Mark Cuban is using peer-to-peer technology to distribute free downloads of high-definition video from his HDNet network. The initiative will begin by offering a special 20-minute program of highlights from the network's exclusive live coverage of the launch of the Discovery space shuttle. HDNet partnered with peer-to-peer delivery specialists Red Swoosh and online storage and technology company Box.net on the promotional project, which is designed to expose the widest possible audience to HDNet programming and high-definition content in general. "The combination of RSS delivery from Box.net and Red Swoosh P2P technology, particularly their backend services, has created a new opportunity to test the delivery of promotional high-definition HDNet content to those who might not otherwise get HDNet," Cuban said. "As unique opportunities come up to highlight our content, we will use this great delivery platform." The content is delivered in 1080i resolution and Windows Media Video HD format using Red Swoosh's secure peer-to-peer technology. Users can obtain this and all future content by visiting www.hd.net/downloads and signing on to receive HDNet's BetaFeed powered by Box.net.
The global smartphone market closed 2025 with a story less about recovery and more about transformation. Premium product, ecosystem lock-in, and manufacturing scale are now the forces shaping competition. For business and technology leaders, the latest IDC market study data confirms that smartphones remain a critical indicator of consumer demand, supply chain health, and AI commercialization at the edge. Smartphone Market Development Global smartphone shipments grew 2.3 percent year-over-year in Q4 2025, reaching 336.3 million units and bringing full-year volumes to 1.26 billion units — a modest 1.9 percent annual increase, according to IDC. This smartphone growth emerged despite a memory shortage crisis, tariff volatility, supply chain disruption, and macroeconomic headwinds. What stabilized demand? Two factors: sustained growth in premium devices and strong foldable momentum, combined with accelerated purchases as consumers bought ahead of anticipated price increases. Buyers weren...