by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
Synaptics has announced new gestures to join its expanding portfolio of gesture recognition capabilities, with the ChiralRotate and Two-Finger Flick taking the limelight. Just in case Synaptics rings a bell, that’s because its TouchPads are often found in popular notebook brands as well as peripheral keyboards, and in light of Apple’s multi-touch capability on its iPhone and iPod touch, it makes perfect sense for Synaptics to do something about the situation and shore up their portfolio. For the uninitiated, ChiralRotate allows users to move one finger in a circular motion to rotate images and graphics within applications, quickly and easily while Two-Finger Flick enables users, depending on the application, to either use two fingers to flick horizontally to navigate back-and-forth through images, documents and objects, or to flick vertically to minimize and maximize an application.
Windows users would be pleased to note that ChiralRotate and Two-Finger Flick are 100% compatible with hundreds of Microsoft Windows applications. I can see that grin on your face – is your finger already itching to perform a few flicks? It would be interesting to see just how much easier life on a TouchPad is with the incorporation of both motions, as to whether both (or one) will be a novelty after a while remains to be seen. One thing that you cannot deny though, is the usability testing that Synaptics have put both gestures through in order to bring the very best to consumers and users alike. The ChiralMotion gesture, in fact, has gone through multiple usability tests that proved Synaptics’ theory that continuous circular movement of the finger on the TouchPad is the most desirable, natural gesture for users to perform.
Would be nice to see notebooks include much larger touchpads in the future though if the ChiralMotion and Two-Finger Flick gestures are to be enjoyed at its optimal level. Let’s face the facts ? touchpads these days aren’t up to snuff when it comes to real estate space allocated for it.
Press Release
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
Research In Motion, maker of the BlackBerry smartphone range, shares plummeted up to 16 percent in just hours of trading yesterday as a result of RIM issuing a softer than expected third quarter profit forecast.
Research In Motion dampened analysts expectations for the 3 months up to Novermber in response to the slower than anticipated launch of their BlackBerry Pearl Flip and BlackBerry Bold, as these mobile handsets are now expected in the late 3rd quarter or early 4th.
Research In Motion is apparently also struggling at the higher costs of introducing the BlackBerry Pearl Flip and Bold.
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
The Nokia N96 smartphone has just received new firmware from Nokia, which stands out a tad as somewhat strange beings the Nokia N96, has only just begun selling.
Such as it is, the Nokia N96 firmware version 11.018 is apparently only available for the generic European product codes at the moment, however no doubt we?ll be seeing a further update to take in the rest of the world shortly.
This new N96 firmware 11.018 doesn?t really bring much to the table aside from a few bug fixes and some stability improvements along with a few new features, but otherwise nothing radical.
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
Mitsubishi has just rolled out its new NR-HZ001 series of car navigation systems that will be fitted into the remainder of its 2008 lineup, featuring an integrated hard drive to store all your navigational data. One of the models will boast the ability to watch “full segment” terrestrial digital broadcasts, although that is not recommended if you’re driver – leave the watching to your passengers while you concentrate on the road. I tend to find that distractions such as in-dash DVD players and what-nots add to a less safe driving experience, as my roving eyes tend to concentrate more on what’s happening on the screen instead of the vehicles behinds’ that I am fast approaching.
These two models will be released this November 5th in Japan, with no word on a recommended retail price although pundits are pointing towards at $2,353 price point for the full segment model with the 1seg model going for approximately $1,900 or so. According to Eiji Nakayama, executive officer in charge of Automotive Equipment, “Even though the cost of car navigation systems is declining as a result of the emergence of PNDs, high prices will not deter consumers if a product has added value.” You, as a driver, do you think what he says holds water, or are you much more careful with your purse strings now that there is no $700 billion bailout plan that has left the US economy in tatters?
What makes this model stand out from the rest is the inclusion of the “Multi Relay Operation” that helps standardize the transition of multiple operation systems such as touch panels, remote control and voice recognition. Since the driver is meant to leave both hands on the steering wheel and not fiddling with knobs and switches, Mitsubishi clearly believes that voice input is the way to go when it comes to operating a navigation system while driving. Unfortunately, voice recognition in car navigation systems are still in its infancy stage as malfunctions due to misrecognition are frequent, leading Mitsubishi to standardize the transition of operation to enable passengers in the front passenger seat and backseats to take over operation from the driver. Neat – make sure you don’t go yapping if you’re driving this alone lest you end up in a ditch with an airbag in your face.
Source: Tech-On!
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
Nokia has announced of its new digital music website, Nokia Music Store, in Spain. The Nokia Music Store holds a catalogue of in excess of 4 million songs which include top selling records, independent record labels and new upcoming national talent.
Head of Services and Software at Nokia Spain, Manuel Reverte, says: “With the launch of the Nokia Music Store, Nokia aims to make available to all Spanish users of all ages the music that they want at any moment they want, with all the facilities that mobility permits nowadays.”
Some of the artists already known to have been downloaded from the Nokia Music Store are: La Oreja de Van Gogh, Pereza, Melendi, Amaral, Deluxe, Krakovia, Coti, Ismael Serrano, Extromoduro and Miguel Bosé.
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
Motorola has announced that their Good? Mobile Messaging Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions has passed the Army?s rigorous Authority to Operate (ATO) certification process.
Senior mobility strategist, Microsoft Federal, Randy Siegel, says: ?Motorola?s Good Technology Group has built a secure, two-factor smartcard authentication email solution that integrates with the Windows Mobile platform and offers our joint customers additional choice.?
Security requirements such as the Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD 12), a standard for secure and reliable forms of identification, and the Department of Defense Directive (DoD 8100.2), which mandates the use of a common access card (CAC) reader for enhanced authentication, were created to satisfy the highest security requirements of the U.S. Government and the U.S. Department of Defense.
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
Motorola has announced that their Good? Mobile Messaging Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions has passed the Army?s rigorous Authority to Operate (ATO) certification process.
Senior mobility strategist, Microsoft Federal, Randy Siegel, says: ?Motorola?s Good Technology Group has built a secure, two-factor smartcard authentication email solution that integrates with the Windows Mobile platform and offers our joint customers additional choice.?
Security requirements such as the Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD 12), a standard for secure and reliable forms of identification, and the Department of Defense Directive (DoD 8100.2), which mandates the use of a common access card (CAC) reader for enhanced authentication, were created to satisfy the highest security requirements of the U.S. Government and the U.S. Department of Defense.
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
Since young I was always taught to reduce the use of plastics and styrofoam containers/cups as those are non-biodegradable, not to mention that turtles often mistake them for jellyfish only to be conned into swallowing plastic bags, leaving them to die shortly thereafter. Biodegradable plastics are the way to go it seems – but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue living out other green lifestyles.
Thanks to an additive that slowly breaks down the disposable plastic items that we use, plastic can be biodegraded and become part of the soil that nourishes the plants that keep our planet’s atmosphere in balance. The addition of this additive turns ordinary plastic into oxy-biodegradable plastic. BioGreen Products sells disposable items made of oxy-biodegradable plastic.
Hopefully oxy-biodegradable plastics will become the norm in the near future for the sake of our planet and our children’s future.
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
The Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte is the third Nokia mobile handset that fills the gad between the standard fashion phones and the extremely out-of-this-world, break-the-bank, make-your-wallet-weep expensive mobile handset, such as the Vertu.
The Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte is dress to impress and priced to make you break down and cry, has an OLED screen, 3 megapixel camera, 3G, carbon fibre and titanium and a 4GB inbuilt memory.
The price the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte carries isn?t that much different to the Nokia 8800 Arte or the Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte, but when you consider it is a mobile phone and that there are far more advanced mobile handsets out there, are you prepared to hand over cash just for a name?
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
The Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte is the third Nokia mobile handset that fills the gad between the standard fashion phones and the extremely out-of-this-world, break-the-bank, make-your-wallet-weep expensive mobile handset, such as the Vertu.
The Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte is dress to impress and priced to make you break down and cry, has an OLED screen, 3 megapixel camera, 3G, carbon fibre and titanium and a 4GB inbuilt memory.
The price the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte carries isn?t that much different to the Nokia 8800 Arte or the Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte, but when you consider it is a mobile phone and that there are far more advanced mobile handsets out there, are you prepared to hand over cash just for a name?