start feature includes a receiver that is installed in the car.

First National ICT Industry Survey launched

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) launched the first National ICT Industry Survey.

Called the National ICT Industry Survey 2009, the survey is executed under the guidance of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) unit of ICTA and will be implemented by GreenTech Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd.

ICTA has taken steps to conduct this first National ICT Industry Survey parallel to the ICT workforce survey 2009 which was also launched recently.

ICTA Monitoring and Evaluation Programme Head, Jagath Seneviratne, said while the aim of the workforce survey is to elicit a clear understanding of the extent and the composition of ICT-BOP workforce in Sri Lanka and weigh it against the supply of skilled personnel, the purpose of this first National ICT Industry Survey is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the present status and future trends in the industry .

In doing so the survey will also capture the fundamental constructs of individual industry players and their perceptions on the future of the industry as well as barriers to progress and development efforts. The ICT industry, telecoms, telephony, the BPO sector, the internet, the regulatory and policy environment and the national initiatives - including e-Sri Lanka, studies in the health sector and education sector - will come within the ambit of the survey. In particular the survey will focus on aspects directly relevant to e-Sri Lanka projects and forward planning, Seneviratne explained. The areas the National ICT Industry Survey will seek information on mainly are: (1) type of products, (2) what markets the industry serves, (3) present status and the growth of the industry in terms of sales volume and turnover, (4) investment in research and development, (5) growth strategies and (6) perception of industrialists on policy and development aspects of the industry. While the workforce survey covers about 600 organisations this first National ICT Industry Survey sample covers about 350 organisations and a large number of Key Informant Interviews with the industry specialists.

This National ICT Industry Survey will bridge the information gap in the industry and the successful completion of the survey will provide useful information for formulating policy and determining commitments in the future. The survey report will be made available at the ICTA website (www.icta.lk) for free download.

SAT launches with key focus on Internet security

The South Asian Technologies (SAT), Sri Lanka's newest IT Company was launched recently. Primarily a value added distributor of world class IT products, SAT specialises in the distribution of Internet Security solutions and High Availability Software solutions as well as IBM systems.

While being the Master Distributor for Symantec, Check Point, Trend Micro and PineApp in Sri Lanka, it is also the Master Distributor for Vision Solutions in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Vice President of SAT Sanjaya Padmaperuma said, that the Company has strong partnerships with leading IT companies in the world combined with a strong channel and skilled and experienced support team.

Vice-President Feroze Kamardeen added, "We are a team of young professionals with extensive experience in the distribution of products like Symantec, Checkpoint, Mcafee, Vision Solutions and IBM Solutions.

While being IBM Partners in Sri Lanka for Power Systems, System X and Storage, we're also proud to partner with some of the best products globally and privileged to have some of the best companies in Sri Lanka as our channel partners".

"SAT has been setup with the credo of ensuring that our stakeholders, especially our valued channel partners, are always served with the best of our ability.

Our company vision - Facta, non Verba - means that we believe in deeds, not words.

We believe that actions are greater than words and we will ensure that we always keep our promises to our stakeholders", Padmaperuma added.

SMART competition by SLT Mobitel

A car every month and laptops every week are up for grabs with SMART over the next 6 months as the exciting campaign by Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel gets into gear.

SMART Pre Paid customers who have registered their connections in compliance with the Mobitel subscriber registration policy can subscribe to the draw by dialing the short code from their handset.

Titled 'SMART Recharge Bonanza' is a consumer promotion intended to offer Mobitel SMART customer with a total recharge of Rs.200, one chance to win a Maruti Suzuki Alto Sports car Monthly and Asus Laptops with 3.5G Internet dongle Weekly between October 2009 to March 2010, according to a new release issued by the company.

On registering for SMART Recharge Bonanza;

* For every Rs.200 recharge in a Month the customer stands one chance to win the Maruti Suzuki Alto Sportz car.

* For every Rs.200 recharge in a Week the customer stands one chance to win the ASUS Laptop with the 3.5G Internet dongle.

This is the most valuable haul of prizes ever offered locally in connection with a recharge promotion, Suren J. Amarasekera, CEO, Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel stated.

He further said 'It is also the first time in the local telecommunication industry that a motor car has been offered as the grand prize.

This is a fabulous opportunity for our valued SMART Pre Paid customers to enter the exciting competition'.

ICTA promotes quality software

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has taken steps to promote the development of quality software at national level. As part of this move ICTA partners at national level with the National Best Quality Software Award (NBQSA) competition.

The National Best Quality Software Awards (NBQSA) competition is an annual event organised by the British Computer Society Sri Lanka (BCSSL) Section.

ICTA, being the apex body mandated for making the benefits of ICT accrue to the people under the e-Sri Lanka initiative realises the role of quality software. In implementing 'Sri Lanka' as a national development initiative, ICTA tries to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to make people's lives more comfortable and quality software is pivotal in this endeavour. The objective of the e-Sri Lanka initiative is to bring about the ease to people by developing the economy of Sri Lanka by the use of ICT. This leads to the reduction of poverty and improvement of the quality of people's lives.

ICTA aims at carrying out its role in the Sri Lanka development initiative by harnessing ICT as a lever for economic and social advancement and taking the dividends of ICT to every village, citizen and business and to re-engineer the way government thinks and works.

Sampath's newest branch in Rajagiriya

Sampath Bank opened their newest branch at Kotte Road, Rajagiriya recently.

Being located at the heart of the city, the branch caters to the highest convenience of the urban citizen, who needs to get their banking requirements done with the shortest time, with the least hassle.

The branch being the 122nd of the electronically linked Sampath network, is with all modern banking technologies. The branch facilitates 24 hour banking and all types of savings and fixed term deposits, fund transfers, foreign drafts, e-remittance, personal, housing and trade loan facilities, and leasing and pawning facilities to serve the needs of each and every customer, whose requirements would be met to their satisfaction by the Sampath team.