Archive for November, 2005
SkipJam announced today support for Apple’s iPod, providing iPod docking directly to the SkipJam iMedia Center.
Using Firewire (IEEE 1394) or USB 2.0 users can connect their iPods directly to any iMedia Center or to any iMedia enabled PC and immediately play music, photos and video throughout their home. The SkipJam iMedia support for the iPod also allows SkipJam users to record audio or video content directly onto the iPod Storage, creating a plug’n'go recording solution which records shows directly onto the iPod drives for portability.
Users plug in the iPod and the iMedia system automatically recognizes it. No additional steps are required by the user, and there’s no need to “copy” content to or from the iPod. The iPod, once plugged into an iMedia Center, becomes a portable storage extension, and the iPod hard drive can be accessed and played from any TV or Stereo in the home.
For example, the SkipJam - iPod connection would allow a user to dock their iPod Video directly to a SkipJam iMedia Center or to any PC on the home network. Then pick up the iPod in the morning, fully charged, and full of the previous night’s TV content ready for viewing on the train or during lunch.
Alternately, an iPod Nano user in California could dock anywhere on their SkipJam iMedia network, and pick up the iPod the following morning complete with recordings from Internet Broadcasts of New York’s WNYC.
“The SkipJam iMedia Center is a universal audio video hub, with broad support for interconnecting a wide variety of media and formats,” said Michael Spilo, President of SkipJam. “We plan to continue to add functionality to support a wide array of products and platforms.”
SkipJam’s HomeView feature allows users to remotely access their entire home multimedia system, viewing any device or pre-recorded content remotely. The HomeView feature has also been enhanced to support the iPod. The new feature allows users to remotely convert content on the fly to iPod format and to stream any of their home multimedia devices or pre-recorded multimedia content directly to an iPod connected to their away from home PC.
This feature allows users to access high quality home recordings remotely, and download directly from home to the iPod for later viewing.
Complete Feature List
The SkipJam iPod support software provides iPod owners with access to their SkipJam iMedia house-wide multimedia network. This iMedia support opens a portal for iPod owners through which they can enjoy their content on a stereo or large screen TV:
* Play music from the iPod synchronized throughout the whole house
* Schedule automatic recording of TV shows directly to iPod Video drives
* Schedule automatic recording of any audio (e.g. FM or Internet Radio)
directly to iPod
* Access and convert ‘on the fly’ any media from home while away
* Locally convert high quality video recordings to iPod Video format for
portability
* View photos from iPods on any TV in the home
* Share iPod recordings and play them back on multiple TVs at once
* Aggregate content from multiple iPods for a shared multi-user experience
Price and Availability
The SkipJam iMedia Center to iPod interface software is scheduled for release in January, and will be available to existing SkipJam iMedia Center users as an upgrade free of charge.
November 22nd, 2005
Motorola and Skype announced the first Skype-certified Bluetooth headset solution in America, the Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit. Available at 3,500 RadioShack stores nationwide, the Motorola wireless Internet Calling Kit enables Skype users to experience the freedom of wireless while making free, unlimited voice calls over the Internet*.
Comprised of a Motorola H500 Bluetooth Headset and PC850 PC Adapter, the Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit also includes 30 free SkypeOut minutes so users can make Skype calls to mobile and landline phones without additional charges. To experience wireless communications, users plug in the Motorola PC850 PC Adapter to equip traditional laptops and PCs with Bluetooth technology, load the required software onto the PC and follow a simple, step- by-step procedure to establish the cordless connection between the PC and Motorola H500 headset**.
The Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit is the latest offering from Motorola and Skype. Leveraging Motorola’s strength in seamless mobility, advanced technologies, devices and accessories along with Skype’s rapidly- growing global user base and rich voice and messaging communication tools, the companies aim to provide greater connectivity options and access for Skype’s more than 66 million registered worldwide users.
“Motorola and Skype are combining the power of Internet telephony with Bluetooth technology, redefining the ways that consumers can stay in touch,” said Bruce Hawver, vice president and general manager, Motorola, Inc., Companion Products. “Multi-taskers will be impressed with the streamlined communications, using the Motorola H500 Bluetooth Headset for either wire-free mobile or Internet-based calls.”
“By working with Motorola, we’re delivering products that make Skype more accessible to consumers and businesses,” said Niklas Zennstrom, Skype CEO and co-founder. “The Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit is the first Skype- recommended Bluetooth solution in America, reinforcing our mission to evolve the Skype solution beyond the desktop for on-the-go communications.”
With up to approximately eight hours of talk time and a lightweight, ergonomic fit, the Motorola H500 empowers Skype users to embrace wireless connectivity for Internet calls — up to 30 feet away from a Bluetooth-enabled PC. Skype users can also have calls automatically forwarded to their compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones when away from the PC and use the Motorola H500 Headset to wirelessly conduct cord-free conversations on their mobile phone***.
Pricing and Availability
The Skype Motorola Kit is available today at RadioShack and at the online Skype store, for $99.99.
November 22nd, 2005
TiVo has announced an expansion of its TiVoToGo service to include PSPs and iPods.
The move will be welcome news for TiVo users who own one of the popular video playback devices. Up until now, moving video from a TiVo box to a PSP or iPod, involved a complex chain of conversion software to get files into the required MPEG-4 format. Now the conversion will happen natively as part of TiVoToGo.
The TiVoToGo service was rolled out earlier in the year and allows TiVo recordings to be played back on compatible devices such as Portable Media Centers. However, the process is still a little cumbersome. Firstly the recording has to be moved to a PC which happens in realtime. Then the transferred recording is synced with the playback device, which happens a little more quickly. It could still take over an hour to get a one hour show from TiVo to a PSP.
TiVo officials said shows recorded via TiVoToGo will have digital watermarks. The extra encoding will follow the copied program wherever it goes, giving TiVo the ability to trace the origin of a transferred program that might get posted freely onto the Internet.
The PSP and iPod service is available now as a beta to existing TiVoToGo users, but will be rolled out to new users in January.
Source: MediaCenterPCWorld.com
November 21st, 2005
Game: Burnout Revenge
Platform: PS2
Publisher: EA
Price: £29.99 (Amazon.co.uk)
Reviewer: Jay Neill (TechSmec.com staff)
Burnout Revenge is a title that grows on you. In fact it grows on you fast once you can get it into your head that this is a racing game where avoiding collisions isn’t always the best way to do things. If you’ve never played games in the Burnout series before, and you’re expecting Ridge Racer or Gran Turismo, think again. In Burnout, metal mayhem is the order of the day, where knocking your rivals, and innocent bystanders, off the track is not just permitted, it’s positively encouraged. Crashes, explosions, crumpled wrecks - leaving car carnage in your wake will quickly see you advance through the ranks, unlocking new vehicles and tracks as you go.
Even by the standards of arcade racers, this is not a game steeped in realism. Ploughing into the back of a moving van at 200 kph does little more than scratch your paintwork. What such a collision does achieve is to knock the van spinning into the air and over your head, hopefully into the path of a rival. The feeling of satisfaction as the game pauses momentarily so you can watch a slow-mo replay of your opponent being crushed by 20 tonnes of flying metal, or spearing at full speed into a brick wall, is hard to explain and it quickly becomes unsatisfactory just to complete a course by driving fast. Of course, if it was as simple as driving fast, then Burnout Revenge wouldn’t have a USP. Often the only way to complete a level is to meet a set number of ‘Takedowns’ and you’ll find yourself sacrificing speed to make sure you can shunt a rival off the track and into a barrier….or an oncoming artic.
The feeling of speed in Burnout Revenge is awesome and quite unlike any other game to date. Track design is excellent and packed with variety. Freeways, alleyways, docksides and dirt roads mesh together in a maelstrom of colour that flashes past on either side of you. Often you don’t take in your surroundings until you’re out the other side and desperately trying to prepare for the next few seconds. Alternative routes are everywhere. Sometimes it’s a shortcut, sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes it just gives you half a second of breathing space away from the other competitors before the track forces you back together and the violence starts again. Occasionally the shortcut becomes your weapon as you arrive back on the main track in the air, crushing the road-bound mortal beneath you.
Career progression is all about revenge. Quite who you’re trying to get revenge on isn’t clear, but every race won, every takedown created, every ‘awesome’ maneuver adds to your revenge rank and moves you through the game.
Game types vary from straight race, to ‘traffic attack’ where you race alone through rush hour traffic trying to knock as many vehicles out the way as possible. The most morally-questionable game type, in a title full of morally questionable challenges, is ‘crash mode’. Here the object is to drive your vehicle into a busy intersection and cause the most humongous pile-up possible. Success is measured in repair bills and the game ends as the camera pans over the scene of burning devastation, the cost of each wreck flashing up on the screen as you pass. This game is rated ‘U’ in the UK which strikes us as a little lenient. Sure, there are no dead bodies, but a minigame whose sole aim is to cause as big an accident as possible has to be questioned when played by a 7 year old. In fact it has to be questioned when played by a lot of 20 year olds we know, so perhaps the censors decided they didn’t have a rating system sensitive enough and washed their hands of the issue.
All in all, there’s enough in Burnout Revenge to get your heart pounding every time a race begins and to make sure that you have to make a real effort to put the controller down and walk away. Every PS2 owner who loves racing games should add this one to their collection, but if speed’s not up your alley then the over-the-top crash antics make this one to seek out at the rental store or borrow from a mate.
Graphics
Excellent feeling of speed and nicely rendered vehicles add up to a classy looking racer - 8/10
Sound
A great rock soundtrack and innards-churning sound effects from one the best sounding games around - 8/10
Gameplay
Easy to get into, difficult to master gameplay that has just enough variety to keep you coming back time after time until you’ve completed every round - 8/10
Verdict
If you love racing games you have to try Burnout Revenge. If you hate racing games you have to try Burnout Revenge. Without doubt one of the best driving (or crashing) experiences on the PS2. 8/10
November 18th, 2005
Alienware, the manufacturer of high-performance desktop, notebook , media center, server and professional systems, announces the launch of the company’s first-ever branded headphone - the Ozma 7. The Ozma 7 comes out of a unique partnership with leading German headphone manufacturer Ultrasone AG, and will be available for purchase with any of Alienware’s high performance desktop and notebook systems.
The Ozma 7’s use Ultrasone’s patented S-Logic natural surround sound technology and electro-magnetic field emission shielding to produce the most accurate sounding and safest headphones on the market for computer enthusiasts, gamers, and creative professionals. In addition, the Ozma 7’s have a sleek, silver design and the popular Alienware Alien Head logo in the center of the ear cups.
“Alienware continuously strives to enhance the experience for our customers”, explains Patrick Cooper, Director of Product Management for Alienware. “Ultrasone has worked with us for over a year now, offering the company’s unique technology and great sounding headphones to our customers. The Ozma 7’s take this experience to the next level as we have together developed a new headphone that matches the quality and look of our current desktop and notebook systems.”
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The Alienware Ozma 7 features…
1) Advanced S-Logic Natural Surround Sound Technology - S-Logic prevents sound from becoming locked in and makes it seem broad and detached. Directions and distances can be heard and perceived - just like being in a live concert.
2) Safer Hearing - The Ozma 7 headphones are easy on the ears, as the S-Logic technology produces up to a 40% lower dB output (3-4 dB) for the same loudness sensation, thereby reducing the risk of hearing loss.
3) Reduced Magnetic Field Emissions - The Ozma 7 Headphones have strongly reduced radiation. With Ultrasone’s patented ULE (Ultra-Low Emission) technology, these headphones offer a 60% reduction in electronic magnetic field radiation compared to ordinary headphones.
4) Character
These superior headphones are developed from the studio sector and are distinguished by a frequency response especially tuned for DVD . Movie and music enthusiasts will be overwhelmed by their extraordinary sound that makes it seem as though you are listening to speakers that are meters away from your head. Demanding PC gamers will also appreciate the Ozma 7 Headphones because of their impressive three-dimensional sound effects .
Technical Specifications:
* S-Logic Natural Surround Sound
* 3.5, 6.3 mm screw-on gold-plated plug/adapter
* Convenient Carry Case Included
* Frequency Response: 10Hz – 25kHz
* Impedance: 75 ohms
* Sound Pressure Level: 94 dB
* Nominal Headband Pressure: 5.2 N
* Weight (Without Cord): 265 grams
* Cord Length: 3m
For additional information about the Ozma 7 headphones and S-Logic technology go to: http://www.alienware.com/intro_pages/ozma7.aspx.
November 18th, 2005
Breaching the final frontier in IP-based communications, Sony Electronics and Glowpoint, Inc. will be offering a new consumer version of Sony’s IVE service, or Instant Video Everywhere, powered by GlowPoint, featuring free, unlimited video and voice service for consumers worldwide.
Unlike other Internet-based communication applications currently available, the IVE service seamlessly combines the best elements of standard “Voice over IP” (VoIP) services with live, face-to-face feature-rich video-resulting in VoIP Plus, the next generation of IP-based communications. The IVE application can be downloaded for free at http://www.sonyive.com.
With the IVE (pronounced ‘Ivy’) service, consumers will no longer need to choose between traditional audio-only VoIP capabilities and desktop-based video communications. The IVE service offers a seamless experience that allows users to easily:
* Place and receive free, unlimited video and voice calls worldwide with any other IVE user anytime, anywhere.
* Place video and audio calls to cell phones, telephones, and any other traditional video or audio conferencing system.
* Communicate face-to-face beyond the home or the office from any broadband enabled location or “hotspot” - including coffee shops, hotels, airports, college dorms, and more.
Began with Video and Added the Best of Standard VoIP
Together, Sony and GlowPoint have already delivered millions of video usage minutes to thousands of users worldwide. The new IVE service now offers users the best of video and voice communications - including IVE “All You Can See and Say” Unlimited Calling Plans - shifting ear-to-ear conversations to face-to-face communications.
“With millions of Americans already using the Internet for voice-only communications, the demand already exists for something even better– the ability to talk online while seeing each other ‘face-to-face’,” said David Trachtenberg, chief executive officer at GlowPoint. “By continuing to innovate with Sony we are bringing a seamless communications experience to people around the world.”
No More “Islands of Video”
With the IVE service, customers are no longer limited to talking only to other video users on the same proprietary service. The IVE service’s patent-pending standards-based technology allows all IVE users to directly contact all other standards-based video users and even those who do not have video access or webcams. This solves the “islands of video” obstacle that previously restricted wide-scale use of video communications. Instead, the IVE service offers the ability to place free, unlimited ‘audio only’ video calls to anyone, anywhere in the world with no long distance charges or per call fees.
Telephone-Like Features, Reliability and Ease of Use
The IVE service replicates the traditional telephone experience, making IP-based video and voice communications as easy to use as placing a phone call. The IVE service’s patent-pending features include:
* Personal Video Numbers: IVE users each get their own personal video number with which they can easily place and receive video and audio calls.
* Multi-Person Calling: Users can include up to six people in an audio or video conversation.
* Video Call Mailbox: Video and voice callers can leave a video or voice message when an IVE user is not available. IVE users can also personalize their full-motion video outgoing messages.
* Live Video Operators: Users have “one-click” access to a Live Video Operator available for directory assistance, call transfer and more.
* MyIVE User Portal: Allows real-time online call detail, access to Video Call Mailbox messages, and more.
* “Lisa,” the IVE Video Call Assistant: With “Lisa,” a friendly face alerts you when your outgoing calls can not be completed because the person you’re trying to reach is unavailable or the number may not be correct.
* IVE Video Portal: Instant access to previews of feature motion pictures, special promotions for new Sony products, IVE service updates, video customer service and more.
Real World Applications
Translated into everyday applications, the IVE service means late-working or traveling parents can check in on their kids at home using real-time, high-quality video directly from their desktop. Grandparents and grandchildren living in different parts of the world can see and talk to each other. Online daters can see each other face-to-face before meeting in person. Online multi-player gamers can add full-motion video to communicate better between competitors and teammates. Teenagers can show each other what they are wearing to a big party and online poker players can literally “see” if someone is trying to bluff them or not.
“The launch of the IVE service as a free, unlimited use service is a communications watershed moment for consumers–an instantaneous, easy-to-use application that brings people together by literally putting them in the same room,” said Eric Murphy, vice president for integrated visual communications at Sony Electronics. “The IVE service is the result of a shared vision projecting how video will continually evolve as an integral tool that people use to communicate in their daily lives.”
The Sony IVE service, powered by GlowPoint, also offers rich, multi-function upgrades that are packaged into affordable flat-rate monthly services that range from less than $10 a month - or less than $0.35 a day - to $19.95 for advanced, professional grade users.
November 17th, 2005
Despite the presence of the ashes of the world’s most famous space engineer (with apologies to Wernher Von Braun), a US rocket has been grounded until at least Feburary by engine trouble.
The private Falcon 1 rocket, run by Space Services, had been due to lift off with the mortal remains of 168 people on board, including those of James Doohan who played Scotty in Star Trek, but a last minute engine test caused scientists to delay the flight while they sort out a problem.
In stark contrast to Scotty, who would of course never dare give Kirk an estimate of three months to fix a problem with the Enterprise’s engines, present day engineers are hedging their bets and deciding to postpone until after the festive season.
However, as the exchange below between Scotty and Spock from the sixth Star Trek film shows, Scotty wasn’t averse to a bit of overestimation himself, so perhaps Space Services are just covering themselves.
“Ahh, Mr. Scott, I understand you’re having difficulty with the warp drive. How much time do you require for repair?” - Spock
“There’s nothing wrong with the bloody thing!” - Scotty
“Mr. Scott, if we return to Spacedock, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will never see the captain, or Dr. McCoy, alive again” - Spock
“Could take weeks, sir” - Scotty
November 17th, 2005
Microsoft CableLabs have reached an agreement that will allow Microsoft and PC manufacturers to bring to market digital-cable-ready Windows Media Center-based PCs in time for Christmas 2005.
These Media Center PCs, capable of supporting a CableCARD module, will allow consumers to enjoy one-way cable programming, including premium high-definition cable content, on their personal computer and throughout the home on compliant network-connected devices, such as Xbox 360, while protecting cable operators’ investments in high-value content in a digital environment. Microsoft is working closely with CableLabs to document final approval of Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) as a content protection technology for OpenCable products that receive one-way cable content under the terms of this agreement.
“This agreement is an important milestone for our customers who want access to high-definition digital cable content on their PCs and a major step toward enabling a solution for the delivery of that content,” said Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of the Windows eHome Division at Microsoft.
“The cable industry is very interested in having the PC serve as another means to allow consumers to enjoy cable programming,” said Richard R. Green, president and CEO of CableLabs. “By working with Microsoft and the IT industry, we have come up with a solution to enable consumers to enjoy the wide range of entertainment options they want.”
“This agreement carefully balances the need to preserve the flexibility of the personal computer for consumers with the need for cable operators to be confident that the hardware and software shipped with compliant Media Center PCs will function like a CableCARD-enabled digital television,” said Glenn Britt, chairman of CableLabs and chairman and CEO of Time Warner Cable.
The agreement is the culmination of more than two years of extensive evaluation and technical reviews performed by the two entities under the CableLabs OpenCable process to develop specifications and test suites for the new solution.
The specified OpenCable architecture allows for multiple DRM systems to be used in the device and ensures content providers of protected delivery of content to the PC. Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management is the first major DRM system to complete the due diligence necessary for approval by CableLabs.
The OpenCable project will continue to play an important role as the new agreement moves forward, allowing the cable industry to work closely with the consumer electronics and IT industries to innovate rapidly on the new specifications developed by Microsoft and CableLabs.
CableLabs will host interoperability events to enable vendors working on products based on these specifications to test products in CableLabs facilities and conduct more formalized certification testing. More information about the OpenCable project is available at http://www.opencable.com.
November 17th, 2005
IVT Corporation, the Bluetooth technology specialist, announced today at the world Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) conference in London that the world’s first Bluetooth Class 1 Cordless Telephony Profile (CTP) enabled GSM phone is now in mass production. Known as the IVT O100, the new phone acts as a normal cellular phone when outdoors and as a cordless fixed line phone when indoors.
Dr Qiang Gao, CEO of IVT Corporation said: “Given the maturity of the telecommunications market and the growing requirement across the world for solutions to the challenge of FMC, we are confident that there will be high demand from telecoms operators for the new IVT 0100 phone in 2006″.
The Bluetooth Class 1 CTP/GSM phone is a GSM mobile phone with Bluetooth cordless telephony function built-in, which enables the mobile user to connect automatically to a Bluetooth CTP enabled Access Point (AP) in the range of 100 meters in open air via a Bluetooth wireless link, and then acts as the cordless phone of the AP. It provides a simple and effective solution to connect to fixed line networks, IP and mobile networks and can auto-switch between fixed and mobile networks. The Bluetooth CTP phone can be used to dial out or pick up a phone call anywhere in the range of an AP but the cost of the call is the same as that of a fixed line or IP network. Users will return to the GSM mode automatically when it is out of the range of an AP.
Field tests have shown that the IVT O100 can talk to the IVT Bluetooth Class 1 CTP enabled AP up to 150 meters in the open air. With a single 700 mAh battery, the CTP talking time reaches 8 hours and the standby time 100 hours. The IVT O100 has passed GCF, CE and Bluetooth Qualification.
The new IVT 100 was demonstrated for the first time today at the World
Fixed-Mobile Conference in London.
November 15th, 2005
If you have a pile of Xbox games that you are planning on running on your shiny new Xbox 360 later this month, then you had better make sure you’ve gone for the version with a hard drive. The backward compatibility feature is dependent on having somewhere to store the emulation software disc image, so no hard drive - no emulation.
Microsoft has gone for a software-based system in stark contrast to Sony’s hardware solution for backward compatibility between the PlayStation and the PlayStation2. This give Microsoft the flexibility to update the code to allow for idiosynchrasies in individual games as more and more titles get ‘Xbox 360 certified’. At the moment 212 titles have that certification (you can see the full list here).
November 15th, 2005
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