Archive for October, 2006
Logitech today announced that its award-winning NuLOOQ navigator, originally released with support for the Mac OS and Adobe Creative Suite 2 as part of the NuLOOQ Professional Series bundle is now available unbundled and with added support for Windows XP, and a host of additional applications. The NuLOOQ navigator is an innovative device used in conjunction with a mouse and a keyboard that allows people to better navigate and manipulate graphics and multimedia files. It significantly reduces repetitive use of shortcut keys or palette access typically needed to navigate images and documents, or to adjust values such as brush size, font size and even volume.Applications running on either the Windows XP operating system or the Macintosh OS X, that work with the NuLOOQ navigator, include Adobe Illustrator CS2, Adobe InDesign CS2, Adobe Photoshop CS2, Adobe Bridge, Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie, iTunes, Microsoft Office Word and Excel, and Safari. For added flexibility, NuLOOQ navigator can be easily configured to support virtually any application.
“Since its launch earlier this year, NuLOOQ navigator has provided digital photographers and creative professionals with a fun and easy-to-use input device, and the ability to streamline repetitive tasks,” said Pratish Shah, vice president of business development for NuLOOQ. “By expanding the product´s support to include Windows, we are able to bring these benefits to a wider range of people. The added application support and user flexibility make the NuLOOQ navigator an exceptional value for digital photographers, creative professionals and business users alike.”
The NuLOOQ navigator is a creative partner to a mouse and a tablet or keyboard. Approximately the size and shape of half a tennis ball, this stationary device has a moveable rubber-like ring (the navring) for easy navigation — including simultaneous panning and zooming — of images and documents. Located on top of the NuLOOQ navigator, a circular touch-sensitive disk (the tooltuner) can be used to precisely adjust tool or system attributes, such as brush or font size. The NuLOOQ navigator also has five embedded programmable buttons (triggerpoints) for calling up frequently used tools or commands. Additional features include:
* Effortless navigation: Logitech´s innovative navring can be moved in six directions — left, right, up, down, and twist clockwise and counter clockwise — for navigating images and documents. Using just two fingers to nudge the navring, people can navigate to the right, left, or diagonally for full, 360-degree panning and zooming.
* Precise adjustment of brush size or font attributes: The unique touch-sensitive, circular disk tooltuner enables people to fine-tune a number of different values based on the application. It´s easy to quickly adjust the brush size in Photoshop, font size in Word, leading and tracking in InDesign, or to scrub video in iMovie or even to adjust volume in iTunes.
* Quick command access: Five built-in triggerpoint buttons embedded in the tooltuner provide instant access to commands, shortcuts and modifier keys, and are fully programmable. For added convenience, NuLOOQ automatically detects which application is active, making custom configurations possible.
* User configurable for virtually any application: NuLOOQ navigator is preconfigured to work out of the box for a range of applications, and can be configured for virtually any application. For example, people can scrub timelines in video and audio applications, scroll through pages in a browser and control iTunes quickly without bringing iTunes to the foreground.
NuLOOQ Professional Series users can continue downloading and using NuLOOQ navigator drivers for both Mac OS X and Windows. NuLOOQ tooldial, which was previously available as a standalone product and as a component of NuLOOQ Professional Series, is no longer available.
Pricing and Availability
The NuLOOQ navigator has a suggested retail price in the U.S. of $79.99 and will be available through select resellers and major computer and electronics superstores, as well as through Logitech´s online store. Current NuLOOQ navigator or NuLOOQ Professional Series users can download the NuLOOQ navigator Windows driver free of charge in mid-October from www.logitech.com. More information about the Logitech NuLOOQ navigator is available at www.logitech.com/nulooq.
October 10th, 2006
Video search engine Blinkx is to license its technology to Microsoft.
The agreement allows Microsoft’s multimedia and online products to “have the option to integrate Blinkx services if their customers request such a service”.
Financial details were not disclosed.
San Francisco based Blinkx uses its proprietry voice recognition software to analyse and index video content from around the web. This differentiates it from services such as YouTube which actually host video content themselves. Blinkx already powers video search on sites ranging from AOL to ITN, Lycos and Times Online.
October 10th, 2006
In a move that will surprise few, Google has purchased YouTube for $1.65 billion in a stock-for-stock transaction. However, the statement announcing the acquisition made it clear that the video sharing website will continue to operate independently.
“The YouTube team has built an exciting and powerful media platform that complements Google’s mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” said Eric Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of Google. “Our companies share similar values; we both always put our users first and are committed to innovating to improve their experience. Together, we are natural partners to offer a compelling media entertainment service to users, content owners and advertisers.”
The question naturally arises as to how Google will integrate YouTube into its search results and whether the company was purchased as a revenue generator in its own right, or as a conduit into its millions of users, its technology, or its video library. Crucially the statement makes mention of Google’s massive advertiser base, suggesting that it has plans to improve on the monetization of its new toy.
There will be no job losses from YouTube in the immediate future.
October 9th, 2006
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has revealed which three movies in its stable will be the first to get the 50GB Blu-Ray treatment, promising increased bonus features and interactivity.’Click’ will hit the shelves on November 14, with ‘The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ and ‘Blackhawk Down’ following on December 12. ‘Blackhawk will be the first title to feature Sony’s new ‘Blu-Wizard’ playlist technology, which lets viewers customize the way they watch special features.
All three titles were authored by the Sony Pictures Digital Authoring Center and manufactured by Sony.
“As consumers make the leap to Blu-ray’s incredible high-definition picture and cinema quality audio, they want access to a diverse selection of content packed with added-value features and reference titles,” said David Bishop, president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
Only two other studios have announced a 50GB disc. 20th Century Fox is releasing ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ on November 14, and Lionsgate is preparing ‘The Descent’ for a December release.
October 9th, 2006
In an unusual move, Nintendo has launched its DS Browser in Europe, while continuing to neglect the USA.
The DS Browser, developed by Opera, has been available in Japan for half a year. It comes in the form of a cartridge that plugs into the DS. There are two varieties - one for the standard DS and one for DS Lite.
Nintendo claims that any web page can be displayed, although there is no Flash capability yet. Pages can be viewed in a single column, spreading across both screens, or in ‘DS mode’ where the entire page is shown on the bottom screen, with a zoomed-in section on the top.
The Opera Browser for the DS and DS Lite is priced at £29.99 (about $56) in the UK and across Europe at €39.99 (around $50).
October 9th, 2006
Three new Pioneer Elite PureVision plasma televisions introduced today send a clear message to consumers that the time is right to purchase one of the most technologically advanced plasmas available on the market. The new Elite 42” PRO-940HD, 50” PRO-1140HD and 60” PRO-1540HD televisions incorporate the latest innovations in proprietary plasma technologies that deliver brighter, sharper and richer images unmatched in the industry.
Several Pioneer exclusive technologies work in tandem to give consumers an unparalleled picture and home theatre experience. Newly designed glass and the First Surface PRO Color Filter improve picture contrast and provide greater detail in darker scenes, resulting in a purer more accurate picture on screen. A Redesigned Deep Encased Cell Structure and improved red and blue phosphor technology improve overall brightness, while a Crystal Emissive Layer bonded directly to the plasma glass is responsible for improved panel efficiency and better contrast.
The new Elite models are the first Pioneer plasmas to incorporate an exclusive home networking program, Home Media Gallery™ that easily connects to an existing home network via Ethernet or USB. This feature provides users direct access to movies, music and photos stored on a networked PC or any other DLNA compliant device for immediate viewing on the plasma in stunning HD quality.
“Pioneer has combined the latest cutting edge plasma technologies with sleek cosmetics to bring a true theatre experience into the consumer’s home.” said Paul Meyhoefer, vice president of displays for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “With nearly ten years of plasma engineering firsts, these Elite plasmas are another example of best-in-class picture, engineering excellence and performance you won’t find anywhere else.”
PLASMA, A HOME THEATRE MASTERPIECE
Plasma technology is at the forefront in providing significant benefits over less accomplished display technologies. Plasma televisions are the ideal choice for discerning consumers displaying true to life color, the widest viewing angles (without color shift or distortion) and the ability to provide virtually no motion blur during fast action scenes. Pioneer continues to create technology that makes a difference, upping the ante with each new model of plasma introduced and incorporating more industry first features and benefits than its competitors.
For ease of use, Pioneer plasmas offer TV Guide™ OnScreen® electronic program guides with eight days of programming. The televisions have dual standard definition (NTSC) and a single high definition (ATSC) tuner built in. They are Digital Cable Ready (DCR) and include a CableCARD™ slot for standard and high definition broadcasts. Dual independent HDMI connectivity rounds off a stellar host of standard input and output options, for seamless connection to practically any source or signal.
Pioneer Elite televisions offer the option of ISF calibration. This feature allows consumers to have a trained professional finely tune their plasma adjusting color, brightness and contrast all to the specific tastes of the owner and the room in which it resides. Settings include two additional viewing modes for both day and night viewing.
Audio is equally important to the ultimate high definition experience. A fully integrated one-body design on the 42” plasma and side-mounted, detachable speakers on the 50” and 60” televisions use SRS(WOW)™ technology, which includes SRS Surround, TruBass® and Focus™ for superior audio quality. SRS (WOW) offers a trio of surround sound modes and with an additional sub-woofer connection the home theatre experience is complete.
Sixty thousand hours (20 years at 8 hours per day) is an approximate time for the display panel to reach half of its original luminescence. This approximation may vary depending on source and type of content, settings, environment and use. This approximation does not provide or imply any warranty beyond the manufacturer’s standard limited warranty.
The full Pioneer line of Elite plasmas (PRO-940HD, PRO-1140HD and PRO-1540HD) are now available and shipping for suggested prices of $3,500, $5,000 and $7,500 respectively.
Pioneer’s Home Entertainment Division is a leading marketer of plasma televisions and monitors, Blu-ray Disc, DVD players and DVD recorders, A/V receivers, speakers and other audio and video accessories. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including Digital Network Entertainment. The company markets its products under the Pioneer and Elite brand names. When purchased from an authorized dealer, consumers receive a limited warranty for one year with Pioneer products and two years with Elite products.
October 9th, 2006
Logitech today unveiled the Logitech ChillStream controller for PlayStation3, the company’s first product designed specifically for Sony’s next-generation gaming platform. Logitech’s patented ChillStream technology includes a built-in 40 mm fan that circulates up to 3.41 cubic feet of air every minute, while generating very little noise. Three narrow vents on each side of the controller push air directly onto the four fingers, the base of the thumb and the palm of the hand. The air stream can be used in one of three settings – high, low, or off. The Logitech ChillStream controller for PlayStation 3 has a suggested retail price of $39.99 in the U.S. The controller will be available in the U.S. when the PlayStation 3 launches in November.
In addition to the ChillStream controller, Logitech has announced that several of Logitech current game controllers are also compatible with the new PlayStation 3 console: the award-winning Logitech Driving Force Pro wheel Logitech Driving Force EX wheel and the Logitech USB headset for PlayStation will also work with PlayStation 3 games in addition to legacy PlayStation 2 titles.
October 5th, 2006
Windows Vista is being equipped with a set of tools that will render it next to useless unless it is activated.
Users will have 30 days after installation to enter a valid activation code, after which the operating system will run in “reduced functionality mode”, also referred to as “ugly mode” by several sources. What that means is a little unclear, but one aspect has been spelled out. Internet Explorer will run for one more hour after which the user will be logged out. Use that hour wisely - message your friends, order your shopping from Tesco, but whatever you do, enter a valid key, or order a valid copy.
Even if a genuine code is entered, Microsoft will check the key again at every possible opportunity, including when other Windows software is installed.
If a newly-installed piece of software discovers an invalid code it will first block access to the Windows Defender anti-spyware tool, ReadyBoost memory expansion feature and Aero advanced graphics option. In addition a persistent text will display in the lower right hand of the screen: “This copy of Windows is not genuine.”
Microsoft is also cracking down on OEM suppliers who buy bulk licenses of Windows. In the past a single universal activation has been provided that they can use on unlimited copies. What often happened was that the key was stored unencrypted on a server and, of course, someone would steal it and publish it online. With Vista Microsoft will insist that a unique key is used for each copy of the OS.
October 4th, 2006
In what must be one of the most tedious hoaxes of all time, Mischa Spiegelmock, who earlier this week demonstrated what he claimed was an exploit in the Mozilla Firefox web browser, has admitted that the hack does not exist. In fact, the claim made by his co-speaker, Andrew Wbeelsoi, to have 30 other undisclosed exploits was also a load of porky-pies.
“We mentioned that there was a previously known Firefox vulnerability that could result in a stack overflow ending up in remote code execution,” wrote Spiegelmock in a message published on the Mozilla website. “However, the code we presented did not in fact do this, and I personally have not gotten it to result in code execution, nor do I know of anyone who has.
“I do not have 30 undisclosed Firefox vulnerabilities, nor did I ever make this claim. I have no undisclosed Firefox vulnerabilities,” he added.
So that’s clear then. Someone has been wasting Mozilla’s time, which is probably fairly limited already with the imminent release of Firefox 2 RC2. What was the purpose behind these false claims?
Apparently “humour”, but it’s hard to believe how a bunch of security experts and hackers, who had spent the day watching demonstrations of real exploits in software, would find a fake demo particularly funny. So, perhaps, “fame” was a more likely explaination? Well, they’ve acheived that now, at least in the limited circles in which they operate, but as for converting that fame to something tangible like cash…that seems rather unlikely in the light of this admission.
October 4th, 2006
DVD Jon, the erstwhile thorn in the side of any company who hopes to use DRM to protect their products, has reportedly hacked Apple’s Fairplay technology. If you’re not familiar with Fairplay, that’s the system that ensures that music purchased from Napster or Coke Music, or indeed any other online music store, won’t play on an iPod. Boo, hiss, we say to Apple about this, and so does Jon.
TechSmec.com is a little confused. Over a year ago we reported that DVD Jon, or Jon Johansen to give him his full and legal monicker, was now on the payroll at Apple, having annoyed Steve Jobs so much that he adopted the ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ approach. However, at some point in the last 18 months that must have gone sour as Jon is back and has reportedly added a layer on top of Fairplay that allows music sold from sources other than iTunes to play on an iPod. It’s the fact that he is adding to Fairplay, not hacking it, that makes Jon confident that this time, he is on the right side of the law.
Jon was so confident that Apple wouldn’t be able to find fault with his new software that he approached Steve Jobs himself about it. The big man was apparently calm and didn’t immediately reach for the phone to call his lawyers, but the blogsphere doesn’t expect that situation to last for long.
October 3rd, 2006
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