Google Earth gets Leap Motion support, lets you explore the planet with touch-free control

How are you celebrating Earth Day? If you're one of 10,000 Leap Motion devs with an early unit, you could very well be exploring Mount Everest or venturing through the Amazon, just by waving your hands. Google's Earth app, which has reportedly been downloaded more than a billion times, just scored a refresh today -- version 7.1 -- delivering Leap Motion gesture control to your desktop. Both the free and paid versions now support touch-free navigation through the USB desktop device, which is expected in stores next month. The update, however, available for Windows, Mac and Linux, is yours for the taking now.

Source: Leap Motion (YouTube)

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By: Unknown On 11:41 PM

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Logitech unveils Harmony Ultimate and Smart Control universal remote sets for home entertainment heroes

Got no touchscreen on your living room remote? That's a shame, because Logitech and others have been flogging such universal controllers since way back when. After a long new product hiatus, the late 2012 release of the Harmony Touch remote hasn't stopped Logitech from mulling a sale of the brand, but it's not done with it just yet. Coming soon are two fresh bundles bearing the Harmony name: the Ultimate and Smart Control. At the heart of both is the Smart Hub, a palm-sized box somewhat similar to the Harmony Link. It receives commands from remotes via RF, or from smartphone apps via WiFi, and in turn, broadcasts its own orders to your A/V setup using IR and Bluetooth. It's especially useful for those wanting to hide their kit away in cabinets, as it translates inputs into IR signals that'll bounce around those secluded spaces. Optional extender nodes will also pipe IR into other nearby recesses.

To do that though, the Hub needs instructions, which is where remotes and apps come in. The new Ultimate remote (aka the Touch Plus) is last year's Touch remote with a few refinements, including the addition of a trigger-like nub on the underside to improve grip. It uses IR, Bluetooth or RF (to the Hub) to control up to 15 devices, and is programmed using Logitech's software for PCs that pulls settings from a database of 225,000 home entertainment products. The Ultimate's 2.4-inch touchscreen serves as a number pad, a favorite channel list for easy hopping, and is the home of one-touch "activities," which are basically macros for issuing multiple commands. Set up an activity for "Play Xbox," for example, and in one touch it'll turn on your console, switch your TV to the correct source, select the right channel on your amp, and so on. It'll even tell Philips' connected Hue lightbulbs to set a mood. Jump on past the break for more.

Free smartphone apps for iOS and Android (dedicated tablets apps are coming soon) essentially replicate the functions of the Ultimate remote, but use WiFi to speak to the hub. In certain countries with compatible metadata, like France and Germany, they also integrate programming guide information. If you opt for the Smart Control package, the apps will be the only way to access advanced features. Bundled with the Hub is a much simpler remote capable of controlling 8 devices; physical number buttons are back in, but the touchscreen's out. It's really supposed to be a back-up device -- your smartphone is the primary remote, but if you're running out of battery or need to take a call, the basic remote will act as a slightly dumber stand-in. The Ultimate package is due to hit shelves in Europe and the US in late April / early May for $349.99 / £229, with the Smart Control package following later in May for $129.99 / £109. You'll also be able to pick up a Smart Hub on its own sometime in summer for $99.99 / £79. This option is intended for those who already have the previous generation Touch remote, but theoretically, you could bust out of Logitech's box and be the rogue that controls living room setups with nothing but portable devices.Harmony Ultimate / Smart Remote hands-on picsSee all photoswhen.eng("eng.galleries.init")

Harmony Ultimate / Smart Remote press shots

Logitech Reimagines Home Control with Two New Advanced Harmony Universal Remotes

Logitech Harmony Hub Adds Closed-Cabinet, Game Console and Lighting Control to Your Universal Remote and Smartphone

NEWARK, Calif. - April 16, 2013 - Today Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) announced the expansion of its award-winning universal remote control lineup with the Logitech Harmony® Ultimate and the Logitech Harmony® Smart Control. Both products feature Logitech's Harmony Hub and Harmony Smartphone App to enable closed-cabinet control and one-touch entertainment access to game consoles from your universal remote or smartphone. The Harmony Hub takes personalizing your activities a step farther into home control with the ability to program your Philips Hue lights to the desired brightness and color with a tap of the Logitech Harmony Ultimate.

"We've elevated the universal remote to the next level, taking a personalized approach to home entertainment," said Joerg Tewes vice president of Logitech's digital home business group at Logitech. "Furthermore, our Harmony product line is no longer just about entertainment access – we've designed the Logitech Harmony Ultimate so you can also control your home's lighting. Now you can tune the TV, start a movie and adjust your lights to set the mood, with the touch of your finger."

The Logitech Harmony Ultimate and Logitech Harmony Smart Control are compatible with more than 225,000 home-entertainment devices and more than 5,000 brands. Both include the Harmony Hub, which uses Bluetooth® wireless technology to power on game consoles such as the Sony PS3®, Nintendo Wii® and Wii U. The Harmony Hub also, controls infrared devices inside closed entertainment cabinets and without the need to point at them. Each also comes with the Harmony Smartphone App, which anyone in the house can download to turn his or her smartphone into a personal universal remote.

Able to control up to 15 devices, the Logitech Harmony Ultimate is a fully featured remote with a 2.4-inch color touch-screen that enables no-look control over television programs, movies and music by using simple swipes and taps. It also introduces the ability to program Philips Hue lighting systems with entertainment activities allowing you to adjust the room's lighting as easily as changing the volume of your television. Other exclusive features include vibration feedback so you know it received your touch-screen commands, tilt sensors and buttons programmable for both short and long presses, doubling the available functions.

The Logitech Harmony Smart Control and Harmony Smartphone App turn your iOS or Android phone into a universal remote, giving you personalized control of up to eight devices from anywhere in the house using the smartphone you already own. Plus, it includes a simple remote control for when your smartphone isn't handy.

Pricing and Availability

These new products join the Logitech Harmony Touch to complete the Logitech Harmony remote lineup. The Logitech Harmony Ultimate is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in April 2013, for a suggested retail price of $349.99. The Logitech Harmony Smart Control is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in May 2013, for a suggested retail price of $129.99. The Logitech Harmony Smartphone App will be available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play. For more information, please visit www.logitech.com or our blog.

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By: Unknown On 9:38 PM

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Alt-week 4.13.13: micro-LED mind control, clear brains and clairvoyant ants

Alt-week takes a look at the best science and alternative tech stories from the last seven days.

Brains are complex things. Man's quest to understand this lump of gray mass has become something of an obsession. In this edition, we learn about two new studies that could help oil the wheels of this cerebral journey. That, and some clever ants. This is alt-week.

Should we be concerned about science's continued attempts at controlling the actions of animals? We're giving the benefit of the doubt. For now. But new research using micro-LEDs to wirelessly control the behaviour of mice could make the process less intrusive, and open it up to the use of other sensors. The microscopic device allows the scientists to observe animal activity more naturally than before, too, thanks to it not requiring a tethered light source. Optogenetics is an increasingly popular method of controlling and studying neural activity (remember those cocaine loving rats?), so this new, lightweight technology should only serve to enhance this area of research, allowing for more complex test environments. Roughly one-fifth the width of a strand of hair, the micro-LED implant can be placed deep inside the rodent brain, while an even thinner wire connects it to an external wireless module (on top of the mouse's head). While it might not sound like it, this new approach is better for the mice, with tests showing less neural damage and less reaction from the immune system. The fact that one of the co-inventors of optogenetics, Ed Boyden, claims the ability to integrate sensors (which this small scale technology could offer) could enable "closed-loop" control of brain function definitely isn't a cause for paranoia. Is it?

If you are worried about a future drenched in optical mind-control, then this next story might only serve to make things worse. A team at Stanford University has developed a process that can turn mice brains transparent, while maintaining their form and molecular structure. The process allows the brain to be studied intact without needing to slice and dissect, it also facilitates non-destructive light- and chemical-based observation. The process -- called CLARITY -- not only offers a new level of insight to the physical brain, it could give a better understanding of how its structure is changed by disease. CLARITY works by removing the opaque lipids, and replacing them with a hydrogel from within the brain itself. This is an important step, as without replacing the lipids, the structural integrity of the brain falls apart. The process also works on human tissues that have been preserved for long periods, and is also thought to be applicable to larger scale biological systems and organs. Likewise, techniques such as anti-body staining, to visually reveal relationships between brain components can theoretically be flushed out, and repeated to explore different targets within the same brain.

Current earthquake prediction systems only provide a few minutes advanced notice of the fact. Seeking a reliable method of predicting the occurrence of these destructive events has proven elusive. Results from a three-year study in Germany, however, suggest that Red Wood Ants might hold the (ahem) answer. Gabriele Berberich from the team at University Duisburg-Essen noted that the ants instinctively build nests along tectonically active faults. The study also observed that the Red Wood Ant has a reliable, regular daily pattern of working during the day, and resting at night. In the two seismically active areas under investigation, Berberich found that there was a regular change in the ants' behaviour, hours before a quake. It's thought that the creatures have a sensitivity to gas levels in the local climate, or small shifts in the Earth's magnetic field. An extended study will be required to rule out confounding factors and influences, but Berberich claims the initial results are promising.

Seen any other far-out articles that you'd like considered for Alt-week? Working on a project or research that's too cool to keep to yourself? Drop us a line at alt [at] engadget [dot] com.

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By: Unknown On 9:06 PM

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Nintendo lands 'remotely controlled mobile device control' patent

You know those goofy tennis racket peripherals that allow for Wiimote insertion? Or, perhaps more sensibly, those Guitar Hero axes that wouldn't function without a Wiimote planted at the heart? Looks as if Nintendo's going to do us all one better. Based on a rambling new patent granted to the Big N this week, the company now holds the power to concoct a "remotely controlled mobile device control system." Distilled down, the verbiage describes a Wiimote-type controller being embedded within a "remote controlled toy," which would then be (unsurprisingly) used in conjunction with a game console. Essentially, this opens the door for Honda to develop a new variant of ASIMO that takes commands via an embedded Wii controller... or, for a Wii-infused robot to turn on its owner and commit unspeakable crimes against humanity. But hey, it'll probably be pretty cute.

Source: USPTO

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By: Unknown On 10:09 AM

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Xbox Music update adds volume control, cloud syncing and performance boost

Several Windows 8 apps, including Calendar, Mail and People, received updates just yesterday, and today Microsoft's Xbox Music is getting a refresh of its own. The music app's update brings both performance improvements to Windows RT devices and some new functionality. Among the new features is a volume control that sets the app's volume independent of the system's volume. The update also brings the ability to automatically sync your music collection to the cloud and add songs from your collection to other devices running Xbox music. Finally, as you can see in the screen grab above, there's a new playing UI that displays all tracks from an album in addition to the song currently playing. You can check out the update yourself by clicking through to the Windows Store via the source link.

Via: The Verge

Source: Windows Store

Tags: app, microsoft, Windows 8, Windows8, xbox music, XboxMusic

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By: Unknown On 9:54 PM

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Panasonic 2013 Smart TVs wield Nuance Dragon TV for voice control, text-to-speech

Panasonic's New Smart TVs Now Listen and Speak with Nuance's Dragon TV

Panasonic's New SMART VIERA HDTVs Voice Interaction Lets People Find TV Content, Search the Web, Get Access to Apps and More with the Power of Dragon

BURLINGTON, Mass. – March 21, 2013 – Nuance Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) today announced that Panasonic's new lineup of SMART VIERA® HDTVs announced at CES 2013 feature voice capabilities powered by Nuance's Dragon TV. Now people can simply sit back and speak to find content, search the web, control volume and more – creating a more interactive and intelligent television experience. And with Dragon TV's text-to-speech, television content and options on the screen can be read aloud.

"Smart TVs provide an amazing digital living room experience, but traditional remotes and program guides make it challenging to find and access all that exists for content and entertainment. Voice eliminates those barriers, allowing our consumers to not only control but also interact with Panasonic's Smart TVs," said Hiroyuki Iwaki, group manager of TV product planning, Panasonic.

Dragon TV is Nuance's unique voice and natural language understanding platform designed specifically for smart TV, device and set-top box OEMs and service operators. Dragon TV brings the personal assistant experience to the living room, where consumers are able to speak to their TV and it responds, whether changing the channel, finding favorite movies and content by program name or actor, or staying connected with social media or the web – and much more.

"Consumers need a simple way to navigate and search the overwhelming amount of TV content," said Michael Thompson, executive vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile. "Dragon TV enables Smart TV manufacturers like Panasonic to deliver a differentiated and compelling experience in one of the most intuitive ways people communicate – through voice."

Availability

Panasonic SMART VIERA TVs featuring Dragon TV will be available worldwide beginning in the Spring of 2013. For more details visit http://www.panasonic.net/avc/viera/.

Dragon TV is a part of Nuance's portfolio of voice, touch and natural language understanding innovations that are defining a new generation of intelligent systems and personal assistant technologies, which also includes Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Dragon Dictate for Mac, Dragon Assistant for Intel-inspired Ultrabooks, Dragon Dictation, Dragon Go!, Dragon Drive!, Dragon ID, Dragon Voicemail to Text, and Swype. With Nuance technology, people experience more humanized interactions with the world's best phones, tablets, computers, cars, TVs, apps and services from leading manufacturers and operators. To learn more visit www.nuancemobilelife.com.

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Leap Motion used for legitimate air drumming, authentic instrument control

Hacking Kinect might get you access to an audible air guitar, but Stephane Berscot can do you one better -- tweaking the pitch of a tangible axe via Leap Motion's virtual work space. Berscot configured a Leap tweak his guitar's pitch based on the instrument's position over the device. That's not all, either, the makeshift MIDI controller also functions as a keyboard equalizer and a set of functional air drums. Combining all three tricks together scored Berscot a pretty mean demo track, but it's apparently a lot harder than it looks. "It wasn't easy to play drums with it," he said, explaining how he had to detect beats based tracking the upward and downward velocity of the drumstick. "My method is pretty basic and still needs some work." Even so, the demo definitely shows the device's potential. Skip on past the break to see Berscot kick out the jams.

when.eng("eng.perm.init")

Via: Make

Source: Gratoo (YouTube)

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By: Unknown On 10:05 AM

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Purported Sony NEX-3N image leaks showing electronic zoom control

An image from an anonymous tipster just leaked to Sony Alpha Rumors showing a possible yet-to-be-announced Sony NEX-3N camera. All that can be gleaned from the pic so far is that such a model might exist, and if so, could have an electronic zoom control. All NEX still cameras have manual zooms only, but Sony did announce a pro video model, the NEX-EA50EH, that packs a servo control for the recent SEL18-200PZ 11x and SELP1650 16-50mm servo zoom lenses. The tipster also said that it'll have the 16-megapixel sensor of the current NEX-F3, which the site pointed out is showing up at a discounted price on Amazon (see coverage) -- another possible sign of a new model. We don't see photo fakery with cameras nearly as often as with smartphones -- but it does happen, so we'll need more than a leaked image before making new camera plans.

Source: Sony Alpha Rumors

More Coverage: Amazon

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By: Unknown On 11:46 PM

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Sky gives remote control powers to its Sky+ Android app, escalates living room warfare

Sky+ app remote control feature comes to Android

Tuesday 5th February: From today, Sky TV customers will be able to control their TV from any Android smartphone or tablet following the introduction of remote control functionality to the Android version of the Sky+ app. People with an internet-connected Sky+HD box and an Android smartphone or tablet will be able to use their device to change channels as well as pause, play and rewind TV with a quick swipe or tap of their fingers on their device screen.

Sky TV customers can also now manage their planner through the Sky+ app, allowing them to add and delete recordings they have stored on their Sky+HD set-top box, without interrupting viewing on the main TV.

The new update is just the most recent to the popular Sky+ app, which makes it really simple and easy to find out about and plan great TV to watch. Other useful features of the app include being able to browse the entire week's TV through a user-friendly TV Guide, remote record both individual programmes and entire series, get recommendations of other programmes you may like, and manage recording clashes. On Demand listings will join the Android app later this year.

All people need to do to enjoy this latest feature of the Sky+ app is to connect their compatible Sky+HD box to the same WiFi network as their Android device.

Launched in 2009, the Sky+ app has been downloaded more than 5 million times and ranks in the Top 20 Entertainment apps in the App Store. The award-winning* Sky+ app sits alongside a wide range of leading mobile apps available to Sky customers at no extra charge.

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By: Unknown On 10:08 PM

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Movea gesture control coming to Orange's Livebox Play TV system, launches next month

Orange Selects Movea to Revolutionize Home Entertainment with Gesture-Control Set-Top Box

Leading telecom operator to deploy first-of-its-kind SmartMotion® powered set-top boxes

GRENOBLE, France - Jan. 3rd, 2013 - Movea (www.movea.com), the leading provider of data-fusion and motion-processing technologies for consumer electronics, today announced its collaboration with Orange, one of the world's largest telecommunications operators, on the first large scale commercial deployment of a gesture-control set-top box. The new Orange Livebox® set-top box will run Movea's SmartMotion Server, the motion processing engine for digital home entertainment, and will ship with a MEMS motion-sensing remote control to deliver a more fun and intuitive way for people to enjoy rich digital content on the TV.

"With the rapid evolution of SmartTVs and Smart Home systems, we see the demand for more intelligent home entertainment devices and natural user interfaces," said Jean-Bernard Willem, head of content marketing for Orange France. "Our partnership with Movea allows us to offer an innovative user experience for Orange subscribers that will be instrumental in defining the revolution of home theater entertainment. Livebox Play TV with Movea's SmartMotion begins to make the Smart Home a reality."

The integration of Movea's SmartMotion Server with Orange's Livebox Play® enables effortless point-and-click TV interactions and the ability to easily launch and control games and apps. There are simple gestures for features such as volume control, web browsing, gamepad or joystick control, as well as music, photo, video enjoyment and more.

SmartMotion Server's contextual awareness features allow 10 simple gestures to be used across a wide range of TV viewing activities, which allow for a more user-friendly experience for people of all ages and interests. For example, Livebox Play customers will be able to adjust volume with a gentle twist of the wrist, make a "check" gesture to select an item and an "x" gesture to close an application. In addition, MEMS motion sensors onboard the remote control let Orange subscribers easily point and click to navigate the user interface and play compelling motion-driven games with smooth, accurate 3D motion.

"Movea and Orange are leading the charge in responding to consumers' increasing appetite for a more powerful and intuitive home theater experience," said Sam Guilaumé, CEO of Movea. "Orange's breadth of experience in telecommunications and home entertainment, and Movea's expertise in motion control for SmartTVs are the perfect combination to bring fun and immersive motion-based technology that delivers a more natural way for consumers to interact with their TVs. We are excited to collaborate on the world's first-ever new generation set-top box."

Movea's SmartMotion Server is a platform-agnostic and flexible motion engine that makes it possible for systems integrators, OEMs, service providers and application developers to take advantage of Movea's state-of-the-art motion processing and data fusion technology.

The new motion-enabled Livebox Play TV® service is designed to enhance user interface navigation and deliver new revenue generating services. In addition, high speed fiber-optics offer a faster Internet connection and access interactive entertainment options, such as social media, a large library of Video-On-Demand programs, as well as games and apps for the TV, smartphone and tablet.

Orange's Livebox set-top box and remote control is now available for pre-order and will be available for purchase in February 2013.

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By: Dilusha On 11:27 PM

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ASUS partners up with Leap Motion, PCs with 3D motion control to debut in 2013

ASUS Embraces Revolutionary New Interface, Partners to Bundle Leap Motion with
Select Computers

World's Most Accurate 3-D Motion-Control Technology to Bundle with New Premium All-in-One Computers and High-End Notebooks using Intel's Haswell Platform

SAN FRANCISCO – January 3, 2013 – Leap Motion, the motion-control software and hardware company changing the future of human/computer interaction, today announced one of its first global OEM partnerships. ASUS, a leading innovator in personal computing products, will bundle the revolutionary Leap Motion controller with select new computers. In an industry first, ASUS will also bundle the world's most accurate 3-D motion-control technology into new high-end notebooks and premium All-in-One (AiO) PCs later this year.

ASUS is one of the world's largest consumer notebook vendors and the maker of the world's best-selling and most award-winning motherboards. The ground-breaking partnership brings the future of computer interaction-Leap Motion's incredibly fast and accurate natural user interface-to millions of potential consumers around the world.

Leap Motion's incredible speed and precision are helping fuel its momentum and leadership in the industry. Leap Motion's technology can track movements to 1/100th millimeter-smaller than the tip of a pin-with no visible lag time. The Leap Motion controller has a 150-degree field of view, and tracks individual hands and all 10 fingers at 290 frames per second.

ASUS plans to bundle the Leap Motion controller with its upcoming premium All-In-One (AiO) PCs and high-end notebooks for global distribution.

"Our commitment to innovation and exceptional quality drive us to provide the best technology to our consumers," said Alber Wu, Desktop Division Senior Director at ASUSTek. "Leap Motion has developed an exciting technology that will truly enhance the experience our customers have with their ASUS devices, opening a world of opportunity for personal use and business, from entertainment to architecture to education. We're proud to be one of the first companies to partner with Leap Motion."

"As OEMs adopt 3-D motion control technology, they're spurring a rapid evolution in computer interface innovations and helping free the full power and potential of computing for consumers," said Leap Motion co-founder and CEO Michael Buckwald. "This historic partnership with ASUS is an important step in building global adoption of the new computing paradigm Leap Motion's technology offers. We're delighted that ASUS shares our outlook on the future of human/computer interaction."

In May 2012, Leap Motion revealed its technology and controller to huge global excitement, with its introduction video garnering more than 7 million views. More than 40,000 developers worldwide have requested to work with Leap Motion, and the company has sent out 12,000 free units to developers to foster the creation of new applications.

Leap Motion has won innovation awards from Popular Science, Popular Mechanics and Fast Company, and will present a featured session at the 2013 SXSW conference. The Leap Motion device will ship to consumers early this year, and can be pre-ordered for $70 at www.leapmotion.com.

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By: Dilusha On 10:56 PM

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LG's latest smart TV Magic Remote can control other devices, understand natural language

We've seen several iterations of LG's Magic remote since it was first introduced in 2010 with gesture control, as it added a click wheel and a mic for voice control (QWERTY for the Google TV), and LG has announced it's returning with a new model at CES in a few days. The new Magic remote keeps all of those features and adds on with universal remote capabilities that let it control other hardware in your home theater, and improved software with Natural Language support. That means you can just say the name of a program or a channel, and see it automatically pop up on the screen. The design of the hardware itself has also been tweaked, with repositioned buttons and, on the premium version that ships with higher end TVs, a smaller model with backlit keys. We'll surely give it another hand waving, command shouting demo once we're in Las Vegas, until then you can just check out another pic and a press release after the break.

Continue reading LG's latest smart TV Magic Remote can control other devices, understand natural language

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By: Dilusha On 12:58 AM

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It's Pretty Clear That We Want to Talk About Gun Control Now

This story will display in ...Dec 18, 2012 9:00 PM  

This is a Google search trend chart that shows the search results of 'gun control' in Google over the past seven years. As you can see, the Google query for gun control spikes significantly every time a mass shooting takes place but it has never received more interest than these past few days since the Sandy Hook tragedy in Newtown.

Which means, yes, we need to talk about gun control now. Call it politicizing a tragedy or call it doing the sensible thing or whatever the hell you want, it's clear that people want to talk about gun control now. They're searching for it on Google, they're learning about, they're educating themselves. So politicians, the NRA, Obama, whomever. Let's do something about it. [Google via BuzzFeed]

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By: Dilusha On 11:33 PM

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Lantronix xPrintServer Office Edition brings more control to iOS printing for $200

Lantronix Launches New xPrintServer - Office Edition, iPad and iPhone Printing Solution for Business Users

Next Generation of the Network Edition Now Supports Enterprise-wide Mobile Printing

Irvine, Calif. – November 12, 2012 – Lantronix (NASDAQ: LTRX), a leading global provider of smart M2M connectivity solutions, today announced the launch of its xPrintServer™- Office Edition, the newest member of its award-winning xPrintServer family, designed specifically for office use by business and IT professionals wishing to print from their iPad®, iPhone® or iPod® Touch to virtually any printer. The new product is available for pre-order now at www.Lantronix.com, and will begin shipping November 21, 2012.

Developed to provide an easy mobile printing solution for business users of Apple iOS products, the xPrintServer – Office Edition enables printing directly from the native print menu of the device to network-connected printers without any apps to download, software to install, or need to buy a new printer. The xPrintServer - Office Edition is the evolution of the xPrintServer-Network Edition. Building on the first version, the Office Edition offers significant new enterprise features, including remote authentication / Active Directory, proxy server support, and the ability to network- enable USB printers.

"Since the introduction of the first xPrintServer product last December, I have observed a ready market for this type of printing solution, as an increasing number of business people are relying on their tablets and smart phones for work purposes," said J. Gerry Purdy, Ph.D., principal analyst, MobileTrax LLC. "The new Office Edition of the xPrintServer boasts the same simplicity as its predecessor, while providing more robust enterprise features for IT managers, including Active Directory support and more control over user permissions and printing functionality as it relates to iOS devices. Additionally, it will enable USB printers to become network printers, so the users can print from their iOS devices right over the network. The xPrintServer - Office Edition is truly a timely product that addresses the growing adoption of mobile devices in businesses."

The soon-to-be released Office Edition comes with a wide range of robust features to support mobile printing throughout the enterprise. Designed in partnership with enterprise customers, the new Office Edition addresses the challenges faced by IT departments on how to identify, deploy and manage iOS device printing throughout the extended organization. Key features include:
• Support for both USB and network-connected printers (wired or wireless)
• Enhanced printer-user management, including printer usage rights, security and control over printers and user groups
• Proxy Server Support, global save and restore functionality, and the ability to now export print logs
• Remote authentication / Active Directory support
• Firmware / driver loading via USB port
• Supports over 4,000 top brand printers, and an unlimited number of iPads, iPhones, and iOS users and devices
• Roughly the size of an iPhone with no additional software, CDs or application downloads required
• Automatic printer discovery and provisioning
• Easy to use and no configuration. Simply open the box, plug it in, print
• Anything that can be viewed, opened or read on an iOS device can be printed with the xPrintServer

"The reception of the xPrintServer in business environments has been overwhelmingly positive and has become a strong solution franchise for Lantronix. We are thrilled to build on the previous xPrintServer generation and offer more capabilities to make the xPrintServer – Office Edition even more valuable to our customers," said Mak Manesh, vice president of product management for Lantronix. "Apple has made tremendous in-roads for driving the adoption of iPads and most iOS devices into enterprise environments, and business-critical iOS accessories such as the xPrintServer - Office Edition will not only benefit from this market penetration, but should also serve to speed that adoption into enterprises."

The xPrintServer: Open it. Plug it in. Print!
The xPrintServer Family is an easy-to-use hardware solution that utilizes the iOS native print menu and requires no additional applications, software downloads, or printer driver installations. With automatic printer discovery and no configuration, printing is hassle-free. Simply open the box, plug in power and Ethernet, and print –from any iOS device running iOS version 4.2 or later, to virtually any USB or network-connected printer, whether wired or wireless.

How to Buy
The xPrintServer – Office Edition retails for $199.95 MSRP and is currently available for pre-order and will begin shipping on November 21, 2012 in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe through Lantronix.com, Fry's Electronics, Micro Center, and leading e-tailers including Amazon, Best Buy Online, Buy.com, CDW, Ebyte.com, Insight Enterprises, MacMall, Mavtechonline.com, NeutronUSA, Newegg.com, NextDayPC.com, NextWarehouse.com, PCMall, PowerMax.com, Provantage, SemiconductorStore.com, SoftwareForLess, and more.

About Lantronix Lantronix, Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX) is a global leader of secure M2M (machine-to-machine) communication technologies that simplify access and communication with and between virtually any electronic device. Our smart connectivity solutions enable sharing data between devices and applications to empower businesses to make better decisions based on real-time information, and gain a competitive advantage by generating new revenue streams, improving productivity and increasing efficiency and profitability. Easy to integrate and deploy, Lantronix products remotely and securely connect electronic equipment via networks and the Internet. Founded in 1989, Lantronix serves some of the largest medical, security, industrial and building automation, transportation, retail/POS, financial, government, consumer electronics/appliances, IT/data center and pro-AV/signage entities in the world. The company's headquarters are located in Irvine, Calif.

For more information, visit www.lantronix.com. The Lantronix blog, http://www.lantronix.com/blog, features industry discussion and updates.

To follow Lantronix on Twitter, visit http://www.twitter.com/Lantronix.

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By: Dilusha On 4:30 PM

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Triggertrap Mobile update adds WiFi control for device-laden shutterbugs

Triggertrap Mobile Goes Wireless

Triggertrap Mobile updates its iOS and Android apps with innovative new wireless triggering via Wi-Fi network increasing flexibility for its creativity-empowering photography app

LONDON – 12 November 2012 – Triggertrap, developer of creative camera triggering solutions for photographers of all skill levels, announced today that its popular Triggertrap Mobile for iOS devices now allows wireless functionality via Wi-fi network. Unique to Triggertrap, this new Wi-Fi triggering technology enables photographers to leverage the range and speed of a Wi-Fi network to control the dynamic features of the Triggertrap Mobile app wirelessly from an iOS device. The new wireless functionality is now available as a free upgrade for existing Triggertrap Mobile users and will come standard with any new purchase.

With Triggertrap Mobile's exclusive new Wi-Fi triggering mode, photographers can now trigger their cameras via a Wi-fi enabled "slave" device that interfaces with the camera through the Triggertrap Dongle, while controlling the camera functionality from a "master" iOS device. The "Slave" mode is included both in the iOS and Android app.

Photographers can even wirelessly connect multiple cameras to the same "master" device. For photographers wishing to use Triggertrap's Wi-Fi triggering mode in locations where a Wi-Fi network may not be readily available, a "Personal Hotspot" created through the master device's data network can easily be used as a substitute.

"There's no denying the immense demand among Triggertrap customers and photographers for wireless triggering capabilities," said Haje Jan Kamps, Founder and CEO of Triggertrap. "With our new Wi-Fi triggering mode, we're now able to provide a remote triggering capability that is fast, long range, inexpensive, and won't drain the user's battery. Needless to say, we are incredibly pleased to introduce this update to the market, and excited to see the creative ways our customers take advantage of it."

Triggertrap Mobile Functionality

Triggertrap Mobile combines the capabilities of several expensive camera accessories into a single, cost-effective application, enabling photographers to take their creative photography skills to the next level. It can be used on its own for more dynamic iPhone photography or, to experience its full capabilities, users can employ the Triggertrap Mobile Dongle to tether their iOS device to a dSLR or advanced compact camera. In addition to its standard remote shutter release, Triggertrap Mobile offers more than a dozen unique and creative triggering functions for digital cameras, all of which can now be controlled wirelessly. Beyond its four wireless remote trigger styles, the creativity-expanding Triggertrap Mobile app includes:

· Multiple Timelapse functions: Use Triggertrap as a basic intervalometer for timelapse capture, or get extra creative: Bulb Ramping Timelapse enables seamless sunrise/sunset timelapses, HDR timelapse lets you combine the power of HDR and timelapses, and finally, TimeWarp, a feature unique to Triggertrap, uses algorithms developed for animation to create more dynamic and natural-looking timelapses.

· Sensor Controls: Leverages the smart device's on-board sensors to release the shutter; Sound Sensor Mode uses the microphone to trigger at a set audio level, Seismic Mode fires based on vibrations, bumps or knocks, and Metal & Magnetism Sensor Mode can be used to fire the shutter in their presence

· Facial recognition: Takes a photo once Triggertrap detects the programmed number of faces in the frame

· Multiple HDR Capture Modes: Provides expanded control over bracketed exposures for Long Exposure HDR, or automates Long Exposure HDR Timelapse capture

· DistanceLapse: Unique to Triggertrap, this mode relies on the smart device's on-board GPS chip to fire the shutter over pre-determined distances

· Motion detection mode: Triggers camera whenever motion is detected in the frame

· Star trail mode: Allows external cameras to automatically take a series of long exposures in sequence to reduce noise

The Premium Triggertrap Mobile App can be purchased on both iOS and Android devices for £2.99, while the Triggertrap Mobile Dongle can be purchased for £15.80 or users can Triggertrap Dongle & Cable Set for (£24.99). The Triggertrap Dongle is conveniently compatible with over 280 cameras, and with this latest update, Triggertrap Mobile for iOS localised for a series of languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Norwegian and Dutch. Chinese, Russian and Japanese are expected to be introduced shortly.

Useful links:

Triggertrap Mobile introduction video: http://vimeo.com/40453214

Triggertrap Mobile for iOS: Click Here

Triggertrap Mobile for Android: Click Here

For more detailed information, please visit www.triggertrap.com

Note: The app can be upgraded from www.play.google.com from 12 November 2012.

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