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(tkeating on Jan 8, 2009 4:44 PM) Just a test VOX comment

(Tom Keating on Jan 8, 2009 4:56 PM) trying typepad/typekey comment

With the new mCube90G power adaptor from Innergie and Green Plug, road warriors now have a lighter, greener option to toting around all those different power supplies and cables.

The new adaptor is green in two ways: it cuts of phantom — or standby — power usage by devices and it allows manufacturers to standardize on one universal power connector, meaning fewer device-specific power sources get made. These power supplies tend to have longer lives than the gadgets they juice up, but get thrown out with the obsolete tech.

Stringent rules in some states force electronics manufacturers to keep phantom power usage in devices to 0.5 watts. But plug two of those 0.5-watt devices into a single mCube90G adaptor instead of a typical power strip, and it will save that extra 0.5 watt. Four-plug — and larger — versions are planned.

Innergie rolled out the new adaptor as the first implementation of the Green Plug's GreenTalk digital protocol, which allows real-time communication between electronic devices and their power sources. No pricing has been set yet.

Newton's sneakers are as close to running barefoot as a person can get. Much has been made recently of returning to the elemental movement of walking or running. The logic suggests that our bodily structure is best served when motion is as close as possible to its primal state (i.e. running while barefoot). Newton attempts to fulfill this role for casual and professional runners, basing their technology on the suggestion that running on the forefoot more closely mimics the natural state. Through unique design elements and ultralight materials, the shoes aim to increase efficiency while decreasing bodily stress.

The most distinct design feature is a handful of "actuator lugs" on the forefoot, which ensure that they are the first point of contact with the ground. Less surface contact equates to less friction, which in turn cuts down on energy loss. They have specific shoes emphasizing cushioning and stability, with different models for training and race-day. Their latest edition is the Motion AW (pictured above). An amalgamation of the others, it has a more substantial upper that is both wind-resistant and water-repellent.

The switch to forefoot running is dramatic, though, and doesn't happen overnight. To ease into it, Newton recommends starting with low-mileage runs until your body adapts.

Newton shoes range from $155 to $175 and can be ordered through their site or various retail stores. And starting this month, they come in the innovative recycled shoeboxes pictured above. Made from 100% post-consumer material, the molded shape eliminates the need for internal packing or paper.

By Evan Ackerman

At their press conference this morning, Casio showed off some new additions to their line of high speed digital cameras. The flagship model is still the EX-F1, a beefy prosumer camera that can take stills at 60 frames per second and video at up to 1200 frames per second… We posted some sample movies when we covered it back in April. The new Exilim models that Casio released today feature a comparable high speed engine capable of 30 fps burst shooting for stills and up to 1000 fps for movies, in a much more compact size. Normal pictures are captured at 9 mpx, burst mode cuts that down to 6 mpx, and it’ll also take standard video in 720p.

Features include the ability to extract the perfect frame from long high fps bursts, and somehow the camera is able to combine multiple blurry shots in a burst into a single image that’s in focus. There’s also a novelty mode that will take a video of you moving, clip you out of the background, and transpose you onto a different background, which is something that you’ve been able to do with webcams for years. Basically, if you’re going to buy one of these, you’ll do it for the high speed, and that’s a pretty good reason if you ask me. Look for these in April for $400 with a 5x optical zoom and 2.7″ LCD, or $350 for a 3x optical zoom and 2.5″ LCD.

Thanks to Brian Westbrook and his D90 for the picture.

Sync has never tackled nav info, so it'll be interesting to see how this pans out. The traffic service will send you a text message with alerts along your route, which is then read aloud by the system. Ford reckons this will save you gas and time.

The turn-by-turn feature sounds great: say the name of a business, category of business or address and get turn by turn directions spoken to you. You can also call up the business found via your Bluetooth phone.

And better yet, your Sync settings and info is all saved to your phone, and can be used in any Sync vehicle you climb into, all the while keeping the grade-a iPod/iPhone/musicphone integration.

Pictured: Sync 1.0, via our friends at Jalopnik, who have more on the next-gen Sync as well.

NEW FORD SYNC FEATURES HELP DRIVERS SAVE TIME, FUEL WITH PERSONALIZED NEWS, TRAFFIC DETAILS

• SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information provides personalized, real-time information to help drivers get to where they’re going with information they need. New services come with no monthly subscription fees for the first three years.
• Users’ customizations stay with their phone and can be used in other SYNC-equipped vehicles and can be upgraded free as new services are available.
• New features launch later this year on select 2010 models and will roll out across the entire Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury lineup by 2011.
• SYNC sales expected to top 1 million in 2009.

LAS VEGAS, JAN.7, 2009 – Ford is expanding its connectivity leadership by introducing exclusive new SYNC real-time information features that deliver personalized news updates to drivers’ mobile phones while helping them navigate around trouble spots, saving time and fuel.

“Our vision with SYNC is to be a leader in connectivity, making it affordable for millions – just as Ford has done with safety and fuel-saving technologies,” said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally. “In less than 18 months since we launched SYNC, Ford has delivered two more major new features, and we have more in store.

“We are a car company that through market-driven, customer-focused innovation is learning to think and act like an electronics company, leveraging partnerships with fresh, innovative technology leaders,” added Mulally, who delivered the Consumer Electronics Show keynote address on Thursday.

The success of SYNC – the award-winning communications and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft – continues to grow. Ford’s game-changing vehicle connectivity model and affordability have helped make it one of the widest technology introductions in the industry, launching on 12 vehicles simultaneously.

SYNC-equipped Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles sell nearly twice as fast as those without, and a Ford survey of SYNC customers showed nearly 80 percent of respondents “definitely would” recommend it to a friend.

Since the introduction of SYNC in the 2008 Ford Focus, Ford quickly has integrated the technology. By summer 2009, Ford’s entire North American lineup will offer this must-have technology, demonstrating its rapid, consumer-driven adoption. Ford expects to have 1 million SYNC-equipped vehicles on the road by the third quarter of 2009.

“We define connectivity as a way to keep people moving through their lives – not simply as an on-board computer,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Our approach focuses on connecting people to the information they need, whenever and wherever they need it. These new features are aimed at enhancing the driver’s entire quality of life.”

Ford’s next-generation system – SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information – leverages industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS technology and a customer’s Bluetooth-capable mobile phone. Debuting this spring, it will provide simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather.

The new services will be available on nearly all 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models with no initial monthly subscription fees, thanks to three years of service included with a new vehicle purchase.

“Ford is unique because we continue to build on the power of the SYNC system that lets customers connect to off-board services through their own mobile devices,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford’s Connected Services Organization. “With that foundation, there is no limit to the data we can offer. Working with our partners – the best of the best in the technology world – we will continue to provide new services in a timeframe on par with the consumer electronics industry.”

According to 2008 year-end data, Smartphones were a clear consumer must-have, offering such advanced capabilities as a keyboard, Web browser and some PC-like functionality. Research findings suggest that growth in this industry is expected to continue at 40-percent year-over-year.

SYNC’s new suite of services allows customers the ability to integrate with off-board services and provide a personalized infotainment experience to the driver by utilizing the customer’s own phone. That powerful match is what differentiates SYNC in the marketplace and what will expand Ford’s connectivity leadership long-term.

“Today, Ford leads the industry leader in infotainment,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. “As we transform our vehicle lineup, we intend to continue making smart technology a key differentiator for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products.”

Ford is partnering with Microsoft and other recognized companies – INRIX, TeleNav, Tellme (a Microsoft subsidiary), M/A-COM and Airbiquity — to enable the new services to connect to real-time data.

“We’re excited to see Ford's great innovations developed on top of our Microsoft Auto platform that continue to improve how people spend time in their car,” says Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division.
“The combination of software and services, including the industry leading technology from Microsoft Auto and Tellme, are delivering entirely new voice-enabled experiences that make the time spent in the car more entertaining and more productive,” Bach added.

To take advantage of Traffic, Directions and Information, customers simply have to pair their Bluetooth-enabled phone with SYNC and activate the service via www.syncmyride.com.
Once that’s complete, the feature becomes “portable,” meaning customers can access the information in any Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle equipped with SYNC and the Traffic, Directions and Information function.

TRAFFIC
SYNC’s new traffic feature will literally save drivers time and money by providing personalized traffic reports based on best-in-class content.

“We are able to provide traffic speed, flow and incident information to drivers in 95 markets nationwide,” said VanDagens. “In addition, drivers can personalize the system to alert them of changing road conditions.”

In a text message to the user’s device, drivers will get the location and severity of accidents or new road construction causing areas of heavy congestion. Users can personalize the system to send them an alert before they leave home or have SYNC read the text message in their vehicle.

“SYNC is working for you before you’re even out of bed,” VanDagens said. “That’s what we mean by a quality-of-life experience.”

DIRECTIONS
According to Telematics Research Group, Inc., navigation-enabled mobile phones are becoming consumers’ top choice for navigation services. This shift will open up new applications and services – and SYNC is positioned to take full advantage of this market shift using its powerful partnership network.

Drivers requesting directions now can use a variety of search criteria including a 14-million-plus business directory to find their destination, be it a favorite coffee shop or the location of a business meeting.

Turn-by-turn directions are downloaded to the vehicle and are spoken to the user over the vehicle’s audio system and displayed on the radio.

Like the new traffic service, directions incorporate real-time traffic information. Through a set of more conversational voice commands, the user need only speak the name, category or “nearest.”

The new directions service also offers users a choice of how they’d like to receive the information:
• Automatic connection to business telephone using the driver’s personal device;
• Turn-by-turn directions to the business location using the vehicle’s audio system; or
• Text message to user’s device with business listing and map.

Information
Another new feature of SYNC will help drivers’ personalize and categorize their favorite media topics, such as sports, weather and news using voice commands or through www.syncmyride.com.

Examples include:
• Personalized sports reports featuring scores and highlights for any professional or college team;
• Current weather conditions and forecasts based on city, state or zip-code; and
• News of all types – entertainment, business, top stories and technology.

“SYNC has been developed to allow users to create their own experiences,” said VanDagens. “Some people may wish to check their stock portfolios; others might want their hometown baseball scores. With SYNC’s unique architecture and the powerful Tellme voice service, there are no boundaries to the information users can access.”

New short-cuts added
SYNC has gotten smarter as well, and is providing a variety of new “short-cut” commands. Users recall comments such as, “Call Joe at work,” and, “Play artist ACDC.” New commands include, “traffic to work,” and, “directions to home.” Using the website, users can save a variety of locations such as home, office and airport – any location in the U.S.

These new capabilities are in addition to SYNC’s established hallmark suite of services, from hands-free, voice-activated cell phone, text messaging and digital media player integration to the more recent security and convenience additions of 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report.

“We understand how important it is for customers to feel connected to their lives – even on the road,” Kuzak said. “Ford is committed to continue working with the top technology companies in the business to deliver even more of the features consumers really want.”

Filed under: Laptops

OLPC "refocuses" its mission, cuts staff by 50% originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The 52, 46 and 40-inch sets have a few other green-colored tricks up their sleeves too: A presence sensor turns the off when no one's in the room and automatically turns itself on when you come back into the room. They're also Sony's first TVs with a zero-watt standby switch.

LAS VEGAS (CES BOOTH 14200), Jan. 7, 2009 – Sony took another important step on the environmental front today by unveiling a series of highly energy efficient televisions.

The new BRAVIA VE5-series models offer substantial power savings thanks to a zero-watt standby power switch, along with motion and light sensors that minimize energy usage without compromising performance.

The 52-inch KDL-52VE5, the 46-inch KDL-46VE5 and the 40-inch KDL-40VE5 models (all measures diagonally) are also the first to incorporate Sony’s exclusive micro-tubular Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (HCFL). The technology helps reduce power consumption by almost 40 percent compared to the company’s other LCD HDTV models.

“Sony is constantly ranked as one of the most environmentally conscious consumer electronics companies in the industry,” said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ Home Products Division. “Our new Eco TVs represent the company’s commitment not only to saving the environment, but also to saving consumers money through lower power consumption.”

Televisions often are left unattended by children or others who become busy and forget to turn the set off when they leave the room. Sony’s Presence Sensor feature solves the issue by automatically turning off the picture when no one is present in the vicinity after a user-set timeframe. When the sensor detects motion, the TV turns it self back on instantly.

The VE5 models are also Sony’s first LCD televisions to offer a zero-watt standby Energy Saving Switch. When not in use, the standby switch can also be manually turned off, cutting power to nearly zero watts. Simply flip the switch back on and the TV is fully operational.

Additionally, the sets feature a light sensor that will automatically adjust the backlight depending on ambient room light. The setting saves energy and improves image contrast by lowering the backlight when it is set unnecessarily high in dimmer room light.

All of Sony’s new 2009 LCD high-definition televisions exceed Energy Star® 3.0 requirements. By employing a range of innovative power-saving features, the VE5-series sets a new standard for HDTV energy efficiency.

On the performance front, the sets feature Sony’s Motionflow™ 120Hz technology for improved sharpness and detail in fast-moving images. The models also offer a USB input for playing audio files from a USB storage device or connecting a compatible digital camera to display photos.

The models are compatible with Sony’s BRAVIA Link modules including the BRAVIA Wireless Link, BRAVIA Input Link and BRAVIA DVD Link.

The models also feature:

o The BRAVIA Engine™ 2
o BRAVIA Sync™
o 24p True Cinema™
o 4 HDMI inputs
o Single PC, component, composite and S-video inputs
o Favorites menu

[Sony]

Continue reading Sony's BRAVIA VE5 series brings zero-watt standy, HCFL backlighting

Filed under: CES, Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Sony's BRAVIA VE5 series brings zero-watt standy, HCFL backlighting originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It comes with 1,000 songs “handpicked from the Billboard charts” coming on a microSD card for use with the player. If you get bored with those, you can get genre-specific 1,000 song bundles for $40 more. It’s a cool idea, which brings the cost of music down to 4 cents per song and it also cuts downloading out of the equation. The problem is most of the songs will probably be garbage. There’s also an FM radio integrated in there too.

Here’s the catch. You knew there was one right? Those $0.04 cent songs are locked to the card. The Sansa slotRadio will be available in “early 2009″ for $100 at RadioShack.

LAS VEGAS -- Casio today launched a new, sleek Exilim compact camera at CES 2009 which brings the fancy high-speed shooting of previous models to the consumer range. It has the resplendent title of EX-FS10.

Last year Casio EX-F1 and the EX-FH20, the super high speed digicams which threw images at up to 60fps onto the memory card. While they'd also do high-speed video, the point was that the flurry of images taken in one burst would be guaranteed to contain the perfect smile, (or the perfect stupid, embarrassing expression).

The trouble? Big ugly cams. This year, Casio has squeezed this  gimmick, which it calls Dynamic Photography, into a tiny Exilim body. The FS10 runs at at just 30fps, but it does this at its full resolution. It will also actually slow down the image on the rear LCD in real-time, giving a rather odd live slo-mo effect.

The other trick is the constantly running buffer mode, somewhat imaginatively called High Speed Technology. When you hit the shutter, frames before and after are captured, allowing you to actually go back in time to before you take the shot. It also lets you pick the sharp image from a burst of blurry low light shots.

There is another rather unusual feature. Shoot a video sequence – the demo involved somebody passing a gift – then shoot a still shot of the background without the subject. The camera automatically cuts out the moving subject, like matting in video production. Then, you can add this blue-screen-style cutout to another background.

The demo showed a hideous, Hallmark-alike e-card, complete with pink cake and cheesy grin. Also, look at this little girl! She's actually moving on the background, which is itself a curiously photo-accurate rendition of a nearby Vegas hotel.

The quality of the extraction looks pretty good, though. Available March. More details as we get them, along with some close-op product pr0n shots.