Touch Bionics' latest 'i-limb' offers a powered rotating thumb, smartphone controls

Touch Bionics Unveils Next Generation Prosthetic Hand with Powered Thumb Rotation
Company announces global availability of i-limb(TM) ultra revolution and latest biosim(TM) mobile application

LIVINGSTON, United Kingdom & MANSFIELD, Mass., Apr 11, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Touch Bionics, a provider of world-leading prosthetic technologies, today announced a significant advance to the company's groundbreaking i-limb(TM) technology. The i-limb ultra revolution, featuring a powered rotating thumb, 24 grip options and extra sensitive electrodes, is the first upper limb prosthesis that can be controlled via a mobile application.

"We are pleased to introduce the i-limb ultra revolution and the latest biosim mobile control app," said Ian Stevens, CEO of Touch Bionics. "We believe that the i-limb ultra revolution, with powered thumb rotation and the ability to quickly access multiple grip patterns, offers unparalleled dexterity and control, enabling wearers to more easily perform activities of daily living and thus increase their quality of life."

The powered rotation of the thumb can be either controlled directly by the wearer's muscle signals, or can move automatically into position as part of a pre-set grip pattern or gesture. The new Quick Grips(TM) option from the biosim mobile control app allows the user to automatically activate 24 different grip patterns and gestures on their prosthesis with a single tap of the screen.

"The i-limb ultra revolution is the most advanced, and easy to use prosthesis that I have ever worn," said Bertolt Meyer, i-limb wearer. "Powered thumb rotation, combined with the mobile app and quick access to all these new grips, gives me natural hand function that I never imagined would be possible."

i-limb ultra revolution features:

-- Powered rotating thumb and individually articulating fingers offering unparalleled dexterity and reliable access to precision grip patterns.

-- New biosim mobile control application compatible with latest Apple(R) products gives the wearer greatly expanded control capability via 24 Quick Grips each from a single screen tap.

-- New remote electrodes offer a higher level of sensitivity giving the wearer enhanced control.

-- A variety of flexible wrist options enabling more natural positioning of hand when gripping or picking up objects.

-- Aesthetic covering options available via the livingskin product line, including i-limb skin natural and i-limb skin match covers customized to match skin tone and appearance.

biosim mobile control app features:

-- 24 Quick Grips - Instant access to grip patterns with a single screen tap greatly expands prosthesis control.

-- Favorites - Editable collections of grips customized for daily needs. For example, wearers can select the 'work' favorite, which triggers the i-limb into preferred grips such as typing, holding papers, or using a mouse.

-- Hand Health Check - Activates prosthesis diagnostic to ensure the i-limb is functioning properly.

-- Training - Access training modes to help the wearer learn how to access all of the functionality available.

-- Compatibility - Available for download on Apple App Store and compatible with several Apple devices.

Support for Clinicians

All new i-limb products are supported by the Touch Care(TM) service and support package, Touch Link(TM) Academy certification program, on-site occupational therapy training, and reimbursement support services.

About Touch Bionics

Touch Bionics is a provider of world-leading prosthetic technologies designed to achieve positive outcomes for people with upper limb deficiencies. Touch Bionics was the first company to develop an electrically powered prosthetic hand with five independently powered fingers and the company continues to be a pioneer in upper limb prosthetic solutions. The company's products include electronic prosthetic hand and prosthetic finger solutions, as well as passive silicone prostheses that closely match the natural appearance of the wearer.

A spin-out from the UK's National Health Service, Touch Bionics was founded by inventor David Gow and is funded and supported by Archangel Informal Investment and Scottish Enterprise.

To learn more, visit www.touchbionics.com.

Note to editors: Images relating to this story are available at http://www.touchbionics.com/downloads/images/.

A brief preview video is also available at: http://www.touchbionics.com/downloads/general-videos/

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SOURCE: Touch Bionics

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By: Unknown On 9:47 AM

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NASA JPL controls rover with Leap Motion, shows faith in consumer hardware (video)

If you think using the Leap Motion controller for playing air guitar and typing without a keyboard was cool, try using it to control a NASA rover. Victor Luo and Jeff Norris from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab got on stage at the Game Developers Conference here in San Francisco to do just that with the ATHLETE (All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer), which was located 383 miles away in Pasadena. As Luo waved his hand over the sensor, the robot moved in kind, reacting to the subtle movements of his fingers and wrists, wowing the crowd that watched it over a projected Google+ Hangout.

We spoke with Luo and Norris after the panel to gain further insight into the project. As Luo explains, one of JPL's main goals is to build tools to control robots needed for space exploration. Seeing as the gaming industry is already rife with user-friendly controllers ripe for the plucking, it made sense to harness them for the job. "We're very used to the bleeding edge," he said. "From the Kinect to the PlayStation Move, they represent major investments into usability." Hit the jump for our impressions of the simulation software, a look at JPL's grander goal and for video clips of the demo and panel itself.

In the case of ATHLETE, using Leap Motion was an easy decision. Designed to be part of a lunar / martian exploration system and now slated for a potential asteroid mission, the massive 12-foot tall robot has half a dozen limbs each with six degrees of freedom, which lend themselves naturally to gesture-based controls. The crew had already built a hangar along with a series of trusses and pulleys to position ATHLETE on an asteroid test bed in order to simulate low gravity. They then mapped the physical space onto Unity-based software, which was configured for use with a variety of controllers, including the Leap.

We had a chance to try out the software ourselves, but without a robot connected at the other end. This editor hovered a hand over the sensor cautiously, and sure enough, the simulation responded like a giant claw. With a hand balled up in a fist and just one finger extended, we watched as the bot lifted a single limb as well. We were surprised by how responsive it was, though it might not be as precise as we would like in our incredibly brief demo. Of course, you can't tilt it too much and the legs can't bend backwards, but that's because the rover isn't supposed to do that either. It was a little unnerving, thinking that this flailing of fingers could translate to the movement of a robot in space.

The whole thing could easily be seen as a gimmick, but NASA doesn't think it is. "When we take ATHLETE to an asteroid, we have to make it fly," said Norris. "We need to move it as if it were zero gravity... the demos we've seen are actually quite amazing. We can see this enormous rover lazily falling and bouncing off things, as if it were a cloud."

Luo continued, saying that this is just a small subset of what JPL is trying to do. From NASA's first ever Xbox Live game, Mars Rover Landing, to its use of consumer-grade hardware, it's clear the agency wants to get everyday citizens excited about space travel again. With gaming-inspired projects like this one, that goal certainly seems within reach. To get a glimpse of the software in action with zSpace and Leap Motion sensors, have a look at the NASA-provided video above. For the GDC panel, check out the audience-captured clip below.

Source: NASA JPL

More Coverage: Leah Robinson (YouTube)

Tags: athlete, gdc, gdc2013, jeffnorris, jpl, kinect, leapmotion, nasa, rover, space, victorluo, zspace

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By: Unknown On 11:05 PM

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Microsoft brings Photosynth to Windows Phone 8, touts new camera integration and controls

It certainly took a little longer than Photosynth fanatics had hoped, but Microsoft's highly-rated application is available on Windows Phone 8 at long last. Just as we'd heard, Photosynth will seamlessly integrate with the WP8 Lens, allowing users to easily launch the panorama features without having to leave the main shooting interface. In addition, Microsoft gave the app a couple more boosts, including the ability to quickly adjust to different lighting scenarios thanks to more white balance and exposure locking controls, as well as making it easier to view Photosynths your dear friends would like you to see via Twitter, Facebook or email. Eager to give it a go? Then look no further than the source link to see what the Mango crowd has been enjoying for months.

Source: Photosynth

More Coverage: Photosynth Blog

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By: Unknown On 9:31 PM

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Splashtop's Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad feature lets tablet users create virtual controls and more

#1 Remote Desktop Leader Splashtop Introduces Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad -- Ability to Create Keyboard Shortcuts, Mouse Controls and Virtual Joysticks, Optimizing for Your Favorite Apps

Built-in Remote App Profiles include Microsoft Office, Media Players, Browser, and Games; Easily Extensible to Support Others

• Built-in game and work profiles expand ease and speed of work and play
• Featured as Macworld First Look
• Being previewed at Macworld, Booth 758

MACWORLD-SAN FRANCISCO and SAN JOSE, Calif. - January 31, 2013- Splashtop Inc., the worldwide leader in cross-device collaboration and remote access, announced the Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad add-on for its Splashtop 2 app for iPad and Google Play tablets. Splashtop 2 business and personal users will be able to customize their tablet experience by creating keyboard shortcuts, virtual joysticks, mouse controls for faster and more seamless remote access with their Macs and PCs. Splashtop 2 with Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad is being previewed in booth 758 at MacWorld (booth 758) and can be purchased by Splashtop 2 tablet users directly from within the app.

According to a recent survey of Splashtop users, people are by and large using Splashtop to remotely access a wide range of apps including office applications, browsers, gaming and media apps. With this in mind, Splashtop created the Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad add-on to give people a better and easier way to control and use their apps on their mobile devices.

"Over 12 million people already appreciate superior remote access performance with Splashtop 2 and Splashtop for Business," said Mark Lee, president and co-founder of Splashtop, Inc. "With the Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad add-on, we're not only bridging any device, anywhere, but also enabling users to customize the way they access and interact with their favorite apps, entertainment and data - creating even greater convenience."

Professional workers, students, teachers and essentially anyone on the go will appreciate how Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad enables the ability to create on-screen virtual shortcuts to the most frequently used functions and also virtual mouse controls to make their work go even faster. Profiles are built in for popular apps such as Microsoft Office, Media Player, QuickTime Player, browsers and Mac OS X. Key Features
• Ability to create customized virtual joy stick with buttons for gamepads
• Customizable keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for most frequently used apps
• Built-in productivity profiles for Microsoft Office (including PowerPoint slideshows),
Media Player, QuickTime Player, browsers, Mac OS X and Windows 8
• Built-in game profiles for Diablo III, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012, with more coming soon

Pricing and Availability

The Configurable Shortcuts & Gamepad add-on for Splashtop 2 is available for $0.99/month or $9.99/year subscription and is available for purchase from within the Splashtop 2 app for iPad and Google Play tablets.

For more information on Splashtop 2, visit http://www.splashtop.com/splashtop2. For more information on Splashtop, please visit http://www.splashtop.com; follow the company blog athttp://www.splashtop.com/blog, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Splashtop and on Twitter at @Splashtop.

Supporting Resources:
Splashtop home: http://www.splashtop.com Splashtop 2: http://www.splashtop.com/splashtop2 Splashtop for Business: http://www.splashtop.com/business Splashtop Whiteboard: http://www.splashtop.com/whiteboard Download Splashtop Streamer: http://www.splashtop.com/streamer Benchmarking videos: http://www.splashtop.com/splashtop2#performance-tab

About Splashtop
Splashtop Inc. delivers the best-in-class cross-screen productivity and collaboration experience, bridging smartphones, tablets, computers, TVs and cloud. Today, over 12 million users enjoy the convenience of Splashtop Remote Desktop, named to Apple App Store's Top 25 Best Selling iPad Apps of All-Time. Splashtop provides superior performance and ease of use for iOS, Android, RIM, Windows and MAC users who want to remote access their desktops, apps and data anytime, anywhere. Capitalizing on the BYOD/CYOD trends, Splashtop for Business is a secure, high-performance remote desktop solution designed to mobilize workforces in minutes, with full compliance to company IT policies. It provides an on-premise centralized console to monitor, manage, activate/deactivate and audit employee remote access of applications and data across computers and clouds. Many organizations are adopting Splashtop for Business as a faster, more cost effective way to address mobile VPN compatibility issues and RDP over WAN performance challenges, as well as to scale and accelerate existing VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) to mobile knowledge workforces. Splashtop also partners with mobile device management (MDM) vendors, system integrators, security networking vendors, and service providers to deliver flexible SaaS and on-premise solutions for businesses.
Splashtop Whiteboard allows teachers and students to turn their iPad, Android tablet, B&N NOOK or Amazon Kindle Fire into a mobile interactive whiteboard at a fraction of the cost of a traditional IWB. Teachers can collaborate, annotate, and share curriculum and content in many formats, including Flash, with all the students while walking around the classroom. Anywhere Access Pack is a Splashtop 2 add-on that allows users to seamlessly access their computers across 3G/4G, Internet and firewalls, using our Splashtop Bridging Cloud(tm), a global relay server infrastructure across US, Europe and Asia. Splashtop Bridging Cloud delivers best-in-class security, reliability and global performance.
Invested in by Storm Ventures, DFJ, NEA, and SAP Ventures, Splashtop is leading the wave of mobility and cloud computing - delivering enhanced productivity and collaboration by bridging users to apps, data and services on any device. For more information on Splashtop, please visithttp://www.splashtop.com.

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By: Dilusha On 8:45 PM

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Facebook adds drag-and-drop photos, trials simplified Timeline and delivers new privacy controls

Anyone who's returned from an event with a virtual armful of photos may have been frustrated with Facebook's upload interface, which until now has involved a less-than-intuitive file browser. The company is quietly solving that problem: an update pushing out to individual users lets them drag-and-drop photos into a new post, like we've seen on other social networks, and to a newly streamlined Messages format that's rolling out at the same time. A much smaller circle is seeing a second update. Facebook has confirmed to ABC News that it's conducting limited trials of an updated Timeline that moves the news feed to a single column, replaces the thumbnail navigation with simpler-looking tabs and makes all profile page information available through scrolling. A spokesperson wouldn't say if or when the new Timeline would reach the wider public, but history points to "when" being more likely. They did however mention that the new privacy shortcuts, activity log and untagging tool would be going live for all users starting tonight, and we've already seen them pop up on some of our accounts.

Filed under: Internet, Facebook

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Via: The Verge

Source: Inside Facebook, ABC News (1), (2)

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By: Dilusha On 10:00 AM

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