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May 24, 2005
LCD Thin Client
Netvoyager PLC has embedded a thin client running Windows CE on a 1GHz Via Eden processor directly into a 17-inch LCD monitor. The company says that the Neterm CE-1040 offers video and application performance
Netvoyager claims that its integration of a 17-inch LCD with a 1GHz CPU is unique and represents "the largest format and the fastest processing power to date" for an LCD thin client. The device runs Windows applications from servers running Terminal Services and/or Citrix.
Netvoyager lists the following key features and specifications for the Neterm CE-1040:
* Processor -- 1GHz Via Eden with MMX and 3DNow
* Memory -- 128MB RAM, 16MB Flash
* Display:
o AGPx4 2D/3D graphics card
o Resolution to 1280 x 1024
o Color depth to 32-bits
o Brightness -- 260 cd/m2
o Contrast ration -- 450:1
* I/O ports:
o 10/100 Ethernet port
o 2 USB 1.1 ports
o Full 16-bit stereo audio with built-in speaker and stereo-out jack
* Expansion -- External storage, Wi-Fi, and modems are supported via USB
* Server compatibility and support:
o .Net Server ready
o Windows 2000
o Windows NT4 Server Terminal Server
o Citrix Winframe, Metaframe, XP and Presentation Server
o Tarantella Server
* Configuration and management:
o Remote device shadowing
o Kiosk or desktop mode
o Remote management with Netvoyager InFocus
o Multi-language keyboard support
o Configurable session auto-login
o Multi-session, Multi-protocol, Multi-window support
The CE-1040 is available now from NetVoyager's online store, priced at US$999.
Posted by editor at 08:25 PM
SafeDesk Launches 30 User Free School Program
SafeDesk launches their Quick Start which allows schools to implement in less than an hour a 30-user standard configuration. They offer thin client hardware with no moving parts, also bootable NIC configurations to leverage legacy computers. Pretty nice.
Company Link
Posted by editor at 01:58 PM
May 13, 2005
Eiger Coming Up in the News lately
From the wires:
Microsoft confirmed that it is developing a "lean" Windows XP client code-named "Eiger" for customers who want the security and management capabilities of Windows XP but who cannot afford new PCs.
(In other RDP news, Microsoft said Friday that Sun Microsystems now has the rights to use the RDP protocol. That means that in the future, Sun Ray devices will be able to access Windows terminal services. More details to follow)
The planned product will technically function as a thin client that access the Windows server terminal services over Microsoft's own remote desktop protocol (RDP) and Citrix's ICA protocol but also offers additional capabilities that the company puts somewhere between a "fat" client such as Windows XP and a traditional "green screen" thin client, said Barry Goffe, group manager for the Windows client product management team.
(In other RDP news, Microsoft said Friday that Sun Microsystems now has the rights to use the RDP protocol. That means that in the future, Sun Ray devices will be able to access Windows terminal services. More details to follow)
The "Eiger" offering for example, will offer six core capabilities, including the two thin client experiences over Microsoft RDP or Citrix ICA as well as "fat" client capabilities by including Internet Explorer, Media Player, mainframe terminal emulation and the security features of Windows XP SP2.
Observers say Microsoft faces competition from Linux in educational and SMB markets and must offer a lower-cost client experience for owners of older PCs.
"Eiger is not a general-purpose operating system, and it's not what traditional customers think of as a single purpose devices with zero management overhead," claimed Microsoft's Goffe said. "It's somewhere in between -- a mid client or lean client. We don't see it as competitive because our work around Eiger is not focused on competition but to help a select set of customers looking for a bridge solution."
The planned product, which is in "very early" stages of development, is not intended to compete against partners Wyse, Neoware or Citrix but rather will serve as a bridge to help customers upgrade to new Windows capabilities while holding off on new PC purchases, Goffe insisted.
Goffe noted the client will not run line-of-business applications or Office locally though those applications can be displayed to "Eiger" from a server.
Microsoft denied that its confirmation this week was in any way linked to Sun's announced intent to buy Tarantella, a Citrix competitor whose Secure Global Desktop will be integrated into Solaris in order to lower the costs and complexity " and improve the security -- of desktop management.
Microsoft provides Windows terminal services free in its Windows server but customers must purchase a pricey client access license to access and use them.
Goffe claimed he opted to discuss its "lean client" plans this week after the recent leak of an internal Microsoft Powerpoint document about "Eiger" and another Microsoft client under development code-named "Monch" that was posted to a web site operated by Steven Bink, an Amsterdam, Netherlands MCSE who runs a web site known as Bink.nu.
Posted by editor at 09:03 PM
May 12, 2005
Thin Client Computer for $100
Aimed at India residents with no PC experience, Novatium is developing the Nova NetPC, a thin client expected to cost just $100. The PC is now in beta-stage development and will reportedly be maintenance-free and appliance-like.
Posted by editor at 02:27 PM
May 09, 2005
Thin-Client Sellers Expand Market
John Kish of Wyse says he see's the writing on the wall for thin-client hardware and is shifting into software. Also is expanding the "thin-client" application into cell/mobile/handhelds where it is only logical to do so. With hw sales forecast at less then 600M this year and $850M by 2008, I think he is right on the mark.
"Thin clients follow a fairly standard commoditization curve," he said, referring to ever-declining hardware prices. "One can fairly accurately predict where the margins are going to get fatal."
Investors.com Story Link
Posted by editor at 02:46 PM
May 03, 2005
Citrix and Linux Together
(PRWEB) May 3, 2005 -- While primarily focused on providing end-to-end Linux thin-client solutions, SafeDesk has integrated Citrix connectivity in an effort to further bridge the gap between an organization's existing infrastructure and Linux. This bridge is becoming increasingly important for larger technology deployments within the federal government, insurance, and financial services industries.
While thin-client solutions based upon the Linux Terminal Services Project (LTSP) have historically been seen as competitive to Citrix, SafeDesk is now providing a complementary product that enables customers to leverage their Citrix assets in new and unique ways while also benefitting from the integration of Linux.
The latest version of SafeDesk Enterprise with Citrix ICA access allows organizations to:
- Seamlessly deploy Linux thin-clients in existing Citrix environments
- Securely integrate the majority of legacy DOS and Unix-based terminal applications
- Successfully scale a mixed environment of Linux and Microsoft-based applications
- Reduce management of individual destop PC's
- Increase functionality to traditional terminals.
Posted by editor at 05:15 PM
Microsoft To Launch Windows XP Thin Clients
Microsoft is set to debut two Windows XP thin clients, one for low-end PCs for task-oriented workers, and another for mobile workers, according to sources.
The vendor is developing the Windows XP-based thin clients, code-named Eiger and Monch, to make it easier for system builders and partners to deploy pre-packaged thin-client solutions instead of customizing software on their own or using ISVs, sources said.
Microsoft declined to comment on the upcoming thin clients. But sources said the thin clients are not low-end versions of Windows but rather alternative operating systems for customers that choose to use thin clients and a server-centric computing model rather than full PCs. Thin clients offer several benefits, including reduced management costs and enhanced security.
Posted by editor at 05:14 PM
Ultra-thin client to close digital divide
A group of not-for-profit developers, called Ndiyo (Swahili for "yes"), has announced an ultra-thin-client system which, it says, could make computing available to billions more people across the planet.
The Nivo (network in, video out) box is a sub-£100, ultra-ultra-thin client that can be networked along with several others to a central PC/server. It is cheaper, more accessible and more environmentally friendly than a PC, Ndiyo argues, needing much less in the way of raw materials to build, and consuming far less power. It is also based on non-proprietary standards and open source software.
Posted by editor at 05:12 PM