As technology unleashes more options, the concept of cloud computing and data storage becomes more interwoven with the lives of consumers, the work of businesses, even the functioning of governments. Along with this revolution, of course, has come the issue of security, and this topic is one of huge interest in the technology sector, so much so that various organizations, companies, committees, and consortiums are hotly studying these issues and debating various options at an almost fever pitch. The non-profit Cloud Security Alliance, for example, has been examining various architectures and researching potential standards since 2008. Now, Intel and several technology partners have launched a new initiative called Cloud 2015 with an agenda to make cloud computing more interoperable and simple while assuring maximum security at the same time. Among their goals is a plan to pursue what they are calling a “federated” cloud that would allow organizations or groups to share data across different internal and external clouds, and an automated network to allow the secure movement of applications and resources in a more energy-efficient way inside data centers, and also PC- and mobile-device connected clouds that are programmed to know their users preferences, applications, and command structure. Read more about the initiative here.

SMPTE Newswatch (email distribution)

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http://newsroom.intel.com/community/intel_newsroom/blog/2010/10/27/intel-other-top-companies-unveil-new-cloud-mission-open-data-centers

Intel, Other Top Companies Unveil New Cloud Mission: Open Data Centers

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Intel outlined three key elements to its “Cloud 2015” vision: a world of interoperable “federated” clouds; “automated” movement of software applications and resources; and PC and device-savvy “client-aware” clouds that know what processing should take place in the cloud or on your laptop, smartphone or other device.

Intel helped create the Open Data Center Alliance of more than 70 top global businesses unified by Intel that will create a roadmap to drive interoperability, flexibility and industry standards for the cloud and next generation data centers. The Open Data Center Alliance represents more than $50 billion in annual IT investment.

Intel unveiled Intel® Cloud Builders, featuring 20 of the world’s leading hardware and software makers who will commit resources to spur innovation and make clouds easier to deploy, use and share.

Intel® Xeon® processors, already found in about nine out of 10 servers, include features such as smart energy efficiency, Intel® Virtualization Technology and Intel® Trusted Execution Technology that are perfectly suited for cloud computing.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 27, 2010 – Intel Corporation today unveiled several new initiatives under its “Cloud 2015” vision aimed at making cloud-based Internet computing more interoperable, secure and simplified.

Intel’s Cloud 2015 vision has three key elements: a “federated” cloud that allows enterprises to share data across internal and external clouds; an “automated” network that automatically allows the secure movement of applications and resources to significantly improve energy efficiency in data centers; and PC and device-savvy “client-aware” clouds that know what types of applications, commands and processing should take place in the cloud or on your laptop, smartphone or other device – thus taking a user and specific device’s unique features into account to fully optimize an online experience.

Intel will support these goals by creating software and building new capabilities into Intel® Xeon® processors, which include features such as Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT) and Intel® Trusted Execution Technology (Intel® TXT) that form the basis of cloud computing today.

Open Data Center Alliance

As a step toward Cloud 2015, Intel helped create the Open Data Center Alliance, a coalition of more than 70 leading businesses that together represent more than $50 billion in annual IT investment and that have cloud research or projects underway. Alliance Steering Committee members include BMW*, China Life*, Deutsche Bank*, J.P. Morgan Chase*, Lockheed Martin*, Marriott International, Inc.*, National Australia Bank*, Shell*, Terremark* and UBS*.The alliance will lay out future hardware and software requirements that lead to more open and interoperable cloud and data center solutions. Intel plays a unique advisory role within the alliance, whose initial membership is focused on end user companies rather than technology providers.

Intel embraces the Open Data Center Alliance’s vision and goals and plans to deliver products and solutions consistent with these goals. Intel will work with its hardware and software partners, engaging the industry to innovate on open standards, delivering a faster ramp to the next stage of the Internet, and delivering an open, interoperable and secure cloud that will empower the next generation of business, movies, gaming, music, social media and other yet-to-be-invented Web services.

“The industry has an opportunity to accelerate the potential of cloud computing, delivering even better industry economics through this transformation,” said Kirk Skaugen, vice president and general manager, Intel Data Center Group. “With the Open Data Center Alliance we now have the world’s top businesses focused and actively engaged with Intel and the high-tech industry, accelerating solutions to the cloud’s key challenges. The server industry has gone through an amazing transformation since the Intel Pentium® Pro’s introduction in 1995; our goal is to ensure that cloud computing continues to deliver breakthrough economics based on the same fundamental principle —innovation on open, interoperable standards.”

Intel Cloud Builders

The goal of the Intel® Cloud Builders program is to provide a path to the Cloud 2015 vision. Intel announced a significant expansion of this program that brings together leading system and software solution partners to provide proven cloud building recipes and practical guidance on how to deploy, maintain and optimize a cloud infrastructure.

While the alliance will determine future requirements for cloud infrastructure, the Intel Cloud Builders program will help bring these requirements to life with full solutions. The program now has a total of 20 reference architectures with several more on the horizon. It represents a community of the most critical providers of technology in the cloud, including Canonical*, Cisco*, Citrix*, Dell*, EMC*, Enomaly*, Eucalyptus Systems*, Gproxy*, HP*, IBM*, Intel, Joyent*, Microsoft*, NetApp*, NetSuite*, Novell*, Parallels*, Red Hat*, Univa* and VMware*.

The number of consumers watching television in the third dimension in their homes, and the quality of their experiences will increase significantly over the next few years.
That was the opinion of executives speaking on a video services panel at New Bay Media’s “3DTV 2011 What’s Next?” conference here on Thursday afternoon.
They envision the format taking off in the home over the next few years as technology continues to improve and impediments, relative to consumers wearing active or passive glasses and the need for more content are surmounted.
“Technology will improve all around in years ahead, and that will bring more eyes to 3D sets,” said Clyde Robbins,

a distinguished member of the technical staff of Motorola Mobility, on the “Winning Over 3DTV’s Front-Row Fans” panel, which was part of the Nov. 18 event hosted by Multichannel News, Broadcasting & Cable, TWICE,TV Technology, DV and Videography.
Tricia Lynch, senior programming executive, Verizon, said FiOS was pleased with its test of producing the Sept. 2 NFL preseason game between New York Giants and New England Patriots in 3D from the New Meadowlands Stadium and delivering the contest to its customers in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  She called the event “incredibly successful” based on the number of “enthusiastic” phone calls the company received, a total of 4,000 between the two markets. Verizon also was pleased with the quality of the telecast, particularly after halftime, when feedback helped the producers focus more on “the best seats in the house” view.
FiOS is interested, Lynch said, in finding about consumer appetite for 3D movies on demand. The telco recently began offering eight 3D titles, including Chicken Little and Journey to the Center of the Earth, which rent for $7.99, versus $5.99 for HD films.
Lynch said Verizon, which has struck an affiliate accord to carry ESPN 3D, beginning in 2011, had not yet found the “appropriate” license fee to distribute the upcoming joint venture 3D channel from Discovery, IMAX and Sony.
Meg Lowe, senior vice president domestic distribution, Discovery Communications, who joined the programmer in late September from MTV Networks, said the yet-to-be named service will bow in 2011, with a mix of nature programming and films from its partners. “We expect to be the leader in 3D with the largest native 3D library in the world,” said Lowe.
After the panel discussion concluded, Lowe said service is on target to launch in the first quarter with some 100 hours, a total she expects will “double by the end of 2011.”
How big the 3D network world will become in the years to come was a matter of some debate on the panel, which was moderated by Multichannel News technology editor Todd Spangler. The panelists didn’t anticipate the industry would come anywhere near the 100-plus HD networks that are available today, because not all programming genres would necessarily embrace or benefit from the technology.

Tom Cosgrove, the president and CEO of the 3DTV network joint venture of Discovery, Sony and IMAX,predicted there would be 20-40 3D channels within the next five years, while speaking on a CTAM Summit 2010 session in New Orleans last month.
Lynch anticipates 3D channels will reach the 20-30 range. “We’ll get there faster, but there won’t be as many channels,” she said, adding that not every channel needs to be in 3D, while bemoaning the impact of glasses on adoption. “They really limit multitasking. You can’t look at your BlackBerry or cook dinner with them on, things you do now while watching TV.”
Chris Chinnock, president of marketing research firm Insight Media, said that might not necessarily be such a major factor in the years ahead.
“When the [3D] format becomes crafted perfectly, viewers will expect to be immersed in the environment,” something that will “change their perception and behavior.”
Chinnock said things will begin to change toward a more passive 3D world shortly. He said that consumers have to weigh the 3D cost equation at home by gauging the combined cost of the set and the glasses. While passive sets cost more, the attendant glasses are not priced as highly as the active ones. The situation is reversed relative to active sets and their more pricey glasses.
He noted said there will be more of a passive push in early January in Las Vegas. “I think that will be the big story in 3D at CES,” Chinnock said.
Speaking of stories, Lowe said 3D adoption tale will unfold in a similar manner as HD did. “Content providers need to create compelling stories and programming that will create interest and demand and then work with distributors to get the product out there,” she said.
Robbins also said there are parallels between adoption of HD several years back and what lies ahead for 3D. However, he believes the nascent technology holds an advantage because its HD predecessor laid the groundwork for today’s consumers, who are now more knowledgeable about the value/quality of LCD and plasma sets. “There won’t be getting rid of CRT [cathode ray tube] issues this time,” he said.
Assessing the technology’s prospects in the home environment, Robbins thinks 3D’s growth will be slow over the next couple of years. “After that, it will go very fast,” he said.

by Mike Reynolds — Multichannel News, 11/19/2010 3:41:00 PM

source: http://www.multichannel.com/article/460193-3DTV_2011_Home_Adoption_Poised_To_Increase_Over_Next_Few_Years.php