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- Low-cost Andy Pad tablet spotted in the wild, Andy Pad Pro said to be following
- Microsoft-led consortium to trial super WiFi network across the pond
- LaCie introduces Porsche-designed, aluminum-framed USB 3.0 HDDs
- Congolese VMK Gingerbread tablet eager to show its face, shipping in September
- Boingo teams with Gogo for in-flight internet magic, leaves us wanting more
- US Supreme Court strikes down California law, says video games are protected as free speech
- CSI Virtual MasterCard app bringing mobile payments to iOS, Android and BlackBerry
- Singapore military to issue guns and uniforms, iPads to incoming servicemen
- Defcon Kids event invites hackers to bring their genetic back-up units
- London's E-Health Cloud program will send patient records to the stratosphere next month
- Slim ASUS Eee PC X101 to hit shelves next month
- Super Talent USB 3.0 Express RC8 looks like a thumb drive, acts like an SSD
- KinectNUI enables Minority Report style interaction in Windows sans gloves (video)
- More Mango features uncovered: in-browser audio streams, Xbox Live voice chats, and more (video)
- Yahoo! Connected TV watches with you, delivers a more personal ad experience
- Xbox COO sees dedicated handheld market as a 'red ocean,' will let Sony and Nintendo swim in it
- iOS 5 beta 2 blocks Gevey SIM Unlock, brings photo album curation to iDevices
- HTC EVO 3D landing in Europe next month, two-stage shutter button and all
- Scientists study orca ears, employ lasers to create hyper-sensitive underwater microphone
- Android 3.1 update for Acer Iconia Tab A500 leaks out in China, can be downloaded worldwide
- GetJar gets Cut the Rope exclusive, candy-craving monster makes Android debut
- Verizon stores struck by HTC Thunderbolt Wireless Charging Battery Cover
- How would you change Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play?
- Nokia N9: are you buying one?
- Inhabitat's Week in Green: 'round the clock solar plants, USB camping pot and wave energy farms
- Is this the Olympus E-P3?
- Switched On: Light music
- Nokia's N950 splayed by FCC, 12-megapixel camera lurking within
| Low-cost Andy Pad tablet spotted in the wild, Andy Pad Pro said to be following Posted: 27 Jun 2011 11:19 AM PDT  UK-based Andy Pad has been teasing its eponymously-titled Android tablet for a little while now, but it was just recently spotted in the wild for the first time at an apparently private launch event, where those in attendance were also apparently told that it will be available in two versions: an 8GB model for £129, and a 16GB for £169 (or roughly $200 and $270). What's more, while the basic Andy Pad keeps things cheap with a resistive touchscreen, the company's also now confirmed there will be an additional Andy Pad Pro model that packs a much more welcome capacitive display, plus both front and rear-facing cameras (among other "additional features"). Unfortunately, it's not clear if that aforementioned 16GB model and the Pro are, in fact, one in the same -- Andy Pad itself hasn't confirmed a price for the latter, and is only saying that it will be aimed at early adopters. We'll let you know more as we get it. |
| Microsoft-led consortium to trial super WiFi network across the pond Posted: 27 Jun 2011 10:39 AM PDT  [Image courtesy ZDNet UK] |
| LaCie introduces Porsche-designed, aluminum-framed USB 3.0 HDDs Posted: 27 Jun 2011 10:13 AM PDT  LaCie and Porsche Design Introduce New Generation of Hard Drives Stuttgart/Paris, 27 June 2011 – Today Porsche Design Group (Porsche Lizenz- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG) and LaCie announce the latest technology to join the luxury brand's exclusive P´9000 electronics category: the LaCie Porsche Design Mobile (P'9220) and Desktop (P'9230) Hard Drives. The new storage accessories represent cutting-edge USB 3.0 technology, sleek aluminium frame, and purist design. Since 2003, LaCie and Porsche Design have worked closely to deliver products that are technically inspired, delivering flawless functionality in its purest form. The luxury brand and the leading technology company complement the other, with technical influence from LaCie, together with an exclusive and timeless shape presented by Porsche Design. "For 20 years LaCie has introduced products that influence and fit right into our digital lives," says Dr. Juergen Gessler, CEO of the Porsche Design Group. "Since 1972 the Porsche Design luxury brand embodies that philosophy in everything that we have created, bringing a sense of quality and luxury to every single Porsche Design product. We are pleased to introduce a product that resembles superior form and functionality." Today the luxury brand and the leading technology company announce the evolution of LaCie's portfolio designed by Porsche Design, by introducing a new generation of storage solutions. Delivering more than just industry-leading performance, the new design is a combination of premium material and workmanship that completely reflect the Porsche Design signature. Aluminium Frame For Porsche Design, the authenticity and quality of materials further exemplify the components inside. The aluminium frame of the LaCie Porsche Design Mobile and Desktop Hard Drives is elegant by appearance, but supports the vast functionality of the hard drive inside. The LaCie Porsche Design Mobile and Desktop Hard Drives are built with durable and scratch-resistant aluminium, protecting the hard drive mechanics. Each frame is built with precision. The aluminium also regulates heat for guaranteed performance. And for the environment, the aluminium frame is 100 percent recyclable. Built for Speed Clocking speeds three times faster than USB 2.0*, The LaCie Porsche Design Mobile and Desktop Hard Drives are the fastest USB 3.0 hard drives on the market. Technology enthusiasts will appreciate transferring their digital assets in seconds with no delay to their digital lifestyle, delivering peak performance and pure design. More than just Storage More than just a beautiful exterior, LaCie Porsche Design Hard Drives come with software to easily install your drive on PC and Mac. Each drive includes backup software, to ensure you have a complete backup of all your digital assets, eco mode for power savings, password protection to keep files secure and 10GB of Wuala secure online storage. The LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Hard Drive (P'9220) comes in 500GB and 1TB capacities. Additionally, a 750GB model will be available exclusively in the worldwide Porsche Design Stores. The LaCie Porsche Design Desktop Hard Drive (P'9230) comes in 1TB and 2TB capacities. The products will be available through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, and LaCie Reseller+ starting at £89.90. For more product information, visit www.lacie.com. About Porsche Design Porsche Design is a luxury brand with a particular focus on technically inspired products. The Porsche Design brand was established in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. The products stand for functional, timeless and purist design, characterised by their technical innovation. The product portfolio includes watches, sunglasses, luggage, a fashion collection for men and women as well as sports apparel, electronic products and a men's fragrance line. All the products under the brand are designed at the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See (Austria) and are available worldwide in the company's own stores, franchise stores, shops-in-shops, high-end department stores and exclusive specialist retailers. For additional information, visit www.porsche-design.com. About LaCie With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, LaCie is a leading manufacturer of storage devices for PC, Apple, and Linux. LaCie has differentiated itself through sleek design and remarkable technical performance. Find out more about our products at www.lacie.com. *Actual performance measured on native USB 3.0 port and with different benchmark tools. Performance may slightly vary according to computer. |
| Congolese VMK Gingerbread tablet eager to show its face, shipping in September Posted: 27 Jun 2011 09:57 AM PDT  |
| Boingo teams with Gogo for in-flight internet magic, leaves us wanting more Posted: 27 Jun 2011 09:28 AM PDT  Boingo Takes to the Skies with Gogo Boingo Partners with Gogo to Extend Roaming Network to the Leading Inflight Wi-Fi Internet Service LOS ANGELES & ITASCA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boingo Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: WIFI), the Wi-Fi industry's leading provider of software and services worldwide, and Gogo®, the world's leading provider of inflight connectivity, today announced that Boingo customers can now log in to Gogo using their existing Boingo® account. This access includes more than 1,100 planes from nine carriers, providing robust Internet access above 10,000 feet. "Gogo's inflight network is a key addition to our roaming portfolio, especially since inflight access is one of the most requested service enhancements we receive through our customer feedback channels." "The Boingo Roaming Network now extends six miles above the Earth thanks to the expansive fleet of Gogo equipped airplanes," said Luis Serrano, senior vice president of business and corporate development for Boingo Wireless. "Gogo's inflight network is a key addition to our roaming portfolio, especially since inflight access is one of the most requested service enhancements we receive through our customer feedback channels." "Making Gogo more easily available to more customers who already have a Wi-Fi billing relationship ultimately helps us ensure that everyone stays connected in air, online," said Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo's chief marketing officer. "Boingo's extensive customer base brings a legion of active Wi-Fi users into the planes, already armed with a username and password, who can log on right away." The service is immediately available for Boingo customers via the Gogo home page or by using the latest Boingo® Wi-Finder app. By simply using the "Roaming" button at the bottom of the redirect page, users will be able to choose Boingo as their provider and log in with their existing Boingo username and password. Logging in to Gogo via Boingo's easy-to-use one-click app is as simple as accepting the flight segment charge and entering a CAPTCHA validation phrase. Existing Boingo app users should check for software updates to make sure they have the latest version of Wi-Finder, which supports inflight access. The latest version of the app can be downloaded at www.boingo.com/boingo-apps/. Inflight access is a premium service and is not included in monthly plans. Boingo laptop and tablet users will be charged $4.95, $9.95 or $12.95 per flight based on the length of the flight. Smartphone users will pay $4.95 or $7.95, depending on flight duration. |
| US Supreme Court strikes down California law, says video games are protected as free speech Posted: 27 Jun 2011 08:57 AM PDT  |
| CSI Virtual MasterCard app bringing mobile payments to iOS, Android and BlackBerry Posted: 27 Jun 2011 08:29 AM PDT  |
| Singapore military to issue guns and uniforms, iPads to incoming servicemen Posted: 27 Jun 2011 08:03 AM PDT  Singapore, the country infamous for fining residents caught chewing gum in public, will begin issuing iPads to its army, air force, and navy recruits in November. Considering all able-bodied male citizens are required to serve for two years, a large portion of the city-state's population could eventually be using the Apple tablet. Troops will use the iPads to upload stills and video to the military's online education platform, and will also use custom-build apps, currently being developed by "military contractors" (app devs). Only about 8,000 iPad 2s will be distributed in the first round this fall, but Singapore's defense ministry plans to hand out more tablets next year -- to be timed with the release of a Singapore-themed Angry Birds, we assume. |
| Defcon Kids event invites hackers to bring their genetic back-up units Posted: 27 Jun 2011 07:38 AM PDT  |
| London's E-Health Cloud program will send patient records to the stratosphere next month Posted: 27 Jun 2011 07:13 AM PDT  You'd think that the recent spate of high-profile cyberattacks would've deterred the healthcare industry from sending patient records to the cloud -- but you'd be wrong. Beginning next month, all data on patients at London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital will be stored in a centralized database, accessible from any computer, smartphone or tablet. Under the National Health Service's pilot program, known as E-Health Cloud, patients will be able to decide which doctors, nurses or family members can view their records, allowing them to easily share their data with other specialists. Flexiant, the Scottish software company that developed the platform, hopes to eventually expand it to other treatment phases, including assisted living, and insists that its system will help the NHS save money in the long-term. Security, however, will likely prove critical to the program's success. Users will have to pass multiple ID checkpoints to access the database, but privacy-wary Londoners might demand protection a bit more robust than an automated bouncer. You won't need to adhere to a dress code to view the full PR, available after the break. Flexiant Providing Cloud Platform for E-Health Pilot to Give Patients Control Over Data NHS patients could soon have complete control over their medical records and the power to decide who has access to their data. The E-Health Cloud, using Flexiant's pioneering cloud platform Extility, will be the first large scale deployment of the cloud in e-health. Scotland, UK (PRWEB) June 20, 2011 Scottish cloud software and services provider Flexiant is providing a cloud platform for a research project that promises NHS patients complete control over their medical records and the power to decide who has access to their data. A pilot underway at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, is using cloud computing to make communication between patient, consultant and GP faster and more efficient. Researchers at Chelsea and Westminster are working with Edinburgh Napier University and Flexiant to show how the current paper-based system could be replaced with a next-generation e-health platform. After 18 months in development, with the cloud integration work provided by Flexiant, the E-Health Cloud is now ready to be tested and a demonstrator will go live on the Extility cloud next month. The demonstrator will be the first large scale deployment of the cloud in e-health. The E-Health Cloud has the potential to offer a solution to many of the existing problems with electronic patient records in the NHS, including a lack of common patient record standards, and the inability to share between different parts of the health and social care domains. According to Professor Bill Buchanan of Edinburgh Napier University, presenting the E-Health Cloud platform at the Innovation with Healthcare conference this month in London, "the current infrastructure in the UK often has a non-integrated approach to patient care, where data is not used effectively between GP, hospital and assisted living. "Our system allows for data to be stored with its context, such as where it was captured, and then used in whatever way is necessary through well-managed clinical services. Security is integrated into every single transaction, and we host it on Flexiant's cloud, to give us a scaleable and robust e-Health infrastructure." In future the project could be used to integrate all phases of health care treatment, from assisted living to primary and secondary healthcare, so that the same data can be used throughout. Tony Lucas, founder of Flexiant, explains: "Hosting the data in the cloud as soon as results are published means that the patient can go online and access them, sharing them in real time with everyone who needs to see them. "They will be able to invite their GP, consultants, health carers and family members - people they trust and who need to know the results. This has massive implications for the future of patient treatment in the UK. For the first time patients can have control over their treatment and their records and that is enormously empowering." The demonstrator, due to go live next month, uses a unique 'patient simulator', which creates patient records with different clinical parameters such as body temperature and blood pressure, to represent different patient illnesses. This is designed to show how the service can be used in clinical diagnostics, with a risk assessment score or early warning score (EWS) to identify problems early. The overall aim of the demonstrator is to increase public trust in next generation healthcare. The security of patient records will be critical to the success of the pilot and Flexiant will implement a multi-factor authentication process on the demonstrator using technology that builds on and integrates seamlessly with existing NHS security systems. Key clinical services can then be accessed from a range of devices, including web pages and mobile phones. A key focus is on the identification of the role of the clinical person, typically using multiple identification methods, in order to gain the rights to certain services. This integrates with a new governance policy, which defines the overall rights of clinicians to the access to clinical services. Importantly, patients will have full control over who has access to their data. The developed system uses new identity checking methods, including mobile phone checking and trusted identity providers like Facebook or Paypal. The key players in the project are Professor Buchanan, from Edinburgh Napier University, Professor Derek Bell, clinical lead at Chelsea and Westminster, Professor Christoph Thuemmler, Dr Lu Fan, Dr Elias Ekonomou and Owen Lo. At present the e-Health platform has been created as both a private E-Health Cloud within Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, and also as a public demonstrator on the Flexiant public cloud. A Chelsea and Westminster spokesman says: "Our Foundation trust is at the forefront for providing technological innovations in the hospital clinical environment, to improve patient care. Implementation of the cloud infrastructure at the hospital will be one of many enhancements made to patient care by Professor Derek Bell through his role as the director of NWL CLARHC which has an ethos of closing the second translational gap and bringing research into practice." The two year project is funded by the Technology Strategy Board and EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council). |
| Slim ASUS Eee PC X101 to hit shelves next month Posted: 27 Jun 2011 06:47 AM PDT  |
| Super Talent USB 3.0 Express RC8 looks like a thumb drive, acts like an SSD Posted: 27 Jun 2011 06:22 AM PDT  |
| KinectNUI enables Minority Report style interaction in Windows sans gloves (video) Posted: 27 Jun 2011 05:57 AM PDT  When Microsoft released its Kinect SDK we marveled at the impact it could have on desktop interaction; sure enough, Kevin Connolly's Kinect Natural User Interface has made our geeky pipe-dreams a reality. His inspiration for project? Not surprisingly, the Minority Report UI (aka g-speak). Similar projects like MIT's hack do exist, but it's brilliant knowing that another emulation has been made rather quickly with Redmond's tools. In a brief video using the Kinect on Windows 7, he demos various ways of manipulating on-screen content with hand gestures and body tracking -- neglecting his mouse in the process. It's still a work in progress, but the results are already quite striking, so take that ancient input device and click past the break for the full demo. |
| More Mango features uncovered: in-browser audio streams, Xbox Live voice chats, and more (video) Posted: 27 Jun 2011 05:33 AM PDT  While we wait (rather impatiently, we might add) for Mango to make its official debut others are still playing with test builds, pouring over code, and digging up interesting tidbits about Microsoft's mobile OS update. That WP7 will be getting improved HTML5 support is nothing new but, that it will specifically support in-browser audio and continue to stream even if you navigate away from the browser or lock the screen, is music (literally) to our ears. Snippets discovered in a recent Mango dump have also turned up mentions of Xbox Live Voice chat, parties, multiplayer gaming, and tighter integration with the 360 for pushing Live content to your big screen. If you hit the WPSauce source link you'll find a whole host of other fascinating things in the WP7 code, and some details about just how deeply Facebook will be tied to the OS. But, before you go, check out the video of the HTML5 audio support in action after the break.[Thanks, Charlie] |
| Yahoo! Connected TV watches with you, delivers a more personal ad experience Posted: 27 Jun 2011 04:59 AM PDT  |
| Xbox COO sees dedicated handheld market as a 'red ocean,' will let Sony and Nintendo swim in it Posted: 27 Jun 2011 04:17 AM PDT  Dennis Durkin is COO and CFO for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. He's also a dude thoroughly disillusioned with the future of portable consoles. Speaking to IndustryGamers, Durkin explains that the "crowded" nature of the mobile gaming market right now makes it extremely difficult to launch a dedicated handheld gaming device successfully -- in his colorful words, it's "a very, very red ocean." Whose blood is soiling those waters? The Nintendo 3DS, says Durkin, which has sold reasonably well, but has clearly failed to reach the lofty expectations set for it by fans and previous handhelds from the company. Likewise, the PS Vita invites a lot of skepticism from the Xbox chief, who says his excitement is reserved for what Microsoft can do with Kinect, Xbox Live and unique content. You might say it's to be expected that an Xbox exec would be casting doubt over Sony's great new hope, but what we learn in the process is that Microsoft has no intentions of squaring up to its home console nemesis on the mobile front. Not with dedicated hardware, anyway. |
| iOS 5 beta 2 blocks Gevey SIM Unlock, brings photo album curation to iDevices Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:43 AM PDT 
Update: We're hearing from many of you that the gallery functionality was actually a part of beta 1. But, you're encouraged to continue enjoying it here, in beta 2. [Thanks to everyone who sent these in]  |
| HTC EVO 3D landing in Europe next month, two-stage shutter button and all Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:00 AM PDT  HTC LAUNCHES 3D MULTIMEDIA SUPERPHONE, THE HTC EVO 3D™ Record your life in vibrant 3D stills and HD video LONDON – June 27, 2011 – HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announces the arrival of the HTC EVO 3D in Europe. Delivering the ultimate glasses-free 3D experience, the stylishly rugged HTC EVO 3D, with the latest HTC Sense™ experience, makes it easy to capture and share stunning 3D home movies and stills with friends and family. HTC Watch is also available to owners of this multimedia powerhouse, allowing users to enjoy Hollywood blockbusters alongside their own 3D movies. "Smartphones have revolutionised how people communicate and entertain themselves on the move. You can now carry your favourite films, music, photos and games in your pocket wherever you go," said Florian Seiche, President of HTC EMEA. "The HTC EVO 3D allows people to explore this new technology trend beyond the living room, enabling them to capture and share their lives with family and friends in amazing 3D." 3D without the glasses The stunning stereoscopic display means that 3D effects can be enjoyed naturally as images and video burst from the screen, free of the burden of 3D glasses. Relive precious moments as if you were there and watch videos captured by HTC Evo 3D's dual 5-megapixel cameras shimmer and dance with depth. Entertainment on the go Entertainment takes on a whole new dimension, with 3D films, videos, pictures and games leaping from the 4.3 inch qHD screen. This immersive 3D effect, coupled with stereo surround sound, creates a new world to explore and share. HTC EVO 3D is driven by a powerful, 1.2-gigahertz dual-core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor, which not only supports brilliant 3D but also delivers a fast and responsive browsing experience, instant capture of images – perfect for recording fast-paced action – and playing back smooth, HD (720p) video. HTC Sense Complementing the HTC EVO 3D's design is the latest HTC Sense experience. Plunge into 3D menus and customise the active lockscreen, which becomes a real-time window to your most important content - from photos to your latest social network feeds. Whether it's email, social networking or surfing the internet, the active lockscreen becomes a customizable gateway that lets you instantly jump to your favourite applications with just one gesture. HTC's iconic Weather app also returns, letting you soar through the clouds and bask in the sun, with beautiful, new full-screen 3D animations. Capture the moment HTC EVO 3D's two 5-megapixel cameras are enhanced with new features to help you capture the perfect moment as you see it. Switch effortlessly between 2D and 3D depending on your mood, and add a new creative perspective to your images with Tiltshift Effect – selectively blurring parts of the scene to give subjects the impression of scale models. The camera also performs well in low light thanks to a wide, f/2.2 maximum aperture and videos are recorded in crystal clear 720p resolution, at up to 30 frames per second, making the HTC EVO 3D perfect for recording evenings out with friends. Premium design, striking performance Tapping into HTC's trademark design language, the HTC EVO 3D's premium look and feel is enhanced by its slender dimensions and striking dual camera housing. The rear of HTC EVO 3D is sculpted with smooth lines that make the handset look rugged, yet feel natural in the palm of your hand. Availability The HTC EVO 3D will be broadly available in Europe from July.  |
| Scientists study orca ears, employ lasers to create hyper-sensitive underwater microphone Posted: 27 Jun 2011 02:13 AM PDT  |
| Android 3.1 update for Acer Iconia Tab A500 leaks out in China, can be downloaded worldwide Posted: 27 Jun 2011 01:22 AM PDT  |
| GetJar gets Cut the Rope exclusive, candy-craving monster makes Android debut Posted: 27 Jun 2011 12:57 AM PDT  [Image courtesy iTunes App Store] |
| Verizon stores struck by HTC Thunderbolt Wireless Charging Battery Cover Posted: 26 Jun 2011 10:54 PM PDT  Solid as HTC's Thunderbolt may be from a software perspective, its battery life has proven to be less than striking -- unless you've been rocking it with that ultra-chunky extended battery. In comparison, its streamlined and Qi-certified battery cover was slated as another option, but there's been nary a mention of it since that accidental tease on Verizon's website in April. According to Droid Life, it's actually now available from Verizon retail locations for about $30 to complement the $70 charging base -- great for users who: a. hold disdain for cables, b. don't mind a few extra charges, or c. wear skinny jeans. There's no mention of when we'll see the hopefully convenient accessory pop up on Verizon's website, but at least it's out there somewhere for those willing to look. |
| How would you change Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play? Posted: 26 Jun 2011 08:56 PM PDT  |
| Posted: 26 Jun 2011 07:27 PM PDT  |
| Inhabitat's Week in Green: 'round the clock solar plants, USB camping pot and wave energy farms Posted: 26 Jun 2011 06:00 PM PDT  It's been a scorching summer for solar power as Torresol opened the world's first 24/7 solar plant in Spain, and Samsung unveiled the first photovoltaic-laden laptop to be sold in the US. We also saw Aquamarine Power break ground on a massive wave energy farm in Orkney, while Germany hatched a plan to store excess wind power in abandoned coal mines. Finally, we spotted several Speaking of renewable energy, this week we caught a first look at the amazing EDV-01 shelter -- a high-tech solar-powered building with a luminous LED facade that is capable of doubling its capacity with the flick of a switch. We also brought you Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill's plans for the world's 4th tallest skyscraper, and we showcased an ultramodern paperless office in the Netherlands that looks like a meteor fallen from space. Last but not least, we took an exclusive first look inside BIG's mountainous green-roofed eco village in Copenhagen, and tech expert Peter Rojas tackled the question of whether it's better to turn your laptop off or set it to sleep in our Ask a Tech Geek column. |
| Posted: 26 Jun 2011 04:59 PM PDT  Update: Andrea wrote in to tell us that Mirrorless Rumors now has a much clearer publicity shot. Isn't it lovely?  |
| Posted: 26 Jun 2011 03:30 PM PDT Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.  In making the case for Android@Home, Google showed off a new LED light bulb from Lighting Science Group that included the necessary data radio embedded in the bulb. The advantage versus traditional lighting controls is that it removes the requirement for an electrician (or at least advanced DIYer) to build the radio into the wall plate. NXP Semiconductors has also shown off both compact flourescent and LED bulbs that can be controlled wirelessly via smartphones and other devices. But in a quest to tackle two staples of the smart home in one flip of a switch,, speaker house Artison has teamed up with lighting company Sylvania. to create MusicLites. As its name suggests, MusicLites combines lighting controls and multi-zone distributed audio in in a single product, but is it an approach you'll buy into? The core of MusicLites is the $250 MusicLites Model 1, an LED bulb designed to fit into a 4-inch recessed lighting can. The bulb's housing includes a 70mm loudspeaker, 20W RMS, Class D amplifier, wireless receiver, microprocessor, and signal processor. By default, MusicLites output stereo sound, but they can be set to either the act as a left or right speaker to produce greater separation depending on the layout of your room. According to Artison CEO Cary Christie, he'd had the idea for MusicLites many years ago, but it wasn't practical before the advent of affordable LEDs bright enough for home lighting. Alas, MusicLites won't pulse or strobe along to your beats in your mix. Sorry, DJs. The second part of the system is a series of transmitters that plug into audio sources around the home -- USB for PCs, a rechargeable 30-pin option for iDevices, or analog RCA plugs for analog audio outputs. Finally, a basic remote control lets you choose among sources, raise and lower volumes, and mute. Speaking of remotes, MusicLites is the most intriguing idea in whole-home audio since Sonos. Like the Sonos system, it creates its own mesh network in the home. And the MusicLites system is even more transparent and ambient than Sonos' audio boxes. On the other hand, unlike Sonos, MusicLites has no intelligence about what it is playing. However, with the rise of smartphone software to control music servers such as Apple's generically named Remote app for iTunes, that is becoming less important of a requirement.. MusicLites faces some other challenges as well. First, some customers may want to be able to control all their lighting without having to embed a speaker in every socket, leaving the question of wether Sylvania will make far less expensive lights that work the MusicLites protocol but do not include a speaker. Second, some customers who already have automated lighting system might like the idea of transparent whole-home audio, but are loath to have two wireless lighting systems in their home. While this is a very small market today, more energy companies, security companies, and even Verizon are getting into the home automation business. And in addition to the plethora of standards available today, low-power Bluetooth is targeting the market as well. That said, we are seeing more bridges built among these standards. Finally, lighting fixtures where never designed for optimal acoustic placement. It remains to be seen how well MusicLites output will traverse various lampshades and other coverings that are often used around bulbs. One person's really expensive light bulb, though, is another's reasonably priced multi-room sound system; MusicLites seems like a promising approach in enabling our homes to bring more brightness to our eyes and ears. |
| Nokia's N950 splayed by FCC, 12-megapixel camera lurking within Posted: 26 Jun 2011 01:57 PM PDT  |
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