betters PSTN
A new study released by Minacom reveals voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone services offered by US telcos, cable operators and broadband providers sound better and connect faster than the standard public-switched phones network (PSTN), reports TMC Net.
Minacom`s study was based on data collected over 12 months using the company`s standards-based, single-ended service quality test system. The results indicate VOIP service quality in the US increased steadily over the past year, with 85% of VOIP calls exceeding average PSTN quality.
The report says if services continue to progress in this manner, it is likely VOIP will become the standard, creating substantial demand throughout the world. However, Minacom emphasises the study`s findings are not true for computer-to-computer Internet phone services such as those offered by Skype, Google Talk, MSN and Yahoo Messenger.
Vista pricing leaked
Microsoft has withdrawn the pricing details for the coming Windows Vista operating system that were published by mistake on its Canadian Web site, reports The Register.
However, the report says the leaked pricing indicates the Home Basic version of Vista will ship at the same price as Windows XP Home edition, but the Home Premium version that works with Media Center and Tablet PC systems will cost about $36 more.
Business customers can expect the Vista Business version to cost slightly less than XP Professional, but Vista Ultimate, which has Media Center tools along with the Aero 3D GUI and extra security technology, will cost almost double the price of the basic version.
Notebooks adopt Intel`s Core 2
Dell, Alienware, Toshiba and other PC makers have unveiled plans to offer Intel`s new Core 2 Duo processor inside notebook PC models, reports eWeek.
Intel says the Core 2 Duo, code-named Merom, offers users a performance increase of 20% over its predecessor, the Core Duo, with an increase in power consumption of only three Watts. The Core 2 Duo also adds 64-bit addressing.
Intel says the Core 2 Duo will be used in more than 200 notebook models, and has pledged to get the chip to market quickly.
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