Yonggang Wen

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Media Coverage

A.    Cloud Social TV [Links]

NewsReport

B.     Green Modular Data Center [Links]

C.    Expert Comment with International and Local Media [Links]

Multi-Screen Social TV with Cloud Support [NTU News Release]

 

Get shows from TV to your phone - with just a flick

The Straits Times, page B4 (with photo of Prof Wen)

You are watching a TV show but just when the gripping finale is 10 minutes away, you have to leave home to run an errand. But a system - invented by a NTU researcher - could let you continue enjoying that show while on the move. The prototype, Social Cloud TV, was developed by the School of Computer Engineering's Asst Prof Wen Yonggang, 35. The technology is being considered by a major local pay-TV operator for roll-out, which could be in one to two years. Users grab movies and live chats from TV by aiming the mobile device's camera at the set and flicking their tablet or smartphone away from the TV set.

Multi-screen social TV reaches for the cloud
The Business Times, page 9 (with photo of Prof Wen)

Researchers here have pioneered the ultimate couch potato killer - a technology that allows one to "pull" programmes off a TV screen onto a mobile device and continue watching them seamlessly. "Social Cloud TV" is a cloud-based system that enables users to share video on multiple devices simultaneously. Users can also connect socially through instant messaging or video chats with multiple users while the video is playing. This novel technology was invented by a team of researchers from NTU headed by Wen Yonggang, assistant professor at the School of Computer Engineering.
Also reported on BT online

Now, you can take a TV show with you

My Paper, page A6 (with photo of the prototype)

 

A new invention by a NTU professor called Social Cloud TV allows users to ‘pull’ programmes, video chats and documents direct from their home TV screens. It can then be viewed on mobile devices. When users return home, they can ‘throw’ the video or document back onto their tv screens. Created by Asst Prof Wen Yonggang from the university’s School of Computer Engineering, it is the result of 18 months of development.

 

NTU develops “Video Instantaneous Transfer” Technology

Lianhe Zaobao, page 9 (with photo of Prof Wen holding the prototype)

In one to two years time, Singaporeans will be able to get convenience through their smart phone or tablet/personal computer, allowing users anywhere to continue to watch favorite movies, and continue to chat easily and share pictures and videos with family and friends thousands of miles away. Users can enjoy video on the go, anytime, anywhere using the latest "instant transfer" technology. The Multi-screen Social TV Platform is developed by the NTU’s School of Computer Engineering. Leading the team is Asst Prof Wen Yonggang, who said that the use of cloud computing will integrate social media and network television. He explained that with this development, users are able to enjoy their living room movies, TV shows, all loaded into their own 'pocket', anytime, anywhere to continue watching and is easy to use.

 

NTU invents “Social Cloud TV”

Shin Min Daily News, 13 Aug 12, page 7 (with photo of Prof Wen)

 

Did you ever have to leave home without watching your favourite TV serials? NTU researchers have invented a system called “Social Cloud TV” that enables users to continue watching their favourite programmes on mobile devices. This technology is invented by a team of NTU researchers led by Asst Prof Weng Yonggang from the School of Computer Engineering. The system allows users to “pull” programmes off a TV screen and onto a mobile device like a tablet computer and continue to watch seamlessly. This technology also allows users to share videos on multiple devices. Prof Wen said that the team is now in talks with a local telco and a few international service providers to commercialise “Social Cloud TV”.

 

New multi-screen mobile social TV experience helps silver generation

Channelnewsasia.com, 13 Aug 12

Scientists from NTU have invented a system which allows you to "pull" the programme on your TV screen onto your tablet at a flick of your wrist and continue watching it seamlessly. The world's first "pick up and throw back" video feature also allows your video and chat sessions to be screened wherever you go, providing continuous social engagement in today's world.  This innovative multi-screen mobile social TV experience is now being made into reality by Asst Prof Wen Yonggang from NTU's School of Computer Engineering and has already attracted the attention of both local and international telecommunication giants.

NTU invents world’s first instant switching multi-screen TV

Capital 958FM, 13 Aug 2012, 5pm

In time to come, you will not have to miss watching your favourite TV shows if you have to leave home in the middle of the shows. NTU researchers have invented a world’s first system called “Social Cloud TV” that enables users to continue watching their programmes on mobile devices at anytime and anywhere. It also allows for users to share the video that they are watching with their family and friends. Asst Prof Wen Yonggang from NTU's School of Computer Engineering said the technology has already attracted the attention of both local and international telecommunication giants.

Also reported on Ria FM and Warna FM.

S'pore university aims to extend TV with cloud
ZDNet Asia, 13 Aug 2012

Local tertiary institute NTU hopes to solve scalability issues in TV content distribution through a cloud-based technology, allowing users to share video on multiple devices simultaneously including social features. Using cloud computing technology, Asst Prof Wen Yonggang from NTU's School of Computer Engineering, said the school's Social Cloud TV technology can cost effectively transcode videos at the backend and stream the video into devices in the most suitable format. Users can also connect socially through instant messaging or video chats with multiple users while the video is playing, he added. These social elements, together with the ability to share and watch videos on multiple screens, improve the current TV viewing experience by including a more user-friendly interface, he said.
Also reported on Club Cloud

NTU scientists unveil multiscreen, social TV viewing experience
CNETAsia, 13 Aug 12  (with photo of the prototype)

Scientists from Singapore's NTU School of Computer Engineering have unveiled "Social Cloud TV", which is essentially a multiscreen mobile TV experience. Developed by a research team headed by Asst Prof Wen Yonggang, "Social Cloud TV" users can also chat using video, voice or text, with their friends on the platform, as well as share their content on social-networking sites. With discussions underway with a Singapore telco and a handful of international vendors to commercialize the idea, consumers can expect to see this in homes in one to two years' time.

Also reported on India Everyday

Cloud-based Social TV solution
The Second Scream, 13 Aug 2012 (with photo of Prof Wen and his students)

NTU in Singapore claims to have developed the world’s first ‘pick up and throw back’ video feature that enables users video and chat sessions to be screened wherever they go along with continuous social engagement. This innovative multi-screen mobile social TV experience is now being made into reality by Assistant Professor Wen Yonggang from the School of Computer Engineering, NTU. It has already attracted the attention of both local and international telecommunication giants who have expressed interest in integrating this technology into their existing cable networks as a market differentiator for cable television and mobile networks.

Also reported on ScoopIt and Science Codex

Singapore scientists aim to extend TV with cloud
Rapid TV news, 13 Aug 2012

Scientists at NTU in Singapore have unveiled "Social Cloud TV", a multi-screen mobile TV experience. Developed by a research team headed by Assistant Professor Wen Yonggang, "Social Cloud TV" users can also chat - using video, voice or text - with their friends on the platform, as well as share their content on social networking sites. They can access content that is stored locally, in the cloud, delivered via over-the-top (OTT) services or shared using a web browser on a smart TV or mobile device. Professor Wen had developed the backend processes - such as a compression algorithm and media transcoding - so that content is optimised for each device and screen size.

Singapore scientists unveil multiscreen, social TV viewing experience
Tech Investor News, 13 Aug 2012 (with photo of the prototype)

With "Social Cloud TV," you can resume a movie on your tablet when you leave the house. Scientists from Singapore's NTU School of Computer Engineering have unveiled "Social Cloud TV," which is essentially a multiscreen mobile TV experience. Developed by a research team headed by assistant professor Wen Yonggang, "Social Cloud TV" lets users chat with their friends on the platform, as well as share their content on social-networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Singapore introduces first Pocket Living Room TV
Press TV, 13 Aug 2012 (with photo of Prof Wen)

The world's first multi-screen mobile social television has been invented by an assistant professor from a university in Singapore. Wen Yonggang from the School of Computer Engineering, NTU, made the first 'pick up and throw back' video feature. The recently invented TV provides watching the programs by pulling them onto the tablet or smart phone wherever the consumer goes. Named the "Social Cloud TV”, the system seems to tap on the technology convergence in the multimedia market and boost Singapore's ambition to be a digital media hub in Asia.

New system promises 'TV everywhere'
United Press International, 13 Aug 2012

Have to leave home halfway into a favorite TV show? Just "pull" it onto your tablet and continue watching it seamlessly elsewhere, researchers in Singapore say. And scientists at NTU say soon you'll also be able to watch that same TV show or movie together with your family and friends no matter which part of the world they are in. Calling it a multi-screen mobile social TV experience, researcher Asst Prof Wen Yonggang says you'll be able to discuss the show with them on your personal tablet or smartphone through video chat, voice or text.

 

New technology can 'pull' a show on TV onto tablet

The Indian Express, 14 Aug

 

A scientist from NTU in Singapore has developed an innovative multi-screen mobile social television experience called the 'Social Cloud TV'. Wen Yonggang, assistant professor from the School of Computer Engineering has described his invention as the next frontier of television experience as you can now “bring the social experience of watching television in your living room wherever you go”. The system leverages a cloud backend for media processing, such that the same video can be streamed into devices in the most suitable format.
- Also reported on NDTV.

 

NTU Scientist Invents Pocket Living Room TV
ACM Tech News, 15 Aug

 

NTU researchers have developed Social Cloud TV, which they say is a multi-screen mobile social TV experience that enables users to have video and chat sessions on any number of connected mobile devices. NTU professor Wen Yonggang says Social Cloud TV is the next frontier of TV experience because it enables users to "bring the social experience of watching television in the living room wherever they go."

 

Now, carry your living room TV wherever you go
India Vision, 15 Aug

 

Nothing can be as frustrating as when you have to leave a TV show or perhaps a live soccer match midway because of an emergency. But it will no longer happen as you can now ‘pull’ the programme on your TV screen onto your tablet and continue watching it seamlessly, thanks to a new system. Named the “Social Cloud TV”, this system will also allow you to watch the same TV show or movie together with your family and friends, no matter which part of the world they are in, said NTU’s Assistant Professor Wen Yonggang from the School of Computer Engineering, who invented the system.
- Also reported on Times of India.

 

NTU professor invents cloud-based multi-screen TV

Capital 958FM, 23 Aug 2012, 12.20pm

 

In time to come, you will not have to miss watching your favourite TV shows if you have to leave home in the middle of the shows. NTU researchers have invented a world’s first system called “Social Cloud TV” that enables users to continue watching their programmes on mobile devices at anytime and anywhere. It also allows for users to share the video that they are watching with their family and friends, while chatting over video, voice or text. Asst Prof Wen Yonggang from NTU's School of Computer Engineering, who was featured on the afternoon talkshow, said the technology has already attracted the attention of both local and international telecommunication giants and will be out in the market in about one to one and a half year’s time.

 

NTU-Toshiba Modular Green Data Centre [NTU News Release]

 

NTU, Toshiba Develop Advanced Cooling Technology
Bernama, 6 Sep

 

NTU and Toshiba have developed an advanced cooling technology that will enable data centres to be more energy efficient, cutting energy bills by one-third. Researchers are now test-bedding a new data centre that combines Toshiba's air cooling technology with NTU's advanced info-communications technology (ICT). The innovative test-bed aims to provide a sustainable solution for data centres operating in South-East Asia's tropical climate. This new modular data centre prototype is managed by an international research team from Toshiba, Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), and the university's School of Computer Engineering (SCE), under the Green Data Centre Innovation Challenge by the Singapore Infocomm Development Authority. Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar, Executive Director of ERI@N, said that energy efficiency solutions for residential and industrial sectors are one of the key areas of research for his centre. Ryuji Maruyama, General Manager of Toshiba's Smart Community Division, welcomed the start of the test-bedding, as the transition to Big Data and cloud computing is bringing with it huge demands for energy needed to power and cool data centres.
- Also reported in Silobreaker.

 

'Cool' idea may potentially cut one-third in tropical data centers' energy bills
Science Daily, 6 Sep

 

Researchers are now test-bedding a new data centre that combines Toshiba's air cooling technology with NTU's advanced info-communications technology (ICT). The innovative test-bed located in Singapore, aims to provide a sustainable solution for data centres operating in South-East Asia's tropical climate. This is done by using cutting-edge modular structure – container-sized modules which can stand alone or be combined together for more computing power – coupled with a smart cooling system.  If successful, the Toshiba-NTU advanced cooling technology can be implemented in Singapore and South-East Asia, which would result in significant savings of both energy and operating costs for governments and companies.

- Also reported in PhysOrg, e! Science News, and Science News Daily.

 

New modular data centre designed for South-East Asia
Data Centre Dynamics, 7 Sep

 

A new modular data centre designed specifically for South-East Asia’s tropical climate has been developed by NTU and Toshiba. It uses Toshiba’s free-air cooling system, previously designed for containerized data centre models in Japan but tweaked for Singapore’s climate, and new technology developed by NTU that focuses on server efficiency. NTU’s ICT can consolidate multiple applications from various servers into one, then place other servers into sleep mode that aren’t in use to save on electricity and cooling requirements. According to Toshiba and NTU, the test-bed technologies have already demonstrated energy savings of up to 40% compared to conventional data centres in Japan. NTU’s Energy Research Institute executive director Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar said Singapore has particular challenges when it comes to energy use by data centres, with the sector growing at rate of 15 to 20%.

 

NTU and Toshiba Collaborate on Advance Cooling Technology to Cut Energy Costs
AZOCleantech.com, 7 Sep

 

Toshiba and NTU have collaborated to develop a new cooling technology for data centres to reduce their energy expenses by at least one-third by enhancing their energy efficiency. The sophisticated info-communications technology (ICT) developed at NTU and the air cooling technology conceived by Toshiba have been integrated at a data centre which is now the test bed for researchers. Data centres are storehouses for information technology (IT) systems functioning at the back-end, databases, servers and mainframes. The novel test bed endeavours to offer data centres located in the sub-tropical environs of South-East Asia, a sustainable solution for cooling. The new system combines an intelligent cooling system with an advanced modular structure that can either function as standalone modules or as combined system with higher computing power.

 

‘Cool’ idea to cut one-third of data centres’ energy bills
EcoSeed, 7 Sep

 

Energy consumption is a crucial issue for data centres that store and process important documents, records and information from almost all businesses around the world. Singapore’s NTU and Japanese electronics company Toshiba have come up with a “cool” idea that can make data centres more energy-efficient, cutting their energy bills by one-third. The advanced cooling technology works by using the air outside the date centre for cooling purposes whenever possible, such as when the outside air temperature is lower than the warm air temperature inside the data centre. Significantly, the test bed of this cooling system has already delivered good results, recording 40 per cent in energy savings compared with conventional data centers operating in Japan. Associate Professor Ng Wee Keong, associate chair of research at the NTU’s School of Computer Engineering, said the project is one of the “first academia-operated green data centres” in the world intended for research purposes, and it will spearhead Singapore's research in green data centre technological know-how.

 

Expert Comment with International and Regional Media Coverage

 

Singapore launches fastest fibre broadband in the world

Channel 8, 15 Jan 2014, 10pm and Channel U, 15 Jan 2014, 11pm

 

Singapore has launched the fastest fibre broadband at 1Gbps recently. While consumers say this maybe a form of hyped up marketing tactic, experts disagree and said this might change the way we live our lives in future. Downloading movies in future could only take one minute on a 1Gpbs network, as compared to 30 minutes. NTU Assistant Professor Wen Yonggang, said such high speed Internet link could change the way we work in future, such as working from home, which will reduce traffic congestion. It could also introduce new business models and jobs.

 

 


Maintained by Yonggang Wen
Last modified on 18 January, 2014