Why your doctor could soon give you a video game prescription

Gaming has always been condemned for glorifying violence and spawning a culture of decadence in urban youth. It now seems like the detractors got it wrong; at least part of it. A number of recent studies show that video games can improve your physical fitness and even sharpen your vision.
According to a study carried at the University of Rochester, playing some first-person action video games, such as Unreal Tournament improves visual acuity. The study shows that the human brain adapts to the extremities of the game. In this way, the brain is “trained” resulting in a significant increase in spatial resolution of vision. For people who normally don’t play video games, they will be able to see smaller, crammed objects much more clearly. “When people play action games, they’re changing the brain’s pathway responsible for visual processing,” says Professor Daphne Bavalier, from the University of Rochester. In future, patients could be turning to video games to treat visual impairment problems or tackling aging of the brain.
In another remarkable observation, the hugely successful Nintendo game consoles could end up giving rise to “virtual athletes”. Nintendo offers plenty of active sporting games including tennis, golf, baseball and boxing. A great deal of physical activity is involved which includes moving the biceps, shoulders and legs; which is very much like the real deal. Kids who played these active games used more energy than those playing conventional sedentary games. Testament to this is the case of Mickey DeLorenzo, a 26-year old developer from South Philadelphia who lost 9lbs (4.09kgs) in a span of 12 days. Recent findings show that Nintendo tops the video games console market, outgunning its chief rivals by a solid margin. We hope that the massive numbers of sold units will bring a new wave of active sports gaming. Strange times we are living in. Who would have foreseen video games getting cozy with the Medical profession? Case in point is the impending venture of Sony PS3 in assisting medical research.

Talk and give instructions to your car, Strictly speaking

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could just order your ride to play your favorite ballads, or simply give directions to your destination? This could be made possible without lifting a finger, or taking your eyes off the road. Unveiled at the CeBIT 2007 exhibition, is a BMW fitted with a futuristic multilingual human-computer dialogue system.
This is an exceptional dialogue interface, specially designed to exhibit conversational, intuitive traits as well as adapt to different user situations. The revolutionary technology has been developed by a team of researchers in part of a wider operation dubbed EU Project TALK. The team adopts the Information State Update (ISU) system. The approach is to develop versatile dialogue systems which are compatible with different languages, diverse application domains, and have the ability to implement most favorable system behavior based on human dialogue.
Project TALK kicked off operations in 2004, and has recorded significant progress to date. A great deal has been achieved in developing annotation, multimodality and multilingual capabilities, as well integrating them. BMW has already teamed up with the developers to produce in-car facilities that can respond to human speech. The project is still under development, though it has been successfully deployed in various systems and devices. This is the stuff of sci-fi flicks. We can’t say for sure when this technology will hit the mass market.

Mobile Clinical Assistant to connect health care staff to Information

At the ongoing CeBIT 2007 exhibition, Motion Computing showcased its new C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA). The device incorporates cutting edge technology from Intel® Health including patient data capture elements. These are designed to improve productivity and offer top-notch quality health care. The MCA can also help reduce workloads and dispensing errors; enabling clinicians spend more time taking care of patients. Moreover, combining expert advice from thousands of clinicians, it delivers accurate and reliable patient data information to the point of care. Prior to developing the device, intensive world-wide studies had been carried out involving health care professionals, patients, existing clinical information, systems and tools. During this time, it was revealed that clinicians needed a specialized device designed for them. It was then that Intel and Motion Computing joined forces to develop the MCA platform.
The C5 Tablet PC comes in a durable white casing, and has a unique ergonomic design. It also features a built-in handle. The casing can be sanitized to minimize spread of infections. Additionally, it is portable, weighing approximately 1.4 kg (3lbs).
Detailed product features and specifications:
• Processor: Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology; Intel® Core Solo Processor U1400 (1.20GHz).
• Memory: 512 MB RAM (Upgradeable to a maximum of 1GB).
• Hard Drive: 30GB (with a 60GB option).
• Operating System: Windows® Vista™ Business/Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition
• Additional:
o Integrated security using biometric fingerprint reader and Radio frequency identification (RFID) reader for user & patient identification.
o Bar code reader for scanning to reduce medical dispensing errors.
o 2.0 MegaPixel Digital Camera for recording patient documentation and progress notes.
o Bluetooth and wireless connectivity to access electronic medical records.
• Accessories:
o C5 Docking station with battering charging bay.
o Additional pen.
o Compact USB Keyboard.
o DVD/R+W slim drive.
o Motion Media Pak software – provides handwriting recognition feature and reference tools for health professionals.
Devices like these are set to revamp the health care industry. MCA products will help curb medical inefficiencies and poor security features regarding patient confidentiality. The C5 will be shipped with a MSRP of $2,199.

Sony PS3 ventures into Distributed Computing to aid in Medical research

If you own a PlayStation®3 video game console, you have in your possession a potential supercomputer. You could also play an important role by joining a Stanford University research team to explore causes of incurable diseases such as Cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases among others. In a press conference, Sony Computer Entertainment announces an important software update that will leverage the vast processing powers of PS3. The video game console implements a powerful Cell processor that is roughly 10 times faster than a standard chip in a PC. Sony hopes that PS3 owners will link their consoles to boost efforts of the academic research with their idle computing power.
The project, referred to as Folding@home program, is a distributed computing venture primarily involved in carrying out intensive research in protein folding, “misfolding” and study of incurable diseases. This is a very complex and demanding process. A typical PC would take ages to accomplish this. According to Vijay Pande, Director of the research project, a single PS3 console will perform Folding@home calculations between 20 and 30 times faster than a conventional PC. If millions of PS3 owners joined the project, the processing power would be astounding. Participants essentially download data from Stanford University via a distributed computing environment. The Folding@home application performs complex calculations and sends the data back to Stanford. The project is similar to Berkeley’s SETI@home, which searches for extraterrestrial intelligence and heavily relies on personal computers. With multitudes of PS3s joining the party, millions of simulations will be possible and ultimately speed up the research process.
The PS3 software update will be available late March. PlayStation®3 users will take part by clicking on a Folding@home icon, or optionally set the application to run when the consoles are idle.

Cisco to acquire WebEx, and join the Saas bandwagon

Cisco systems, the leading computer networking supplier, announces plans to buy WebEx web-based company for $3.2 billion. WebEx is the undisputed king of web-conferencing services, and includes the powerful WebOffice application suite. The latter offers Calendar, Email and Spreadsheet programs. By acquiring WebEx, this can be interpreted as Cisco’s bold move to venture into the growing trend the of Saas (Software-as-a-Service) realm. At the same time, Cisco has invested heavily in developing intelligent networks for next-generation applications. In addition to these, Cisco has its MeetingPlace and Unified Communications products. It is now apparent that Cisco will combine its cutting edge Unified communications platform with its desktop collaboration packages. In the process, this will make it an influential Saas provider and a formidable competitor to Microsoft and Google. Microsoft may have a hard time adjusting to Saas, especially when its competitors can offer the services at no cost. Microsoft is able to provide unified communications and collaboration services, but the same cannot be said of Office applications.
Meanwhile, Cisco is aiming to expand the desktop collaboration applications to small and mid-sized markets. The best way to accomplish is via a web-hosted model.

Panasonic tackles office boredom syndrome with catchy color MFPs

To many office workers, the work scene is one uninspiring setting. All you see is nothing but drab walls and lifeless furnishings. Some aren’t too lucky to have a window to break away from the mundane view. Since most of our time is spent at work, the monotonous nature of the workplace is reflected in our lives. Recent research studies show that color has a positive effect on the brain. A little injection of color in our professional lives can stir up creativity, innovation and improved productivity. What’s more, color is an effective communicator and a morale booster.
This is what Panasonic Digital Document Company had in mind when it showcased its eye-catching brand of networked C3 multifunction products. Besides offering unparalleled copying, printing, fax & email functionality, the award-winning MFPs comes in a series of dazzling colors. The new C3s were specially designed to liven up the workplace, and infuse a fresh wave of work attitude amongst employees. Furthermore, all C3s implement intuitive product design and cutting edge technology from Panasonic which enables superior processing speeds. It seems that everything is working according to plan for the C3 series. Panasonic copiers take first place among business users, according to consumer rankings carried out by J.D Power & Associates.
Source: Panasonic Office Products

Brainstorming software to do all the thinking and creativity for you

Some good news for the ever busy corporate executives, or the perennially lazy-minded . This is a most welcome boon to those who need to conceive ideas or craft presentations at the spur of the moment. An innovative new software from ThoughtOffice Corp, promises the “unthinkable”. It will solve real-world problems, generate ideas and rouse your creativity in an operation themed as “Creativity to Productivity”. Yeah that’s right; generate real and tangible ideas from the click of a mouse in record time.
ThoughtOffice software uses a lateral-thinking process, where it draws information from hundreds of experts and professionals in 16 diverse topics. Furthermore, it makes use of a vast collection of words, phrases, images, quotes, definitions, phrases, synonyms, and rhyming words among others. The end result is a brilliant idea or a resourceful solution generated in as little as 5 minutes. For businesses, this translates to instantaneous solutions, results and some real revenue opportunities. ThoughtOffice derives its unique features from two key palettes:
• The TopicsBrowser – a gigantic and invaluable information resource in 16 topics, pulling expertise from hundreds of geniuses and offering thousands of questions.
• The IdeaBrowser – enables access to over 7 million elements including words, phrases, lyrics, synonyms, images and many more.
ThoughtOffice comes in a simple, well-designed, easy-to-use and feature-rich user interface. The software is compatible on Windows XP/Vista and Mac OSX. Starting price is $99 with topical modules going for $25, and idea tabs at $15. More information and a 15 day trial version can be obtained from ThoughtOffice.

Making History game: Your nation’s fate in your hands

Diplomacy, International relations and Global Economics are not your typical themes when you think of Video games. This is what Making History is all about. It features an exceptional game scene, which puts your diplomacy skills, political shrewdness, military planning and other traits pertaining to national issues to the test. Other pertinent issues players will have to contend with are domestic programs, conflicts between nations and alliances. Your nation’s fate is molded by your actions. This is a real-life gaming experience that lets you change the course of events. Any grave blunders will bear calamitous consequences for future generations.
Making History is an extraordinary real-life simulation of global conflicts, and is based on World War II. It is described as a challenge of brain cells, not bullets by Dave McCool, CEO of Muzzy Lane Software. Making History puts you in charge of your nation. Players begin with a significant moment of history and can deviate from the past, to gauge what direction history would have taken if things were done differently. The game is highly realistic with detailed models of dozens of nations including their land & sea regions, terrains, infrastructure, natural resources and levels of economic development. Making History is different from other WWII based games in that players cannot take sides with either the Allied or Axis nations. Other features incorporated are advanced global economy, multi-player capabilities, full-scale playable nations, Alliance systems, extensive military elements, and customizable game options. The game offers a well-designed display system, wide-ranging resources, maps and a powerful navigation system. Making History: Calm & Collected is widely available in North America going for $39.95. It is compatible on Windows-based PCs. The game is available for download at SteamPowered. For more information visit the Making History site.

A new web experience via the Xacti Digital Video Cam revolution

Japanese electronics giant, Sanyo has unveiled their latest digital camera, the DMX-CG65. This is the first line from the Xacti 2.0 project; a collaboration between Sanyo and four leading Web 2.0 corporations.
The DMX-CG65 is a pretty powerful camera capable of giving improved high-resolution video images. When fitted with an 8GB SDHC Memory card, the Xacti video cam can easily manage 10 hours recording time of top-quality movies. While filming, users can switch modes and capture 6 Megapixel still images. Additionally, the DMX-CG65 is specially designed to incorporate Web 2.0 functionality. The cameras embrace the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 web movie format, which is made possible by a built-in LSI “Pure Force Engine III” facility for quick image processing. Top-quality video content is generated with relative ease and can be uploaded to a computer, from where it may distributed to the general web community, via blogs, podcasts and video-swapping sites. This underscores the goals of the Xacti 2.0 project, which entails connecting people in diverse locales and sharing info across online communities. With this innovation, Sanyo aims to develop the concept of “movie-blogs”.
The marvels of the DMX-CG65 are brought to us, courtesy of the Xacti 2.0 project which promises to introduce an exceptional movie culture. Xacti is a joint research venture, which is spearheading the growth of web communities using state-of-the-art digital video formats. Xacti cameras will be available in Japan beginning late April and will retail about ¥50,000 (Approx. $426).
Additional product features:
• Hand shaking canceller and Image Stabilization feature – implements internal sensors, which enables the camera to produce sharp and stable images, in spite of external movement caused by shaking.
• BGM Slide Show function – ability to playback slideshows with music.
• Audio recording capability at 48 kHz sampling with 16-bit stereo output.
• Widescreen 16:9 photo shooting function - allows high-resolution photo viewing on high-definition TV.
• Software suite to create DVD movies in MPEG-4 format (Ulead DVD MovieWriter) and manage videos & still images (Ulead Photo Explorer 8.5).

Nintendo Wii to use GameSpy multiplayer for online games

The Nintendo-GameSpy partnership has been bolstered with a new deal for Wii titles. Nintendo Wii users will now use a middleware platform from GameSpy, amid promises of some cool and exciting features. They are talking of a host of online community features, including friendly rosters, leader boards and even matchmaking capabilities.
In a press release, Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo of America said that this will expand the wireless community of players on Nintendo Wi-Fi connection. Already, millions of users on DS are using GameSpy technology. The same is expected of Wii in what guarantees to be a fun-filled, multi-player setting. Adding to this was Jamie Berger, Senior Vice President of Consumer Products and Technology for IGN Entertainment, who said, "Nintendo has been an invaluable partner, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with them in the future. Our goal is to extend our ground-breaking work on the Nintendo DS to provide Wii users with the social, community, and multiplayer tools that we believe will expand the online gaming experience to the mass market".
The first game lined up for this venture, is the Pokemon Battle Revolution, scheduled for June 25. I wonder what lies ahead when gaming takes to the social networking realm, especially coming in the wake of Sony’s Home.

Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard: all you need is a flat surface

Taking a glimpse into the future, we take note of an exceptional virtual bluetooth keyboard. The portable device uses laser technology to project a QWERTY keyboard on any flat surface. The gadget is compatible with various PDAs and Smartphones, which further elevates mobility and typing convenience to unprecedented levels. Product specifications and features:
• Compatibility: PalmOS 5, PocketPC 2003, Windows Smartphone, Symbian OS, and Windows 2000/XP and Limited Mac OSX Support. No drivers included for Mac.
• OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP.
• Power: Includes a rechargeable battery, which allows for 120 minutes of continuous typing.
• Keyboard: 63-key QWERTY, 295 x 95mm projection size.
• Dimensions: 1.38" x 3.6" x 1"
Source: ThinkGeek

Curbing online video menace with new Video Copyright detection technology

MotionDSP, a fast rising global force in video copyright enhancement, announces an innovative means to accurately identify copyrighted video material. The new technology, dubbed Ikena Copyright, uses a series of patented video intelligence mechanisms to identify content and append a “video fingerprint”. This is a significant improvement from a prior technology that used audio copyright detection, which proved ineffective. Ikena Copyright is capable of tracking motion characteristics in very small video clips as well those that have been re-encoded from their original formats. The same is possible for videos that have their color and quality heavily distorted. Furthermore, Ikena Copyright technology can be applied in large databases, with its ability to match thousands upon thousands of videos every day.
This comes at a most opportune time; when video sites are all the rage. It is not surprising that the new platform has generated considerable interest from high-volume video content owners; eager to rein in on the pervasive illegal video downloads. Mobile carriers such as AT&T, Verizon and DoCoMo are also likely candidates to embrace the next-generation video technology.

Source: MotionDSP Inc

Intel releases its first solid-state hard drive: The Z-U130

Leading chipmaker, Intel Corp, joins a growing list of solid-state hard drive manufacturers with its very own product, the light-weight Z-U130. Intel’s new product line will come in different sizes. 1GB and 2GB are already in production, with 4GB expected in April this year and an 8GB unit lined up for December.
The Z-U130 has interfaces for USB 2.0/1.1 and is based on NAND flash memory technology. Additionally, it features read and write speeds of 28Mbs and 20Mbs respectively. Moreover, the units are expected to provide the distinct advantages solid-state drives exhibit over traditional magnetic ones. These include faster boot times, less seek time, lower power-consumption rates, embedded code storage, speedy data access, improved reliability and robust performance.
A number of applications areas have been identified that could take advantage of the lightning fast system boot times. These include video gaming, handheld devices as well as routers, servers, Point-of-Sale terminals, next-generation notebooks and other devices with built-in solutions from Intel.
There has been a considerable rise in the storage realm, with prominent manufacturers such as Samsung, SanDisk, ASUS and Fujitsu making serious progress. It will be interesting to see how Intel positions itself. With the Z-U130, Intel promises to deliver a top-quality, value-added product that will offer reliability across wide-ranging embedded applications.

NME launches a low-cost, 40GB HD multi-layer optical disc

As Blue-ray and HD-DVD wrestle to dominate the home entertainment front, New Medium Enterprises (NME) releases the third HD format based on Versatile Multilayer Disc (VMD) technology. NME touts VMD as the world’s first low cost true high-definition format.
Unlike other formats, VMD uses the Red-Laser technology which consists of multiple layers to offer higher storage capacity. While conventional DVDs utilize two layers, VMD is capable of stacking an impressive 8 layers. Each layer can store as much as 5GB; while at the same ensuring the VMD retains the thickness of a typical DVD. Moreover, NME applies the 2P technology between layers, which solves a myriad of irksome problems faced by other manufacturers when attempting to develop their own multi-layer discs. Furthermore, the high-definition VMD format works at a 1980x1080i/p resolution with a 40Mbs data rate. In addition, VMD supports similar video codecs as Blue-Ray and HD-DVD, plus future open source codecs. As the new format hits the market, a new series of HD-VMD Media players will be released.
At the moment, the discs store up to 20GB of content, well behind Blue-Ray and HD-DVD. However, New Medium Enterprises plans to roll out discs in 24GB, 30GB, 40GB and 48GB storage capacities.

On the move with Samsung’s new Ultra-Mobile PCs for Windows Vista™

Samsung Electronics announces the super sleek, stylish Q1 series of Ultra-Mobile PCs, optimized for Windows Vista. Models include the Q1, Q1B and Q1P. UMPC devices are specially designed to combine mobility and high-performance PC functionality. The devices are well suited for busy professionals, who are always on the move and need to keep themselves connected and well-informed at all times. Besides, the lightweight Ultra-Mobile PCs harness the added functionality of Windows Vista™ to provide wireless internet access via WiFi (and Bluetooth), instant entertainment, VoIP functionality using Twin array microphones and a revolutionary Touch Screen display. The latter feature allows for handwriting output, which can be converted to regular text. Of special mention is the AVS Now feature, which allows users access a multitude of multimedia content including videos, music, music, photos as well as multimedia applications. The UMPCs run on a 1.0 GHz Intel processor and weigh a trifle 1.7 pounds (without the optical disk drive). Sorry folks, no details on pricing are available.
• Processor: Intel Pentium M ULV 1.0 GHz
• Chipset & Graphics: Intel i915GMS, GMA900, DVMT 128M
• Memory: 1 GB DDR2
• Display: 7 Inch WVGA Touch Screen
• Audio: Two stereo speakers, Twin Array Microphone, SRS sound, H/P out
• Storage capacity: 60 GB Hard Drive
• Connectivity: 802.11 b/g, 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet, Bluetooth® v2.0
• Battery: Li-Ion Battery, Standard:3 cell Battery
• Dimensions: 9.0"(w) x 5.5"(H) x 1.0"(D)
• Weight: 1.7 pounds (w/o Optical Disk Drive
• Accessories: 3 External Combo drives, Ultra-thin keyboard, Organizer bag, Auto-adpater, 6-cell battery and Power Bank

Source: Samsung Electronics

Samsung packs an astounding 8GB embedded memory card for Mobile phones

How about saving a whopping 2,000 songs, chunks of map data capable of running GPS or full-length media content on your mobile phone? All this without using an external memory card is a godsend. That is what Samsung electronics, the global leader in chip memory designer has been up to lately.
This remarkable feat will be achieved through Samsung’s latest high-density moviNAND memory card, which consists of four 50-nanometer, 16 Gigabit NAND flash memory chips, high-speed Multimedia Card (MMC) controller and onboard firmware. What’s even cooler is the fact that the new card delivers twice the performance of a 4GB card, is relatively smaller and processes data at 52 Mbps. The project is a continuation of Samsung’s earlier releases of 1GB, 2GB and 4 GB samples of moviNAND designed for mobile devices. The moviNAND technology makes use of NAND flash memory which is easily accessible via a standard MMC controller. This effectively illustrates the ease of embedding moviNAND technology in mobile phones. Additionally, moviNAND offers increased security, making it a suitable option for storing private information.
Plans are underway to kick off mass production of mobile phones using this technology which promises high-density, high-speed, low noise-interference and enhanced security capabilities.

Playing Video Games using the power of the Brain

Very soon, at least by next year, you may be able to play your favorite video games using your brain. No kidding here. You can move a game object using your thinking power, rather than using a joystick or keyboard. Furthermore, make your character smile by simply smiling, or keep your cool to make your character remain undetected. That’s according to Emotiv Systems, a pioneering tech company in the field of neural-processing technology. All you need to do is wear a helmet which can detect human thoughts, emotions and actions. As a result, the brain power will control gaming characters’ actions, movements as well as manipulating diverse objects. The remarkable development is expected to enhance interaction between our brains and other electronic devices.
The Emotiv Development Kit (EDK) comprises of sensors which connect to the headset and is capable of processing dozens of user expressions, sensations and gesticulations. Principally, the brain consists of 100 billion nerve cells called neurons. Neurons stir up electrical activity and are observed using electroencephalography (EEG). At this point, a computer or similar device observes electrical brain activity, taking brain inputs in the process. The thoughts, actions and emotions of a human are then programmed into numerous actions and aspects within the game. Moreover, the EDK has a series of different application suites to enhance realism:
• Expressiv™ - detects facial expressions, enabling developers to simulate simple gestures.
• Affectiv™ - detects unnoticeable levels of emotion. This enables the game respond to a player’s change in emotions and feelings.
• Cognitiv™ - specially designed to detect actions and movements. This is the feature that allows gamers to manipulate or move objects through “thinking”.
Advancements in Brain Computer Interface technology will see its potential applied in various fields namely medicine, market research, security systems, interactive television, and accessibility design among others.

Your perfect house help: A Robot to serve you tea, and even do the chores

Japanese researchers have designed a futuristic HRP-2W humanoid robot, fitted with camera eyes, sensors and rolling on wheels, that is capable of performing those pesky household tasks. This could turn out as a most welcome boon to a nation with the highest proportion of people aged 65 and above. Of particular interest is the robot’s ability to obey simple verbal commands, its courteousness and even learn from its mistakes!
The humanoid’s capabilities were demonstrated in a typical home-like setting. The robot was dressed in an apron and had kitchen gloves. It approached one of its instructors, courteously offered to serve tea and later went to the kitchen after receiving the order. Soon after, another humanoid poured tea into a cup from a plastic bottle. In addition to this, the tea-pouring robot is capable of washing dishes.
The research team behind this fascinating marvel feels that there is still plenty of unfinished business. Their immediate focus is to empower the robot with memory to enable it make sound judgment from unforeseen situations, such as accidentally dropping a cup. Should this happen, the robot will memorize this information and learn to hold the cup firmly next time round.
In conclusion, such advances in artificial intelligence would be applied in caring for the sick and elderly as well as carrying out simple tasks. For now, a human servant (or waiter) is faster but you may have to say “thank you” and probably offer a tip. :-)

Yahoo! Go for Mobile 2.0 released, as Yahoo! and HTC sign mobile deal

Internet Search company Yahoo! kills two birds with one stone. First, is the release of the sleek, feature-rich Yahoo! Go 2.0 for mobile devices and two, a pioneering deal with smart phones outfit, HTC.
First and foremost, Go 2.0 service will enable users personalize their entire internet content such as news, email, photos, maps and search results on dozens of mobile devices from major manufacturers. Main features of Yahoo! Go 2.0 service include:
• Local & Map widget to access directory information.
• News, Sports, Entertainment, Weather and Finance widgets to receive and personalize content from countless sources and publish them via RSS.
• Flickr™ widget to enable photo-sharing, managing pictures from camera, as well as browsing and searching from millions of photos.
• Email Widget that synchronizes email messages from Yahoo! mail service. Users can compose or delete messages and view attachments through a single click.
Secondly, Yahoo! and HTC have signed a mobile deal where various Yahoo! services will run on the smart phone devices. HTC is a Taiwanese-based manufacturer of high-powered mobile devices. HTC is a development partner for the Windows Mobile operating system. It is on record as one of the world’s fastest rising tech companies, with an unparalleled product line. Furthermore, HTC boasts of manufacturing the world’s first 3G-enabled Windows Mobile smart phone.

Interactive PS3 Gaming to make you feel at ‘Home’ with Sony’s Game 3.0

Sony Computer Entertainment announces at the GDC that they will be venturing into the Social networking realm. Their chief gaming rivals, Microsoft and Nintendo have been running successful online communities for months. It may not really be a case of too little too late because Sony promises its users a one-of-a-kind gaming experience.
Exclusively for PS3 owners, Sony launches a networked, 3D avatar-based online community dubbed “Home”. This will enable gamers meet and interact at the “Central Lobby” via text, audio or video chatting. In addition to this, Home presents users with the ability to create personalized avatars and customizable scenic features including buildings, shopping areas, lobbies and large common areas. Participants can also view high-definition videos on the PS3 network. Moreover, the concept incorporates LittleBigPlanet, a community-based game that gives players the power to customize game levels, create their own game environment and share content.
From Sony’s keynote address at the GDC, Game 3.0 strives to improve social networking by combining creative game development, online collaboration and interactive entertainment. However, they have not said to what extent users may create their own content. It is believed that it won’t be as limitless as other virtual communities like Second Life, There.com among others.
It is clear that Sony is coming late in the 3D social scene, probably with a tinge of desperation. They still have a few problems to deal with such as the ominous PS3 shortage and their steep prices. In spite of these difficulties, Sony is upbeat that Game 3.0 is poised to take the market by storm. They are already the market leaders although PS3 lags behind PS2, Xbox 360 and Nintendo. The service will be available worldwide this fall as a free download.

New Line of JVC Everio Camcorders produce razor-sharp quality pictures

They are already the frontrunners in the world of camcorder hard drives, and hope to keep things that way. JVC has taken another giant leap with the release of the new and exciting line of four lightweight Everio camcorders. Loaded with a multitude of enhancements and built in camera functions, you may not require a PC to produce top quality DVD content.
The four camcorders include the GZ-MG130, GZ-MG155, GZ-MG255 and the pick of the line, the outstanding GZ-MG555. Common features for all camcorders is a 30GB hard drive, 2.7 inch widescreen LCD capable of real-time viewing on a 16:9 aspect ratio, SD Card slot, SDHC compatibility and docking station. Other magnificent innovations included are advanced imaging capabilities, one-touch DVD burning, inbuilt camera editing functions and PC backup facility. Of special mention is the revolutionary 5.37 MegaPixel CCD of the GZ-MG555. The following are some of the new features included in the Everio series:
• Gigabrid imaging engine that enhances picture quality.
• Wide-ranging CCD imaging sensors (680k pixels to 5.37 MegaPixels).
• Built-in editing camera functions that will let you easily organize your files as well as delete unwanted video portions using the Partial Delete function. Additionally is the Playlist function to sequence and organize files and Event Selection function that lets you tag files.
• Burn directly to DVD via the CU-VD20 SHARE STATION, DVD Burner and the PowerProducer™ 3 NE easy DVD burning software.
• Browse media content and enable DVD functionality using CyberLink’s PowerCinema™ NE.
Approximate prices:
• GZ-MG130: $499.95
• GZ-MG155: $599.95
• GZ-MG255: $699.95
• GZ-MG555: $899.95

Samsung set to ship Hybrid Hard Drives to the marketplace

From the look of things, the end is nigh for traditional power-hungry magnetic hard drives. Samsung is the undisputed global leader in Hybrid Hard Drive (HHD) technology. This new advancement is set for the consumer realm with the forthcoming shipment of the 2.5 inch MH80 range of hard drives. The HDD units have either 128 or 256 MB of flash memory and come in three capacities, which are 80GB, 120GB and 160GB.
An MH80 HDD is optimized for Windows Vista capable notebook PCs. The key benefits of HDDs include:
• OneNand flash cache and Microsoft’s ReadyDrive software, which translates to faster boot and resume times. Boot times are reduced to as much as 50%. This is made possible by Samsung’s innovative ReadyBoot technology.
• Increased battery life (upto 30 minutes) and better performance. HHDs consume between 70-90% less power than traditional hard drives.
• Unlike traditional hard drives, platter spin is eliminated. This effectively means that the hard drive remains idle most of the time. The ensuing effect is a significant drop in power consumption, and vastly improved reliability. Besides, the drive is less susceptible to shock damage and data loss.
*Price details not available

Rockstar Games unveils Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories for PlayStation®2

World-renowned games publisher Rockstar announces Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories for PlayStation®2. Vice City Stories has an “M” rating for mature and will retail for $19.99. There is no shortage of fun and excitement with over 15 hours of playtime in a metropolis rife with violence, drug barons, petty thugs, gangsters and all kinds of urban debauchery.
Compared to previous titles, Vice City Stories features impressive and much detailed character models, buildings, scenery and other visual elements. The city has a different feel this time round, with the public well aware of Vic’s past. Some will even recognize your character from previous missions and comment about your actions and achievements.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City stories is loaded with a new set of expanded gameplay features namely: New characters never seen before, new chapters, new vehicles, gameplay area that is twice the size of Liberty City, over 70 missions, remarkable soundtracks and the dazzling new Empire Mode to build your criminal empire.

A new enhanced TuneView remote for the Apple iPod

Keyspan updates its iPod accessories, with a powerful TuneView remote which has a color LCD screen and a wireless connection to manage your iPod. The TuneView remote sets itself apart from other iPod remotes, with the ability to add new functionality and updates by simply connecting to a PC (Windows XP) or Mac (OS X) using a USB connection. The new remote features faster scrolling, a much improved search facility from thousands of media files and an enhanced wake-from-sleep performance.
TuneView for iPod comes with a dock that connects an iPod to a TV or stereo output, and an RF remote to browse and manage your music and videos on iPod. Besides, it supports English, German, French and Spanish languages.
TuneView currently goes for $179 and is available at leading retail outlets. For more information visit TuneView for iPod.

Microsoft to offer enhanced VoIP solutions using Office suite

Microsoft Corp will venture into new territory with their forthcoming VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solution. Microsoft has predicted the gradual shift from hardware to software VoIP systems as well significant VoIP costs reduction for over 100 million users in the next three years. To facilitate this new undertaking will be the Microsoft Office Communications Server and Microsoft Office Communicator which have built-in software-based VoIP features.
According to Jeff Raikes, President of Microsoft Business Division, the new solution will cut back exorbitant costs of IP handsets and wipe out the inherent challenges faced by IT professionals when managing traditional telephony systems. Microsoft assures us that Office Communications Server will deliver a host of benefits namely:
• Variety of choice and compatibility with a wide range of devices, telephones, applications, services and management tools through open, published interfaces and standards.
• A much improved voice quality, which is purportedly better than leading IP phones provider.
• Smooth and uninterrupted changeover from traditional PBX systems, networks and phones.
• A click-to-call feature that makes it possible to call somebody by clicking on their name from Microsoft Office applications.
• Advanced presence technology that determines a person’s availability and the best way to contact them while they are away.
• Ability for mobile workers to incorporate their phone numbers with other communication tools such as instant messengers, and audio/videoconferencing via an inexpensive, secure connection.
Microsoft has already pointed out the ineffectiveness of typical telephone systems. Their immediate plan is to offer compatibility of PBX systems with Office Communications Server 2007 and Office Communicator 2007. If successful, Raikes foresees a transition similar to the migration from mainframes to PCs providing what he refers to as “tremendous opportunities for our industry partners worldwide.”
Source: Microsoft PressPass

Mobango flavors cell phone communities with 1GB mobile phone content storage space

We have seen the unprecedented successes of companies such as MySpace.com and YouTube.com driven by the ongoing craze for sharing user-generated content. The trend is fast catching up on the mobile phones scene, particularly with the demand for mobile broadband access, Cell phone TV as well advancement in phone memory. Mobile phone videos are becoming very popular, especially now that we have seen such pioneering deals like the Nokia-YouTube partnership and the BollyWood on Mobile venture.
Mobango, a leading publisher of user-generated mobile phone content among mobile phone enthusiasts, has responded well to this growing trend. As part of their trademark innovative 2.0 development, Mobango will be offering its subscribers a whopping 1GB free space for mobile phone media content. Millions of fanatical cell phone owners will be able to store and swap their favorite ringtones, wallpapers, photos, games, software as well as video and audio files. In addition to this, Mobango already has an active membership of over 1 million subscribers who can combine this new development with Mobango’s social networking tools. This will result in an upsurge of mobile internet communities where users can easily contact friends and share their content.
Source: Mobango – Mobile Media Sharing

Enter Koenigsegg: The most powerful and Fuel-efficient street car

This month, we expect to be treated to a myriad of mind-boggling automobile designs and novel tech marvels at the upcoming Geneva motor show. For certain, one recurring theme should be the ever pervasive “green concept”. Few people would have envisaged a unique invention from a Swedish outfit that would dethrone the flamboyant Bugatti Veyron as the world’s most powerful car, fuel-efficient and probably fastest car.
We all know that VW has been spending lots of dough, researching and developing the Veyron. So Koenigsegg must have come up with something extra special to surpass the ultramodern 1001hp Veyron capable of a 407kph (254mph) top-speed. The Swedish manufacturer has announced their stylish, futuristic super car which comes with a 1018 bhp CCX engine that runs on biofuel and has a superior cooling system. The Biofuel has ethanol which aids in cooling and a high octane content that gives the CCX its immense power. It is expected that all previous CCXs will be fitted with the environment-friendly biofuel feature.
The latest addition to the Koenigsegg family is the CCX (Competition Coupe X) model which posted a new lap record last year on the UK Motor program Top Gear. At the moment, volume production is very low and exclusive for super car enthusiasts.

Software that fixes your English grammar and writing

English can tough, even for native speakers. You can now save yourself the blushes when speaking or writing documents by using the WhiteSmoke software that promises to improve your grammar. The software is developed by two Israelis and derives its name from the native practice of communicating using smoke signals.
WhiteSmoke uses the Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology and makes suggestions from a vast database and synonyms dictionary. The software parses all kinds of documents against the vast database to suggest suitable context-based synonyms and usage patterns to make the documents understandable and fluent. WhiteSmoke incorporates plenty of enhancement features namely, grammar check, thesaurus, spell check, punctuation, text enrichment, synonym dictionary, grammar corrector and idioms. It is ideal for legal contracts, essays, emails and other documents. Besides, the software is compatible with popular software, such as MS-Word, Outlook, Excel, Internet Explorer browser, Acrobat PDF and Instant Messaging software.
It may take you by surprise that WhiteSmoke’s top market is the US. The company is aggressively venturing into potentially lucrative and high-demand markets like China and India.

Source: WhiteSmoke

Ground-breaking Bionic eye technology offers great promise to the blind

An innovative venture spearheaded by Professor Mark Humayun, (Ophthalmology Professor at Keck School, USC and Associate Director of Research at the Doheny Retina Institute), could finally restore eyesight to blind people. It is a fact that most cases of blindness are preventable and reversible. The team of researchers behind the project already has the FDA’s blessings. If everything goes well and according to plan, millions of blind people could have their sight restored in two years.
So how does this work? Bionic technology makes use of a bionic eye implant, which has a built-in camera that transmits visual information to electrodes at the back of the retina. Earlier prototypes of the implant which were considerably larger and had 16 electrodes, enabled patients perceive shapes, light and even movement.
According to Professor Humayun, the research team is working on a new device that will take up and process images from a camera into electrical pulses. The patient will be able to view images from a camera on their glasses, and the pulses are then sent to a hand-held device. The processed visual information is relayed back to the patient’s glasses and consequently transmitted to a receiver in the eye. From here, the receiver sends visual information to electrodes in the retina. This stimulates the retina, which eventually sends the information to the brain. The implants have already been fitted in several patients. A typical second-generation implant measures approximately one square millimeter and is packed with an impressive 60 electrodes.
Retinal implants offer promise to an estimated 25 million worldwide. The implants have the ability to restore sight to those who have been severely visually impaired.
On a much more promising note is the recent finding that the brain is an invaluable asset in fighting blindness. Recent studies show that the brain has the ability to enable sight, regardless of any visual impairment present earlier on in life. This means that sight can be restored to millions of blind children worldwide. An example was the case of an Indian woman named SRD who had her sight restored at age 12 through a cataract operation. She performed well in numerous vision tests and was even able to recognize objects, light, darkness, patterns and movement.
SRD died in a road accident. Her exceptional case has sparked studies as well as casting doubts on traditionally held beliefs in visual development.

Sony turns High-definition photo-viewing into reality with W-series Cyber-shot cameras

With High-definition gadgets becoming all the rage in many households, Sony electronics introduces an innovative new line of digital cameras. You can enjoy this ultimate experience using any of their three cameras which include the 12 MegaPixel DSC-W200, 8 MegaPixel DSC-W90 and the 7.2 MegaPixel DSC-W80. All cameras are fitted with 3x optical zoom lenses and 2.5 inch LCD screens.
The Cyber-shot camera series are specially designed to produce HD quality, crystal clear photos and can be integrated into a full HDTV set or Home Theatre. This is made possible by setting up a simple connection to a HDTV set via a Sony VMC-MHC1 high definition cable. According to Phil Lubell, Director for digital cameras at Sony Electronics, it is only natural to view all content in high-definition, with digital photos included. The cameras are compatible with the Sony CSS-HD1 high-definition Cyber-shot Station®. Moreover, a DSC-W80HDPR kit is provided which consists of the DSC-W80 camera, a DPP-FPHD1 printer package, a VMC-MHC1 high-def cable, a Cyber-shot cradle, remote commander, digital photo printer and high-def component output. The kit allows for full integration with a home theatre system.
The new cameras also incorporate a myriad of built-in camera functions such as slide show function, face-detection technology, multi-point auto focus (AF) feature, Super Steady Shot® optical image mobilization and the Clear RAW ™ noise reduction technology. There are other inventive features included namely, Dynamic Range Optimizer that determines optimal exposure of captured images and the very resourceful red-eye correction & retouching effects. In addition to these is the ground-breaking Bionz™ processing engine that enables super-fast and unparalleled high definition image processing.
Let’s now get to the bottom-line. The high-def will be shipped sometime in May with the W200 going for $400. However, the W90 and W80 will be available in March and will retail at $300 and $250 respectively.
Source:Sony Electronics

Sony Entertainment unveils MLB 07 The Show presenting an electrifying all new user gaming experience

Carrying on from last year’s massive success of the MLB 06, SCEA Inc announces MLB 07: The Show, exclusively for the PS2 console and the PSP handheld device. With over 500 hours of development and an all-inclusive review of last year’s release, the 2007 version is an exceptional masterpiece. It boasts of what is now widely regarded as the most authentic and advanced simulation of the MLB franchise ever seen.
The MLB 07 The Show presents a unique blend of creative game play features, game modes, special effects and an unmatched simulation of ambiances, coordinated crowds, stadiums, pitching animations and even wind effects. Enhancing the realism is the inclusion of thousands of player animations, pitching animations, umpire personalities, emotions, individual player stances, swings, battings, strike-zones, release points, player motion captures among others.
MLB 07 The Show introduces the inventive Road To Show Mode where fans play by beginning on a rookie level and consequently strive to fight their way into the Major’s starting line-up. Adding to the list is the Online League Play that enables setting up leagues, teams and games. Users can also stay informed with the latest updates of all MLB games courtesy of MLB Live Tracker and the MLB.com Headline News. Other key features are the Career and Season Modes. Also included is the favorite Rivalry Mode to keep those heated contests going, the Franchise Mode for managing entire teams as well as Home Run Derby and Eye Toy features. One of the most inspired features that enhance the striking realism on pitch selection and strategy is the Pitching Command System (PCS). In addition is the Adaptive Pitching Intelligence (API) which incorporates an exceptional animation that enables play based on behavior as well as strengths and weaknesses on the batter and pitcher. To wrap up this outstanding game is a very comprehensive and dynamic 3-Man commentary which changes as the season progresses, dependent on the prevailing game conditions and situations.

Glu Mobile collaborates with Nokia to power the N-Gage

With Glu Mobile already a global force in the world of mobile gaming publishing, it was natural for Nokia to team up with them to enhance the N-Gage platform. It was never going to be an easy venture for the world’s largest phone maker plunging into this hand-held gaming realm. With the past problems of N-Gage notwithstanding, there is every reason for Nokia to feel optimistic this time round; especially with Glu on board.
The deal will bring forth an assortment of Glu’s top-rated games namely Super K.O. Boxing!, Stranded and the Ancient Empires franchise.
Nokia is aiming to deliver to consumers an exceptional entertainment service that incorporates quality mobile gaming into their mobile platform. To kick off the collaboration will be the World Series of Poker® Texas Hold'em (WSOP); a highly enthralling game that allows up to eight mobile poker gamers compete against WSOP champions.

Capture the moments anywhere you go with Sony’s new lightweight Photo printers

Sony has introduced the portable DPP-FP70 and DPP-FP90 PictureStation™ photo printers capable of speedy printing. Furthermore, the printers are relatively easy to operate besides offering plenty of enhanced editing features.
Users are able to preview, edit scenes, tilt and adjust for easy viewing. The DPP-FP90 comes with a 3.6 inch built-in LCD screen while the DPP-FP70 features a 2.5 inch screen. The printers make use of the Auto Touch-up feature to fix frequent picture problems, particularly with over/under-exposure and out-of-focus issues. Auto Touch-up corrects exposure problems without affecting the background. Scenes that are out of focus are sharpened by creating several simulations. The best simulation is then selected over the original image for printing.
Users are able to add a personal touch to their photos by appending superimposed and color-customized special messages and phrases such as “Happy Birthday”, “Congratulations” and “Thank you”. Digital photos can be further modified through the filter feature with a remarkable six options. There’s more good news on the way. The printers can access picture files from Sony digital still cameras and offer optimized performance for Cyber-Shot and Alpha D-SLR cameras.
They will be available in March. The DPP-FP90 and DPP-FP70 printers will go for $200 and $150 respectively. More details on features, accessories and pricing can be found at Sony Electronics.