Tech Stream

Tech Stream 039

12 February 2010

Listen and download: MP3

The ABC’s iPhone application. News bulletin delivered over the internet via a 3G mobile network. An example of IPTV technology in use.

TV delivered via the internet is growing in popularity, especially in Asia. Telcos, media organisations and content owners are getting on board with IPTV services to augment or replace traditional broadcasting. But what challenges are they face with the roll out of these services and are they want the consumer really wants? We’ll find out more about IPTV in the Tech Stream today.

Also, staying safe online, the annual campaign to teach “cyber smarts”; an update on the One Laptop Per Child initiative in the Pacific; and Hex joins us from Good Game on ABC TV to review the fantasy action game Bayonetta. Jump straight into the Tech Stream via the MP3 link above or read on for more details…

Our first guest is Omnilab Media’s Tom Kennedy. Tom is the Head of Digital for their broadcast and distribution division The Playroom. He talks us through some of he latest developments and trends in IPTV and speculates on how the rollout of a national fibre-to-the-home network in Australia could drive innovation in content delivery.

As you’ll hear the availability of high-speed broadband is driving force behind growth in services like IPTV.  But in the developing world, where this infrastructure is either very expensive or not yet available, traditional broadcast TV is still having a massive impact on people’s live.  Check out the Future Tense program this week for more more on this truly “global” ICT.

We first took a look at the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) initiative midway through last year.  Its aim is to provide low cost – low power laptops to children everywhere – even in Australia – who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a computer.  The latest country to take part in the Pacific is the Cook Islands.  Isabelle and Clement from our In The Loop program speak with One Laptop Per Child  Oceania Director, Michael Hutak,  and Ian Thompson, from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, and the coodinator of the project in our part of the world.

Safer Internet Day took place this week on February 9th.  The global initiative aims to teach good web practice to internet users, and especially children and their parents.  We meet up with Greg Gebhart, a senior education trainer for the ACMA – the Australian Communications and Media Authority.  He’s been running “cybersmart” workshops this week in schools…  and he told me that a lot of parents and kids are surprised by how risky some of the things they do online actually are. For more information and tips on how to be a “safer surfer” check out the Australian government website cybersmart.gov.au or just remember to “think before you post!”

We finish the program this week with Stephanie Bendixsen – aka HEX from Good Game on ABC TV.   She’s been button mashing her way through the fantasy action game Bayonetta which is released by Platinum Games and Sega for the XBox360 and PS3.