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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

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The Fingerist turns your iPhone into an iKeytar, available now

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 10:29 AM PST

Remember The Fingerist, the guitar headstock-themed speaker and case for your iPhone or iPod touch? You know, the one with the shoulder strap for public (and private) performances with all of your favorite music making apps? Well, it seems that it's finally available in the states. Indeed, there has been so little fanfare behind this announcement that the company responsible, Evenno, hasn't even acknowledged it on its site. But don't worry: we found this bad boy for $150 on Amazon. And if that's not enough, iLounge has done a series of hands-on photos (see the More Coverage link, below). Or, if you're like us, you can skip the thing altogether and groove to Rick Wakeman after the break. We do have one more thing to say about the Fingerist, however: at least it's not endorsed by this guy.

Panasonic welcoming crash test consumers to the handheld gaming Jungle

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 09:58 AM PST

In an interesting move for a major console launch, Panasonic is reaching outside of the fold and looking to some select US consumers to test out its upcoming Jungle gaming handheld. No details on the testing program were given, and it's not much in the way of news, but it's the most we've heard out of Panasonic since it announced the online gaming-centric handheld in October -- we still don't know when the Jungle will land or how much it will cost. At least Panasonic isn't short on self-assessment: "We know other companies out there have traditional hand- held gaming covered... We're doing something very different." You can't argue with that, we'll just have to wait and see if Panasonic can pull it off.

BlackBerry Curve 8980 shows up in FCC, offers some glam shots

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 08:59 AM PST

Despite the more recent releases of the Curve 8500 series and the Curve 3G, RIM has never really offered up a true successor to the venerable Curve 8900 -- a device some would argue remains the prettiest that Waterloo has ever manufactured. Indeed, with the QVGA display and meager cam on the 3G, there's a pretty magnificent gap between it and the business-class Bold 9700 / 9780... so we're pretty excited to see a new model called the Curve 8980 get FCC approval. Oh, and what's more, the filing's now got access to a user's manual and external shots where you can definitely picture this as being a proper optical pad-equipped follow-on to the 8900 of old, complete with a 3.2 megapixel cam with flash and -- if we had to guess -- a high-res display adopted either from the 9780 or the 8900. No word on a release, but here's the kicker: as far as we can tell from the filing, it's EDGE-only just like the device it replaces, which is pretty inexcusable for a device that'd presumably be released in 2011. Add 3G, though, and they've got a desperately-needed new model to slot in underneath the Bold.

Infinity I-Kitchen sports Linux-based touch screen computer, kitchen sink still not included

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 08:17 AM PST

We've seen ridiculous fridge concepts from Electrolux before and covered Linux running on all types of gadgets, so it's only natural that the OS has found its way into an icebox developed by Electrolux's Brazilian subsidiary in partnership with ProFusion Embedded Systems. Dubbed the Infinity I-Kitchen, it sports a Linux-based 800 x 480 touchscreen computer built around a 400Mhz Freescale i.MX25 SoC -- which itself is based on 400MHz ARM926EJ-S core and already used in some automotive systems. The touch UI was developed by the open source organization Enlightenment Foundation Libraries and allows users to control a variety of fridge functions like internal temperature in addition to running apps for notes, calendars, contacts, photos, and recipes. All of the particular open source code modifications developed for the fridge have also been shared back with the community in Tux-approved fashion and will soon be posted to Electrolux's site too. Unfortunately, there's no mention however of features like internet connectivity (WiFi or otherwise), USB ports, or SD Card slots being on the appliance. Likewise, details on pricing or availability are also unknown, so your iPhone can hold off on making those the jealousy-fueled fat jokes for now.

Sony ships 4.1 million PlayStation Move controllers to retailers (updated)

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 07:37 AM PST

A little press release from none other than Sony informed us this morning that the company has shipped 4.1 million PlayStation Move controllers worldwide. Alas, that number has been widely misreported as the tally of direct end-user sales, which it most definitely is not. What Sony's letting us know is total wands that have left its warehouses on their way to retailers, a number that's one step removed from actual sales results. Still, if you simply must have something to compare against Microsoft's 2.5 million Kinect sales, there you have it.

Update: Our brothers at Joystiq have reached out to Sony and confirmed that these numbers represent shipped units, not consumer sales. Here's Joystiq's exact wording on the (seemingly purposefully) confusing situation:
A Sony representative explained that the 4.1 million actually represents Move units shipped to stores, adding "While we don't disclose our exact sell-through number, the key is that our retailers continue to ask for more Move units and are taking every unit we can supply them with based on their sales." Which, you know, would have been a cool thing to put in that press release, we think.

Update 2: We've also confirmed with Sony that the sales numbers are in reference to retailers, not consumers, and learned that 75 percent of the sales in the US are bundles -- meaning new console sales or software groupings.
Show full PR text
PlayStation Move Motion Controller Sales Reach Over 4.1 Million Units Worldwide

Remarkable Milestone Achieved in Just 2 Months since Its Release in September

TOKYO, Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that the sales of PlayStation®Move motion controller for the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system reached over 4.1 million units worldwide(*1). The milestone was reached in just two months since its release in September for North America, Europe/PAL territories and Asia, and one month since the release in October for Japan. The number not only shows clear success of the launch of the new motion sensing controller but also indicates positive momentum going in to the holiday season and to the year 2011.

PlayStation Move motion controller is used in combination with the PlayStation Eye camera(*2) to detect the precise movement, angle, and absolute position in 3D space of the user, thereby allowing users to intuitively play as if they are within the game. Delivering the most realistic and immersive experience, PlayStation Move not only captures the user's motion but also the player's image itself to offer new augmented reality experiences in select games.

PlayStation Move offers more than 30 supported/dedicated titles for the North American region up to date with a vast line-up of software titles from all genres and all types of audiences. Some of the successful titles include Sports Champions, Start the Party, EyePet Move Edition, MAG, SingStar Dance and more. Upcoming PlayStation Move titles include the platform-defining franchises like Killzone 3 and LittleBigPlanet 2 that will further establish PlayStation Move as the must have motion experience for casual and hard-core gamers alike.

More than 41.6 million PS3 systems have been sold globally(*3) and despite entering its 5th year since launch, the system is set to record another year of success. PS3, equipped with sophisticated processing units as well as future proof cutting-edge technologies, unfolded its potential this year with the introduction of PlayStation Move and stereoscopic 3D capabilities. SCEI will further continue to deliver strong value to the platform and will accelerate the growth of the platform by vigorously enhancing the entertainment experience only possible on the PlayStation platform.

(*1) Number as of November 2010. Cumulative number since its release date, September 15 for Europe/PAL territories and Asian countries/regions, September 19 for North America and October 21 for Japan. The number does not include sales of stand-alone PlayStation Eye camera or stand-alone PlayStation Move navigation controller.

(*2) Users will need to use the PlayStation Eye camera to enjoy PlayStation Move motion controller on PS3.(*3) Number as of September 2010.

Virgin officially announces Project magazine for iPad (and iPhone soon)

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 06:59 AM PST

We're here at Virgin's press event for Project magazine, which Sir Richard Branson just called the "first all-digital magazine." It's launching on iPad first, then on the iPhone, but we also snuck a peek at the app last night and noticed a line about Android tablet support coming soon. Branson says the content will change constantly -- there'll even be comments, and sharing features are said to be "coming soon." Mapping features will be introduced in the iPhone version, which the Project editor-in-chief describes only as "all the coolest places in the world mapped by our users." Pricing for the iPad version is set at $2.99 per month, with the app updating throughout the period with new content and features. When asked about Rupert Murdoch's The Daily, Branson responded that "this is not a battle, not a war, but the future of publishing," while his chief editor had this to say: "We're not similar ... they're a daily newspaper, we're a monthly style magazine ... we wish them nothing but luck."

Office Depot welcomes 10-inch ViewSonic G Tablet into the fold, slaps $399 sticker on it

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 06:16 AM PST

If your tablet wishlist includes things like Tegra 2, Android 2.2, and 1080p video playback, you might want to drop by your nearest Office Depot some time soonish. ViewSonic's G Tablet has just been made available for purchase at the store's many outlets across the US and is also supposed to be up for grabs at its online portal. We say "supposed" because we can't find it anywhere on officedepot.com, but that's probably just a temporary issue. The main point is that $399 will buy you a seat on the Froyo tablet bandwagon, a very glossy 10-inch seat with 1024 x 600 resolution. Skip past the break for the full PR.
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Office Depot Announces Availability of the ViewSonic G Tablet™ Just in Time for the Holidays

ANDROID™-Powered ViewSonic G Tablet™ Offers Fast Web Browsing and Access to Thousands of Apps

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), a leading global provider of office products and services, today announced the availability of the ViewSonic G Tablet™, an Android™-based tablet computer, at retail store locations nationwide and online at www.officedepot.com.

Featuring a 10-inch LCD multi-touch screen, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 16 GB internal memory and microSD card slot, the G Tablet is sure to be a number one item for the gadget guru on your holiday list this season. Powered by Google's Android operating system, the ViewSonic G Tablet is equipped to handle mobile applications, play games in HD, and surf the web at blazing speeds when connected to a wireless hotspot.

"Android-based tablets are going to be one of the hottest items of the holiday season, and Office Depot is thrilled to be one of the first retailers to carry this much anticipated product," said Randy Wick, Vice President of Merchandising for Office Depot.

The ViewSonic G Tablet is available for $399.

To learn more about the products and services available at Office Depot, please visit your local Office Depot retail store location or www.officedepot.com. To become a fan of Office Depot on Facebook and receive exclusive content, offers and more, please visit www.facebook.com/officedepot. To follow Office Depot on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/officedepot.

Verizon hosting 4G LTE news conference tomorrow to discuss launch plans

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 05:01 AM PST

Guess what people, Verizon's LTE network launch is really for real and the carrier has now scheduled a news conference for tomorrow where it'll discuss its December plans in more detail. Tony Melone, VZW's chief tech officer, will be on hand to answer any questions beyond the already known plans for 38 metropolitan areas to get the 4G LTE treatment -- accounting for a cool 110 million Americans who'll be able to ride the lightning of faster internet speeds on the move. The event kicks off at 12PM and we'll make sure to tune in, if only to find out what Tony's answer is to the inevitable "what is 4G" question.

[Thanks, Henry]

Cabasse's high-fashion L'Ocean speakers rock the catwalk, your wallet

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 04:46 AM PST

Those operating sans a keen sense of style would probably take half a glance at Cabasse's L'Océan speakers (shown here on the right) and assume that they're one in the same with the company's La Sphére. Sure enough, the former also falls into the outfit's Artis line of speakers, but there's a slightly different combination of angles going on beneath the orb. The boutique audio firm has just revealed these three-way coaxial drive units, and they're purportedly capable of hitting 117dB without a hint of distortion. Of course, they weigh 176 pounds and stand just under four feet high, and considering the 2,250 total watts of digital amplification, we'd say they're probably built for a TMZ-certified house party. The company's gearing up to launch these in Q2 2011, but with a €80,000 ($105,900) list price, we're assuming it'll take a little more than seven month to save up for a set.

Verizon sucks at Photoshop: confuses the Droid X for an iPhone

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 03:09 AM PST

Man, Motorola's not going to be pleased about this! The Droid X is justifiably one of Verizon's marquee devices for this holiday season and takes pride of place on the carrier's Cyber Monday offers page, but wait... why does its screen display the iPhone version of Google Maps? Oops!

[Thanks, Chris]

Google to face formal EU antitrust investigation over unfair downranking of search competitors

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 02:29 AM PST

Way back in February, the European Union announced its intention to look into allegations made against Google that the search leader wasn't ranking its competitors fairly in the results it delivered. Well, that fact-finding mission seems to have unearthed at least some hint of impropriety on Google's part, as it's now shed the "preliminary" label and has become a full-on antitrust probe. The original complaints came from EJustice.fr, Foundem.co.uk, and Microsoft's price comparison service Ciao, and they're still the basis of the investigation, though secondary issues, such as Google's conditions for advertisers and the way it tracks ad campaign data, will also be looked at. Let's not forget, however, that we're still dealing with allegations here, and it's going to be quite tricky to show any misdoing without delving into Google's famed algorithms and internal practices -- then again, maybe that's exactly what Mountain View's competitors are after.

Update: Google has responded to the news on its Public Policy Blog.

Foki vacuum footwear concept lets you walk in Roomba's shoes

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 01:58 AM PST

They may not be the first vacuum shoes to emerge in concept form, but these so-called Foki shoes from designer Adika Titut Triyugo are certainly the most stylish -- at least in an ASIMO chic sort of way. They also boast a few new tricks not seen before, including an LED display on top that indicates how much dirt you've picked up, and a unique deign that allows them to be completely folded up when not in use. Of course, "concept" is the key word here, but we've got to guess there's an untapped market out there for wearable appliances. Dust Buster gloves, anyone?

Talay Robot will document your tweet, give it a soundtrack, Twitvid the results (video)

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 01:15 AM PST

Tweet a message @talayrobot and something magical happens. An ST Robotics arm whirs to life inside Sony Music's London HQ and starts transcribing your words of wisdom unto a glamorously lit whiteboard -- in the finest handwriting font its designers could find! Best part is that the whole thing gets filmed and the video is sent back to you within a matter of minutes, equipped with an audio clip from Sony's Talay Riley. Yes, it's a promotional stunt, but it's also undeniably one of the coolest intersections of robotics and social networking we've yet seen. Skip past the break for some video examples or get tweeting and create your own.
Show full PR text
TALAY RILEY TWITTERBOT

November 2010

Talay Riley has launched a unique way for fans to interact with him online – with a robot arm installation that writes Twitter and Facebook messages.

The installation, which currently resides in the reception of Sony Music London, consists of an industrial robot arm, which is connected to the Internet and programmed to write messages it receives from Twitter and Facebook.

The robot films each message and posts back a video to the sender (and any friends they mention) of their message being written - soundtracked to Talay's new single 'Sergeant Smash', out December 13th.

Fans can send the robot a tweet to @talayrobot via Twitter, or on Facebook a http://apps.facebook.com/talayrobot


Apple forces PhotoFast to abandon 256GB upgrade kit for MacBook Airs

Posted: 30 Nov 2010 12:19 AM PST

Remember that peppy aftermarket 256GB SSD upgrade from PhotoFast that easily smoked (on paper anyway) the SSD found in Apple's latest MacBook Air? It's been halted upon Apple's request before it ever went on sale, similarly to those HyperMac batteries before it. 9to5Mac first reported the news based on a source close to the company and we just confirmed it directly with the PhotoFast GM2_SFV1_Air product manager. The risk of losing access to Apple's product licensing program was just too grave a threat to ignore. So, enjoy your 160MBps max SSD transfer rate and 128GB top-end capacity MBA 11 owners, you'll get your storage and 250MBps sequential read/write speed bumps only when Apple's good and ready to provide it themselves -- possibly sooner, we're told, if PhotoFast is given the green light to start sales after Toshiba's SSD modules (Apple's MBA partner) are available for purchase.

Cowon 3D is the 1080p-playing, 4.8-inch PMP that just jumps out at you

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 11:22 PM PST

As far as 3D goes, we can still take it or leave it, but what's really got us intrigued about Cowon's latest effort is the promise of full 1080p video playback. Ally that to a HDMI output and up to 64GB of flash storage and you've got yourself a pretty potent portable media station. The Cowon 3D PMP offers an 800 x 480 resolution on its own 4.8-inch display -- which is touted as the world's first 3D visualizer on a PMP that doesn't require glasses -- plus a battery rated to last for 10 hours of video, 45 hours of audio and up to 300 hours on standby. And, in an upgrade from the recent X7, this new device also has WiFi connectivity! Launch is scheduled for December 10th in Cowon's backyard of South Korea, with prices coming in at KRW499,000 ($431) for the 32GB-equipped 3D PMP and KRW589,000 ($509) for the 64GB version.

[Thanks, Kunal]

LG Star shows up again, flexes its Tegra 2 muscle for the camera

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 10:33 PM PST

That high-end Android smartphone from LG seemingly destined for release early next year has made another appearance -- and this time, the UI's in full view and showing us a few tricks. Looks like the so-called Star will be running a variant of LG's usual Android skin, for better or worse, and the particular device shown off in Phandroid's forums here is loaded with Froyo -- a strange choice for a 4-inch beast launching in 2011 with Gingerbread around the corner, perhaps, but we certainly wouldn't put it past 'em. The owner (who actually claims to have two in his possession) was kind enough to run it through Quadrant, producing a score of 1759 -- fantastic for a stock device, and a score that'll undoubtedly go through the roof once hackers get their hands on these things and start trimming the fat. Between this, the LU3000, and that unnamed LTE device for Verizon, these guys could be a serious Android force in '11, couldn't they?

Sandisk, Sony, and Nikon propose 500MBps memory card with more than 2TB capacity

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 09:40 PM PST

While the CompactFlash Association scoots along at a maximum transfer rate of 167MB per second under its just released CF6.0 specification, Sandisk, Sony, and Nikon are already looking to the future. The trio have just officially proposed a new memory card format that switches from PATA to the PCI Express serial interface to achieve data transfer rates of up to 500 megabytes per second with a potential to extend maximum storage capacities beyond 2 terabytes. The proposed set of specifications hints at the high performance requirements we'll soon face as DSLRs and camcorders are updated to capture continuous burst shooting of massive RAW images and ever higher definition video. Naturally, the spec also enables photogs to transfer their troves of data more quickly to computers for post processing and combines high-speed transfer with a scaling system to extend battery life. The CompactFlash Association has already announced a new workgroup to study the proposal. Canon's Shigeto Kanda, CFA chairman of the board, had this to say about the proposal:
Future professional photography and video applications will require memory cards with faster read/write speeds. The development of a new high-performance card standard with a serial interface will meet the needs of the professional imaging industry for years to come and open the door for exciting new applications.
Sounds like tacit approval to us. And really, anything that brings Sony and Sandisk together on a future storage format should be seen as a positive step. Unless, of course, you're the SD Card Association or anyone who recently purchased a CFast card.
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SANDISK, SONY AND NIKON PROPOSE INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR NEXT-GENERATION HIGH-SPEED MEMORY CARD FORMAT
Companies to Jointly Develop New Specifications to Meet Needs of Professional Photography and Video Markets

SanDisk Corporation
Sony Corporation
Nikon Corporation

November 30, 2010, Japan - SanDisk Corporation, Sony Corporation and Nikon Corporation today announced the joint development of a set of specifications that address the future requirements of professional photography and video markets. The three companies proposed the specifications to the CompactFlash® Association (CFA)*, the international standards organization, with the intent to standardize the format.

Professional photography and High Definition (HD) video applications require a new generation of memory cards capable of processing significantly larger files. To address the imaging industry's future speed and capacity demands, SanDisk, Sony and Nikon proposed a new card specification whose performance and storage capabilities surpass those of existing memory cards. Once accepted, the new format will enable exciting new possibilities in the professional imaging and video markets.

The proposed specifications achieve data transfer rates of up to 500 megabytes per second (MB/sec)** (theoretical maximum interface speed) using the highly versatile PCI Express*** interface. The increased speeds will enable imaging and video applications that could not be accomplished using the current CompactFlash specification's Parallel ATA (PATA)**** interface. CF6.0, released in November 2010, offers maximum performance of up to 167MB/sec.

The new specifications' faster speeds enable continuous burst shooting of massive RAW images. The enhanced performance also allows users to quickly transfer storage-intensive high-resolution photos and videos from the card to a computer. The specifications combine high-speed data transfer with low power consumption via a power scaling system to extend battery life.

In addition to industry-leading performance capabilities, the new memory card specifications also meet the future capacity and durability requirements of professional imaging applications. The proposed new specifications has the potential to extend theoretical maximum capacities beyond 2 terabytes (TB)*****, making it especially useful for high resolution images and HD video applications. Similar in size to a CompactFlash® card, the new specifications' access control function and highly durable form factor produce a combination of physical ruggedness and reliability that is indispensable for professional usage models.

"This ultra high-speed media format will enable further evolution of hardware and imaging applications, and widen the memory card options available to CompactFlash users such as professional photographers," said Mr. Shigeto Kanda, Canon, and chairman of the board, CFA. "This next generation format is expected to be widely adapted to various products, including those other than high-end DSLRs."

"The ultra high-speed media, which will be realized by this new card format, will expand the capability of digital SLR cameras and other professional digital imaging equipment," said Mr. Kazuyuki Kazami, operating officer, vice president and general manager, development headquarters, imaging company, Nikon Corporation.
Show full PR text
CompactFlash Association Forms New Workgroup for Next-Generation Memory Card Format

(November 29, 2010) CUPERTINO, Calif., --
The CompactFlash Association (CFA) today announced the formation of a new working group to develop a next-generation memory card. Nikon, SanDisk and Sony proposed the new format in order to meet the needs of professional type digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR) and professional video markets over the coming years. CFA members can join the new workgroup for considering the ratification of the new specification.

Sophisticated imaging applications such as High Definition video and professional photography require a new generation of memory cards with cutting-edge speeds and capacities capable of processing the larger file sizes. The development of the new card is designed to meet the future demands of professional imaging and video markets.

'Future professional photography and video applications will require memory cards with faster read/write speeds,' said Mr. Shigeto Kanda of Canon and the CFA chairman of the board. 'The development of a new high-performance card standard with a serial interface will meet the needs of the professional imaging industry for years to come and open the door for exciting new applications.'

The currentCF5.0 Specification's PATA (parallel ATA) interfacedelivers up to 133MB/second speeds.Although the PATA interface still has room to increase performance, the serial interface can meet the long-term speed requirements of professional DSLR and video markets. The CompactFlash Association recently approved and announced the CF6.0 specification with a maximum speed of 167MB/second.

The CFA's new working group will attempt to establish a roadmap for a card format standard that includes a high-speed serial interface that exceeds the PATA interface speed.

CompactFlash is the memory card format of choice for high-end imaging applications, and can be found in many other electronic platforms, including embedded systems, single board computers, data recorders, medical equipment and more. The most recently published CF Specifications, Revision5.0 (PATA interface) and Revision 6.0, are available for download from the CFA web site at http://www.compactflash.org.

The CFA (logo), CF (logo), CF+, VPG, and CFast are trademarks of the CFA and are licensed royalty free to its members. The CFA is a licensee of the CompactFlash trademark and in turn will license it royalty-free to its members.

HTC job listing hints at an E Ink / 3D-filled future, new North Carolina facility

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 09:02 PM PST

Months back, word on the street had it that HTC was looking to grab up emptied space in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park post-recession; huge outfits like Nortel bit the bullet in 2009, while Sony Ericsson shuttered its operations there and relocated to Atlanta. Naturally, the consolidation paved the way for other technology firms to slide in without overpaying for real estate. HTC has remained mum on the prospect of expansion, but it's fairly obvious what's in mind given the multiple job listings that have just emerged for a heretofore unannounced facility in RTP. Of particular importance is a plea for a Display and Camera Design Engineer -- HTC is asking that whoever applies for the role have some level of "familiarity with 3D display and imaging technologies," not to mention "familiarity with multiple display technologies (TFT-LCD, PMOLED, AMOLED, E-ink, etc.)." Of course, we've seen quite a few bullet points in our years that end up meaning nothing at all, but it definitely gets our gears turning. Could HTC be working on a reader / tablet that would at least partially rely on e-paper? Are we destined to see a 3D Android device from the outfit at Mobile World Congress 2011? Imaginations, here's the part where you run wild.

Dell Vostro V130 updated with more ports, fancy 'Hyperbaric' cooling

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 08:01 PM PST

Back when we reviewed the Dell Vostro V13 we had a few complaints, including the fact that it lasted less than three hours on a charge and lacked an HDMI port. Well, Dell's gone and taken care of at least one of those issues with its new Vostro V130. The original thin and light chassis has been kept intact, which means there's still the same old battery issues, but Dell's freshened up the 13.3-inch magnesium alloy laptop with an HDMI port, extra USB socket, a SIM card slot, new Core i3 / i5 ULV processor options, and some new Intel "Hyperbaric Cooling" technology. We don't know much about that new cooling stuff, but apparently it will help the .65-inch thick system stay cool and quiet. Oh, and did we mention it now comes in that bright red hue?! The small business machine still starts an impressive $429 and is available today. If you're looking for more details hit the break for the full press release and the gallery below for some glossy shots.
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Entrepreneurs Work Beautifully with Dell Vostro V130

· Durable, high-quality laptop gives small businesses style and substance
· One of the thinnest and lightest ultraportable 13-inch laptops available
· The first ultra-thin laptop to offer Hyperbaric Cooling, an Intel® Advanced Cooling Technology


ROUND ROCK, Texas, Nov. 30, 2010 – Dell today unveiled the Vostro V130, the latest and most stunning addition to its award-winning Vostro laptop line.

Designed with the needs and wants of on-the-go entrepreneurs in mind, the Vostro V130 combines head-turning style with best-of-breed durability and security. The Vostro V130 is one of the thinnest [as thin as 0.65" (front) to 0.78" (rear)] and lightest (starting at 3.5 pounds[i]) ultraportable 13-inch laptops available and includes color options Lucerne Red and Aberdeen Silver. Constructed from sturdy aluminum and reinforced with zinc hinges and a magnesium alloy palm rest, it is also road-ready and able to survive everyday bumps and thumps. In addition, the V130 is the first ultra-thin laptop to offer Hyperbaric Cooling, an Intel® Advanced Cooling Technology, to help it stay quiet and cool.

To increase productivity, the laptop can run Windows® 7 effortlessly while performing everyday tasks quickly thanks to the new Intel Core ULV processor, full-sized keyboard and 13.3-inch High Definition WLED display. In addition, the new laptop provides business-class security and superior service and support when and where it's needed, giving customers the power to do more while carrying less. With the Vostro V130, customers can choose their own level of 24/7 coverage with optional Dell ProSupport™ services and Accidental Damage Service2, as well as get help when they need it with DellConnect™3 which allows tech-support agents to troubleshoot and help repair system issues remotely. The laptop also comes equipped with the latest Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services to protect your system and servers from viruses and virtual threats, as well as CompuTrace4 anti-theft.

"Small and mid-sized firms are re-examining their IT needs and are ready to implement technology that gives them comprehensive access to all the capabilities they need, even while on the road," said Ray Boggs, vice president of small and medium business research at IDC. "Notebook PCs are on SMB shopping lists in a big way as firms shift from desktops and implement product refreshes that have long been delayed. Dell continues to keep SMB needs in focus with effective design, connectivity options and more processing muscle."


Vostro V130: The Perfect On-the-Go Ultraportable for Small Business
The Vostro V130 is the perfect follow up to the popular V13 and includes new connectivity features based directly on customer feedback including the addition of an HDMI port for easy connection to High Definition TV, the ability to back up seamlessly or quickly connect devices and peripherals using the two USB 2.0 ports, shared USB/eSATA port and VGA.

Small businesses can work virtually anytime anywhere wirelessly with 802.11n wireless technology, optional WiMAX technology(U.S. only)5 and Bluetooth 3.0 for easy wireless connection to devices and peripherals such as keyboards, mice and headsets within a short distance. The new SIM card slot and upgraded built-in webcam complete the package, helping you stay connected to your business.

"With the V130, we are adding the functionality customers asked for without sacrificing the beautiful design they fell in love with in the V13," said Sam Burd, vice president, Consumer, Small and Medium Business Product Group, Dell. "Starting today, I predict the V130 will fast become the must-have travel companion for today's mobile professional."

Pricing and Availability
The Vostro V130 is available today worldwide, starting at $429.

Related Links:
Dell Small and Medium Business Solutions Center
Photos of the products launched today
Dell Small Business on Facebook

About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they need and value. Dell printers are available direct from Dell and from Dell's more than 50,000 partners worldwide. For more information, visit www.dell.com.

Dell and Vostro are trademarks of Dell Inc.
Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

Nook Color finds its roots? Angry Birds say yes

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 06:02 PM PST

We already knew the Nook Color was capable of something a bit more than its initial offering, having seen Angry Birds run fairly smoothly on a dev unit. In fact, it's exactly what we want in between chapters of Animal Farm, and the xda-developers community, right on schedule, are providing pictorial evidence of its rooting conquests. So far we've seen the aforementioned game / addiction, a few other additions to the extras menu, and even Launcher Pro (image after the break). NookDevs has a page going with instructions, but even it admits to being a work in progress, so we're gonna emphasis a little stronger than usual: don't try this at home unless you're absolutely sure what you're doing -- or don't mind a broken tablet or two.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]


Richard Branson's 'Project' iPad magazine now hitting European iTunes stores

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 05:02 PM PST

He just had to beat Rupert Murdoch, didn't he? Project, Richard Branson's iPad magazine, is now available in the iTunes store -- at least in Italy and the United Kingdom, since it's past midnight there. App is free, cost per issue is $2.99 for "a full month's worth of updating content." We suspect it'll hit US, too, the next few hours, but for now, those across the pond can read up on Jeff Bridges (audio and video interview), Earth 2.0, and a "well-informed Godzilla." Take that, yet-to-be-released The Daily.

Comcast, Level 3 Communications square off over video streaming, network neutrality principles

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 04:23 PM PST

According to networking company Level 3 Communications, Comcast just couldn't wait for its NBC deal to go through before getting all jerky with the access to online video, telling Level 3 on November 19th that it would need to pay a fee to deliver video to Comcast customers. Level 3 delivers videos from many companies over its networks, but the timing is particularly notable since on November 11th it signed up bandwidth-chewing Netflix as a major customer. While this sounds like exactly the kind of anti-net neutrality nonsense that makes us want to crank some OK Go, Comcast has responded saying it's doing no such thing, and it's actually Level 3 seeking a competitive advantage by suddenly sending far more information onto Comcast's network than it accepts. The cable company goes on to claim this situation is no different than its existing deals with Level 3's competitors, and that as long as traffic remains in balance it is willing to allow access settlement free, but if they want to push their growth (read: Netflix) onto Comcast's pipes, they'll have to pay up. We'll wait and see if this is all just a simple negotiating ploy or a true strike in the battle over net neutrality, but you may still want to get a refresher course on exactly what net neutrality is all about from our friend Tim Wu just in case.


Show full PR text
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) today issued the following statement, which can be attributed to Thomas Stortz, Chief Legal Officer of Level 3:

"On November 19, 2010, Comcast informed Level 3 that, for the first time, it will demand a recurring fee from Level 3 to transmit Internet online movies and other content to Comcast's customers who request such content. By taking this action, Comcast is effectively putting up a toll booth at the borders of its broadband Internet access network, enabling it to unilaterally decide how much to charge for content which competes with its own cable TV and Xfinity delivered content. This action by Comcast threatens the open Internet and is a clear abuse of the dominant control that Comcast exerts in broadband access markets as the nation's largest cable provider.

"On November 22, after being informed by Comcast that its demand for payment was 'take it or leave it,' Level 3 agreed to the terms, under protest, in order to ensure customers did not experience any disruptions.

"Level 3 operates one of several broadband backbone networks, which are part of the Internet and which independent providers of online content use to transmit movies, sports, games and other entertainment to consumers. When a Comcast customer requests such content, for example an online movie or game, Level 3 transmits the content to Comcast for delivery to consumers.

"Level 3 believes Comcast's current position violates the spirit and letter of the FCC's proposed Internet Policy principles and other regulations and statutes, as well as Comcast's previous public statements about favoring an open Internet.

"While the network neutrality debate in Washington has focused on what actions a broadband access provider might take to filter, prioritize or manage content requested by its subscribers, Comcast's decision goes well beyond this. With this action, Comcast is preventing competing content from ever being delivered to Comcast's subscribers at all, unless Comcast's unilaterally-determined toll is paid – even though Comcast's subscribers requested the content. With this action, Comcast demonstrates the risk of a 'closed' Internet, where a retail broadband Internet access provider decides whether and how their subscribers interact with content.

"It is our hope that Comcast's senior management, for whom we have great respect, will closely consider their position on this issue and adopt an approach that will better serve Comcast and Comcast's customers.

"While Comcast's position is regrettable, Level 3 remains open and willing to work through these issues with Comcast. However, Level 3 does not seek any 'special deals' or arrangements not generally available to other Internet backbone companies.

"Given Comcast's currently stated position, we are approaching regulators and policy makers and asking them to take quick action to ensure that a fair, open and innovative Internet does not become a closed network controlled by a few institutions with dominant market power that have the means, motive and opportunity to economically discriminate between favored and disfavored content."


About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information, visit www.level3.com.

© Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Vyvx, "From Creation to Consumption," Level 3 Communications and the Level 3 Communications Logo are either registered service marks or service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or one of its Affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.




Comcast Comments on Level 3
Posted by Joe Waz, SVP, External Affairs and Public Policy Counsel, in Public Policy

Level 3 has inaccurately portrayed the commercial negotiations between it and Comcast. These discussions have nothing to do with Level 3's desire to distribute different types of network traffic.

Comcast has long established and mutually acceptable commercial arrangements with Level 3's Content Delivery Network (CDN) competitors in delivering the same types of traffic to our customers. Comcast offered Level 3 the same terms it offers to Level 3's CDN competitors for the same traffic. But Level 3 is trying to gain an unfair business advantage over its CDN competitors by claiming it's entitled to be treated differently and trying to force Comcast to give Level 3 unlimited and highly imbalanced traffic and shift all the cost onto Comcast and its customers.

To quantify this, what Level 3 wants is to pressure Comcast into accepting more than a twofold increase in the amount of traffic Level 3 delivers onto Comcast's network -- for free. In other words, Level 3 wants to compete with other CDNs, but pass all the costs of that business onto Comcast and Comcast's customers, instead of Level 3 and its customers.

Level 3's position is simply duplicitous. When another network provider tried to pass traffic onto Level 3 this way, Level 3 said this is not the way settlement-free peering works in the Internet world. When traffic is way out of balance, Level 3 said, it will insist on a commercially negotiated solution.

Now, Level 3 proposes to send traffic to Comcast at a 5:1 ratio over what Comcast sends to Level 3, so Comcast is proposing the same type of commercial solution endorsed by Level 3. Comcast is meeting with Level 3 later this week for that purpose. We are happy to maintain a balanced, no-cost traffic exchange with Level 3. However, when one provider exploits this type of relationship by pushing the burden of massive traffic growth onto the other provider and its customers, we believe this is not fair. To use Level 3's own words:

"To be lasting, business relationships should be mutually beneficial. In cases where the benefit we receive is in line with the benefit we deliver, we will exchange traffic on a settlement-free basis. Contrary to [other ISPs] public statements, reasonable, balanced, and mutually beneficial agreements for the exchange of traffic do not represent a threat to the Internet. They don't represent a threat to anyone other than those trying to get a free ride on someone else's network."

Microsoft announces 2.5 million Kinects sold in first 25 days

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 03:44 PM PST

Points for style, Microsoft, crossing the 2.5 million Kinect sensors sold mark a convenient 25 days into your global sales of that ever-so-hackable / sometimes-cool-for-gaming item. This number factors in Black Friday sales from this past weekend, and has us really curious as to how well Sony has been doing of late -- Sony's been mum on Move numbers since it announced 1 million units shipped about a month ago. Microsoft says it's on pace to sell 5 million Kinect units through this holiday, which leads us to wonder: what sort of 3D video extravaganza could we pull off with 5 million Kinects in tandem?

BlackBerry Empathy design concept feels bad that you're stuck using a BlackBerry

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 03:01 PM PST

Rest easy, folks: we know it's pointy at the bottom, but we've been assured this isn't the BlackBerry 7100's true successor. Instead, the so-called Empathy is the bizarre outcome of of a RIM-sponsored design project at the Art Center College of Design that touts its ability to detect the emotions of its user and his or her contacts. It's not exactly clear how it'd do that, but one crucial element is the biometric feedback ring that communicates your frustration at the phone's inability to properly sync IMAP accounts in real time. All of this anger and joy is displayed on a social map -- colored rings indicate your contacts' previous and current emotional states -- which is presented on a full touchscreen that can become transparent when the phone's not in use. Prefer the Bold to the Storm, do you? Turn the phone around, and boom, you've got one of the scariest looking portrait QWERTY keyboards the world has ever seen. We don't really anticipate seeing this chiseled slab of bleeding-heart technology in RIM's lineup any time soon... but we can definitely see the benefit to knowing when your BBM contacts are ready to put a fist through a wall. Follow the break for video.

Neato XV-11 robot vacuum gets its very own open source LIDAR hack

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 02:34 PM PST

There's nothing like a little bounty to light a fire under a group of open source fanatics, is there? We saw this principle applied recently when Adafruit offered up cold, hard cash for an Open Source Kinect driver, and now one enterprising reader over at robotbox.net has gone and hacked the LIDAR unit on a Neato XV-11 robot vacuum -- and won $401 for the effort. What's this mean to you? Well, the gentleman (who goes by the nom de hack Hash79) can now read data sent from the optical ranging hardware on the vacuum to a PC. There has been a pretty enthusiastic group of hackers surrounding the device for a while now and now with a little hard work (and a $399 autonomous robot vacuum) you too can have a 360 degree scanning LIDAR with one degree accuracy and a 10Hz refresh rate. Pretty sweet, right? Video after the break.


Zalman's SandForce-based N Series SSD drive gets reviewed, patted on the back

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 02:01 PM PST

Zalman's making an SSD? You betcha, and it's embedding a SandForce SF-1222 controller in its N Series line. That controller has proven to be the go-to one for loads of solid state drives, but Zalman's joining the party a touch late. Unfortunately for it, the MSRPs affixed to the 64GB ($169) and 128GB ($289) versions aren't exactly class-leading, but the benchmarking gurus over at Legit Reviews took it upon themselves to test a 128GB model anyway. After running the gauntlet, the conclusions drawn were fairly predictable: scores were right in line with every other SandForce drive they had tested in recent months, with words like "speedy, resilient, and reliable" detailing the drive. Reviewers did point out that the pricing situation would likely hinder adoption rates, and it's still unclear if a company more closely associated with cooling accessories and cases can stake a claim in the storage realm. Hit the source link for the full skinny if you're edging closer to pulling the trigger.

HTC Merge accessories in the wild -- nope, still not official yet

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 01:32 PM PST

Here's what we know about the HTC Merge: it's also been known as the Lexicon, it's a dual-mode phone with GSM and CDMA heading to Verizon, it's got a slide-out QWERTY, an 800MHz processor, Bing and Bing Maps (a popular trend these days), and now we know, too, that it has a Body Glove snap on cover available to protect its metallic exterior. Here's what we don't know: why no one's yet to officially acknowledged this phone.

Dockstar FreeAgent hacked into inexpensive emulation masterpiece (video)

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 01:07 PM PST

Hello, multipurpose! Seagate's Pogoplug-based FreeAgent DockStar -- at least at a glance -- isn't much good to those who aren't buying up DockStar HDDs. But if you dig a little deeper, you'll realize that this minuscule adapter packs a 1.2GHz Marvell processor, 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM. There's also a smattering of USB ports and an Ethernet socket; add that all up, and you've got a hacker's playground. One Hunter Davis decided to see just how much he could squeeze out of this here peripheral, which can be widely found for as little as $25 nowadays. Thanks to a copy of Debian Linux, a good bit of programming know-how, a DisplayLink USB-to-VGA adapter and a USB sound adapter, he was able to concoct a homegrown emulation console that could handle nearly everything he threw at it. 'Course, you'll have to spring for those other parts if you don't have a house full of random doodads, but once he figures out how to install a battery and make the entire setup portable... look out! Head on past the break for an in-action video.

See more video at our hub!

Motorola Olympus hitting AT&T in 'December or January,' says now-deleted Facebook post

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 12:20 PM PST

Excited for Tegra 2 to finally take the Android smartphone world by storm? Recent leaks out of LG and Motorola certainly suggest that NVIDIA's finally going to make some inroads with its silicon somewhere around the Gingerbread or Honeycomb time frame -- and that might happen sooner rather than later if a posting on Facebook is to be believed. Remember that shiny black Olympus (pictured above) that leaked last week? Someone in the captain's chair of one of AT&T's official Facebook accounts responded to a question about availability of the phone earlier today, matter-of-factly reporting that "the Motorola Olympus should be available in December or January." We would've been willing to chalk it up to confusion on an employee's part, but the post was later removed without a trace, and a follow-up with AT&T elicited a standard "we don't have any information to share about upcoming devices" response. The company claims the posting was made "erroneously," and we'll agree with them on at least one level: neither AT&T nor Motorola intended for that information to slip out today.

Fonera SIMPL router now on sale for $49, moving quickly to telcos

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 11:57 AM PST

Still holding tight to the "Sharing is Caring!" mantra? Not afraid in the least of handing out a few kilobytes to lost tourists down below? If so, you're a prime candidate to own a Fon router; for those unaware, Fon's goal is to equip the world with its 802.11n routers, and then distribute WiFi through them for all to enjoy. The device creates two WiFi signals (SSIDs), one private and one public, and for anyone who knows the pain of being desperate for just a single open hotspot, it's a product (and mission) worth supporting. The Fonera SIMPL was introduced way back at Mobile World Congress, and while the company said it had an order for 400,000 then, that figure has risen rather significantly since. Today, it's revealing that two million of these guys have been sold to telecommunication companies around the globe, with British Telecom, MTS-Comstar Russia, SFR France, SoftBank Japan and ZON Cable Portugal named in particular. The general idea is to provide these to customers in order to lighten the overall load for everyone else, but those looking to buy in sans help can finally do so -- the SIMPL's going for $49 / €39 right now directly through the outfit's website and we're confident that you'll do the right thing.
Show full PR text
Fon Sells 2 Million New Fonera SIMPL WiFi Routers to Telcos Looking to Ease 3G Overloads

MADRID & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fon, the world's largest WiFi network,today announced it has sold 2 million of its latest Fonera SIMPL WiFi router to leading Telcos. The SIMPL, a palm-sized WiFi router targeted towards smartphone and tablet-PC users, is now also available directly to end-users for just $49/€39 at fon.com, making it one of the lowest priced 802.11n routers in the market.

"People want to have fun on their smartphones, but are limited by 3G data restrictions"

"People want to have fun on their smartphones, but are limited by 3G data restrictions," said Martin Varsavsky, Fon CEO. "With the Fonera SIMPL, when people connect to Fon WiFi at home or on the go, they can listen to Spotify, stream YouTube videos, and download and install heavy applications in a way that's fast, simple and useful, without eating up their 3G credit or straining 3G networks."

Fon pursues two partnership models: one for Fixed Telcos who integrate the Fon WiFi sharing feature into their own DSL or Cable modems, and the other for Mobile Telcos who distribute Fon routers to their subscribers. The SIMPL is especially attractive to mobile operators looking for ways to offload heavy data traffic from congested 3G networks. Fon partners with leading companies including British Telecom, MTS-Comstar Russia, SFR France, SoftBank Japan and ZON Cable Portugal.

Customers who receive the SIMPL from a mobile operator, or buy it online, will be asked to plug the router into their fixed internet connection at home or work. After a quick registration process, the user will have Fon WiFi access at home and on the go at close to 3 million Fon Spots.

Fon also offers several connection solutions for the SIMPL to assist users who want a hassle-free connection to Fon WiFi at home and on the go. Smart devices can be easily configured to connect automatically to the public Fon WiFi signal whenever one is within range. Fon offers downloadable connection applications for devices ranging from the Android and Blackberry, based on the WISPr recommendation from the WFA, to the iPhone. New WPS functionality allows users to easily connect smart devices to their private WiFi signal with the touch of a button on the back of the SIMPL.

Fonera SIMPL comes equipped with wireless 802.11n, ideal for accessing media-rich content and transferring files faster. The SIMPL also features a powerful antenna, allowing for a better WiFi connection, WPA encryption, and a new quick setup that makes it easy to get Fon WiFi right out of the box. The SIMPL creates two WiFi signals (SSIDs), one private and one public, allowing users to safely share a bit of their broadband connection in exchange for free WiFi access at all other hotspots throughout Fon's global WiFi network.

The new Fonera SIMPL, includes:

* 1 WAN Ethernet port (for ADSL/Cable modem)

* 1 LAN Ethernet port (for PC)

* 1 SSID (Open, WEP, WPA, WPA2)

* 1 SSID (Fon network)

* 802.11n (150 Mbps)

* 802.11b/g (54 Mbps) compatible

* Detachable, external antenna

About Fon:

Fon was founded by Martin Varsavsky, a serial entrepreneur and internet pioneer, in 2006, with the goal of free, ubiquitous WiFi for everyone. Today, Fon is the largest WiFi community in the world, with close to 3 million Fon WiFi spots and over 5 million users. Fon partners with the world's leading broadband providers, hardware manufacturers and Telco operators to offer Fon-ready products and services. Fon's partners include BT, MTS-Comstar Russia, SFR France, SoftBank Japan and ZON Portugal. Fon's investors include British Telecom, the Coral Group, Skype, Google, Index Ventures and Sequoia Capital. Learn more at fon.com.

Softbank makes 16GB iPad WiFi + 3G free with two-year contract

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 11:33 AM PST

An iPad for zilch on contract? Yessir... but only if you pack up and move to the Land of the Rising Sun. Softbank Mobile has just announced a new pricing plan that makes Apple's 16GB iPad WiFi + 3G model totally free with a two-year data agreement in Japan, and for those who recall it being "free" before, this situation is a bit different. You see, there's no built-in monthly surcharge for this one; rather than paying off your iPad over 24 months, you're actually getting it for nothing as long as you're kosher with forking out ¥4,725 ($56) per month for that 3G goodness. The deal starts on December 3rd, and we've got a strange, strange feeling that it'll do quite well if marketed correctly. And by "correctly," we mean "at all."

[Thanks, Ken]

Sectra virtual autopsy table available now, Stan Brakhage nonplussed

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 11:08 AM PST

Though not offering the sort of stark, terrible beauty (or the gore) of The Act of Seeing with One's Own Eyes, Sectra's Visual Imaging Table will let you perform a "virtual autopsy," by using CT and MRI scans to place 3D recreations of a patient's body on a large, multitouch table. What's more, the body can then be examined -- and even cut with a "virtual knife." And it's finally available "to the masses," as one company rep put it in an email this morning (although we sort of figure that if you have an MRI machine you probably aren't one of "the masses"). Check out the PR after the break, or hit up the source link to get one for yourself.
Show full PR text
RSNA: Sectra unveils unique visualization table for diagnostic imaging and emergency care

28 Nov, 2010 15:00 CET: ​Today, at RSNA 2010 in Chicago, the medical technology company, Sectra (NASDAQ OMX Stockholm: SECT B), is launching Sectra Visualization Table. This unique solution for collaborative work improves decision making efficiency in acute care, allowing physicians to efficiently set the care strategy in multi-trauma cases. It also serves as a platform for medical education, clinical conferences and virtual autopsies.

With Sectra Visualization Table, a 46-inch medical multi-touch display, multiple users can interact collaboratively with the real-size 3D images generated by CT and MRI scanners to gain deeper understanding and insight into the functions and processes inside the body. They can, for example, visualize different kinds of tissues and cut through sections with a virtual knife.

The visualization table is powered by a tailored Sectra PACS workstation. Sectra's patented visualization techniques allow immediate display even of datasets of extreme size, such as high-resolution, full-body scans.

"This is an example of how our close cooperation with research centers allows us to apply the latest technology available in solutions that facilitate daily work for our customers," says Torbjörn Kronander, President of Sectra Imtec AB. "We have a strong focus on customer value, and the technology should not be there just because it is possible, it should help to increase efficiency and quality in patient care at every step."

Another area of application is virtual autopsies, in which the need for surgical procedures is reduced and saves time.

Sectra Visualization Table has been developed in cooperation with the University of Linköping, Sweden, the Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Norrköping Visualization Center C, and The Interactive Institute.

View a short video at www.sectra.com/table

Meet Sectra at RSNA, North Building, Booth #7114.

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Torbjörn Kronander, President, Sectra Imtec AB, +46 705 23 52 27

About Sectra's medical operations
Sectra develops and sells IT-systems and products for radiology, mammography and orthopaedic departments. More than 1,100 hospitals worldwide use the system daily, together performing over 52 million radiology examinations annually. This makes Sectra one of the world leading companies within systems for handling digital radiology images (PACS). In Scandinavia, Sectra is the market leader with more than 50% of all film-free installations. Outside Scandinavia, Sectra's system is installed at customers in North America and most major countries in Europe and the Far East.

About the Sectra Group
Sectra successfully develops and sells cutting-edge products in the expansive niche segments of medical systems and secure communication systems. The company was founded in 1978 and has its roots in the Linköping Institute of Technology in Sweden. Today, Sectra has offices in twelve countries and operates through partners worldwide. Sales in the 2009/2010 fiscal year totaled SEK 848 million. The Sectra share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm AB exchange. For more information, visit http://www.sectra.com/.

About CMIV
Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV) is a multidisciplinary research center initiated by Linköping University, Östergötland County Council and Sectra AB. CMIV conducts focused front-line research within multidisciplinary projects, providing solutions to tomorrow's clinical issues. The mission is to develop future methods and tools for image analysis and visualization for applications within health care and medical research. For more information visit http://www.cmiv.liu.se/.

About Visualization Center C
Visualization Center C was founded in 2010 and is the result of a collaboration between the Municipality of Norrköping, Linköping University, Norrköping Science Park and the Interactive Institute. The center constitutes a focal point for visualization research, education and development in northern Europe. At the core of the center is the world leading visualization research conducted at Linköping University. The center also hosts a large scale arena for public visits including an immersive dome theatre seating 100 people. The center closely collaborates with key industrial partners and constitutes a hub for knowledge dissemination and commercial collaborations. For more information visit http://www.visualiseringscenter.se/.

About the Interactive Institute
The Interactive Institute is a Swedish experimental media research institute that combines expertise in art, design and technology to conduct world-class applied research and innovation. We develop new research areas, concepts, products and services, and provide strategic advice to corporations and public organizations. Our research results are communicated and exhibited worldwide and brought out to society through commissioned work, license agreements and spin-off companies. For more information visit http://www.tii.se/

Meka, UT Austin researchers show off 'sociable' Dreamer robot head

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 10:44 AM PST

The folks at UT Austin's HCR Laboratory have been working on a Meka humanoid robot for some time now, but they've only just recently added one pretty significant component to it: a head. This so-called "Dreamer" isn't just your ordinary robot head, though -- described by the researchers as a "sociable humanoid head," the head is modeled on anime and comic characters, and promises to establish an "organic link to its biological counterpart, creating feelings of quasi-affinity in response to gestures and synthetic emotions." In other words, it's impressive enough to hold your attention while you interact with it, and it may very well creep you out a little. Head on past the break to check it out in action.


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