Monthly Archives: August 2011

SONY INTRODUCES WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL BINOCULARS WITH HD VIDEO RECORDING, ZOOM, AUTOFOCUS AND STEADYSHOT IMAGE STABILIZATION

Share the Thrill of Discovery, Easy-to-Find, Never Lose the Subject; New Models Enable 2D and 3D Image Capture/Playback with Stunning Resolution, High-performance Features

SAN DIEGO – Life’s “can’t miss” moments are now easier to observe and capture with the world’s first digital binoculars to record in AVCHD™ 2.0 format, from Sony. The new models, DEV-3 and DEV-5, are ideal for nature/bird watching, they can record Full HD video with stereo sound at the touch of a button, and even add a 3D mode that records scenes as thrilling stereoscopic video footage for playback on most 3D HDTVs.
“Now consumers can watch birds, wildlife, sports action and more in steady, sharply-focused close-up views, while capturing their subjects in crisp Full HD,” said Andy Bubala, director of the camcorder business at Sony Electronics. “These new models add entirely new levels of flexibility and convenience to viewing, recording and enjoying your favorite images and scenes.”

Sony Digital Recording Binoculars

Users can select the variable zoom on both models to scan a wide area at low magnification before zooming in seamlessly to pinpoint a subject, such as birds in a field. Turning on the digital zoom at magnification settings over 10x boosts the DEV-5 model’s total magnification range from 0.9x up to 20x digital (image quality is reduced when digital zoom is on and recording 2D video at magnifications higher than 10x), rivalling many high-powered conventional binoculars. The DEV-3 model pulls wildlife, sporting subjects and architectural details closer with a maximum magnification of 10x optical. In 3D mode, the binoculars’ maximum magnification is 5.4x optical.

Unlike traditional binoculars, electronic autofocus keeps moving subjects sharply in focus at all times. A comfortably positioned dial allows fingertip adjustment of manual focus – ideal for focusing selectively on a subject, rather than overhanging branches or other obstructions in the field of view.
Electronic autofocus allows both binoculars to focus cleanly on subjects less than half an inch away when recording in 2D (minimum of 32 inches when recording in 3D).

Separate images for left and right eyes are captured by a matched pair of precision G Lens optics by Sony with “Exmor R” CMOS sensors and powerful BIONZ® processors. Independent electronic viewfinders provide clear, detailed images for left and right eyes, offering a stereoscopic viewing experience that’s comfortable, natural and highly immersive.

The DEV-3 and DEV-5 digital binoculars feature Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization (Active mode), the optical stabilization system that’s found on Sony Handycam® camcorders and Cyber-shot® cameras. Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization helps keep images clear and stable, even when viewing at high magnifications. The binoculars can be connected via HDMI® to a Sony BRAVIA® HDTV or any HD television with HDMI input for viewing images (cable sold separately). 3D videos can be enjoyed on virtually any 3D-compatible TV, including Sony BRAVIA® models. There’s also a USB connection for transferring video clips to a PC for storing, editing and sharing.

The binoculars feature a “stealth” design that eliminates distracting buttons or external details that could reveal a user’s position to wildlife.

Both binoculars feature an ergonomic grip area that’s coated with an elastomer material for sure handling and stable operation. Top-mounted controls allow easy operation with gloved fingers, while dual buttons are provided to start recording instantly with either hand.

The DEV-5 model includes an on-board GPS receiver that automatically geo-tags video clips and photos. Tagged images can be viewed after shooting in online maps (requires compatible software).
Both binocular models come with a high-capacity rechargeable battery pack (NP-FV70) that allows up to approximately three hours of 2D recording on a single charge. Remaining battery time (minutes) is displayed in the electronic viewfinder.

The DEV-3 and DEV-5 models also include a battery charger/adaptor, A/V connecting cable and USB cable for PC connection. In addition, the DEV-5 binoculars are supplied with lens cover, finder cap, large eye cups, a carrying case and neck strap.

The new DEV-3 and DEV-5 digital recordable binoculars from Sony will be available in November 2011 for about $1400 and $2000, respectively, at http://store.sony.com, Sony retail stores and other authorized retailers nationwide. For images and information, please visit www.sony.com/news.

ThinkFlood today announced production availability of the Android version of their RedEye application. Together with award-winning RedEye hardware, the RedEye app allows consumers to control their home theater, lighting, HVAC, and other equipment using common networked devices, including smartphones, tablets, and PCs.

In 2009, ThinkFlood launched RedEye as the first universal remote control solution to leverage the power of iPhone and iPod touch devices to control non-networked electronics in the home via a Wi-Fi network.

Now RedEye customers can also use Android phones and tablets alongside iOS devices and even personal computers to control equipment in their homes.

The RedEye Android app is compatible with networked RedEye products (RedEye and RedEye Pro) and supports devices running Android 1.6 and later, including 3.0 (Honeycomb) for tablets. RedEye is currently the only remote control platform compatible with Android smartphones and tablets.

More than a Smartphone Accessory
ThinkFlood representatives say that their original intention with RedEye products was not to turn the iPhone into a remote control, but rather to enable the control of non-networked devices over the Internet.

“The iPhone was a great start for us because it is such an elegant and popular device. But it was never our goal to have an exclusively iOS platform,” said Matt Eagar, founder and president of ThinkFlood. “Instead, we designed RedEye with the idea that you can pick up any networked device – iPhone, PC, Android device – and control your system from anywhere you have a network connection.”

“When you take a multipurpose device like a smartphone or PC and attempt to use it as a replacement for a dedicated device like a traditional remote control, you can’t simply copy the functionality of the dedicated device,” remarked Craig Materick, ThinkFlood’s lead software architect.

“With RedEye, the benefits outweigh the costs,” Materick continued. “For example, phone calls never interrupt you when using a dedicated remote control, but when using a smartphone they do. Rather than let this be a problem, RedEye allows you to use any networked device as a controller – so when one phone is unavailable, you can switch to using RedEye on another device – whether it’s a tablet, laptop or another phone. This flexibility has other benefits – namely, that each person in your house can have their own controller, and they can control the system from just about anywhere.”

RedEye systems include the following optimizations for smartphones and PCs:

Multi-user support. Use any networked device (personal computer, smartphone, or tablet) to control the system.

Control from anywhere. As long as you have a network connection, you can control your system – from any room in the house, or even away from home.

Automatic synchronization. Each controller automatically detects the system configuration through the RedEye hardware, so adding a new controller is effortless. Also allows one person to pick up controlling right where another left off.

Complete customization. Organize not only common activities, but also unique button layouts appropriate for each activity, right down to the graphical look and feel.

Platform-appropriate shortcuts. On iOS, multi-touch and motion gestures and on Android and PC, keyboard shortcuts allow for easy operation without looking down at the screen when controlling.

RedEye hardware can be purchased online from ThinkFlood and is available from dealers and retailers worldwide, in more than 60 countries.

Download the latest version of the RedEye application from the Android marketplace or iTunes.

The innovative Manfrotto Photo Movie Head is the ideal solution for the new HD DSLRs with embedded video functions. A single product to take advantage of an extraordinary Photo Head and a fully featured Video Head.

Experience the best of photo and video shooting in one, with one single head!

The innovative Photo-Movie head has been developed simply to be the best and most ideal solution for the new HD DSLRs with embedded video functions. With a single product it is possible to take advantage of an extraordinary Photo Head and a fully featured Video Head. The unique Photo-Movie selector makes switching from shooting photos to videos quick and immediate, experiencing the best of both worlds. In Photo mode the head provides speed and maximum freedom in all directions, like a ball head combined with an incredibly precise, smooth and controlled movement never experienced before thanks to the fluid cartridges and friction control. In Video mode a fully featured Video Head allows precise and fluid movements for pan and tilt and includes all standard video settings, including an adjustable counterbalance control. The pan bar is reversible for right or left handed users and it can quickly be removed and fixed on a tripod leg thanks to the rest clip that’s included.

KEY FEATURES
• Photo-Movie selection: maximum speed in switching from photo to video
• Fluid cartridges for high precision movement control
• Both right and left handed use in video mode
• Adjustable friction control
• Single lock for tilt and portrait to quick lock the camera position
• Independent Pan lock for precise panoramic shots
• Counterbalance for precision and safety in controlling the camera
• Removable Pan Bar for maximum freedom in photo mode KEY BENEFITS
• One single head for both photo and video applications
• Ultra accurate and smooth
• Fast and Immediate
• Lightweight, durable materials and construction

www.manfrotto.us

ViewPad 10pro delivers the best of both worlds in a 10.1 tablet, offering a true dual Windows and Android OS experience

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced its latest 10.1″ Windows® and Google Android™ dual OS tablet – the ViewPad 10pro.

ViewSonic ViewPad 10pro Tablet

The ViewPad 10pro is one of the first tablet solutions to be powered by the new 1.5GHz Intel® Atom™ processor Z670. Designed specifically for tablets, this new CPU minimizes power consumption, while enabling smaller and thinner product designs. Partnered with a 1024×600 capacitive multi-touch panel, ViewPad 10pro users can enjoy impressive Full HD 1080p video playback, fast Internet browsing and longer battery life, without sacrificing on performance. Paired with 2GB of integrated memory, the ViewPad 10pro is the optimal mobile computing powerhouse.

“We listened to our customers. We made the ViewPad 10pro dual OS interface as quick and intuitive as possible, while partnering with industry CPU leader Intel to deliver the latest in design and innovation across all fronts,” said Michael Holstein, vice president of business development, ViewSonic.

Tailored for business users, the ViewPad 10pro makes it even easier to enjoy a dual OS experience within a single tablet. Android 2.3 runs as an application on top of the Windows 7 operating system so users need to simply tap on the Android icon to make a seamless switch between business productivity and ultimate entertainment. Throw in the built-in Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, an HDMI out for content sharing, a 1.3 megapixel built-in front camera and a high capacity battery for up to 8 hours of battery life, and you get the ViewPad 10pro – a fully optimized, true dual OS tablet to keep users connected.

“The new Intel Atom processor-based tablet from ViewSonic is a cool, and distinguished product that brings a personalized and flexible experience,” said Bill Kircos, general manager of marketing for Intel’s Netbook and Tablet Group. “Our Intel platform supports multiple operating systems, and this tablet shows how consumers can move between Windows and Android experiences in a way that offers rich graphics, high-definition audio, easy Internet browsing and longer battery life in a slick form factor.”

To ensure the ViewPad 10pro grows with each person’s individual needs, the device offers expandable storage options via a micro SD card slot for up to 32GB of additional space. The dual OS ViewPad 10pro is available in two configurations – with Windows 7 Professional (with a 32GB SSD hard drive) and Android 2.3 for an ESP of $699, or with Windows 7 Home Premium (with a 16GB SSD hard drive) and Android 2.3 for an ESP of $599. A custom docking station accessory is also available for an ESP of $59. Both tablet configurations will be widely available in late August, with limited numbers currently available.

For more information on ViewSonic’s products, please visit ViewSonic.com or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About ViewSonic
ViewSonic® Corporation is a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions. ViewSonic develops, markets and supports a broad range of innovative products, including tablets, LED TVs, computers, LED monitors, projectors, digital photo frames, digital signage displays, 3D devices and digital media players. For further information, please contact ViewSonic Corporation at 800.888.8583 or 909.444.8888; or visit ViewSonic.com

NVIDIA and Samsung Expand GALAXY Smartphones with New GALAXY R Smartphone – World’s Largest Android Smartphone Maker Ships First Tegra-Powered
Super Phone

Santa Clara, Calif. ­- Aug. 10, 2011-NVIDIA and Samsung Electronics announced the latest GALAXY smartphone, the GALAXY R, which sports a 4.19-inch screen, features the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 mobile super chip and the Android 2.3 (also known as Gingerbread) operating system.

Samsung’s GALAXY smartphones are among the world’s most popular handheld devices.

The GALAXY R gives more consumers the opportunity to enjoy the never-before-seen experiences enabled by Tegra, the world’s first mobile processor with a dual-core CPU. The GALAXY R also features a GeForce™ GPU for fast Web browsing with hardware-accelerated Adobe Flash Player support, full HD video and console-quality gaming.

Using the GALAXY R, consumers can multitask efficiently, surf the Web quickly with fast-loading pages and Flash-based content and enjoy HD movies. They can also access Tegra-optimized games through the Tegra Zone app on Android Market.

“Samsung’s newest super phone shows off Tegra’s multimedia power, and is a great example of what consumers expect from one of the world’s top phone makers,” said Michael Rayfield, general manager of NVIDIA’s mobile business.

The GALAXY R features:
· Tegra 2 super chip
· 4.19″ WVGA Super Clear LCD touchscreen
· Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system
· 720p HD video capture and 1080p Full HD playback (Divx, WMV, MP4, H.264 B/P only)
· Built-in memory of 8GB and support for 32GB Micro SD
· Size: 125.7 x 66.7 x 9.55 mm
· Weight: 131 grams

The GALAXY R is available in Sweden, and is coming to other regions soon, including North & Eastern Europe, South East & West Asia, Middle East Asia, and China.

New Android-Based Platform Provides Defense, Public Safety Markets Tailor-made Mobile Devices, Specific to Vertical Requirements-All with Minimal Development Risk, Lower Development Costs and Faster Time-to-Market

EB, Elektrobit Corporation, a developer of leading edge embedded technology solutions for automotive and wireless industries, today announced the EB Specialized Device Platform, an Android-based mobile device platform for specialized markets. Leveraging mass market mobile device hardware/software technologies and economies of scale, the platform enables vertical markets such as defense, public safety and security to roll-out customized mobile devices that meet specific industry functional or performance requirements-faster and with lower development risks and costs.

“Specialized verticals, particularly those in the defense sector, deploy mobile devices with extended product life cycles – yet they still want mobile solutions that offer the latest technological advancements,” said Michael Valenti, senior research analyst with Frost & Sullivan. “EB is well positioned to serve these vertical interests, as the company has a rich heritage in mobile device design, integration, and development as well as a depth and expertise in bringing unique mobile solutions to specialized markets.”

A versatile platform, the EB Specialized Device Platform allows EB’s customers to benefit from the commercial technologies driving the rapid growth of the consumer wireless device market while giving market specific features and device type customization to specialized market organizations. As a smartphone-tablet platform, organizations get a ‘made-to-order’ mobile device that incorporates key design features desired for a particular mobile device with specific hardware and software features required by their market segment. For example, military vendors can specify MIL-STD-810G mechanics for a ruggedized Android handset, integration of a proprietary security engine or optimization of a proprietary software application to extend the device battery life.

The platform is comprised of components specifically focused to extend product life cycle, deliver excellent performance and simplify the platform evolution. It is anchored by the Texas Instruments OMAP(TM) family of application processors and includes both OMAP3(TM) series single-core and OMAP4(TM) series dual-core options. EB chose TI’s OMAP processors for their balance between competitive mass market performance and unique features, such as integrated and fully programmable C64x Digital Signal Processor, that appeals to the target vertical markets. Other key features include integrated cellular connectivity options including LTE with Band 14 support for the U.S. Public Safety market, a high-resolution touch-screen enabled display with superior sunlight readability, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and advanced battery and power management features. Additionally, EB offers other advanced features such as integrated mobile satellite connectivity.

“Specific markets such as defense and public safety require unique mobile devices that must meet stringent compliance and regulatory requirements; thereby making it difficult for them to deploy traditional smartphones and tablets across their field teams,” said Jani Lyrintzis, vice president and general manager, EB. “EB has solved this problem, by introducing the Specialized Device Platform – that uniquely offers the best of the traditional mobile world, with the Android operating system and key mobile hardware/software/radio features, combined with product-and industry-specific features-which allows these vertical organizations to bring new mobile devices to market quicker, more cost-effectively and with less development risk.

Availability and Engagement Model

The EB Specialized Device Platform is generally available today for devices to be commercialized with the OMAP3 Series applications processor and 3G cellular connectivity options. Devices requiring the OMAP4 Series applications processors or the 4G/LTE cellular connectivity options can be commercialized in the first half of 2012.

EB offers the platform in three engagement models – a complete turnkey solution, in which EB will develop, manufacture (using partners) and supply the end-product; a joint development approach – in which EB and its customer cooperate on the device development, followed by EB handling all aspects of the manufacturing and end-product supply chain cycles; and finally a joint development plus licensing model – in which EB and its customer cooperate on the device development, but the customer is responsible for the end-device manufacturing and supply.

For more information on the EB Specialized Device Platform please visit: http://www.elektrobit.com

LHC@home 2.0 is a volunteer computing platform for physicists working at the Large Hadron Collider – the world’s largest particle accelerator – at CERN, the European Particle Physics Laboratory. This platform will host several sub-projects for different LHC physics groups.

Home computer users can now be part of a global effort to simulate data that physicists will use in their analysis of LHC data, by running simulations of particle collisions on your home computer. The first project to run on the LHC@home 2.0 platform – currently in test phase – is called Test4Theory.The results are submitted to a central database which is used as a common resource by both experimental and theoretical scientists working on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Hopefully, these explanations can help give an idea of why the computing resources made available by volunteers in this way can be crucial for improving our understanding of what is really happening inside the beam pipe of the Large Hadron Collider.

In order to run the collision simulations you will need to install two key applications ion your computer:
VirtualBox
BOINC client.

LHC@home 2.0 is an extension of the LHC@home platform, launched in 2004 to help physicists simulate protons beam dynamics in the LHC.

More info: http://lhcathome.web.cern.ch/LHCathome/Physics/