Is the next Nintendo handheld coming soon? Rumours rife at the recent Game Developers Conference in San Francisco certainly suggest that’s the case.

A report on RPad.TV, a site which says it pestered developers at GDC regarding the potential DS2, has revealed a number of rumour nuggets.

The handheld will have two screens, like the DS, but they’ll be bigger and the gap between them will be very small, meaning that developers will be able to use them as one big screen for fancy cut-scenes and the like.

An accelerometer will be employed, and a Nvidia Tegra chip for graphics; apparently we’re talking visual quality similar to the GameCube.

An announcement as soon as the E3 games show could be possible, and an end of year launch.

All of this is complete speculation, of course. If it is true, particularly the potential time-scale, those who’ve bought the freshly launched DSi XL may well be a bit miffed.

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Nintendo DS2 coming for E3?

Polycom, Inc. has announced the first standards-based collaboration solution which combines real-time visual communication, video streaming and video content distribution.

The solution is designed to facilitate communication and collaboration between a geographically diverse, mobile workforce.

The solution is based on a new, scalable video content platform which allows organisations to cost-effectively create and efficiently distribute live and on-demand video content and digital signage.

It is designed to work with Polycom’s telepresence, video conferencing and desktop video collaboration solutions.

The new video content platform features:

high definition recording and streaming,
complete video content lifecycle management,
broadcast quality video production,
network efficient video content distribution and
integrated digital signage.

Polycom recently announced plans to join with Avaya to jointly develop and market integrated video, voice and collaboration produces.

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Polycom announces new video collaboration solution

Website: Rapid TV News

Action/adventure channel AXN will launch a high-definition version in south-east Asia from May.

Carriage on two unnamed platforms has already been secured.

SPE Networks is rolling out the HDTV version in south-east Asia following its launch in South Korea in March 2009.

In South Korea, AXN HD is available on DTH platform, SkyLife, as well as all three IPTV platforms – Korea Telecom’s Qook TV, LG Dacom’s myLGtv and SK Broadband’s broad&tv.

Ricky Ow, Senior Vice President and General Manager, SPE Networks, Asia, said: “With the HD wave gathering momentum in Southeast Asia, and the rewarding results we received in Korea, we believe the time is right to expand AXN HD’s presence in this region.

“Besides the two major platform deals, we are also negotiating for additional carriage so that more viewers will get to experience AXN’s brand of high impact action and top-notch entertainment in the best visual quality.”

AXN HD’s programming includes NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI, CSI: NY and CSI: Miami.

The AXN brand was started by SPE in Asia before expanding to Latin America and Europe.

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AXN HD channel launches in SE Asia

Website: Rapid TV News

The FCC in the US is creating a National Broadband Plan which will over time see broadband speeds “for all” reach 100Mbps.

The scheme was presented to Congress March 16, and if approved will boost delivery speeds and cut access costs for users.

“It is a 21st Century roadmap,” said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

“The plan calls for $20bn to be invested, although is already facing criticism from the satellite industry (which says it can do the job for a fraction of the price), as well as some congressional members who say the nation doesn’t need such high bitrates “for a few gamers”.

The FCC says the USA ranks as 15th in the world for broadband adoption, and threatens the overall competitiveness of the USA.

Only about 65% of American homes have any access to broadband (and in some cases this means a thin stream).

This means around 86 million Americans have not bothered to get hooked up, either because of the costs, or they do not see a need.

The new FCC plan says it wants to connect 100m homes to affordable broadband, permitting HD video-conferencing and home-based medical diagnostics.

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US announces National Broadband Plan

A brand new high definition TV set-top-box is about to be launched in the UK and this time it is Virgin Media subscribers who will have the chance to go HD.

The V HD Box is due to be launched on the 22nd March.

It will be available to all Virgin Media subscribers, new and old, for the price of £49, although there is a charge for installation to be added to that fee.

This new set box has been produced for Virgin Media by Cisco and in line with other HD set top boxes it will also be 3D Ready.

The set top box will not come with a personal video recorder (PVR) as this upgraded model will be released later on in the year.

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Virgin Media HD STB Launched