Events

Amazon Updates Kindle Fire System Software

Jim McCarthy

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Jan 19, 2012

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

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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.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – New Multiplayer Maps in Pictures

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

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Jan 18, 2012

1

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – New Multiplayer Maps in Pictures

Yesterday we told you about the new DLC (downloadable content) for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, now we have some images.

Here are some more images:

I’m really enjoying playing MW3 multiplayer and will really look forward to trying out these new maps.

Nokia Lumia 800 2nd Software Update Rolling Out in Next Two Weeks

Andrew Edney

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Jan 18, 2012

2

Nokia have announced today that the second software update for it’s Lumia 800 Windows Phone will be rolling out in the next two weeks.

This is what Nokia tweeted today:

Do you have a Lumia 800? What do you think of it?

CES 2012 – Samsung Unveil InTouch Camera System

Andrew Edney

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Jan 18, 2012

0

CES 2012 – Samsung Unveil InTouch Camera System

At CES last week, Samsung unveiled it’s InTouch Camera System, which comes pre-loaded with a number of apps, including Skype.

Boasting Wi-Fi technology, 720p high-definition video and a range of pre-loaded apps and functionalities, including Skype, YouTube and full Web browsing, the Samsung inTouch brings the internet connected experience straight to the living rooms of consumers with ordinary HDTVs.

“While internet connected HDTVs are now common, not every household gets to experience this fun and interactive feature, especially if they have an HDTV purchased just a few years ago,” said Mike Palazzolo, Vice President Sales and Marketing, consumer video monitoring and security products, Samsung Techwin America. “With the inTouch camera system, Samsung is now bridging the gap between this experience and those consumers who own HDTVs without networking capability.”

The inTouch camera can be securely placed on top of an HDTV, shelf or table, and thanks to a tilt range of -30° ~ 0°, users can easily adjust the camera so that everyone can be in the shot. The Samsung inTouch offers an effortless connection to a wireless network, and hooking up the camera to an HDTV requires just one HDMI cable.

Plugged into Skype and with an embedded mic and speakers, Samsung’s inTouch camera system gives consumers the ability to connect with family and friends around the world in high-definition, right from the comfort of their own living rooms. Whether it is grandparents calling to check in on the kids from across the country, parents reading their children a story while away on a business trip, or a simple chat with a longtime friend, the possibilities are endless.

In addition to Skype, the Samsung inTouch camera system is also pre-loaded with a range of apps which instantly give any ordinary HDTV an internet connected makeover. Apps such as YouTube and Google News and Weather bring important information and entertainment right to the screen, and a Web browser allows consumers to fully access and enjoy all that the Internet has to offer. Navigation is also made easy with the inclusion of a palm-sized QWERTY keyboard which puts everything the consumer needs right at their fingertips and makes checking email or instant messaging with friends a breeze.

The Samsung inTouch camera also offers an easy-to-use photos app that essentially transforms an HDTV into a high-definition picture frame. Consumers can snap still images at three megapixel resolution, or insert their own using the integrated USB port, which can be reviewed in a gallery or enjoyed in a slideshow. Images can also be shared with friends and family by uploading directly from the inTouch to many of today’s popular social networking sites.

The Samsung inTouch will be available March 2012 and will retail for $199.99.

Specifications – Samsung inTouch (SNH-5010N)
Video
	Imaging Device		1/5, 3M CMOS
	Effective Pixels		2408 (H) x 1536 (V)
	Scanning System		Progressive
	Synchronization		Internal
Lens
	Focal Length (Zoom Ratio)		2.78 mm
	Angular Field of View (D/V/H)		65.1°/54.1°/42.9°
	Focus Control		Fixed
	TTL / F Number		3.65 mm / 2.6
	Lens Type		4 plastic lens
Pan / Tilt / Rotate
	Tilt Range		-30° ~ 0° manual
Operational
	OS		Android gingerbread v2.3x
	White Balance		Auto
	Digital Zoom		Support
	Remote Control Interface		IR remote controller
Network
	Wireless		Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
	Video / Image Compression Format		H.264 / JPEG
	Max Frame Rate		30 fps (1024×720)
	Video Quality Adjustment		H.264: Compression Level
	Bitrate Control Method		H.264: CBR
	Audio Compression Format		Silk, G.729, G.711 (Embedded in the Skype audio library)
	Audio Communication		2-way (built-in microphone and speaker)
Input / Output
	Video / Audio		HDMI
	USB		A type 1EA
	Mic / Speaker		Embedded Mic 2EA, Embedded Speaker 2EA
Environmental
	Operating Temperature / Humidity		14°F ~ 122°F / 20% ~ 80% RH
Electrical
	Input Voltage / Current		5V DC
	Power Consumption		n/a
	Indication		2 LED (power & Skype status)
	CPU and Memory		ARM Cortex A8 1GHz, 512MB DDR, 512MB NAND Flash
Mechanical
		Color	Black
		Dimensions (W/H/D)	6.73” x 2.28” x 1.06”
		Weight	140g (.31 lb)
Remote Controller
		Power	2 AAA
		Dimensions (W/H/D)	5.24” x 2.76” x .96”
		Weight

LG Unveil Optimus Pad LTE Tablet

Andrew Edney

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Jan 18, 2012

0

LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled its first LTE-capable tablet, the Optimus Pad LTE.

Initially launching in Korea, LG has equipped the tablet with both LTE technology and True HD IPS display, the two features that have helped LG differentiate its latest smartphone, Optimus LTE, from the competition.

“With tablets generating five times more traffic than the average smartphone, it’s not a huge jump to assume that tablet users need and want faster connectivity,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. “The combination of LG’s LTE technology with the tablet form factor is a clear advantage for consumers who use a tablet as their primary consumption device when on the move.”

Boasting the best-in-class in the tablets, LG Optimus Pad LTE provides the ultimate user environment to enjoy HD multimedia with a 1280 x 720 True HD IPS display and 8 megapixel camera for shooting high definition video. The Optimus Pad LTE is also the world’s first tablet to support an SD memory card expandable to 32GB, recognizing the importance multimedia would play for owners of this device.

Along with these features, the Optimus Pad LTE offers easy-to-use controls and functions such as the Smart Movie Editor for editing pictures and videos more easily. Moreover, Web Duet allows for e-mailing, messaging and SNS sharing with search functions, and On-Screen Phone (OSP) ensures compatibility with LG smartphones.

LG Optimus Pad LTE is extremely portable and aesthetically pleasing, weighing in at a svelte 479g and only 9.34mm thin. Equipped with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor running Android 3.2 Honeycomb OS, LG’s newest tablet guarantees superior performance. It also supports High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA).

Key Specifications:

Operating System: Android 3.2 Honeycomb
Memory: User 32GB (Micro SD up to 32GB)
Size: 245 x 151.4 x 9.34 mm
Weight: 497 g
Display: 8.9-inch IPS True HD Display
Resolution: 1280 x 768
Camera: 8MP (Rear) / 2MP (Front)
Processor: Qualcomm 1.5GHz Dual-Core / Dual Channel Processor
Battery: 6,800mAh
Others: HDMI, DLNA

FireCore Releases aTV Flash (black) 1.2 for the 2nd Generation AppleTV

Apple
News

Andrew Edney

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Jan 17, 2012

0

Today saw the release of aTV Flash (black) version 1.2 for the 2nd generation AppleTV.

Here is what Firecore said:

It’s a brand new year, and we’ve wasted no time getting back to work making the AppleTV even more awesome. As a result, we’re happy to present you with a fresh, new version of aTV Flash (black) which features a number of great new things including: video zoom options, grid view watched icons, quick access to recently visited pages, improved support for subtitles, and a truckload of other improvements and bug fixes.

Full details on what’s new and how to update can be found below.

New Zoom Options

Three all new zoom options (Normal, Crop, and Stretch) allow you choose how videos are displayed. You can keep videos in their native format (widescreen or pillar box) or crop/stretch them to fill the entire screen.

Grid View Watched Indicators

Watched indicator icons have been added to the grid view. These icons allow you to quickly see which content is new and ready to be enjoyed. (Note: These can be disabled through the Media –> Settings menu if desired)

Recently Visited Pages

Couch Surfer now displays thumbnail images in the ‘top shelf’ area of the main menu, which allows you to quickly get back to recently viewed pages.

Full Changelog

Added video zoom options (available through Playback Menu)
Added watched indicators to grid view
Added ‘Recently Visited’ section to Browser top shelf
Added support for MicroDVD .SUB files
Added screensaver during pause
Added file delete option
Added activity indicator for metadata clearing
Added ‘tune’ icon placeholder for audio files without metadata
Added episode number to the fetched name the list view
Added Reload Metadata’ option in contextual menu for folders
Added ‘no items’ message to the ‘Unwatched’ filter of the list view
Added gray ticket image caching
Added loading screen when opening Manage Extras menu
Improved scrubber bar logic
Improved audio feedback for watched and pre-playback screens
Improved poster loading for large folders
Improved support for DVDs without menus
Improved subtitle support for right-to-left languages (e.g. Hebrew)
Improved installer device detection
Resolved minor memory management issues
Resolved issues with subtitles settings while playing a playlist
Resolved issues with yellow subtitles displayed for movies converted with Handbrake
Resolved conflicts with default audio player
Resolved issues with passwords that contain @ symbols
Resolved issues with metadata loading for files that contain ‘/’ in folder or file name
Resolved buffer overflow in libafpclient observed when navigating folders with long names
Resolved issues with installer Bonjour detection
Resolved rare crashes during web browsing
Changed metadata format to S.# / Ep.# for TV Shows
Disabled metadata processing during movie playback
Corrected audio feedback when pressing Menu while in grid view
Minor UI improvements
Other miscellaneous bug fixes

Fantastic! Where can I get it?

If you’re already running a version of aTV Flash (black) the new 1.2 version can be installed through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu. Links for the new version can also be found in your account under the Downloads tab.

If you’re not yet using aTV Flash (black) you can get started here.