Sunday 7 July 2013

Yahoo acquired Xobni!



For a small fee, of 30 to 40 million, Yahoo bought Xobni, a software contact management and messaging, mobile and PC compatible. If Yahoo continues to close down some of its services, it also makes multiple acquisitions, large (1 billion for Tumblr), but also with smaller startups. So this week, after the acquisition of Qwiki in the field of mobile video, Yahoo formalized the acquisition of Xobni, a California company founded in 2006. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed, but according to AllThingsD, Yahoo would have paid between 30 and 40 million at least. This is less than the funds raised by the startup since its inception, the site adds. Xobni publishes plugins, free and paid, contact management and email, including Gmail and Outlook, as well as applications for mobile platforms including Android, iOS and BlackBerry. The effects of this acquisition are immediate. The editor says its software Smartr Contacts for Android and Xobni for BlackBerry is no longer downloadable. For existing users, they can continue to use applications until July 2, 2014. Tools Smartr Inbox for Gmail and Smartr Contacts for iPhone are available for download at the moment of time. The editor warns that the withdrawal could come later, even if the media will be preserved for another year. Xobni also announced the end of the marketing of its premium products (Xobni Pro, Enterprise Xobni, Xobni for Teams, the Xobni Gadget Salesforce and JIRA Xobni Gadget). Active licenses remain valid until July 2, 2014.

Bing Audio service extended in 14 more countries



The application Bing Audio music is extended to 14 more countries. It competes with services like Shazam or SoundHound. Microsoft announced recently that Bing Audio Application is now available in 14 new countries. Already present in few countries, this identification music function is integrated into the search engine Bing Windows Phone. It is symbolized by an icon of a music note on which simply press to start identifying a title of the song. The application is linked to the Xbox Music service that allows the user to audition and purchase tracks individually or completes albums. She also has a history that stores titles identified. Microsoft acknowledges, it all works just like with Shazam or SoundHound applications are also available in the Windows Phone Store. But Bing Audio has the advantage of being integrated into Windows Phone, which avoids downloading. Especially as we have seen its effectiveness which has nothing to envy to its two competitors.

MYO, the gesture control wristband of the future!

Use the Force!
Sci-Fi is about to become a reality.
With the backing of Y-Combinator, Canadian tech company Thalmic Labs, developed an armband designed to control applications for products such as Windows and MAC PCs, as well as smartphones, and other devices by using Bluetooth 4.0 and rechargeable battery.
Introducing the MYO Gesture Control Armband.
The word Myo, has its origins from the greek name for muscle. Essentially, it is an armband worn on the forearm, that contains sensors for detecting alterations in the electrical activity of the muscles of the arm, down to the individual fingers of the hand. Interpretation of the muscle movement, becomes assigned, or calibrated, as specific commands when paired to devices that use Bluetooth.
What is fascinating, is the speed in which the MYO reacts to your muscle movements. An almost psychic reaction, as it seems to behave a split second before commands become gestured. This is due to how the human brain uses chemical signals to deliver the message to the arm that the fingers are now instructed to move. The muscles electrical signals, however, are more quickly interpreted, and when wearing the MYO it seems to react before the fingers actually move. It's almost a technological symbiosis.
The MYO's translation of the muscle movements are programmable, from multiple actions.
Meaning, make a fist and suddenly a playlist of favorite song titles is emanating from the computer. Or, extend two fingers and the reaction opens up a webpage to your frequently visited sites. How the MYO will engage the applications and devices from specific arm and hand movements is only limited by imagination. The MYO can handle rotations of the wrist and forearm as well, the calibration is up to the user to define.
An entirely new level of immersion is obtainable when controlling characters of popular video games. Imagine for a moment, the act of pointing a finger, and delivering death to enemy combatants. Command attention during business meetings by advancing to the next slide of the presentation, with a simple wave of the hand. Own a quadrocopter? With the snap of the fingers it can rise into the air, awaiting further gestures to command it. Or, consider the uses for remote control vehicles used by the military, commanded by a soldier's silent hand movements.
That is only a tiny fraction of what this device is capable of controlling. Physically impaired or disabled users may find a new level of control, by tightening and relaxing a muscle in their forearm to instruct an electric wheel-chair, or to activate a cell phone.
Currently geared towards developers, it ships with an API to truly explore the potential uses. Pre-order a MYO now, for shipping at the beginning of 2014. The cost is lower than what some might have expected, at only $149. There is no need for cameras or lasers, with a limited range, to interpret the movements. The range of Bluetooth 4.0 extends to 1000 meters. That is over 3,000 feet! The cool factor that this controller imparts is not solely in what it does, or can do, but it is also stylish to wear and does not have the look of a geeky gadget. MYO is certain to deliver a revolutionary influence on how people control devices for years to come.
John Chupon is an author and recognized authority on wristbands, currently working for Wristbands City.

Friday 5 July 2013

New Sony compact Cameras RX1R and RX100 II



Sony has updated its two high-quality compact cameras. In the full-frame camera RX1R the manufacturer has only improved details and donated the RX 100 II a new image sensor and an NFC module.

Sony RX1R: The full-frame camera has improved only in the details of the Sony Cybershot RX1R. At the new sister model, the first full-frame compact camera Sony claims to have changed only details. The manufacturer has removed the low-pass filter so that the unfiltered light strikes the sensor and it can record more details. The color rendering now also dominates the TRILUMINOS technology that goes into the latest Sony TVs. In addition, the recording of videos should be possible with a stereo microphone now. Furthermore, the RX1R has a full frame sensor with a resolution of 24.3 megapixels and a maximum sensitivity of ISO 102,400. The bright Carl Zeiss lens also has a fixed focal length of 35 mm, and the operation looks more like a reflex than a compact camera.

 Sony RX 100 II: The noble compact camera has been revised thoroughly by the manufacturer. Compared to RX1R is 100 II is an "Always-like camera", but which is now also supported by TRILUMINOS technique in the color reproduction in the RX. Compared to the previous model RX 100, Sony has made a few changes. Thus, the one-inch CMOS sensor, the new camera takes photos with a resolution of 20.2 megapixels. Sony stated that the RX 100 II in addition to a WLAN and an NFC module, both of which are used for wireless data transmission and allow the transmission of both photos and videos and enable the remote control. The three-inch screen with a resolution of 1.2 megapixels is not permanently installed, but can be folded up and down. Also new accessory shoe where you can attach a flash light, a microphone and other accessories. The lens also has a maximum aperture of F1.8 and a 3.6 x zoom, which corresponds to a small format, converted focal length of 28-100 mm.

Canon EOS 70D A New DSLR



Canon introduces the EOS 70D on a new mid-range DSLR camera that has a new auto focus technology and also scores with its many new functions and facilities. The Canon EOS 70D features a new AF technology, wireless radio, and a movable screen. Praises the Canon EOS 70D as the world's first camera with a new "Dual pixel AF CMOS technology", which is to ensure a quiet and precise auto focusing when shooting Full HD video, and photos in Live View mode. The SLR has 19 cross-type AF sensors and takes up to seven photos in a second. Also new is the 22.5 x15 millimeter CMOS image sensor in APS-C format with a resolution of 20.2 megapixels. The further processing of images taken over is done by the Digic 5 + image processor. The light sensitivity of it ranges from ISO 100-12800. The three-inch screen of the DSLR with a megapixel resolution could be folded out and turn to our convenience. WLAN transfer the Canon EOS 70D with the help of an app and upload your images to the Internet. Canon EOS 70D equipped with an accessory hot shoe for a flash, a USB port, which also serves as a video output, and a mini-HDMI port and an audio input. Photos and video taken can be stored on the DSLR SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. The lithium-ion battery will provide power for approximately 900 shots. The camera body is made of aluminum and plastic, and weighs about 750 grams without lens. Canon plans to sell the EOS 70D from the end of August 2013. The suggested retail price for the housing is around 1,099 Euros. Kits containing one or more lenses with the camera has not been announced by the manufacturers.