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Saturday, July 16, 2011

Android App Displays Brain Waves Via Wireless Headband [VIDEO] (Mashable) : Technet

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Android App Displays Brain Waves Via Wireless Headband [VIDEO] (Mashable) : Technet

Android App Displays Brain Waves Via Wireless Headband [VIDEO] (Mashable)

Posted: 15 Jul 2011 06:35 PM PDT

Charlie White Charlie White – Fri Jul 15, 9:35 pm ET

[More from Mashable: LG Launches Two New Gingerbread Phones: Optimus Pro & Optimus Net]

Here's an experimental app that can measure your brain waves. This wireless device embraces the head, clips onto an earlobe, and measures neural activity and pulse. The results are sent to an gaming app installed on an Android smartphone, which displays graphs and info about the state of the brain during a 30-second test.

This reminds us of the XWave device we reviewed last winter. That $100 headband wasn't wireless, but plugged into an iPhone's earphone jack. As it communicated with an iPhone app, the more cerebral members of our group were able to document their state of nirvana for all to see.

[More from Mashable: Top 3 Stories This Morning: Spotify, Klout & Netflix]

While that device was pretty much a parlor game, this conceptual device, designed by KDDI R&D Laboratories, looks to be more sophisticated. According to Japan Trends, the device was introduced this week at the International Modern Hospital Show in Tokyo, and is more of a biofeedback system, appearing to take portable brainwave measurement to the next level.

The signal from its headband is received on an Android smartphone, where the test subject plays one of three different games for 30 seconds. Then, the app displays a chart that graphs concentration and meditation, otherwise known as "focused state" and "relaxed state." The app also works without a game, where the test subject thinks about various emotional topics for 30 seconds, and then measures the result.

The device is not available for sale yet. So far, it's in the concept and research stage. Could this be the precursor to portable lie detectors? Perhaps it could be used for market research, measuring people's reactions to various advertisements or products. Maybe it could be used to gauge the interest level of a tech article on the web.

Still, we're skeptical. Let us know in the comments if you think this is a useful brain research tool, or just another parlor game.

Graphic courtesy KDDI R&D Laboratories

This story originally published on Mashable here.

US lauds regional model Turkey but criticises on free speech (AFP)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 10:29 AM PDT

by Christophe Schmidt Christophe Schmidt – Sat Jul 16, 1:29 pm ET

ISTANBUL (AFP) – US Secretery of State Hillary Clinton Saturday lauded Turkey as an example of democratic progress in a turbulent region, but chided its NATO ally over free speech and Internet restrictions.

On a two-day visit to Istanbul, Clinton reaffirmed US support for the mainly Muslim country's faltering bid to join the European Union and urged a speedy solution to the Cyprus conflict, a major stumbling block in its aspirations.

Washington welcomes "Turkey?s rise as an economic power, a leader in the region and beyond, and a valued ally on the most pressing global challenges," Clinton told reporters after talks with Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.

"Across the region, people... are seeking to draw lessons from Turkey's experience. It is vital that they learn the lessons that Turkey has learned," she said of a nation bordering unrest-hit countries such as Syria and Iraq.

"Turkey's history serves as a reminder that democratic development depends on responsible leadership," she said.

Clinton's praise however came with a dose of criticism as she voiced misgivings over media freedoms and creeping restrictions on the Internet.

"If there is an area that I'm concerned about with recent actions in Turkey... it's the area of freedom of expression and freedom of the media," she said earlier on CNN Turk television.

"I do not think it's necessary or in Turkey's interest to be cracking down on journalists or bloggers and the Internet.... It seems to me inconsistent with all other advances that Turkey has made," she said.

About 60 journalists are in prison in Turkey, according to press groups.

They include popular figures charged as part of a long-running probe into alleged plots to discredit and oust the Islamist-rooted ruling party, which critics say has degenerated into a campaign to bully the opposition.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has displayed a dwindling tolerance to criticism and routinely attacks the media.

The authorities have blocked access to many Internet sites and drawn up a plan to introduce mandatory filtering for Internet users, with the stated aim of shielding children from harmful content.

Clinton said Washington continues to "wholly and enthusiastically support" Ankara's EU membership talks, under threat of grinding to a halt amid rows with Cyprus and objections to Turkey's accession by some members, notably France.

The 37-year division of Cyprus between its Greek and Turkish communities has been at the core of Turkey's troubles with the EU.

"We don't think the status quo in Cyprus benefits anyone," Clinton said.

"We want to see a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and we would like to see it as soon as possible," she added.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon last week set an October target for Cypriot leaders to secure a broad accord on reunification.

Peace talks have been under way since September 2008 without any tangible progress.

Earlier Saturday, Clinton visited Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual head of the world's Orthodox Christians, at his seat in the ancient heart of Istanbul dating back to Byzanthine times when the city was called Constantinople.

The patriarchate has long sought US support to press Turkey to broaden the freedoms of its tiny non-Muslim minorities and re-open a major Greek Orthodox seminary, shut since 1971.

Clinton, who attended the meeting of the Libya contact group in Istanbul Friday, was to wrap up her visit after talks with Erdogan and opposition leaders.

Clinton slams Turkey on media freedom (AFP)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 06:24 AM PDT

– Sat Jul 16, 9:24 am ET

ISTANBUL (AFP) – The United States is concerned about media freedom and free speech in Turkey amid the arrest of dozens of journalists and Internet restrictions, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday.

"If there is an area that I'm concerned about with recent actions in Turkey ... it's the area of freedom of expression and freedom of the media," Clinton, in Istanbul on a two-day visit, said on CNN Turk television.

"I do not think it's necessary or in Turkey's interest to be cracking down on journalists or bloggers and the Internet because Turkey is strong enough ... with enough voices, and if there are differences of opinion, those will be drowned out by others who can debate it in the marketplace of ideas," she said.

"It seems to me inconsistent with all other advances that Turkey has made," she said, adding that, "If I were in the Turkish government I would be standing up for freedom of expression."

Clinton was in Istanbul for a meeting of the Libya contact group on Friday and talks with Turkish leaders later Saturday.

About 60 journalists are in prison in Turkey, according to press groups.

They include prominent government critics charged as part of a long-running probe into alleged plots to discredit and oust the Islamist-rooted ruling party, which critics say, has degenerated into a campaign to silence the opposition.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has displayed a dwindling tolerance to criticism and routinely attacks the media.

Earlier this year, he defended the unprecedented banning of a yet-unpublished book, penned by one of the jailed journalists, saying: "some books are more destructive than bombs."

Many journalists have also complained of mounting self-censorship since Erdogan's Justice and Development Party came to power in 2002.

The authorities have blocked access to many Internet sites and drawn up a plan to introduce mandatory filtering for Internet users, with the stated aim of shielding children from harmful content.

Google 'Opens' Up EBook Business; Story HD First of Many E-Readers (ContributorNetwork)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 01:23 PM PDT

Jared Spurbeck Jared Spurbeck – Sat Jul 16, 4:23 pm ET
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A few days ago, Google announced on its official blog the release of the "iriver Story HD," "the first e-reader integrated with the open Google eBooks platform". And while a lot of outlets implied that this was somehow Google's version of the Amazon Kindle, it's not ... not any more than the T-Mobile G1 was Google's version of the iPhone.

But wasn't it?

No. In a nutshell, the e-reader in question wasn't made by Google. It buys books from the Google Books service, but it was made by a company called iriver (lack of capitalization in the original), which uses the "open Google eBooks platform" ... sort of like how the T-Mobile G-1 was a project by HTC and T-Mobile, which used Google's open-source Android operating system.

So, wait. Does that mean Google Books is open-source?

No. "Open" is, unfortunately, a relative term.

"Open-source" means you can look at the programming code. It's implied that you can then take that code and do anything you want with it, but some open-source licenses don't actually let you do this, or else they apply restrictions on what you can do with it. Most of Android is open-source, but you need Google's permission to make a smartphone or tablet that uses the Google apps, like the Android Market.

Google Books is, according to Google, "open to all publishers, retailers and manufacturers." So while a hobbyist can download Android and make a custom version of it for his or her phone, like CyanogenMod, that's not what Google Books is for.

What is it, then?

It's basically the Android Market, except for books. In fact, you can already buy books on the Android Market right now, and then read them on your Android smartphone or tablet using the Google Books app.

Since Google keeps track of what books you have already bought, you can read those books anywhere, on any device that's synced to your Google Books account. That presumably includes the iriver Story HD.

So it's like the Amazon.com bookstore?

Yep. Except that it uses the Google Books app instead of the Amazon Kindle app.

And the iriver Story HD is like a Kindle that reads Google Books.

Exactly. Up 'till now, the only way to read Google Books on the go was to use your Android or Apple device, or a laptop or desktop computer connected to the Internet. Now there's a black-and-white, "e-ink" reader that works with it, too.

So what does that "open" thing mean, again?

It means this won't be the only one, if all goes well. Just like more than one company can make Android smartphones, it seems that any manufacturer can now make these e-reader tablets. So if you don't like the Story HD -- I personally don't care for its styling -- just wait a little while and see what happens.

Doesn't the Nook run Android?

Yes, but it doesn't have Google Books.

Run that by me again.

Remember how I said you need Google's permission to get the Google apps for your Android device? Barnes and Noble just took the open-source code and ran with it. No Android Market for it. And the Nook Color has its own app store now, but it's not nearly as big as the Market.

Why didn't Barnes and Noble get Google's permission?

First, because it wasn't trying to make "an Android tablet." It was trying to make "The Reader's Tablet," a simplified cross between an e-reader and a true tablet. Android "Honeycomb" can be overwhelming, and Barnes and Noble just wanted people to be able to jump in and start reading (and buying) e-books.

And second, I imagine it has something to do with the fact that Barnes and Noble has its own ebook store already.

Ah, gotcha.

Exactly.

Anyway, it looks like a new challenger to the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, and Sony e-readers has arrived. One hopes that it's up to the challenge.

The Week in Android Devices: Amazon’s tablet and Motorola’s PHOTON 4G (Appolicious)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 01:00 PM PDT

J.Lo, Anthony fans tweet their feelings over split (Reuters)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 02:55 PM PDT

By Jake Weinraub Jake Weinraub – Sat Jul 16, 5:55 pm ET

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap) – People on Twitter responded with a range of sadness to eye-rolls upon the news that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are separating after seven years of marriage.

Even actor Jason Alexander added his voice to the mix:

@IJasonAlexander: JLo is back in play. Anyone hooks me up with her cell number and then it's just a matter of time.

"Entertainment Tonight" co-host Nancy O'Dell (@NancyODell): "So sorry to hear the Jennifer Lopez/Marc Anthony news."

Entertainment news commentator Dan Wootton (@danwootton): "Shocked that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have split. They seemed so in love on American Idol."

Here is a sampling of some fan responses:

- @KardashK_Army: So so shocked that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have split. So sudden and out of nowhere! Good luck to them both in the future ?

- @4eyedmonk: But J-Lo has every reason to be proud of this one.....this marriage lasted over 3 times longer than her last 2....applause!!!

- @BigJooceBabaaay: JLO gets divorced whenever she releases an album!

- @Danniimeanogue: Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony to divorce. Jlo to write a new song about the split called "Love costs a lot more nowadays."

- @juicymorsel: The split between JLo and Mark Anthony is amiable now that they have agreed who gets custody of the full-length mirrors.

Also Saturday, a spokesman for Lopez and Anthony's "American Idol"-style singing show "Q-Viva: The Chosen" told Variety the show will go ahead as planned.

3D Games Come to Smartphones (ContributorNetwork)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 01:23 PM PDT

Jared Spurbeck Jared Spurbeck – Sat Jul 16, 4:23 pm ET
Contribute content like this. Start here.

The launch of the Nintendo 3DS was a landmark, for two separate reasons. First: It was the first game console with genuine, three-dimensional graphics since the Virtual Boy (except that it didn't give you such a headache). And second, it was one of the first autostereoscopic 3d devices to be sold to a mass audience; perhaps the first if you don't count smartphones, which are usually only available to people who buy a data plan.

Already, more than a dozen titles are available for the Nintendo 3DS. But while Sony has yet to release -- or even plan -- an autostereoscopic 3D version of its PlayStation Portable handheld game console, another ambitious video game company is getting in on the action ... this one, a developer called Gameloft.

Enter the Android

Apple's iPhone and iPad may be starting to dominate the handheld gaming market. But while Android still has fewer games, fewer good games, and no real iPod Touch-style devices, what it does offer is freedom -- the freedom for developers and manufacturers to come up with features and apps that aren't possible on other platforms. That's why many game companies are choosing Android over Apple's platform; there are things that they want to do that they can't.

One of those things is the "PlayStation Phone," the Sony Ericcson Xperia Play. Another is autostereoscopic 3d, because unlike with Apple's products there are a handful of high-end Android smartphones that have it. Like the HTC Evo 3D, on Sprint's network. And like the LG Optimus 3D, which is already being touted by LG as a portable gaming platform.

Is "the era of dedicated handheld gaming" really over, as LG exec Park Jong-seok said? Hardly; especially now, as Nintendo ramps up its assault. But with more and more people of all ages turning to Apple and Android devices -- and using them for everything, including games -- it seems likely that if it's not here yet, it probably will be soon.

The first wave arrives

Already a half-dozen 3d titles are available from Gameloft, according to the Droid Gamers website, and Gameloft has a total of 17 planned for the near future. These aren't simple minigames, like you may be used to playing on (non-Apple) smartphones. They're games like NOVA, Assassin's Creed, and even a game based on the Avatar film (itself a 3d movie). And with other game developers creating sophisticated augmented reality games, which blend real life playing pieces with 3d effects, one can only wonder how long it will be until the first truly immersive 3D AR game is released.

Maybe it'll be on the 3DS. But I bet Android developers like Gameloft would like to race for it.

How Ravenous Games satisfies the hunger for simple titles on the iPhone (Appolicious)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 11:00 AM PDT

Hitpost Sports founder on creating a hit Android app (Appolicious)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 08:00 AM PDT

UltraViolet cloud-based streaming video launching soon (Digital Trends)

Posted: 15 Jul 2011 09:42 PM PDT

Mike Flacy Mike Flacy – Sat Jul 16, 12:42 am ET

blu-ray collectionThe first UltraViolet-enabled devices and titles are cleared for release this fall. The Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem alliance has begun the licensing process making UltraViolet available to the consumer as early as October. If a consumer purchases a new Blu-ray or DVD movie, UltraViolet allows the consumer to create an account to own the digital rights of the content. With a digital locker of content in the cloud, consumers can authorize up to twelve devices to access the content via streaming. Consumers can authorize the digital rights to six other members of the household as well. Consumers also have the option of downloading the movie if the physical media is lost.  There's no charge for the service beyond the original cost of the disc.

UltraViolet-logoOffering flexibility to access content is a major goal of studios to combat piracy. The majority of the studios have signed on to provide Ultraviolet support with the exception of Disney. Apple is also remaining quiet on support of the technology, but support for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch will be made available through third party applications.

Detractors of Ultraviolet view the technology as advanced DRM since access to cloud content requires an Internet connection at all times.  There's also the possibility that reselling a used disc on a third party service like eBay is impossible if the disc is already registered to another account. There are privacy concerns over the content of digital lockers as well. With a vast wealth of information about consumer purchases, studios can more accurately tailor advertisements to consumers though direct channels or product placement.

Hardware and software that supports Ultraviolet will have a new "UV" logo on the packaging (as seen above). Initial partners of the Ultraviolet tech include LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba as well as Cisco, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, and Nokia. Consumers can expect product announcements of Ultraviolet-compatible hardware at CEDIA in early September, if not sooner. It's unclear if current hardware can be upgraded with new firmware to access Ultraviolet. Warner Bros., Paramount, Fox, Universal, Sony Pictures and Lionsgate are in the process of rolling out support on the software side and likely have a new reason to re-release discs beyond special editions or extended versions.

Fooducate founder on the ingredients of a successful iPhone app (Appolicious)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 06:00 AM PDT

Opera Mini slims smartphone data streams (AFP)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 11:06 AM PDT

by Glenn Chapman Glenn Chapman – Sat Jul 16, 2:06 pm ET

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – Opera Mini web-browsing software for smartphones has become an antidote for congested telecom networks and carrier bills that rise along with the amount of data streamed to handsets.

As the popularity of smartphones and tablets continues to surge and telecom carriers shy away from all-you-can-eat wireless data plans, Opera is wooing users with technology that minimizes bytes of data streamed over the air.

Opera Mini was the world's most popular mobile phone browser program in June with just shy of 23 percent of the market, according to figures from industry tracker StatCounter.

Nokia and Android browsers were nearly tied for second place, with 17.66 percent and 17.25 percent respectively, StatCounter reported.

Opera Mini, made by Norway-based Opera Software, boasted more than 120 million users with devices ranging from simple feature phones to sophisticated table computers.

"We actually minimize the amount of over the air network usage," Opera executive vice president of consumer mobile Mahi de Silva told AFP.

"We definitely think we can get more mileage for the user," he added.

Opera Mini technology shrinks the amount of data necessary to stream to wireless gadgets and then compresses the information it does send to economize on time and bandwidth, explained de Silva.

Opera Mini claimed to cut the amount of data streamed by as much as 90 percent while delivering the information being sought by wireless gadget users.

"You have the economical equation," de Silva said. "And the fact that your browser works; you can get to and browse data in places where networks are congested."

Virgin Mobile plans to begin throttling streaming speeds for data on plans that let people pay fixed prices to stream unlimited amounts of digital data to mobile phones.

The move by Virgin raised expectations that parent company Sprint would follow suit with was to curb rampant data streaming to mobile devices.

Last week, the leading provider of service for smartphones in the United States became the latest carrier to drop all-you-can-eat plans completely.

Verizon Wireless joined AT&T and T-Mobile USA in a shift away from unlimited data plans.

As modern lifestyles increasing involved using wireless gadgets to access videos, pictures, maps, and other data on the internet, companies handling that traffic are asking people to pay monthly based on quantity.

The trend toward metering wireless data use also comes as US carriers invest in new-generation networks that promise huge advances in data speeds.

"Their bandwidth is being consumed, saturated, and that is why they are moving away from all-you-can-eat plans," de Silva said of telecom carriers.

Opera Mini software is available free to gadget users. Opera technology is also licensed to device makers and carriers.

Operators in Russia and Indonesia market discounted Opera data plans based on the premise that the browser takes pressure off networks.

"We are minimizing the amonts of bits and bytes on the wire," de Silva said.
at 9:56 PM

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