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Apple Launch iBooks Author App – Now You Can Be A Published Author

Apple
News

Andrew Edney

-

Jan 19, 2012

Apple Launch iBooks Author App – Now You Can Be A Published Author

Along with today’s announcement about iBooks 2, Apple also launched an app called iBooks Author, which enables anyone to create a book for the iPad.

As a published author myself, this is a really great idea and a smart move on the part of Apple! I can’t wait to try it out – maybe my next book will appear in the Bookstore!

Here is how Apple describe iBooks Author:

Create and publish amazing Multi-Touch books for iPad.

Now anyone can create stunning iBooks textbooks, cookbooks, history books, picture books, and more for iPad. All you need is an idea and a Mac. Start with one of the Apple-designed templates that feature a wide variety of page layouts. Add your own text and images with drag-and-drop ease. Use Multi-Touch widgets to include interactive photo galleries, movies, Keynote presentations, 3D objects, and more. Preview your book on your iPad at any time.

Then submit your finished work to the iBookstore with a few simple steps. And before you know it, you’re a published author.

Apple-designed templates
• Give your book a great beginning with templates that include a choice of page designs with matching fonts, colors, and textures
• Easily customize your book with text and images, create new layouts, and even save a custom template
• Use the Book Navigator to organize your book and add a cover and table of contents
Beautiful text and layouts
• Use a variety of text styles in each template to give your book a rich yet consistent look
• Add text, shapes, charts, tables, and media anywhere on the page
• Import a chapter written in Pages or Microsoft Word and apply a great-looking layout from your current template
• Add any word to the glossary with a single click and easily include photos, images, charts, tables, and shapes next to any definition
• Automatically create a portrait view of your book, which allows readers to focus on the text
Multi-Touch widgets
• Choose from a variety of widgets that add Multi-Touch interactivity to your book
• Add a photo gallery, chapter review, movie, Keynote presentation, interactive image with callouts, 3D object, or custom HTML anywhere in your book
• Widgets include placeholders for titles and captions and are automatically numbered so you can reference them in your main text
• Add accessibility descriptions to any widget so that it can be used by sight-impaired readers easily with VoiceOver

Export for iBookstore or iTunes U
• Preview your book in iBooks on an iPad to see how it looks and works
• Easily add a cover, video introduction, copyright page, dedication, and foreword
• Submit your book to the iBookstore for sale or free download with a few simple steps*
• Export your book in iBooks format to share on iTunes U or to give to others
• Create a version of your book as a PDF file

Keynote ’09 (v5.1.1 or later) is required for Keynote widgets
iBooks 2 is required for previewing
iTunes 10.5.3 is required for syncing
* Books may only be sold through the iBookstore; additional terms and conditions apply.

Download iBooks Author from the App Store now

Apple Announce iBooks 2 for iPad Featuring iBooks Textbooks

Apple
News

Andrew Edney

-

Jan 19, 2012

3

Apple Announce iBooks 2 for iPad Featuring iBooks Textbooks

Apple today announced iBooks 2 for iPad, featuring iBooks textbooks, an entirely new kind of textbook that’s dynamic, engaging and truly interactive. iBooks textbooks offer iPad users gorgeous, full screen textbooks with interactive animations, diagrams, photos, videos, unrivalled navigation and much more.

Earlier this week we told that Apple were making an Educational announcement, and this was part of it.

This is what Apple said about iBooks 2:

iBooks textbooks can be kept up to date, don’t weigh down a backpack and never have to be returned. Leading education services companies including Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill and Pearson will deliver educational titles on the iBookstore℠ with most priced at $14.99 or less, and with the new iBooks Author, a free authoring tool available today, anyone with a Mac® can create stunning iBooks textbooks.

“Education is deep in Apple’s DNA and iPad may be our most exciting education product yet. With 1.5 million iPads already in use in education institutions, including over 1,000 one-to-one deployments, iPad is rapidly being adopted by schools across the US and around the world,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Now with iBooks 2 for iPad, students have a more dynamic, engaging and truly interactive way to read and learn, using the device they already love.”

The new iBooks 2 app is available today as a free download from the App Store. With support for great new features including gorgeous, full screen books, interactive 3D objects, diagrams, videos and photos, the iBooks 2 app will let students learn about the solar system or the physics of a skyscraper with amazing new interactive textbooks that come to life with just a tap or swipe of the finger. With its fast, fluid navigation, easy highlighting and note-taking, searching and definitions, plus lesson reviews and study cards, the new iBooks 2 app lets students study and learn in more efficient and effective ways than ever before.

iBooks 2 is available now for free in the App Store

LG Prada Phone Out in February on T-Mobile in UK

Andrew Edney

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Jan 19, 2012

0

LG Prada Phone Out in February on T-Mobile in UK

We first told you about the LG Prada phone back in December. T-Mobile here in the UK are now showing it as Due February.

This is now on the UK T-Mobile website:

More info when we get it.

IK Multimedia Launch the iRig PRE

Andrew Edney

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Jan 19, 2012

0

IK Multimedia presents the iRig PRE, the ultimate solution for connecting any type of microphone – from regular stage microphones to expensive studio models – to any iPhone, iPhone touch or iPad providing access to the widest range of recording applications.

iRig PRE is the first high-quality microphone preamp designed specifically for iOS devices that allows musicians to use their favourite high-quality stage or studio mics with their iOS device.

The microphone plugs directly into the standard XLR connector of iRig PRE with no need for extra cables or adapters.

Its adjustable thumbwheel gain control allows the user to easily make precise level settings. The onboard 9V battery provides the necessary voltage for phantom-powered studio condenser microphones for at least for 15 hours of continuous use.

The 3.5mm (1/8″) standard stereo headphone output allows monitoring while recording.
The lightweight housing sports a convenient cable for iOS device connection and also includes a Velcro strip slot for easy mounting on a mic stand or other stage locations.

Like all other IK Multimedia microphones, it includes 2 free apps: iRig Recorder (an easy-to-use recording/editing app) and VocaLive (an effects processing app for singers).
And like the entire range of iRig accessories, it’s highly portable thanks to its pocket-sized form factor for recording anywhere.

iRig PRE features

40 cm (15.75″) TRRS cable to connect to any iOS device headset jack
XLR input connector for microphones
Gain control
+48 V phantom power
Headphone output
On/Off switch
Power/Phantom Power provided by 9V battery
Battery life is approximately 40 hours with dynamic microphones and 15 hours with phantom powered condenser studio microphones

Pricing and availability
iRig PRE costs only €29.99 (excl. tax) and will be available in early Q2 2012 from electronic and music retailers around the world. For more information visit www.irigpre.com

We saw it at CES last week, and here are some pictures:

LOVEFiLM Comes to LG’s Smart TV

Andrew Edney

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Jan 19, 2012

0

LG and Amazon announced today that LOVEFiLM will be coming to LG’s Smart TV platform very soon.

This is what LG posted on their blog:

Amazon’s LOVEFiLM today announced it is working with global electronics company LG to bring LOVEFiLM’s video streaming service, LOVEFiLM Instant, to LG’s award winning Smart TV platform. This deal will give UK film fans yet another option to watch LOVEFiLM’s vast range of films and TV episodes instantly on their big screen.

The LG Smart TV platform already boasts over 250 applications in the UK, with access to almost limitless content on demand via the Internet. The addition of LOVEFiLM Instant, which provides a unique offering of instantly streamed films and TV episodes, is LG’s first ever film and TV subscription streaming application.

LOVEFiLM recently introduced an unlimited streaming-only package which provides access to films and TV shows via LOVEFiLM Instant for an introductory price of 4.99 per month.

LOVEFiLM members watching movies via LOVEFiLM Instant on LG TVs will have instant access to thousands of titles, with a continually growing library.

Exclusive streaming access to titles such as sci-fi action sequel Terminator Salvation, RED starring Helen Mirren and Bruce Willis, Batman sequel The Dark Knight, breakout comedy The Hangover and mystery thriller Unknown, will be available from launch.

Forthcoming titles on LOVEFiLM Instant will include Source Code starring Jake Gyllenhaal and family animation Gnomeo & Juliet.

The application will also enable members to manage their movie rental list, rate movies, read reviews and search movies by cast and crew. Members can also find films within the bespoke collections via LG TVs, which will make it easier than ever to discover new favourites.

Functionality is further enhanced by LG’s Magic Motion Remote, which is controlled by movements and gestures, instead of buttons.

This is LG’s Magic Motion remote at CES last week.

We took a look at LG’s Smart Share for their Smart TV’s at CES last week.

Microsoft Outlook Social Connector Provider for Facebook Updated

Andrew Edney

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Jan 19, 2012

0

Microsoft Outlook Social Connector Provider for Facebook Updated

Connect your Facebook account to the Outlook Social Connector and stay up to the minute with the people in your network by accessing everything from e-mail threads to status updates in one single, centralized view.

The Microsoft Outlook Social Connector Provider for Facebook allows you to connect your Facebook account to the Outlook Social Connector and obtain information about your friends and colleagues. You can see status updates and recently posted items from your Facebook contacts.

You can also use Outlook Social Connector to display a quick view of related Outlook content when you click on an email from a contact, such as recent e-mail conversations, meetings, and shared attachments to help you easily track your communications

NOTE: The Microsoft Outlook Social Connector Provider requires Microsoft Outlook Social Connector and the related update (KB983403) to be installed. If these components are not already installed on your machine, the Microsoft Outlook Social Connector Provider for Facebook will download and install the necessary updates from the Microsoft Download Center before completing the provider installation.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5039

The Digital Lifestyle Show #337-CES 2012

Andrew Edney

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Jan 19, 2012

0

The Digital Lifestyle Show #337-CES 2012

This weeks Digital Lifestyle Show has just been released – its show 337, and we recorded this one at CES for you.

Here’s what Ian says about this week show:

Welcome to our first show with interviews from CES. CES 2012 was as hectic as ever and I have a great selection of interview for you. I have Andrew Edney and Dave McCabe talking about Microsoft’s keynote and the first couple of days at CES, I have Microsoft’s Mark Pendergrast from the Windows Media Center Embedded team talking Embedded Windows Media Center, Eben Upton from the Raspberry Pi Foundation talking about the low cost computer for education and enthusiasts and Ed Bott returns to CES after a couple of years away so we catchup and talk about Microsoft and Ed’s thoughts on them pulling out from CES.

You can listen to or download the show from here.

Amazon Updates Kindle Fire System Software

Jim McCarthy

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Jan 19, 2012

0

Amazon announced the availability of an update to the system software onboard the Kindle Fire. Read on for details!

Amazon announced on their support forum that an over the air update is now available for the Kindle Fire. Here is what they said:

We wanted to let you know that we’ve released a new, over-the-air software update for Kindle Fire. As with all of our free software updates, this will be delivered automatically to your Kindle Fire.

This update contains several performance improvements and additional features. First, we’ve made improvements to the graphics system. You will notice smoother rendering when performing common operations like pinching and zooming, panning and scrolling. Second, you will notice a new icon (four arrows pointing outward) in the lower right corner of the display. Tapping on this icon enables a full screen mode that maximizes the amount of the screen devoted to the web site. To exit full screen mode, you can tap on the up arrow at the bottom center of the display. We think you will find this new feature especially helpful when browsing with the device in landscape orientation.

We’ve also made it easier to turn Flash on and off. The “Enable plug-ins” setting in the browser settings has been changed to “Enable Flash.” The Flash default is “Off” but if you’d like Flash to be turned on, it’s easy to do – simply go to Silk settings and select “Enable Flash.”

Finally, we’ve made a change to the way that the Kindle Fire communicates with the Silk acceleration servers when in cloud acceleration mode. To reduce overhead and speed up page loads, we’ve changed the way these communications are processed and will no longer use SSL by default. If you want to enable SSL for the communication between the Kindle Fire and the Silk acceleration servers, you can select the “Optional Encryption” setting in the browser settings menu. This change does not affect traffic to SSL (HTTPS) web sites; that traffic is routed directly to the those web sites and remains encrypted.
For more information about the software update, go to www.amazon.com/kindlesoftwareupdates.

If you have a Kindle Fire, connect to wi-fi and get your update!

D-Link Expands Professional IP Surveillance Solutions with High-Definition Dome and Box Cameras

Andrew Edney

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Jan 18, 2012

0

D-Link Expands Professional IP Surveillance Solutions with High-Definition Dome and Box Cameras

D-Link have launched four new IP cameras offer rich features and greater flexibility for businesses at an affordable price.

Here is the press release:

D-Link, the cost-effective, standards-based unified networking solutions provider for small business and medium enterprise IT environments, today announced the expansion of its professional surveillance offerings with four new high definition (HD) IP cameras. The D-Link® DCS-6113/6112 dome cameras feature full HD two-megapixel resolution and flexible mounting options, making them ideal for indoor retail locations. The DCS-3710/3112 box cameras offer greater lens flexibility, high resolution and flexible connectivity, making them excellent megapixel cameras for businesses looking to upgrade their current surveillance solutions. All four cameras are available now through all D-Link distribution partners.

“The D-Link DCS-6113/6112 dome cameras offer excellent value, a small footprint and full HD resolution, perfect for customer-facing interior locations such as stores, hotels and hospitals,” said Vance Kozik, director of product marketing, IP Surveillance for D-Link. “The D-Link DCS-3710/3112 box cameras feature Sony Exmor image sensors, which offer sharp megapixel resolution while still maintaining low noise performance in low light scenes.”

As a leader in IP networking¹, D-Link is the only company to offer small- to medium-sized businesses a complete end-to-end IP surveillance solution, and the DCS-6113/6112 and DCS-3710/3112 cameras are the newest products in the company’s line of industry-leading camera technology. All four cameras include D-ViewCAM™ video management software (VMS), a comprehensive surveillance system designed to centrally manage multiple IP cameras. The cameras are also ONVIF-compliant, the leading industry standard for the interface of IP-based physical security products, making them interoperable with a wide range of third-party VMS solutions.

Stress-Free Integration with Professional Services
Facility and IT managers currently using analog CCTV surveillance solutions require ease-of-integration and scalability as they transition to IP technology. D-Link’s unique Professional Services program provides a wealth of high-value presale, installation and post-sale support services, including access to experts who are uniquely qualified to assess a customer’s application requirements and assist with simple and complex installations, including multi-location IP surveillance installations. Security integrators can leverage Professional Services for added profitability as they develop their own IP practice.

About the DCS-6113 Day/Night and DCS-6112 Full HD Fixed Dome Network Cameras
The DCS-6113 and DCS-6112 Full HD Fixed Dome Cameras feature two megapixel, full 1080p HD resolution and H.264 compression, enabling high-quality video footage to be recorded and stored via the network, Internet or the built-in micro SD card slot. Ideal for interior locations, both cameras are equipped with a three-axis gimbal for flexible observation area adjustment, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The DCS-6113 and DCS-6112 both support multiple video streams, each with its own independent resolution, frame rate and compression (H.264, MPEG-4 or MJPEG). The cameras also have an electronic tamper detection system that can sense whenever the camera has been redirected, defocused, blocked or spray-painted, and respond promptly with a notification. The DCS-6113 also includes built-in IR LEDs and a mechanical IR-cut filter, allowing for video capture in both dark and light environments.

About the DCS-3710 (Wide Dynamic Range) and DCS-3112 HD Day and Night Network Cameras
The DCS-3710 and DCS-3112 HD Day and Night Network Cameras are megapixel box cameras ideal for CCTV system integrators and IT professionals looking to upgrade their current surveillance solution, supporting analog out and video motion detection. Both cameras capture HD video at resolutions of up to 1280 x 720/1280 x 1024 with frame rates up to 30 fps, and allow for multiple independent video streams, including H.264, MPEG-4 and MJPEG video. Further, both cameras incorporate Sony Exmor CMOS sensors² for enhanced low light performance, as well as a mechanical IR-cut filter for day and night functionality. The DCS-3710 and DCS-3112 also allow for flexible connectivity with the inclusion of input and output ports, enabling connectivity to external devices such as IR sensors, switches and alarm relays. In addition, both cameras include SD card slots and an RS-485 interface, which provide connectivity to an optional pan/tilt enclosure, as well as a 12V interface offering power for an optional LED illuminator.

The DCS-3710 HD Day and Night WDR network camera is designed to capture clear video even under backlit conditions, making this the ideal camera for extreme high-contrast environments, such as lobbies, entryways and shipping docks.

Pricing & Availability
The DCS-6112 ($449), DCS-6113 ($489), DCS-3710 ($749), and DCS-3112 ($549) ³ are now available. All of D-Link’s IP surveillance cameras, network switches and IP storage products are sold through D-Link’s vast network of channel partners, including value-added resellers, solution providers and distributors.

Detailed specifications for the DCS-3710, DCS-3112, DCS-6113 and DCS-6112 IP surveillance cameras are available at http://ipsurveillance.dlink.com/.

CES 2012 : The Victorinox SSD – A Swiss Army Knife or SSD – It’s Both!

Andrew Edney

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Jan 18, 2012

0

CES 2012 : The Victorinox SSD – A Swiss Army Knife or SSD – It’s Both!

One of the coolest things I saw at CES was the Victorinox SSD – it’s a Swiss Army Knife and an SSD – how cool is that?

The Victorinox SSD (Solid State Drive) and Victorinox Slim 3.0 USBs offer unprecedented data storage capacity with security measures fit for protecting the most confidential of personal and professional documents. Each pocket-sized device packs anywhere from 16GB to one terabyte of storage capacity, is equipped to withstand a range of environmental and daily use factors, and remains true to the Swiss Army legacy of flawlessly designed products that endure.

Carry your files, (like, all of your files) in your pocket, (just to be clear, we’re talking about every word document, presentation, song, funny cat photo, last year’s taxes, a movie, or two, or fifty, and whatever else.) Take it all with you – the SSD securely stores and transports up to 1 terabyte of data. The pre-loaded Victorinox Secure software suite is equipped with 256 AES combination hardware and software encryption, offering un-hacked, iron clad security for all of your important files.

The dual connector (combination USB 2.0/3.0 and eSATA II) fits any USB or eSATA port; offering the fastest read and write speeds of any external SSD in this form factor, which makes large data transfers a breeze. And the integrated bi-stable LCD graphic display screen allows users to record what is stored on the drive and also displays an available capacity status bar.

Each SSD is packaged with two Swiss Army Knife bodies – red and black. The red knife body includes implements – blade, scissors, nail file/nail cleaner and screwdriver, while the black knife body is bladeless. Use the red knife body for everyday use and snap the drive into the black knife body when traveling via airplane.

Some key features and benefits of the Victorinox SSD include:

World’s smallest high-capacity SSD drive on the market to-date
Variety of storage capacities: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 1 terabyte
World’s only SSD device with only one connector that fits into USB2/3 and eSATA 2/3 connectors
World’s only SSD device with a Bi-Stable graphic display (E-Paper software) for labeling contents
Handles automatic backup and synchronization issues in un-hacked AES 256 security (combination hardware and software)
Each SSD comes equipped with two knife bodies, between which the drive can easily be interchanged—one is flight-friendly and the other includes traditional Swiss Army Knife implements (blade, scissors, nail file/screw driver combo)

No specifics on price yet, or on an exact release date, but we will let you know more when we do! I can’t wait to get my hands on one!

Call of Duty: ELITE Mobile App for Android

Andrew Edney

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Jan 18, 2012

0

Call of Duty: ELITE Mobile App for Android

As you know, we are big fans of Call of Duty here at UWHS, and if you have an Android device you can get the Call of Duty: ELITE mobile app.

Immerse yourself in Call of Duty wherever you go with the Call of Duty ELITE mobile app. Evaluate your multiplayer progress with in-depth stat analysis. Formulate new strategies based on your recent performance and remotely incorporate edits to your loadouts. Push your changes directly into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 so you’re always ready to play.

(Requires Call of Duty ELITE registration and recently played matches of Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer.)

Features

– Check your Career Summary for deep details on your multiplayer activity. Analyze your progress over time to see which areas you need to improve in and which areas you excel in.
– Review Recent Matches to track your performance on a match-by-match basis.
– View and edit your Custom Classes on the go. Push your changes into the game so you’re ready to play the moment you load up multiplayer.
– Track your Challenge progress to help you work toward the highest XP gains.

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.activision.elite

Motorola XOOM Ice Cream Sandwich Updates Rolling Out Today

Andrew Edney

-

Jan 18, 2012

2

Motorola XOOM Ice Cream Sandwich Updates Rolling Out Today

Motorola have started rolling out the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) updates today to it’s XOOM customers.

This is what Motorola said today:

Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi owners, get ready to lick your fingers – your tablet device is the first of its kind to receive the upgrade to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS). As we’ve told you before, ICS brings a whole new look and feel to Android-based devices. We’re talking about an updated browser with faster rendering, a redesigned app launcher, richer resizable widgets, and more versatile imaging capabilities. Mix in unique features such as type with your voice capability and Data Manager to control your network data usage – and you have yourself quite the treat. In addition, this new Android version provides an updated “People” application that replaces contacts and integrates seamlessly with Google+ and other social networks, as well as a redesigned Gallery app with photo editor.

Starting today, the ICS upgrade will begin rolling out in phases over the course of a few weeks, so look for a notification on your device when it’s ready for download – and enjoy!

For additional details on the Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi ICS upgrade, please visit here.