Google have just updated it’s Google+ app for iOS devices.
What’s New in Version 1.0.8.3514
– Start a video Hangout from Messenger
– New photos UI
– Bug fixes
Go get it now from the Apple App Store.
Google+ App for iOS Gets Updated to Version 1.0.8.3514
CES 2012 – RIM Showcases New BlackBerry 7.1 OS
Here at CES this week, RIM will showcase the new BlackBerry 7.1 OS, and also new BBM, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel Updates.
Here is what they said:
The new OS and app updates make seizing and sharing the moment even easier.
BlackBerry 7.1 will begin rolling out from carriers around the world beginning today and over the coming weeks1. The new releases of BBM, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel will be available on BlackBerry® App World™ beginning today.
“BlackBerry 7 delivered a next-generation platform for our customers around the world and the range of software updates announced today build upon the strengths of that platform to further enhance the mobile experience and make life easier, from managing daily tasks to planning big adventures,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion.
Life Is Better Shared
The BlackBerry 7.1 OS incorporates a new feature called BlackBerry® Tag that can change the way BlackBerry users share information and content. By simply tapping their NFC enabled BlackBerry® smartphone against another NFC enabled BlackBerry smartphone, users can make sharing easier than ever. They can instantly invite a friend to BBM, exchange contact information, documents, URLs, photos and other multimedia content, and they can also pair their BlackBerry smartphone with an NFC enabled Bluetooth® device.
Support for BlackBerry Tag is just one of a number of enhancements in the updated BBM app (version 6.1) being released today. Additional features allow users to personalise their experience even more with support for animated avatars (animated GIFs)2, a dozen new and fun emoticons to spice up conversations, and the ability to customise chat bubbles with different colors. In addition, the new BBM app allows users to add customised personal messages of up to 160 characters in their online Profile, more than double the length supported in previous versions. Users can also now set the picture for their BBM avatar directly from the camera app – simply snap a picture and select “Set as BBM Display Picture” from the menu.
Make Things Happen
With BlackBerry 7.1, users can be productive from virtually anywhere. They can now turn their BlackBerry smartphone into a mobile hotspot that can be shared by up to 5 Wi-Fi® -enabled devices, including laptops and tablets3. The 7.1 update also supports carrier implemented Wi-Fi calling services (UMA/GAN where available), allowing users to make Wi-Fi calls from their BlackBerry smartphone that don’t eat into their airtime minutes.
Getting to any location is now so much easier with the new BlackBerry Traffic (version 3.0), a free app from RIM that is being released today. BlackBerry Traffic determines a user’s estimated time of arrival (ETA) based on current traffic conditions, and now includes hands-free turn-by-turn voice guidance.
Planning, booking, managing, and sharing travel activities are also easier than ever thanks to the updated BlackBerry Travel app that is being released today. The new version adds support for contextual deals, such as offers for hotels and car rentals, or for arranging limo services to and from the airport. BlackBerry Travel can automatically keep track of a user’s bookings and schedule and quickly notify them if their flight is delayed or cancelled, and can then help them find a new flight right away. The automatic trip scanning feature pulls the travel details into the app, allowing the user to see all their travel updates in one place.
Seize the Moment
Sometimes it’s nice when someone (or something) does the thinking for you. The Universal Search capability has again been enhanced to help users find what they are looking for. It now includes an auto-suggest feature that intelligently filters Bing® search results to offer users a variety of relevant Web sites based on their search terms. Love a good deal? Now finding and taking advantage of them is so much easier thanks to BlackBerry® Maps – an essential app that comes preinstalled on BlackBerry smartphones and has been enhanced in the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update. When users launch the new BlackBerry Maps application they can discover special offers, coupons, and discounts from nearby vendors. Users can immediately act on the deals presented to them by clicking to call the vendor or clicking to get the best route to the location where the deal is offered4.
Customers with a BlackBerry Curve 9360 or 9380 smartphone will find a nice surprise with the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update in the form of an FM radio. The FM radio circuitry is already built in to the Curve 9360 and 9380 models and BlackBerry 7.1 provides users with a new app that allows them to tune in and enjoy local FM radio stations. Listening to the FM radio does not require a data plan or use data services.
For more information about the BlackBerry 7.1 OS update, visit http://www.blackberry.com/bb7. For more information and to download the new versions of BBM, BlackBerry Traffic and BlackBerry Travel visit BlackBerry App World at www.blackberry.com/appworld.
1. The BlackBerry 7.1 OS update is subject to carrier certification. Please check for availability with your service provider.
2. The animated avatar feature is supported on BlackBerry smartphones running OS 5.0 and higher.
3. Mobile hotspot feature requires BlackBerry 7.1 and may require an additional data plan. Please check with your service provider.
4. Please check with your service provider for availability of this feature.
CES 2012 – RIM Preview New Feature of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0
This week at CES, Research In Motion (RIM) will be previewing new features of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 that will enable customers to stay even more connected and productive in their personal and professional lives.
“BlackBerry PlayBook is already recognised for delivering powerful performance, true multi-tasking, advanced web browsing and HD multimedia in an ultra-portable design,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 we are building on this strong foundation, as well as leveraging our strengths in communications, social integration and productivity, to allow people to use their BlackBerry PlayBook in new ways throughout the day.”
CES 2012 attendees who visit the BlackBerry booth at CES (South Hall 3 Booth # 30326) will get a sneak peek of upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 functionality including:
Advanced Messaging Experience:
New unified inbox – a powerful unified inbox within the built-in messaging app allows users to quickly manage their personal email and work email accounts as well as the messaging capabilities of popular social networking sites like Twitter®, LinkedIn® and others – all in one place.
Multi-tasking within email – by extending the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet’s multitasking capabilities to ‘tabbed email’, users are able to reference one email while they compose another.
Rich-text email composing and editing – new features within the Messages app enable users to benefit from full support of fonts, formatting and editing of email threads, offering a robust email experience similar to that of a PC or laptop.
Inbox management tools – allows for powerful inbox search across multiple email accounts, as well as the ability to set out-of-office messages and email signatures directly from their tablet.
Deep Integration of Social Relationships:
Innovative people-centric calendar – in addition to standard calendar features that help users plan and organise their day, the powerful built-in Calendar app provides the unique ability for users to view their calendar by who they are meeting with that day and review valuable information about that contact. Information is consolidated automatically from social networking sites about that contact and/or their company.
Relationship-centric contacts app – more than just an address book, the new built-in Contacts app serves as a social hub – merging and consolidating information from multiple sources (including email and social channels) into one contact file for each person in their address book. Each contact file includes information such as recent status updates, conversations, related news articles and mutual contacts that are kept up-to-date automatically.
Making Your BlackBerry Smartphone and Tablet a Powerful Pair:
Remote control for the BlackBerry PlayBook – new BlackBerry® Bridge™ features allow a user’s BlackBerry® smartphone to act as a keyboard and mouse for their BlackBerry PlayBook – effectively providing a wireless remote control for their tablet. Perfect for pausing a movie when a BlackBerry PlayBook is plugged in to a TV with an HDMI connection, or for using the tactile QWERTY keyboard on a BlackBerry smartphone to compose a message or document on the BlackBerry PlayBook.
Opening content on the BlackBerry PlayBook – BlackBerry Bridge allows you to take documents, emails, multimedia files and web pages found on your smartphone and open them quickly and directly on the BlackBerry PlayBook so you can use the larger high resolution display for an optimised viewing and editing experience.
Improved Mobile Productivity:
Updated document editing capabilities – updated Documents To Go® functionality makes it easier for users to create and edit documents while on the go. Improvements include: enhanced support for the virtual keyboard, the ability to view and update embedded charts and chart sheets within spreadsheets, a new formula wizard with over 100 functions as well as the ability to edit presentations including text, bullets and formatting.
Print To Go application – this app allows users to wirelessly “print” from their laptop or PC directly to their BlackBerry PlayBook over Wi-Fi®. A digital printout is created on the BlackBerry PlayBook so that users can view, sort and manage their digital printouts as though they were physical sheets of paper. The Print To Go app is the perfect way to consolidate info from various related sources like a hotel web confirmation, an airline boarding pass email, the show event schedule or even a map of the destination city and make them available for quick access on the go.
Increased control and manageability of corporate data – the combination of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 with BlackBerry Mobile Fusion and BlackBerry Balance will help to overcome many barriers to widespread tablet deployment, including device manageability and the ability to secure, manage and control confidential corporate information on the device. Plus BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 supports dedicated shelf space inside the BlackBerry® App World™ storefront to allow IT departments to control distribution of enterprise applications and to make those approved enterprise applications easily available to the organisation’s end users.
New Apps and Content:
Your favorite apps plus thousands more – many exciting new applications built for the BlackBerry PlayBook will be made available on BlackBerry App World with the availability of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0. From gaming and lifestyle to business and productivity, RIM is showcasing some of the latest apps available for the BlackBerry PlayBook at CES 2012 including Angry Birds, Cut the Rope, Groupon, Thomson Reuters, Zinio and many more.
Video store – a catalog of thousands of movies and TV shows will be available through the integrated BlackBerry Video Storefront* with new releases to be made available for purchase or rent the same day they come out on DVD. Users will be able to begin watching media as soon as they start to download the file, so users won’t have to wait for the entire file to transfer before they can enjoy great entertainment on the tablet’s high resolution display, or on an HDTV via the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet’s HDMI output.
Enhanced web browsing – the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 browser also includes a new reading view, which is designed to make web sites even easier to enjoy by eliminating page clutter at the touch of a button. What’s left is a cleaner format that is great for reading online news articles, blog posts, or websites that contain heavy amounts of text.
Availability
The BlackBerry® PlayBook OS 2.0 software update will be available as a free download for all BlackBerry PlayBook users and is expected to be available in February 2012.
* BlackBerry Video Store will initially be available in the United States. Support for other countries is expected to be added later this year.
ZOTAC announces USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptor
ZOTAC have just announced the new USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptor with DisplayLink technology to enable users to easily add displays to desktop and notebook systems.
ZOTAC® International, a leading innovator and a channel manufacturer, today announces the USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptor – the latest addition to its accessory lineup. The ZOTAC® USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptor enables users to easily add displays to desktop and notebook systems for increased productivity.
Simply plug the ZOTAC® USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptor into a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port and connect a digital display for an instant plug and play experience. The ZOTAC® USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptor supports resolutions up to 1920×1200 with 6-channel digital audio for seamless audio and video connectivity with the latest Full HD displays.
ZOTAC® has created a simple to use solution that customers have always demanded. The ZOTAC® USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptor makes it easy to expand the capabilities of notebooks and desktops by adding more display outputs via a simple plug-and-play adaptor,” said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC® International. “Thanks to the lightning-fast speed of USB 3.0, movies and images are displayed smoothly with crisp details.”
The ZOTAC® USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptor is powered by DisplayLink™ USB graphics technology for the best user experience. DisplayLink™ USB graphics technology compresses visual data in real-time for maximum efficiency and a lag-free display output.
“Enjoy videos, photos, movies, web content and more on multiple HD displays with the ZOTAC adaptor,“ said John Cummins, VP of Sales and Marketing for DisplayLink. “With DisplayLink technology, you can expect high performance and crisp visual quality all with the ease of a USB accessory.“
A single desktop or notebook can connect up to six ZOTAC® USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptors with Microsoft® Windows® operating systems for the most demanding multi-monitor users – Apple® Mac OS® users can connect up to four adaptors.
- New ZOTAC USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptor
- DisplayLink USB graphics technology
- Support resolutions up to 1920×1200 (16:10), 1080p (16:9), 1600×1200 (4:3)
- Backwards compatible with USB 2.0
- Microsoft Windows XP, Vista & 7 compatible (up to six adaptors)
- Apple Mac OS compatible (up to four adaptors)
New CyberLink PowerDirector Mobile for Android Optimized on NVIDIA’s Quad-Core Tegra 3 Processor
CyberLink Demonstrates PowerDirector Mobile for Android at CES 2012.
Here is what Cyberlink said:
International CES 2012 Las Vegas, NV — January 10, 2012—CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), innovative solution provider for the connected digital lifestyle, unveiled its brand new Android device application at CES 2012. Based on the award-winning and the world’s fastest video editor for PCs, PowerDirector, CyberLink brings the experience of its high performance video editor to the Android platform by introducing PowerDirector Mobile for Android. PowerDirector Mobile for Android is optimized for NVIDIA’s new quad-core Tegra 3 mobile processor, enabling a high-performance video editing experience on the ARM platform.
PowerDirector Mobile’s quad-core optimization on the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 processor will provide users with unprecedented speed and performance when editing videos on their Android devices.
“PowerDirector Mobile for Android is an exciting development for us, delivering unparalleled on-the-spot video creation experience,” said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. “We are delighted to work closely with NVIDIA, enabling consumers to create high-quality personal movies directly from portable devices.”
“CyberLink’s terrific video-editing capabilities will be more convenient than ever when consumers use their Tegra 3-powered mobile device to run the PowerDirector app,” said Chris Pedersen, Content Development Manager, at NVIDIA. “Its quad-core strength enables amazing speedups with great energy efficiency. Our companies are continuing to work together to bring PC-class multimedia experiences to Tegra-powered super phones and tablets.”
PowerDirector Mobile for Android enables high performance video editing on ARM, including:
· Real-time HD video decoding optimized for maximum bus speed, providing two simultaneous 1080p video real-time decode capability.· Theme-base video editing with transition and video effects. Users can create pro-like movies in minutes using their content along with professionally designed templates.
· 4-thread optimization with unparalleled performance, enabling:
§ Live preview of multiple HD video in real-time
§ Accelerated real-time video frame composition
§ Faster video production with unprecedented encoding speed
Learn more about PowerDirector here.
CyberLink Unveils New Windows 8 Metro-Style Multimedia Apps at CES 2012
CyberLink today announced three new apps designed for Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 operating system and the new Metro-style interface.
By extending their award-winning multimedia experience to Metro, CyberLink further extends its capabilities to empower consumers to become a master of their digital universe.
CyberLink, with its years of expertise from designing multimedia applications, now brings its experience to the Metro interface to create apps that make interacting with PCs and tablets fluid and intuitive. The apps enable consumers to do what they want to do intuitively – whether it’s media gallery playback, video editing, or using their device’s camera to take photos with effects.
The new apps for Metro include:
PowerDVD Metro: A universal multimedia player app offering the ultimate entertainment experience including complete media gallery support for videos, photos and music, together with premium features like Dolby and DTS audio. Popular TrueTheater® enhancements that instantly upgrade the quality of videos and photos provide an enriched viewing experience.
YouCam Metro: With the proliferation of in-built cameras on PCs and tablets, fun applications that enable consumers to express their creativity with captured videos and photos are popular. Using YouCam Metro consumers can capture video and photos, apply a wide range of fun effects with auto Face Tracking technology, and use CyberLink’s FaceMe™ face recognition to tag their photos.
PowerDirector Metro: For videophiles and those who need to get their recorded video content edited and distributed quickly, this app facilitates on-the-spot video editing and video slideshow creation and features a selection of Magic Style pro-designed templates that let consumers create polished movies automatically.
“Backed by 15 years of passion for building the best possible multimedia experience, we are excited to be able to show our partners and press at CES a seamless entertainment experience that extends across all platforms,” said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. “The three new Metro-style apps we’re introducing are about empowering consumers and making it effortless for them to enjoy and create amazing multimedia content on any of their media devices.”
CES 2012–ROCSTOR Announces New Ruggedized Hard Drive
ROCSTOR announced a new ruggedized hard drive called Amphibious today at CES. Read on for details.
CES 2012 – ROCSTOR UNVEILS AMPHIBIOUS – THE CES 2012 DESIGN AND ENGINEERING AWARD WINNING RUGGEDIZED PORTABLE HARD DRIVE WITH REAL TIME HARDWARE ENCRYPTION
Now Consumers, Businesses, Enterprises and Government Officials Can Have the Value of Data Security by Using an Original Concept of Two-Factor Authentication with Smart Card and Keypad, Real Time Hardware Encryption, and Futuristic Design Sense.
Canoga Park, CA, January 10, 2012 –ROCSTOR, a leading provider of fast, high-capacity data storage and encryption solutions, announces the launch of Amphibious, an International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree. The Amphibious is a secure, ruggedized portable hard drive with real time hardware encryption and offers advanced two-factor authentication, USB 2 and Firewire 800. In addition, the crypto module is FIPS 140-2 certified.
The Amphibious is considered as one of the most secure and user-friendly devices in the world for size, strength of encryption, and method of authentication. It offers users the option of using the device in a cross platform and Operating System independent fashion, and no GUI or software installations required. The Amphibious is the result of several years of intensive R & D effort and collaboration. For the user it offers the value of data security by using an original concept of two-factor authentication with Smart Card and Keypad, real time hardware encryption, and futuristic design sense. The Amphibious is appropriate for consumers, SOHO’s, enterprises, institutions, military and government applications who want to store data in a secure manner.
“Amphibious is Rocstor’s latest replacement device on steroids. Designed to be used in consumer, enterprise, institutional, military and US governmental applications, it is the most secure and innovative data-at-rest device on the market today, and comes in a compact size and attractive design,” states Asher Ghadoushi, Director for Rocstor. “One of the most distinctive features is that the Amphibious can be integrated with standard Smartcards as well as deployed with US Government CAC or PIV smartcards and it uses the only NITS and FIPS 140-2 validated crypto module for real-time hardware encryption with smart card authentication, allowing users to swap out different brands of hard drives or SSD’s.”
Encryption Features:
· Advanced Encryption Standard Algorithm AES-256 bit key strength
· Real-time encryption (virtually zero time in encrypting and decrypting the data)
· Military grade hardware encryption (not software imbedded in a chip)
· CBC modes
· Two-factor authentication – Smartcard and Password protected
· The cryptographic engine is NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) of USA and CSE (Communications Security Establishment) of Canada certified hardware AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) algorithm.
· FIPS (US Federal Information Processing Standard) 140-2 Cryptographic Module validated (FIPS Inside)
· No software or GUI involved or required installation (for encryption or authentication)
Special Features:
· Ruggedized, aircraft grade aluminum alloy
· Pocket-size portable external storage drive
· Bootable
· Bus powered (no adaptor required)
· Carrying case included
· Incorporates SATA hard drive (up to 1TB) or Solid State Drive DDS
· USB and FireWire connections
· Speeds up to 800 Megabytes per second
· Compatible with both Windows® and Macintosh® environments
· Includes all necessary cables
System Requirements:
· FireWire 800 (1394b) (or FireWire 400 1394a cable not included) port(s)
· USB 2.0 port(s)
· PowerPC or Intel processor
· Mac OS 9, X, Leopard, Snow Leopard or Lion
· MS Window XP or later
· Min. recommended memory: 1GB MB RAM
Compatibility
· Mac OS X v10.3.x or later
· Microsoft ® Windows®, XP or later
· Linux®
· Solid State Drives (SSD)
Rocstor’s Amphibious will be revealed at the 2012 International CES at the Rocstor Booth #3822 in the North Hall (iLounge). The Amphibious will also be on display with other Design and Innovation Award Honorees at CES Unveiled: the Official Press Event of the International CES from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, January 8 in the Venetian Ballroom of the Venetian, and throughout CES 2012 in the Innovation Award Showcase.
Amphibious will be available Q1 of 2012, through Rocstor’s distribution and reseller channels in USA and Canada.
About CES Innovation Awards:
The Innovations entries are judged based on the following criteria:
· Engineering qualities, based on technical specs and materials used
· Aesthetic and design qualities
· The product’s intended use/function and user value
· Unique/novel features that consumers would find attractive
· How the design and innovation of the product compares to other products in the marketplace
Products chosen as an Innovations honoree reflect innovative design and engineering of the entries. Examples may include the first time various technologies are combined in a single product or dramatic enhancements to previous product designs.
Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering honoree products are featured on www.CESweb.org/Innovations, which lists product categories, as well as each product name, manufacturer information, designer, description, photo and URL.
About Rocstor:
Rocstor offers the most extensive range of desktop and rack mounted RAID storage hardware, at the most competitive prices. Rocstor’s product line features cutting edge technologies that are tested rigorously and proven for solid reliability. By coupling new designs with state of the art technology, Rocstor continues to be one of the major players in the world of digital security. www.rocstor.com.
ROCSECURE is a division of Rocstor, pioneering in the area of secure encryption of digital content in any standard format, and leading the way in encrypted data storage solutions. Rocsecure’s encrypted hardware based solutions, featuring AES 256 Real Time hardware encryption with single or two factor authentications (Comply and certified under NITS, FIPS, Common Criteria), should satisfy the requirements of a home consumer, corporate executives, mandatory government requisition, military. Rocsecure’s ruggedized military-grade construction and highly secure devices to are designed and manufactured to protect against unauthorized access and data corruption. Rocsecure’s new encryption line of products are integrated with Cryptographic Processor / Modules which, depending on the product, are certified under NIST, FIPS L2/L3, Common Criteria, approved for use by NATO military forces.
For more information, visit http://www.rocsecure.com.
Hands On with the New HP Envy 14 Spectre Ultrabook
Yesterday we told you about HP’s new Envy 14 Spectre Ultrabook. We had a private session with HP yesterday afternoon where we got all hands-on with the new ultrabook.
The Spectre, at first glance, may not look as thin as Samsung’s Series 9 ultrabook, but it really packs a punch in the look and feel department.
The packaging and power supply are cool looking (HP want you to feel proud walking around with it).
The power supply is quite small, and light weight, and also has a USB port for connecting another device to for charging purposes. That’s a nice move on the part of HP, because you are bound to have something that needs charging via USB – we all do!
The audio is provided by Beats Audio and there are dedicated audio controls on the right hand side of the ultrabook.
For volume controls, there is actually a dial you can use – which feels strange when using, but only because you are not used to using a dial on a laptop! There is also a mute button for quick access!
There is also quite detailed and in-depth software for controlling the audio. The sound was really good – and that was without really adjusting it much from the default settings, so audiophile out there will like it.
You can even beam your music to a compatible device using an adaptor, very nice!
The ultrabook has three separate glass panels that make it up. This gives a very cool looking bit of kit, however as you can see, it really picks up fingerprints, so you may want to carry a cloth with you! It’s actually Gorilla Glass to make sure it’s nice and tough, and doesn’t scratch. There is nothing worse that the feeling you get when you see your beloved kit scratched.
Unfortunately HP wouldn’t let me drop it to test out how tough it was, but I think it will be fine!
CES 2012–Kinect for Windows Hardware Available February 1
Microsoft told us in the CES Keynote that Kinect for Windows would be available February 1st. We have some more details so read on!
We told you that Microsoft announced that hardware for Kinect for Windows would be available February 1st in our CES Highlights post. Here are some more details from Microsoft about that hardware release in a post from the MSDN Blogs:
Starting February 1, 2012: Use the Power of Kinect for Windows to Change the World
We’re thrilled at the sales we’ve seen for Kinect – 18 million sold in the past year – and we were honored to receive a Guinness World Record for the fastest selling consumer electronics device ever. As consumers, we may take devices like Kinect for granted, but in fact electronic devices are the fruit of a great deal of behind-the-scenes ingenuity and experimentation. Kinect is a shining example of this. Instead of mimicking the handheld motion-sensing controllers already on the market, Microsoft shattered the existing controller paradigm by inventing a new natural user interface system that enables advanced human tracking, gesture recognition, voice control and more. Our answer to the “wand” controller was no controller at all, or as we say, “YOU are the controller.”
Getting there wasn’t easy. Without many years of intense R&D efforts, including research investments of hundreds of millions of dollars, and the deep partnership between our research teams, software teams, hardware teams, manufacturing teams, and games studios, Kinect simply wouldn’t exist. And as amazing a piece of hardware as Kinect is, it is much more than that. At the heart of the Kinect experience lies sophisticated software that meaningfully deciphers the images and gestures captured by the 3D sensor as well as the voice commands captured by the microphone array from someone much further away than someone using a headset or a phone. More importantly, Kinect software can understand what each user means by a particular gesture or command across a wide range of possible shapes, sizes, and actions of real people.
The incredible amount of innovation on Kinect for Xbox 360 this past year shows the potential for Kinect as a platform for developers and businesses to build new and innovative offerings. Along with many others, we have only begun to explore the potential of this amazing technology. This proliferation of creative and imaginative new ideas for Kinect, which we call the Kinect Effect, will expand even further with our commercial release of Kinect for Windows.
Today, we are announcing that the new Kinect for Windows hardware and accompanying software will be available on February 1st, 2012 in 12 countries (United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom), at a suggested retail price of US $249. Kinect for Windows hardware will be available, in limited quantities at first, through a variety of resellers and distributors. The price includes a one-year warranty, access to ongoing software updates for both speech and human tracking, and our continued investment in Kinect for Windows-based software advancements. Later this year, we will offer special academic pricing (planned at US $149) for Qualified Educational Users.
We love the innovation we have seen built using Kinect for Xbox 360 – this has been a source of inspiration and delight for us and compelled us to create a team dedicated to serving this opportunity. We are proud to bring technology priced in the tens of thousands of dollars just a few years ago to the mainstream at extremely low consumer prices. And although Kinect for Windows is still value-priced for the technology, some will ask us why it isn’t the same price as Kinect for Xbox.
The ability to sell Kinect for Xbox 360 at its current price point is in large part subsidized by consumers buying a number of Kinect games, subscribing to Xbox LIVE, and making other transactions associated with the Xbox 360 ecosystem. In addition, the Kinect for Xbox 360 was built for and tested with the Xbox 360 console only, which is why it is not licensed for general commercial use, supported or under warranty when used on any other platform.
With Kinect for Windows, we are investing in creating a platform that is optimized for scenarios beyond the living room, and delivering new software features on an ongoing basis, starting with “near mode” (see my earlier blog post for more about this). In addition to support for Windows 7 and the Windows 8 developer preview (desktop apps only), Kinect for Windows will also support gesture and voice on Windows Embedded-based devices and will enhance how data is captured and accessed within intelligent systems across manufacturing, retail and many more industries. We are building the Kinect for Windows platform in a way that will allow other companies to integrate Kinect into their offerings and we have invested in an approach that allows them to develop in ways that are dependable and scalable.
We have chosen a hardware-only business model for Kinect for Windows, which means that we will not be charging for the SDK or the runtime; these will be available free to developers and end-users respectively. As an independent developer, IT manager, systems integrator, or ISV, you can innovate with confidence knowing that you will not pay license fees for the Kinect for Windows software or the ongoing software updates, and the Kinect for Windows hardware you and your customers use is supported by Microsoft.
Although we encourage all developers to understand and take advantage of the additional features and updates available with the new Kinect for Windows hardware and accompanying software, those developers using our SDK and the Kinect for Xbox 360 hardware may continue to use these in their development activities if they wish. However, non-commercial deployments using Kinect for Xbox 360 that were allowed using the beta SDK are not permitted with the newly released software. Non-commercial deployments using the new runtime and SDK will require the fully tested and supported Kinect for Windows hardware and software platform, just as commercial deployments do. Existing non-commercial deployments using our beta SDK may continue using the beta and the Kinect for Xbox 360 hardware; to accommodate this, we are extending the beta license for three more years, to June 16, 2016.
We expect that as Kinect for Windows hardware becomes readily available, developers will shift their development efforts to Kinect for Windows hardware in conjunction with the latest SDK and runtime. The combination of Kinect for Windows hardware and software creates a superior development platform for Windows and will yield a higher quality, better performing experience for end users.
We are excited for the new possibilities that Kinect will enable on the Windows platform, and to see how businesses and developers reimagine their processes and their products, and the many different ways each Kinect could enrich lives and make using technology more natural for everyone.
Craig Eisler
General Manager, Kinect for Windows
This is very interesting technology with many potential applications in the real world. It will be very interesting to see how this rolls out!
CES 2012–Microsoft CES Keynote Wraps Up
Microsoft gave their last CES keynote tonight. We have some highlights for you. Read on for details!
Steve Balmer and Ryan Seacrest appeared onstage at CES to bring us the last Microsoft CESs keynote; this will be their last year appearing at the show. Anyway, we have some highlights of the keynote for you.
Windows Phone 7
They talked about the new Nokia Lumia 900 phone for AT&T that we told you about here, and also mentioned a new HTC Titan II 4G LTE handset for AT&T. We’ll bring you some details on that handset shortly. The Windows Phone 7 theme is Putting People First and they demoed some applications designed to do just that.
Windows PC
Microsoft discussed how Windows has changed over time to adapt to new market requirements, and announced that there were more than 1.3 billion Windows PC’s in use across the globe.
Windows 8 was a major theme, with demos of Windows 8 on x86 and ARM hardware. The ARM tablet demonstrated was a Tegra 3 from NVidia, and Microsoft also announced that ARM solutions from other vendors, such as Texas Instruments, would be supported. Windows 8 will be available in early February for public beta testing.
The Windows Store for apps was also demonstrated, and will be available in February. HTML5-based apps were highlighted, and Microsoft promised that the store would be available in over 200 countries. Also, they promised that businesses could use the Windows Store to deploy enterprise applications across Windows 8 machines, a very useful deployment tool.
Ultrabook PC’s
Microsoft announced that HP and Samsung had new Ultrabooks coming: the HP Envy 14 Spectre and the Samsung Series 9 2nd Generation. The HP will feature Beats Audio and glass construction and the Samsung continues to be small, thin and light, and now also comes in a 15” model. Andrew covered the Spectre here and the second generation Series 9 here.
Xbox
Xbox is getting a new content partner in NewsCorp. In addition, a new two-way interactive TV service was demonstrated with a Sesame Street episode in which the viewer can impact the episode. Very cool stuff! Expect more of these interactive TV experiences in 2012, with Kinect.
Kinect for Windows
Kinect for Windows is coming in February and the hardware is available for preorder at Amazon here now. Microsoft is working with over 200 companies, including American Express, United Health and Toyota to bring Kinect experiences to Windows 8. I really look forward to seeing what Microsoft and its partners manage to come up with here!
Those were the main highlights. It is clear that Windows 8 and Metro are the focus of Microsoft’s 2012. It should be an interesting year!
Covecube Announces First Public Test of DrivePool Beta M4
Covecube Tweeted that DrivePool Beta M4 is in public test phase. Read on for details.
We last told you about DrivePool last month. Here is how CoveCube describes this application:
- Combine all your hard drives into one big storage pool (except the system drive with the OS).
- Add and remove drives from the pool at any time without re-partitioning or manually moving folders.
- Create duplicated folders on the storage drive pool that are protected against single drive failure. If a drive fails on which a duplicated file was stored, the contents of that file will remain readable even without the drive.
- All your data is stored in standard NTFS files. You can always access your files even if the Windows Home Server completely crashes or this add-in can’t be used.
Tonight, Covecube announced that DrivePool is now in the public test phase. So if you want to test the application before release, check it out here!
DrivePool UpdateLacie Announces New Thunderbolt Storage Products
LaCie announced its latest peripherals featuring Thunderbolt™ technology today at the 2012 International CES®. Read on for details!
Here is the press release:
LaCie Announces Latest High-Speed Storage Solutions Featuring Thunderbolt Technology
January 9, 2012
LaCie announced its latest peripherals featuring Thunderbolt™ technology today at the 2012 International CES®. The new 2big Thunderbolt Series delivers speed, flexibility and capacity, while the eSATA Hub Thunderbolt Series allows users to connect external eSATA drives to their new Macs®. This announcement follows the unprecedented success of LaCie’s Little Big Disk Thunderbolt Series and further asserts the company’s commitment to deliver high-quality products featuring Thunderbolt technology.
“LaCie is proud to offer the widest range of storage solutions featuring Thunderbolt technology,” said Erwan Girard, Professional Business Unit Manager, LaCie. “These products are some of the fastest and most flexible storage solutions on the market. They will dramatically accelerate the workflow of even the most demanding digital users.”2BIG THUNDERBOLT SERIES
With speeds up to three times faster than FireWire 800, the LaCie 2big also features RAID security, hot-swappable disks, daisy chain convenience and a solid-aluminum casing. Heavy data users will appreciate capacities up to 8TB with jaw-dropping transfer rates up to 311MB/s. Daisy chaining multiple 2bigs even increases overall performance.
With the 2big, backups take a fraction of the time, letting the user back up more frequently. Videographers working in Final Cut Pro X® or other professional software can even stream multiple HD video streams directly from the drive. Photographers using Lightroom® or Aperture® will notice significantly more responsive photo library browsing.ESATA HUB THUNDERBOLT SERIES
The eSATA Hub Thunderbolt Series gives new life to existing eSATA drives with Thunderbolt innovation and backward compatibility. It connects to a late-model Mac via the Thunderbolt port and features two eSATA ports. This lets the user connect two eSATA external hard drives to the Hub and get full eSATA speeds on their new Mac. The Hub also features a second Thunderbolt port that lets the user connect other Thunderbolt peripherals. This means up to 12 eSATA drives (6x Dock, 2x eSATA links per Hub) can be connected via a single connection to a Mac with full eSATA 3Gb/s speeds.
AVAILABILITY
The 2big Thunderbolt Series and eSATA Hub Thunderbolt Series will be available in the first quarter of 2012. Thunderbolt cables can be purchased separately on Apple.com. For full specifications and product information, visit http://www.lacie.com.
- Shocking Speeds
- 2big speed, flexibility and capacity
- Connect eSATA drives to new Macs
ABOUT LACIE
With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, LaCie is the leading manufacturer of storage devices for PC, Apple, and Linux. LaCie has differentiated itself through sleek design and remarkable technical performance. Find out more about our products at www.lacie.com.
Sony Releases New Bloggie® Video Cameras
Sony released two new Bloggie video cameras today. Read on for details.
Here is the news release:
SONY INTRODUCES A WHOLE NEW WAY TO SHOOT AND SHARE WITH TWO “WONDERFULLY SIMPLE” BLOGGIE HD CAMERAS
Advanced Models Bring Live Streaming, Wi-Fi® and More
LAS VEGAS (CES BOOTH #14200), Jan. 9, 2012 – Taking its MP4 camera line to new heights, Sony today revealed two new Bloggie® HD camera models – including the world’s first full HD pocket camera capable of live video streaming with built-in Wi-Fi capability and a sport model with waterproof/dustproof/shockproof features. Sony’s Bloggie HD cameras offer unique value in a crowded category, focusing on innovative, yet simple capture and share features with premium design.
“Only Sony has delivered technology-packed, simple, fashionable MP4 cameras that provide live streaming via Wi-Fi capability and come in a durable package.” said Hidenori Toyoda, director of the camcorder business at Sony Electronics. “The Bloggie lineup is so versatile. You can easily take it from a day at the beach with the kids to a cocktail party with friends, and share all your memories instantly.”
Instant Gratification
Bloggie Live™ cameras (MHS-TS55) can capture full HD video, 12.8 megapixel stills, has a stereo microphone, an LED light, and now offers live streaming via built-in Wi-Fi capability for the first time in a full HD pocket camera. For those who want to share right away, Bloggie Live cameras can stream your moments in real-time in collaboration with Qik Video™, a mobile video sharing service from Skype. Once live streaming begins, friends and family can view the video instantly on a computer, smartphone or tablet no matter how far away they are. Additionally, comments from the virtual audience will be displayed on the large 3-inch wide capacitive touch screen of the Bloggie Live camera even while shooting and streaming videos. The streamed video will automatically be saved and available for playback from http://qik.com while an HD copy is recorded to the camera’s internal memory for later uploading or viewing.
For easy sharing, this camera works with any Wi-Fi hotspot including mobile hotspot services from leading wireless carriers. The device can directly upload content to sites like Facebook®, YouTube™, and PlayMemories Online™, a network service by Sony (available Spring 2012) that allows users to view their content from various devices such as a smartphone, tablet, PC, or TV at anytime. It simply uploads new content to this cloud by selecting “Save to PlayMemories Online™” on the menu. If Wi-Fi connection isn’t available, there’s a “Share” option for easy upload the next time you’re online. The Bloggie Live™ camera is also designed to compliment smartphones and tablets. The PlayMemories Mobile™ application, a free download from Android Market™ and the iTunes® app store, allows users to wirelessly transfer files from the camera to a phone or tablet.
Sony is also partnering with Verizon Wireless to offer a $50 debit card by mail to customers who purchase a Bloggie Live camera, as well as a Verizon Jetpack™ 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot device with a 2-year contract, by April 9. The hotspot device must be purchased from a Verizon Wireless store or www.verizonwireless.com within 30 days after the Bloggie Live camera is acquired and the rebate form can be accessed at www.verizonwireless.com/bloggie this week.
No Fouls, No Time-Outs
The Bloggie Sport® camera (MHS-TS22) is a worry-free, portable camera perfect for everyday use, no matter what the environment, indoors or out. Not only can this rugged device keep up with any active lifestyle, it is waterproof** in up to 16 feet of water (for an hour) realizing high-quality video and photos while submerged. The 2.7-inch touch-screen LCD even works underwater for easy operation when recording “can’t miss” moments in full high definition (1920×1080) MP4 video and 5-megapixel still photos. The Bloggie Sport camera also has an “Underwater Mode” which adjusts the white balance for underwater conditions to make colors appear natural.
Not only is the device ready for wet conditions, the compact shockproof*** camera is durable enough to withstand an accidental drop from up to approximately 5 feet. Its dustproof**** design makes the Bloggie Sport camera suitable for just about any situation and allows users to document their adventures without any stress. The Bloggie Sport camera also has a built-in LED light and comes in three fun colors – blue, black and red.
Sony Refreshes BRAVIA Line of TV’s
Sony announced the 2012 BRAVIA lineup at CES today. Read on for the details.
Sony likes to announce lineups for the coming year at CES. Here is the press release that they issued on their BRAVIA line of TV’s:
SONY’s NEW BRAVIA® TVs OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE – STARTING WITH THE MOST VIVID HDTV PICTURE EVER
New Models – from entry-level to top-of-the-line — Keep Consumers Connected and Entertained
LAS VEGAS (CES BOOTH #14200), Jan. 9, 2012 – Sony is reaffirming its leadership in the fundamentals of home entertainment, announcing today its new BRAVIA® television lineup. This year Sony introduces three distinct series – the entry-level BX, the step-up EX, and the flagship HX. Each newly introduced model delivers the best picture quality available and offers a range of features to give consumers flexibility in choosing the right entertainment solution.
“Television consumers have told us the mix of formats and features often creates confusion,” said Brian Siegel, vice president for Sony’s television business. “But, we know that the best part of the TV has always been – and will always be – the picture quality. Sony is cutting through that noise to make TV buying easier: three model lines with very clear differences, each designed to deliver the most premium, best-in-class picture ever.”
Innovations in Picture Quality
The new BRAVIA models offer many of the unique-to-Sony technologies and features that consumers have come to expect from a Sony TV, complemented by new enhancements and additional innovations.
Select models incorporate Dynamic Edge LED with local dimming and deliver a brilliant Full HD (1080p) picture with increased brightness and outstanding contrast, particularly in best-in-class deep blacks. Sony’s exclusive OptiContrast™ panel elevates the picture to the front surface of the TV and creates a dark background for rich, vibrant, high contrast pictures even in well-lit rooms.
Picture quality is further enhanced with Sony’s X-Reality™ PRO and X-Reality digital video processors. The dual-chip X-Reality PRO optical engine optimizes video sources by utilizing a vast database of signal patterns and comparing incoming signals with ideal scenes to display unprecedented detail and astonishing color. The single-chip X-Reality engine separates incoming video into its constituent parts of outline, texture and color/contrast, and then applies image enhancements to deliver its outstanding picture. Finally, Sony’s newest version of Motionflow™ XR technology reduces blur caused by quick camera movements, enhancing sharpness and creating a smoother viewing experience for fast-paced sports and movie programming, as well as gaming.
The Lineup
Sony’s HX850 and HX750 debut in the first quarter of 2012 and the HX850 carries forward Sony’s distinctive Monolithic design incorporating Gorilla® Glass by Corning, allowing for thinner, lighter and stronger screen material. Complete with X-Reality PRO and Motionflow XR 960, the HX850 is a fully Internet-connected television with built-in 3D, delivering a premium viewing experience when on, and a stunning addition to home décor even when off.
Consumers wishing to step into Internet-connectivity and Edge LED backlighting need not sacrifice picture quality with Sony’s out-of-the-box Wi-Fi-ready (adapter included) EX640, debuting in the first quarter of the year. The EX series uses Motionflow XR 240 processing, delivering brilliant Full HD 1080p resolution, and integrates Clear Resolution Enhancer providing a vivid, clear, life-like picture.
Entry into the Sony line begins with the BX series, with the BX450 delivering a vivid Full HD 1080p picture with bright images and color. Clear Resolution Enhancer and Digital Noise Reduction provide clear, well-defined images with reduced picture noise.
Connected to a World of Streaming Entertainment
The connected features of the BRAVIA line let consumers discover more content through the Sony Portal, featuring one-touch access to the Sony Entertainment Network and its Video Unlimited and Music Unlimited streaming services, offering on-demand catalog of over 80,000 blockbuster movies and favorite TV shows, as well as a constantly expanding global catalog of more than 15 million music tracks1.
From the BRAVIA home screen, consumers also will find easy-to-navigate apps for Netflix®, Pandora®, HuluPlus™, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube™, Slacker® Internet Radio, Crackle and many more, as well as access to social platforms such as Facebook® and Twitter™. First to market, Sony delivers Yahoo! Broadcast Interactivity, with auto-content recognition, which allows viewers one-click access to TV apps with Internet content related to the programming being watched. This interactive content can include show trivia, viewer votes for fan favorites, purchases of items they see on TV, playing along with a favorite game show, or viewing of related videos and photos.
BRAVIA HX series models also come with Skype™ embedded. After connecting the Sony camera and microphone (model CMU-BR100, sold separately) users can enjoy free widescreen Skype-to-Skype video calls with friends and family from the comfort of their living rooms (subject to Skype terms and conditions). Users can also make voice calls while simultaneously watching TV.
The DNLA®-certified and Wireless LAN built-in HX models also easily connect to and share content from mobile devices and computers on the same home network, as well as allow consumers a wide variety of control options via Sony’s Media Remote™ and Remote Keyboard apps, for a comfortable, lean-back experience at home. Viewers can ‘throw’ a browsed website from a smartphone to the BRAVIA HDTV for easier viewing, and the app allows control of the web cursor with one thumb, tapping for selecting links, and pinching in and out to enlarge or shrink the viewable areas. The apps are available for download from both Android Market™ and iTunes® App Store, and function as a full remote control with keyboard, allowing easy online content search and playback.