Raptor Networks Technology, Inc. announced the completion of six additional patent filings related to distributed Ethernet switch architectures, which are network topologies and applications in which geographically separated devices connect and operate as one switch.

The architectures represented by these patent filings are transformational to the manner in which evolving latency-sensitive applications and new services with enormous potential including Voice over IP, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), and storage mirroring over distance can be accomplished.

The chief executives from some of the most innovative communications companies in the world will be speaking at TELECOM '05 -- a preview of what's next for the industry at the Venetian Hotel and Convention Center in Las Vegas, October 23 - 27, 2005.

The chief technology officers from Verizon, SBC, BellSouth and Qwest will share the show's main stage to discuss their companies plans for deploying the technologies of the future. MicrosoftTV and Alcatel will present their integrated IPTV delivery solution that will speed the deployment of Internet television around the world.

The Apple fell from the tree this week that rocked the media world. Apple announced iTunes 6, the new version of the popular software that now allows users to download music videos and television shows to their computer. The announcement was in conjunction with an announcement for their new video iPod, that can store and play up to 150 hours of television shows, music videos and film clips downloaded via the Internet. The new iPod will hit shelves in the United States next week, Apple founder and chief executive Steve Jobs said.

Apple sealed a large content deal with Disney to make episodes of shows such as Lost and Desperate Housewives available via its online iTunes store. The videos will be available the day after they are aired and will be commercial free.

Now that is our idea of video on demand. Apple changed the way consumers paid for music and it worked. Will they perform the same feat for TV?

Here are some other interesting reads...

Latens Systems announced that the successful conclusion of scalability testing with IBM demonstrates that Latens software CA can protect Pay-TV and IPTV networks with set-top box populations over 4 million.

Verizon customers can experience breathtaking high-speed Internet access as the company expands its Verizon FiOS (FYE’-ose) suite of Internet services to 16 New Jersey Communities: East Hanover, Hanover, Harding, Morristown, Morris Township and Parsippany-Troy Hills in Morris County; Ewing, Hopewell and Pennington in Mercer County; Evesham and Medford in Burlington County; Emerson, New Milford, Oradell and River Edge in Bergen County; and Red Bank in Monmouth County.

The Outdoor Channel will provide a selection of high-quality outdoor lifestyle programming for Akimbo(TM) Systems' Internet-to-TV video-on-demand service. Akimbo subscribers will now have access to popular videos from the Outdoor Channel on-demand, in addition to thousands of other titles across 50 categories of video. Akimbo has partnered with more than 150 mainstream and niche content owners to offer a wide variety of video like independent films, condensed Major League Baseball games, extreme sports, video blogs, music videos, children's serials and home improvement shows.

Programming from Hallmark Channel's library will become the latest content for Akimbo Systems' Internet-delivered video-on-demand service for television. Award-winning movies from Crown Media's Hallmark Channel library will be available as premium offerings on Akimbo later this month. In recent months, Akimbo subscribers have watched the service blossom with thousands of new programs in categories as diverse as Chinese programming, independent films, condensed Major League Baseball games, video blogs, music videos, children's serials and home improvement shows.

100Mbps IP Retrofit Solution, TVnet/C Pro, Now Available Nationwide

Coaxsys, leaders in IPTV and multimedia networking, and Digital Delivery Group (DDG), a national consortium of CE specialty distributors, have reached an agreement to distribute TVnet/C Pro. TVnet/C Pro is a 100Mbps Ethernet-over-Coax solution that enables custom integrators to use a home's existing coaxial cable to simultaneously distribute cable television (CATV), provide IP video distribution, and enable high-speed IP multimedia networking.

Canby Telephone commissioned Tut Systems's Astria content processors to deliver advanced IPTV services, known as Canby Digital Television, to customers in Canby, Oregon.

With its video launch, Canby Telephone re-enters the broadcast TV market for the first time since selling its cable operations to Willamette Broadband in 2001.

Alcatel announced that KPN, the incumbent operator in The Netherlands, has selected Alcatel to upgrade its broadband aggregation networking in order to deliver triple play services across the country. KPN will use a next generation Ethernet aggregation network from Alcatel to offer advanced services such as video on demand (VoD), IPTV to residential subscribers and layer two Ethernet services to its business customers.

Verizon announced a programming-distribution agreement with Sundance Channel to carry the channel on Verizon FiOS TV, which launched Sept. 22 in Keller, Texas. The agreement was signed prior to the Keller launch, and the channel is part of the movie package available to Keller subscribers.

FiOS TV contains a broad collection of all-digital programming with more than 330 channels and more on the way. FiOS TV digital customers will also have access to a large selection of on-demand content that is easy to order and view.

If having 15 to 30 Mbps Verizon FiOS Internet service wasn't appealing enough, the new FiOS TV service appears to be something else to drool over. I4U News was able to get a user review of the new service.

I4U: How is the image quality of Verizon FiOS TV?
Craig: The picture is really the best that I have seen ever, even on non-HD channels.

Jump over to I4U to read the full review and see photographs of the Verizon setup.

For more information about Verizon FiOS, see our Verizon FiOS category or our article, "Have you caught the FiOS fever?"

Sprint announced the availability of NFL Mobile, giving fans exclusive access to NFL content and original programming when they want, where they want, only on Sprint wireless phones.

Whether a customer wants that instant gridiron gratification from NFL past, present or future, Sprint's NFL Mobile provides a first-of-its-kind package of programming designed specifically for wireless. The package includes: an all-NFL-all-the-time television channel –NFL Network; exclusive video- and audio-on-demand highlights from NFL Films; and up-to-the-minute team/player scores, stats and injury reports.

Multimedia Research Group, Inc. announces its new semi-annual IPTV (or IP TV) forecast, "IPTV Global Forecast 2005 - 2009: September 2005," as part of its IPTV Tracking Service. Projecting growth from 3.7 million subscribers in 2005 to 36.9 million in 2009, the report also forecasts subscriber revenue growth from $880 million to $9.9 billion in 2005-2009. "IPTV is continuing to push forward in Asia and Europe, as deployments and trials in Japan, China, and India are really starting to show positive impact," states Bob Larribeau, MRG Senior Analyst. "The U.S. RBOCs (Regional Bell Operating Companies) are still lagging, due to issues that SBC and BellSouth are facing, waiting for low-cost MPEG-4 set-top boxes and Microsoft's software, and dealing with the complexity of the system integration required. Progress in Europe is making up most of the difference."

KyLin TV, Inc. announced that it will participate in the 17th Annual New Jersey Chinese Festival held at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ from 10:30am until 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 8, 2005.

KyLinTV recently celebrated the successful launch of its service, which offers subscribers over 15,000 hours of Chinese broadcast TV and Video on Demand (VOD). The company is now reaching out to an expanding consumer base in the Northeastern United States, the NJ festival offers an opportunity to reach Chinese-speaking families in the New York Metro area who are seeking Chinese-language entertainment.