Singapore emerging as the cloud computing hub in Asia-Pacific

Global and regional service providers have invested in data centers to support new advanced services in the region, which include cloud services. This has created a domino effect for demand: in particular, operators and MNCs require facility design expertise, network and IT infrastructure, the right staff skill levels, and an understanding of the operational requirements of data centers. The latest example is the announcement that Tata Communications is opening another enterprise-class data center for providing outsourced IT services for its customers in Asia-Pacific, as part of its $180 million investment to provide data center infrastructure and managed services in Asia-Pacific between 2009 and 2011. Other global telcos with data centers in Singapore include AT&T, BT, Verizon Business, SingTel, and Orange.

Japan , Singapore, and Hong Kong contain most of the data centers in the Asia-Pacific region. While the facilities in Japan are mainly to support its domestic market, Singapore and Hong Kong are competing to be the preferred location for hosting data centers for service providers that serve MNCs in the region.

 

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab is a more-than-credible iPad alternative

The new device is in essence a scaled-up version of Samsung’s Galaxy S smartphone (as the iPad is to the iPhone/iPod Touch), featuring a seven-inch TFT display. It is perhaps the most credible Android alternative to the iPad launched so far – although an honorable mention must go to the smaller Dell Streak.

Samsung’s credentials as the creator of a true iPad alternative are strong. Along with HTC and Motorola, Samsung has in recent times been among the most successful vendors in taking on Apple in the smartphone desirability stakes, aping Apple both in leaning towards the quality end of the market in terms of hardware and materials and, quite obviously to those who’ve used a Galaxy S, in terms of the overall user experience.