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Posts Tagged ‘Sci + Tech’

We have all become accustomed to iTunes so much that we associate listening to music with the iTunes software. Sony however aims to change all that and it could bring a new competitor in the field of streaming of files. Sony will begin to launch the big new streaming software device and possibly a music library influenced software as well. However, it looks more like a competitor to Last.fm than Apple’s iTunes for the purpose of the software called “Music Unlimited” is to stream audio and video, and not to sell MP3 files like iTunes do.

It could become the next big thing and since Music Unlimited streams video than let people download, it is very similar to Last.fm. This service would be available for Sony’s 2010 network-enabled TVs, for Blu-ray Disc players and Home Theatre systems, and for PlayStation 3 systems and personal computers. The device would compete with Apple’s iTunes, and so much more. Moreover, it is also likely that Last.fm and Spotify, who have been in business for a very longtime. Cloud Computing can be checked from everywhere.

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At the IFA 2010, When we were just about to think that almost everyone have thought about launching devices based on the Android 2.1 format. it turns out that Philips have gone the same way too and decided to launch their Android 2.1 based device GoGear Connect. It would allow
you to surf the web, take pictures, watch movies and even listen to music. However, these are the things that most PMPs do these days.

It has an amazing 3.2-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 920 and weighs 11.5 ounces only. Thanks to the trackball, media navigation becomes easier. With 16 GB internal storage and an expandable memory upto 32 GB, it is doing pretty good for a gadget of its kind. It comes with an audio runtime of 25 hours and 5 hours of video.

Unlike iPhone or itouch, GoGear Connect uses a resistive touch screen. The idea is to compete with iPod Touch. Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and 2-megapixel camera are some of the features that you could expect. The 2MB camera
really may not be all that great unless you believe in certain photographic tricks where everyone looks pretty bad anyway.

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There was a time when 3D was something more than just exotic. It was an experience to be remembered and cherished, especially when the whole 3D movie scene became popular with comics. Now after many decades, 3D is not only a household name, but also a prerequisite for most gadgets that could be bought as displays.

At the popular IFA 2010, Sisvel Technologies demonstrated the impressive 3D File Format. It is a cool new solution that would assist you to format two stereoscopic images. You could not only deliver HD 3D content but also allow 2D viewers to enjoy the 3D benefits, as it comes with backwards compatibility. It is not clear when the tile would be announced in the markets but I am sure it sure would make a great difference in the lives of many 3D lovers who have been dying to experience the joy of a 3D viewing experience.

Of course, such a tile would cost a bomb and most may not be able to afford it at the end of the day. The 3D Tile Format would be accepted as an industry standard sooner or later though.

Any sports or work out activity requires monitoring to see if you are going in the right direction. The cyclists and the joggers have lot of gadgets already to tell them how they are doing. Swimmers require a coach or an associate who has to watch them and time them to tell them what they are doing and where they need to improve. But all that is going to change soon. The swimmers can now keep track of their aquatic exertions easily with a new product from FINIS called Swimsense.

It is a small device not bigger than a watch and can be worn on the wrist. The Swimsense uses the motion sensing technology to automatically detect and record number of laps swum, total distance covered, calories burnt, lap time, pace and stroke count. After a swim the data can be accessed immediately on the device’s display or it can be uploaded to your computer through USB where you can review your past 14 performances.

FINIS pointed out that Swimsense is the first performance monitor in the world which is equipped with the technology to automatically differentiate between backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle and butterfly. The device can be configured to a pool size and personalized as per your gender, weight and age. It will be available for retail later this year for $200.

One of the foremost names in vehicular safety, Mobileye Products, has now announced the addition of an all new feature to its collision prevention system. This new feature called, ‘Pedestrian Alert’, is now available in the company’s product and is capable of alerting the drivers of a possible pedestrian collision a good 2.7 seconds before the accidents, so as to enable the drivers to take evasive actions. The Israel based, Mobileye Products is well renowned for its collision prevention system and with the addition of this new feature, the company has enhanced the prevention rate of vehicle-pedestrian accidents.

The device that goes by the name of C2-270 is now equipped with a camera, that is more than capable of capturing and analyzing images 15 times per second, thanks to the newly designed algorithms. The camera for the device is installed inside the windshield of a vehicle and the alert system is mounted on the dashboard itself. The process of detection involves the working of the device’s processor, that essentially recognizes the shape of the obstacle and classifies it as a pedestrian, cyclist or motorbike. The C2-270 system, along with this new feature, also provides the drivers with alerts in regards to a forward collision, lane diversion or if a vehicle’s proximity is too close to the other vehicle in front of it. The C2-270 system with Pedestrian Alert feature will be available for purchase from September 23rd, 2010 with a price tag of $900.

According to Ilan Yavor (Marketing & Communications Manager, Mobileye Products),

“We are basically teaching the little computer how to recognize these objects and then determine if there is potential danger there. The C2-270 will then issue audio and visual warnings, giving drivers enough time to avert a collision. Your mind is going to be off the road for a while when you drive, especially if you’re driving long distances, or if you’re distracted by something inside or outside of the car. This system will alert you to a dangerous situations emerging while you’re distracted.”

Via PC World

No so long ago, the concept of a robot handling and providing essential medical attention to a patient might not have been too far fetched, but most definitely a dream, that many didn’t know would be realized so soon. As the technology advances and breakthroughs become a near common occurrence in the field of medicine and robotics, there has sprung a new breed of mechanical doctors, that have been aiding and assisting medical professionals in providing urgent and life saving medical care to emergency cases as well as to patients with complex conditions.

Robots have for some time now been successfully deployed by the military and various law enforcement agencies to scout for dangers and accomplish tasks that would prove to be near fatal for humans, such as disarming bombs etc. As these machines become more sophisticated to the level of having an artificial intelligence (AI) capability, the next logical step was to make their optimum use in the field of medical science. InTouch Health, a company specializing in the field of telemedicine robots has been actively working with Dr. John Whapham, a nuerologist at the Loyola University, to make these telemedicine and telepresence robots become a part of the healthcare infrastructure across the U.S.

According to Dr. John Whapham,

“I’ll pull out the laptop, and when I’m on Michigan Avenue here in Chicago, put it on a garbage can or on the seat of a bus stop. You’re live, and you can walk around, examine, image, zoom in and out. I do it all the time.”

Via New York Times & Mobile Robots

A synthesis of superb acoustic fidelity with aesthetic design is what Leon speakers achieve in its products. The speakers from Leon are designed to woo the audiophile and the design lovers alike. And the high-fidelity home theater speakers from Leon are a perfect example. The company’s fully customizable new range boasts the finest home theater sound systems crafted in a choice of materials, including wood finishes, metal and leather.

The variety of design is such that it will appeal to a wide range of taste. The acoustic engineering is of the highest order and you will find it difficult to point out products that are superior in terms of high fidelity audio. The new range of speakers that have been unveiled feature sound bars that can be hidden in custom built ultra flat enclosures that can stick to any wall and subwoofers of less than 4 inches that can be integrated into a wall.

The options in the new range are infinite. You can even mix and match as per your requirement and taste. A particular pair of Leon Sevens stands out in the collection. Their design has been inspired by the client’s collection of classic cars. This pair of speakers is a tribute to his personal favorite the ’57 Ford Fairlane.

Via: CineNow

The 3D revolution is all set to come to the realm of personal home entertainment in leaps and bounds, as more and more companies are now bringing out their own line of 3D entertainment products at a monumental pace. One of the foremost names in consumer electronic products, Sharp Corporation, has now announced the release of Quattron 3d enabled television. The all new Quattron LE925 line will feature Sharp’s proprietary high-speed FRED LCD signal processing technology as well as side-mounted scanning LED backlighting and will be launched in both 46 inch size and 60 inch display size.

The LE925 3D enabled television will be unveiled at the IFA 2010 in Berlin and one of the most remarkable elements of this all new 3D TV is the adoption of the color ‘Yellow’ as the fourth subpixel colour, that would not only bring out an enhanced picture quality, but will also be extremely energy efficient. The LE925 series of televisions will feature Aquos Net+ connectivity, as well as 2D-to-3D conversion, a digital triple tuner and 8GB of built-in flash memory, that would enable the consumers to take advantage of the ‘timeshift recording’.

According to Frank Bolten (Managing Director, Sharp Electronics Germany),

“In 2010, Quattron is our highlight technology. Recently, the European expert committee of the EISA2 has confirmed that the addition of yellow as the fourth subpixel colour is the TV Innovation of the Year 2010. Quattron is now setting a new standard. With this technology, we provide an outstanding TV experience in both 2D and 3D, whilst also guaranteeing excellent ecological performance. By the end of the year, all our premium LCD TVs will feature Quattron.”

Via Sharp

Racing games would be influencing young people to become “fast and furious” at the helm, the study suggests that relates the actions of virtual games to road hazards. It is not just the famous Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and Carmageddon, whose objectives include driving at high speed and in some cases, run down pedestrians.

The research was conducted by Kathleen Beullens, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. She wanted to determine if games in which users can violate traffic laws, and are even encouraged to do this, similar attitudes encouraged in real life.

However, the answer she got was “maybe.”

The study surveyed in 2008, about two thousand young people, both men and women between 16 and 17 years, who responded in the questionnaire how often they were involved with this type of game. Two years later, he asked the members of that group who had taken driver’s license just how they felt incited to take risks when driving.

More than normal, apparently. Although it has not found any connection between drinking and driving and premature exposure to racing games (16 and 17 years), the survey affirms the existence of the relationship between this ratio and driving dangerously.

Via: New Scientist.

One of the premier automobile brands in the world, MINI and a highly reputed audio products manufacturer, Sonoro Audio, have now joined hands to bring out an all new audio device in the form of the MINI rocks Sonoro Limited Edition Internet Radio. Both these names are well renowned across the globe for their highly innovative and unique designs and cutting edge technology.

The all new MINI rocks Sonoro Limited Edition Internet Radio comes in an astonishing wood casing and comes coated with exquisite Eclipse Grey metallic exterior lacquerer from MINI along with the original MINI bonnet stripes. This incredible comes with an energy-saving OLED display, that has been provided with light dim controls and thus depicts clear display regardless of day or night. The MINI rocks Sonoro Limited Edition Internet Radio operates on wireless Internet (wifi) or LAN and streams more than 18,000 Webradio stations, thereby enabling the users to select their very own choice of station, depending upon their preference for genre or country. This device has also been given various unique features including, alarm clock, sleep and snooze functions, Radio Frequency remote control and eDock external iPod docking station with charging function, as well the device can be easily connected to an external audio system or a computer via a Line Out cable.

The MINI rocks Sonoro Limited Edition Internet Radio will be available exclusively at selected MINI and sonoro dealers with a price tag of $640.

Via BMW Group, MINI Space & Sonoro