Seabird Open Web mobile phone concept from Billy May

As laptop computers continue to shrink in size and mobile phones become more and more powerful, can it be that long before the two merge into a device with the portability of a mobile phone and the functionality of a laptop? While it is just a matter of time before the power of a fully-fledged PC can be crammed inside a device the size of a mobile phone, our fingers aren't getting any smaller so overcoming the problems of interacting with such a small device will require some creative thinking. Creative thinking like that of designer Billy May who has come up with a mobile phone concept called the “Seabird” that is designed to address some of the frustrations people face when using such physically small devices.

May developed the concept phone as part of Mozilla Labs’ Concept Series, which asked people to share ideas and develop concepts around Firefox, the Mozilla projects and the Open Web as a whole. In early 2009, May, who also came up with the Hindsight concept glasses, developed a throwaway concept for an “Open Web Concept Phone”. In response to community feedback on that concept he developed the Seabird that explores what an Open Web phone might look like and how one would interact with it.

Virtual keyboard

The popularity of standard 3 x 4 keypads has declined as the popularity of smartphones has increased and the capabilities of mobile phones have expanded, to the point where QWERTY keypads – be they physical, such as those found on a BlackBerry, or onscreen, such as those found on the iPhone – are now the norm. Still, the size of these miniaturized keyboards is less than ideal, which is why May has opted for a full-sized QWERTY keyboard using a couple of in-built pico projectors.

When the Seabird is placed down on a flat surface two pico projectors on either side of the device can be used to display a full-sized virtual keyboard with the full complement of keys, while an unmarked area below the base of the phone serves as an infrared touchpad area. Additionally, with the use of a dock the projectors would act independently, with one used to display the virtual keyboard and the other projecting the screen onto a wall.

Bluetooth Headset/IR remote control
May’s Seabird concept also features a detachable Bluetooth/IR Dongle that fits into the back of the device that functions as a Bluetooth earpiece or as a remote control to move a cursor on the phone’s screen. An infrared camera array built into the phone would detect motion of the dongle in three dimensions, allowing users to zoom in and out as well as pan.
The Seabird would include features already found in mobile phones today such as an 8-megapixel camera, 3.5mm headphone jack and mini-USB port. It would also run Android and would also charge wirelessly – again, technology that is already commercially available in devices such as the Powermat.
The device would feature a flat face with no physical buttons, while the bulge at the top of the device’s back elevates the two side projectors to allow them to better project the virtual keyboard onto the surface it sits upon.
Although there are no plans for the Seabird to become a real-world device, the technologies that May has used in his concept either already exist or are within the realm of possibility. So it’s also not beyond the realm of possibility that we’ll see a similarly equipped device appearing from a mobile phone manufacturer in the not too distant future.

T-Mobile G2 official

The follow-up to the Google sanctioned G1 smartphone is on the way and T-Mobile has released official details. The T-Mobile G2 gets Android 2.2, an 800 MHz Snapdragon MSM7230 CPU, applications like Google Voice Actions built-in and 4G speeds via the carrier's HSPA+ network2. The HTC-designed handset also includes a 3.7-inch multi-touch screen, an optical trackpad, a new hinge design for the full QWERTY keyboard and a 5-megapixel camera with 720p video capture.

HSPA+ support is built into the processor to achieve 4G speeds, with T-Mobile citing a theoretical peak capability of 14.4 Mbps on a network that currently "covers 100 million Americans in more than 55 major metropolitan areas."

What else? The integrated Voice Actions feature is worth noting (and as we reported earlier in the week, voice is really starting to go places), Android 2.2 brings seven customizable home screen panels and Flash support, there's 4GB of internal memory and support for up to 32 GB of external memory (with an 8GB micro SD card pre-installed), Swype text input, a 3.5mm headphone jack and the camera has an LED flash and autofocus.

There's no confirmation of a release date or pricing yet (the predictions are for a cost of US$200 on contract and $500 without) – T-Mobile says it will start taking pre-orders from existing customers later this month.

Source  T-Mobile  + predictions

XWave headset

Until humans evolve huge brains like the Talosians, it seems we’ll have to rely electronic headwear to allow us to control devices with our brainwaves – electronic headwear like the XWave from California-based company PLX Devices. The XWave is the first brainwave interface accessory for the iPhone/iPod touch/iPad that is worn over the head like a pair of headphones. Unfortunately, the device won’t allow you to scroll through playlists or select a contact to call with the power of your mind. Rather, like the Star Wars Force Trainer, it detects your attention and meditation levels for use in games and getting the old gray matter into shape.

 
The XWave is powered by technology provided by Neurosky Inc. and the device itself is not dissimilar to that company’s MindSet headset we first saw at the Tokyo Game Show back in 2008. Like the MindSet, the XWave incorporates a single electrode that sits in contact with the wearer’s forehead to read brainwave information, or electroencephalography (EEG) data, and converts these analog signals into digital so they can be used

The device comes bundled with the XWave app that includes a number of exercises aimed at training your brain. Objectives include levitating a ball on the iDevice’s screen, changing a color based on the relaxation level of your brain and training your brain to maximize its attention span.

PLX Devices is also providing 3rd party software developers an SDK to allow them to design and develop apps using the XWave device. The company reports that some apps already in development include games in which objects are controlled by the wearer’s mind and another that allows the wearer to control the lights in their home or select music based on their mood.

The XWave will be available for preorder from PLX Devices now for US$100 ahead of an October 2010 release.

Source: PLX Devices,Talosians

Nike iPhone App for Runners

Nike has rolled-out a new Nike+ GPS iPhone App for iPhone and iPod touch. It is predominately a GPS app that allows you to visually map your run in addition to monitoring time, pace, distance and calories burned. If you're running on a treadmill or out of GPS range the accelerometer is used to keep the data coming and audio feedback and motivation is delivered by the likes of Paula Radcliffe or Lance Armstrong.
Through a platform on the Nike+ website, (currently boasting a community of 3 million members) runners can connect with other runners within their neighborhood or throughout the world.

The App also comes with a “Challenge Me” feature, whereby runners can push themselves to increase their pace or distance compared to previous runs logged in the system. You can connect to www.nikeplus.com after each run and share run history with friends via the site, Twitter, or Facebook. However the online support program is more likely to be useful to view your progress, create goals, download coaching programs or accept running challenges.
Added bonus: if you happen to get lost, you can tap the screen to see your current location.
The Nike+ GPS App is available for US$1.99 from the Apple App Store.

ARCHOS & Android tablet computers

Apple has pretty much defined what many of us now consider to be a tablet computer. When the term is used, we automatically think of a 9.56 x 7.47-inch (242.8 x 189.7mm) iPad. Now, French consumer electronics company Archos is about to have us question that perception with the announcement of five new internet tablets with screen sizes ranging from 2.8-inches (71mm) diagonally across to 10.1-inches (257mm). The new devices will all run on Android 2.2 (Froyo) with support for Adobe's Flash 10.1 player, be powered by either 800MHz or 1GHz processors and sport built-in 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi.

 Leading the Android assault on established tablet territory is the Archos 101 Internet Tablet with a 10.1-inch (257mm), 1024 x 600 resolution capacitive multi-touch widescreen display and a zippy ARM Cortex A8 1GHz processor. There are two solid state storage sizes on offer, either 8 or 16GB, with expansion possible via an SDHC-compatible microSD slot.

Its surface is larger and its frame thinner than Apple's iPad – at 10.6 x 5.9 x 0.47-inch (270 x 150 x 12 mm) compared to the iPad's dimension of 9.56 x 7.47 x 0.5-inches (242.8 x 189.7 x 13.4mm) – and it benefits from a front-facing VGA camera. Archos says that as well as supporting MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, Ogg Vorbis and FLAC audio formats and JPEG, BMP, PNG and GIF image files, the 15.87 ounce (480g) tablet can also play up to 720p high definition video. In addition to the Wi-Fi mentioned in the leading paragraph, also included is Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR.

There's USB 2.0 connectivity as well as HDMI-out, for onward transmission to big screen TVs. Archos says that it can also "be used as a game pad for your TV thanks to the built-in accelerometer and 3D open GL technology so users can enjoy a unique gaming experience." To the rear is a built-in kick-stand to help get the perfect viewing angle and the device comes with a built-in speaker and microphone. Its Lithium Polymer battery is said to give up to 36 hours of audio playback, 7 hours of video or 10 hours of web surfing.

As well as automatic firmware updates, "a new feature in the Android settings menu means that the devices can also be tethered to a 3G phone via Bluetooth or USB for Internet connectivity when on the move."

The 8GB version carries a recommended retail price of US$299.99, with the 16GB coming in at US$349.99 upon release in the near future. Included in the package will be some earphones, a USB cable and a power charger.

An upgrade or a new product?

To all intents and purposes, the Archos 70 Internet Tablet looks to be an updated Archos 7 Home Tablet although the claimed battery life doesn't look quite as impressive. Like the Home Tablet, the Archos 70 features a 7-inch (178mm), 800 x 480 resolution widescreen display with 16 million colors but the new model gets capacitive multi-touch interaction.

As well as 8GB of solid state storage (with SDHC-compatible microSD expansion), there's now a 250GB HDD option too. Like the flagship model above, this one is powered by an ARM Cortex A8 1GHz processor and is said to support up to 720p high definition video playback as well as the various audio and image formats mentioned earlier. It also has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, USB 2.0 and HDMI-out connectivity. There's a front-facing VGA webcam, built-in speakers and microphone, and a handy kick-stand.

The version containing solid state storage has dimensions of 7.91 x 4.49 x 0.43-inches (201 x 114 x 10mm) and weighs 11 ounces (300g) and the HDD flavor is both chunkier and heavier at 0.55-inch (14mm) thick and tips the scales at 14 ounces (400g). Either way, the Lithium Polymer battery is said to give up to 36 hours of audio playback, 7 hours of video or 10 hours of web surfing.

Archos says that its 70 Internet Tablet should be available shortly at a recommended retail price of US$274.99 for the solid state variety and US$349.99 for the HDD.

The half way point

Next in line is the first of two palm-sized units, the Archos 43 Internet Tablet. In spite of the size reduction to 5.3 x 2.6 x 0.4-inches (135 x 65 x 9mm), this model still packs an ARM Cortex A8 1GHz processor and 720p high definition video playback support on its 4.3-inch (109mm), 480 x 854 resolution touchscreen display. Either 8 or 16GB solid state storage is on offer as well as the connectivity and file format support of the previously mentioned models.

This model does have something that the others don't, in the shape of a 2 megapixel 720p high definition camera. Its Lithium Polymer battery life is said to give up to 36 hours music, 10 hours video or 12 hours web surfing and is charged via a computer USB port.

The Archos 43 is scheduled for release in the coming season with a recommended retail starting price of US$199.99

Portable media players redefined

The penultimate device in our list is the Archos 32 Palm-sized Tablet. It has a 3.2-inch (81mm), 400 x 240 resolution touchscreen display offering 262,000 colors, comes with 8GB of flash storage and is powered by an ARM Cortex A8 800 MHz processor. Like those before, this little device is said to be capable of supporting video playback up to 720p and features the same connectivity and media support options.

Stamping its individuality on the proceedings, the 4.1 x 2.1 x 0.3-inch (105 x 55 x 9mm) device features VGA camcorder functionality. It's charged via a computer USB port and its Lithium Polymer battery is claimed to give up to 24 hours music, 6 hours video or 8 hours web surfing.

The Archos 32 Tablet is landing this month for a recommended retail price of US$149.99

And lastly, the first of a kind

The company says that its Archos 28 Pocket Tablet is the first Android player to come in at under US$100. Just under, mind you – with the 4GB version being made available this month for a recommended retail price of US$99.99. There's also an 8GB version coming, but there's no mention of when or how much.

As you may have worked out by now, this one comes with a 2.8-inch (71mm), 320 x 240 resolution touchscreen display. It's powered by an ARM Cortex A8 800 MHz processor and offers DVD-quality video playback. Although Wi-Fi features, Bluetooth doesn't, but there is USB 2.0 connectivity and a built-in microphone. The Lithium Polymer battery in this 3.9 x 2.1 x 0.35-inch (100 x 54 x 9mm) model is said to give up to 16 hours music, 4 hours video or 6 hours web surfing and is charged via a computer USB port.

Source:Archos 101 Internet Tablet

OpenPlug to speed up mobile development for carriers

Alcatel-Lucent has acquired mobile app development platform OpenPlug in order to offer its enterprise and telecommunications carrier customers a faster way to get apps to market. Terms of the deal were not announced.

Southern France based OpenPlug allows developers to build an app once using its SDK based on Adobe’s Flex Builder, and then the code is compiled to run a natively on iOS, Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile and Linux. OpenPlug is Alcatel-Lucent’s second acquisition in the developer space in the last three months, following its purchase of API-focused site ProgrammableWeb.

“OpenPlug takes into consideration the components of the device – you’ll notice that UI interfaces are different – there is no reason the features shouldn’t be different,” said Scott Monson, Alcatel-Lucent’s Director of Application Services, in an interview with TNW.

Alcatel-Lucent has received many requests from its customers to offer more app building services said Monson. “People haven’t expected this from telcos [such as Alcatel-Lucent] to build out the app ecosystem,” Monson noted.

Alcatel-Lucent plans to use OpenPlug to reach beyond mobile handsets into other devices as well; ”We are looking at other platforms that will make a difference, could mean a connected car, any kind of device or platform,” said Monson. Additionally, Alcatel-Lucent will also promote OpenPlug as a way to bring smartphone-like functionality to feature phones and other lower-cost handsets.

“In the short term the service will continue to use the OpenPlug brand,” said Monson, though OpenPlug will also be included in Alcatel-Lucent’s Developer Platform and Open API Service.

Analysis

It’s good to see a major telecommunications equipment and services provider making a serious play (with at least two acquisitions Alcatel-Lucent is certainly serious about this) as an app developer service/platform. Of course, Alcatel-Lucent isn’t the only telco thinking about and/or doing this, but it seems to be on a reasonable path. While we haven’t used OpenPlug ourselves, if it works as advertised there certainly is a lot of potential when you combine Alcatel-Lucent’s network expertise and the community around ProgrammableWeb.

That said, its doubtful that Alcatel-Lucent will focus beyond the enterprise/carrier level, so these moves will probably have little effect on independent developers and startups. Still, hard to fault Alcatel-Lucent’s intent to get into the app ecosystem, where there will most likely be tremendous growth for years to come.

About the Author

Chad Catacchio

Chad Catacchio is a lead writer at The Next Web. He has held management positions at a number of tech companies in the US, as well as 7 years in China in market research and tech management consulting. Follow him on

HD Voice Calls Go Nationwide in the UK with Orange

Aiming to reduce the background noise and the “hisses and crackles” often heard on a normal mobile call, Orange has launched HD Voice calls nationwide in the UK today.

The technology uses the AMR-WB codec and is expected to be adopted by other carriers shortly. William Webb (Head of research and development at Ofcom) says that it is “relatively easy for an operator to introduce—it’s just a software upgrade.”

It’s not all good news however. Unfortunately, the new technology does not address the problems associated with mobile phone reception – so iPhone users don’t get your hopes up – and it will require most users to purchase a new handset. That said, Orange is offering the service free to existing customers, lets hope competitors do the same cough-cough-O2-cough-cough.

Update:

Just came upon this video from the BBC’s Rory Cellan-Jones comparing an HD phone call to a standard phone, the difference is absolutely remarkable. If the video below isn’t working for you,watch it here.

via bbc.co.uk

T-Mobile G2 Surface

 

T-Mobile’s first HSPA+ handset a couple of weeks back, as the mobile carrier flipped the switch on a new mini-site giving visitors the option to sign-up for more information on the new Android-powered handset.

CellPhoneSignal grabbed the first official shots of the T-Mobile G2, suggesting that the device will come in any colour that you want, as long as it’s silver.

It has some pretty decent specifications too, positioning it as a device worthy of carrying the torch from its predecessor, the very first Android handset, the T-Mobile G1:

• 3.7″ Active Matrix OLED display
• 1 GHz Snapdragon Processor
• Landscape slide-out QWERTY keyboard
• 5MP camera with autofocus.
• 3G HSPA+
• WiFi + Hotspot capabilities
• aGPS
• Bluetooth 2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate

 

CellPhoneSignal noted that the device will run HTC’s Sense UI but from the screenshots, it seems to be a vanilla build of Android. As always, the finished product can be substantially different from early shots, so we will have to wait and see what T-Mobile will deliver when it decides to divulge more information. 

Palm/HP Has beta version WebOS 2.0 SDK

Palm/HP has released a beta version of the webOS 2.0 SDK, as well as APIs and a look at a few interface features.Due out later this year, webOS 2.0, will, according to PreCentral, include these new/improved/re-branded features (as well as most likely many more):

• Palm’s multitasking ‘card’ metaphor is getting a refresh with Stacks
• Universal Search is getting majorly beefed up with ‘Quick Actions,’ will be opened to developers, and rebranded as Just Type
• Apps can have custom Touchstone at-a-glance views with Exhibition
• Synergy is opening up to developers
• HTML5 and Javascript support is much improved
• Hybrid PDK/SDK apps will be fully supported

So “Stacks” will be webOS 2.0’s multi-tasking interface, “Just Type” will be its universal search plus a new “Quick Actions” function that will direct the OS to do tasks, “Synergy” will be will include APIs for devs to create email/contacts/calendar apps, and the new OS will add better HTML5 and JavaScript support. Overall, sounds interesting (especially when you think about it in terms of a HP tablet) and we highly suggest that if you’re really interested you read the entire PreCentral post, which is pretty comprehensive.

Mobile comes to Android. You are likely to be annoyed

The Features

 

First off, let’s get it out of the way –  the application is good. It’s beautiful and really well done. It fits with the Android UI nicely. Having said that, here’s a rundown of the features:

• Image of the day with hotspots
• Endless scrolling search
• Integrated voice search
• Bing Maps, with Points of Interest
• Local ratings
• Local reviews
• News

The hotspots on the images are a really cool feature, in and of themselves. They’re great ways to learn about the daily photos and to explore our world via your phone. The same “cool” factor applies to almost all of the Bing features, in fact. Every one of them is integrated really well into the application itself. The UI is very Android-centric, with the sliding drawer at the bottom of the display. It fact, it’s so elegant that it brings up the issue at hand with why I don’t like the application.

The problem with having a phone that runs almost entirely based on Google products is that it’s sometimes difficult to have good integration with products from any other source. While Bing for Mobile (presently only available on Verizon phones) does have some great features, it’s too overpowering for an Android application, and as the title said, is likely to annoy some users.

The Problems

I bet you didn’t know that you just downloaded a new browser, did you? I bet you also didn’t realize that when you try to go to your bookmarks, you can’t, because you’re in an entirely different application. Instead of the search function of Bing allowing you to click on a link that then goes to your Android browser of choice, Bing locks you into its garden, taking you to your requested page within the application itself.

For some, this might not be a big deal. For me, it’s a deal breaker. I wasn’t forewarned of this. I was downloading something that I can use for quick search. I didn’t want a new browser.

Overall, the app feels like it’s trying to take over my phone. It functions as a UI replacement for many thing, including searches for all sorts of products. If you’re into that sort of thing, and you’re a big fan of Bing results, then this isn’t such a bad idea. For me, it feels like a Bing-flavored sandwich of which I’m being forced to take a bite.

Preference

In the end, this is what it comes down to. For me, I already have integrated search on my Droid. I don’t need an overlay of another application to do simple searches. This is especially true for any application that’s going to lock me inside of it. If this isn’t your case, then I can highly recommend the app. It is, as I said, beautiful and very well done.

HootSuite gets political and up iPhone app features.

HootSuite has been busy of late.  After announcing a beta version of their mobile app for BlackBerry users, HootSuite provided aglimpse of the product yesterday. This follows the announcement of a HootSuite Freemium model for their social media dashboard. Now the HootSuite has added new features to their iPhone app and have been approved for use by government agencies.

First the political news.  On their blog yesterday HootSuite announced that they “are proud to be the first and only social media dashboard in theApps.Gov catalog and are pleased to announce that HootSuite is officially approved as a web application for United States government agencies.”

The official GSA New Media Twitter account published the announcement to alert the various agencies.

Want to know which government agencies are using HootSuite?  Find the entire list here: @hootwatch/gov-ngo list.

Now on to the iPhone updates, which are quite impressive.  Now available in the App Store, HootSuite version 1.1.6 adds the following features:

• Updated Contacts Tab
• Search For Twitter User
• Find Twitter User by username
• List Management (Edit / View / Add)
• View Following / Followers
• View own profile
• Updated User Profile Information
• View Lists & Subscriptions
• Subscribe to Lists

But the biggest new feature added to HootSuite’s iPhone app?  Now users can utilize Bump to quickly add followers.  A great new addition to an already fantastic iPhone app.

What are your opinions on the use of HootSuite by government agencies?

Do you use HootSuite on your iPhone?  If so, what do like and/or dislike about the app?

OtterBox Impact Case for iPhone 3G, 3GS (Black)

Apple iPod touch 8 GB (2nd Generation--with iPhone OS 3.1 Software Installed) [NEWEST 

Apple iPod touch 32 GB (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODELMODEL]

Listen to your favorite websites with BuzzVoice

Back in July, we told you about a great application called BuzzVoice that let you listen to your favorite websites. At the time, while I was really excited about the service, I was pretty bummed that it was only for iPhone.

You can think of BuzzVoice as sort of a “Pandora for news”, where you are able to pick the sites you want to listen to, and then the application will read the top stories from those sites back to you. For keeping up to speed while you’re driving, working out or even on a bumpy train ride, there’s simply not a better choice than listening.

Apparently, according to a post on the BuzzVoice website, it’s time for Android users to get happy. BuzzVoice for Android has landed into the Android Market, and we’re here to give you a first look at it

Emily Dickinson Songs 
Hallmark 2002 Buzz Lightyear Ornament. Has Voice Feature! 
TOY STORY 3 (Tim Allen) 8x10 Photo Signed In-Person by the Voice Actor 

The only issue that I see is that there isn’t a free version for those who want a BuzzVoice demo before committing to the $4.99 cost. However, it is the Android market, so you have 24 hours to uninstall any application if you don’t like what it does.

The great part about BuzzVoice on Android is that we get some lovely features that are specific to our devices:

• Background Audio Streaming: Stream BuzzVoice “in the background” while running other apps
• A specialized Android Widget, which works like a handy ”remote control” for BuzzVoice
• A new ”Android Radio” station featuring breaking news on “all things Android.”

Ready to take the plunge? You can either search for BuzzVoice in the Android market, click on this link via any Android device or here’s a QR code for those who use scanners:

5.3 Million Shows To iOS Devices

Some interesting mobile iPlayer statistics came out of the BBC yesterday, revealing that the corporation streamed 5.3 million programmes to iOS-enabled devices and just 6,400 to Android devices via its video-on-demand service.

 

The information was released after a Freedom of Information request was submitted to the BBC, to “understand the take-up of iPlayer Flash streaming for Android 2.2 phones in July.”

Currently, the only way that Android users can view BBC iPlayer content is by visiting the iPlayer website and invoking the built-in Flash Player functionality to display the content. Given that Flash support is only available to users with Android 2.2, the ability to watch shows has only been available to Android users for less than a month on most devices.

The Android Market used to have an unofficial BBC iPlayer app, this no longer worked when the BBC changed the way it streamed its programmes.

For owners of the Apple iPhone or iPod Touch, the corporation built a specific iPhone portal nearly two years ago that would specifically format shows for iOS devices (remember, iOS devices will never officially support Flash). Non-2.2 Android devices should be able to access the same HTML5 streams that are available for iOS devices but the BBC blocked access to them because of “content protection considerations” that restrict delivery via HTTP.

The Guardian quite rightly points out that an iPlayer app could be on its way to older versions of Android, especially after the BBC Trust approved the development of official apps last month.

The streaming statistics were as follows:

• In July 2010, 1,026 hours of programming were streamed from the BBC iPlayer to Android
  devices.
• In July 2010 6,400 programmes were streamed  from the BBC iPlayer to Android devices.
• For complete weeks since 23 June, the average weekly number of Android device users accessing
  programmes from the BBC iPlayer was 1,106, peaking at 1,896 in the week commencing 26 July
  2010.
• In July 2010 there were 5,272,464 programmes requested via the BBC iPlayer from Apple iPhone,
  iPod Touch and iPad devices.
• In July 2010 there was an average of 230,016 Apple mobile devices users accessing programmes via
  the BBC iPlayer each week, peaking at 248,700 in the week commencing 26 July 2010.

Android users need not be too disheartened, Android 2.2 (Froyo) updates are gradually making their way to handsets, increasing the amount of people that will be able to view programmes without the need for a specific app. That said, an iPlayer app is thought to be in development, giving all Android handset owners the ability to catch-up on their favourite BBC content.

New PLAYTOUCH and EASYSHARE social networking cameras from Kodak

Kodak has unveiled a pocket-friendly digital video camera and a 14MP point-and-shoot, both with a special button for tagging movies and snaps for upload to social networking sites or to send via email. The PLAYTOUCH video camera can record up to 1080p high definition video, includes face-tracking technology and a handy HDMI-out port. The svelte EASYSHARE M590 digital camera can also shoot high definition movies, although at the lower resolution of 720p, and benefits from optical image stabilization and a high sensitivity range. Images can also be tagged and sent to the company's PULSE Digital Photo Frame, which has just been given a bigger screen.

Joining the company's PLAYSPORT actioncam shortly is a full 1080p high definition pocket digital video camera with included HDMI-out port and complimentary cable. The Kodak PLAYTOUCH Video Camera features a 3.9mm, 4x digital zoom lens, 3-inch (7.6 cm.) capacitive touchscreen, in-camera editing features such as trim and snapshot, and a Share Button.

The latter is used to tag content for later upload to social networking and sharing sites like YouTube and FaceBook. When connected to an Internet-enabled computer running a special app, all tagged videos and snaps are automatically uploaded to the website chosen during the tagging process. The PLAYTOUCH also takes 5.3 megapixel still images and sports a flip-out USB arm which allows the device to charge, connect and share.

As well as recording 1080p high def video at 30 frames per second, users are also offered a 720p high def mode that allows movies to be captured at 60 frames per second for some slow motion antics. Creative types can add a bit of a twist to movies with a choice of four capture effects, including a 1970s film look, and those too shaky or too slow to keep up with the action are sure to benefit from the built-in digital image stabilization and smart face-tracking.

Audio is captured via an included mono mic, but Kodak has included an external microphone jack that also doubles up as a headphone socket. The 2.3 x 4.3 x 0.6 inch (5.8 x 10.9 x 1.5 cm.) PLAYTOUCH supports SD/SDHC media cards, is compatible with both Mac and PC operating systems and is available now for pre-order in Smoke Gaze (Black), Chrome, Wine Country (Magenta), Cabana (Orange) and Spa Blue (Teal) for US$229.95, with delivery expected to begin from mid-September.

The EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera

Like the PLAYTOUCH above, Kodak's EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera has the company's exclusive Share Button for tagging snaps for upload to social networking sites or to send via email. Photos can also be tagged for onward display on the new PULSE Digital Photo Frame detailed below. Kodak says that its new point-and-shoot is the "world's thinnest 5x optical zoom digital camera" at just 0.6 inch (1.5 cm.) thick. Along with the SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON lens, the camera also features 5x digital zoom.

There's a 14 megapixel CCD sensor and a high ISO6400 sensitivity setting that helps get clear shots in poor lighting or fast-paced situations, although this does come at the expense of some pixels. Other features include optical image stabilization, Smart Capture, which automatically adjusts settings to help obtain the best shot depending on detected scenes, and face-detection – up to five faces can be located in a frame, and up to 20 faces can be tagged for easy recall later.

To the rear is a 2.7 inch (6.9 cm.), 230,000 dot resolution LCD display which is where all of the framing up and playback is undertaken. The M590 has a built-in orientation sensor, offers a choice of aspect ratios (although some are limited to certain quality settings) and is capable of shooting 720p high def video at 30 frames per second. Content is saved to MicroSD/MicroSDHC.

The EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera is shown as "in stock" at the time of writing, comes in silver, red, purple and blue and costs US$199.95

The new PULSE Digital Photo Frame

Kodak is also increasing the size of its PULSE Digital Photo Frame's LED backlit display to 10.4 inches at 800 x 600 resolution. Like the 7 inch (17.8 cm.) model before it, the new 10.6 x 8.4 x 3.1 inch (26.9 x 21.3 x 7.9 cm.) PULSE benefits from a touchscreen display, Wi-Fi connectivity, has its own email address and comes with 512MB of internal memory. There's a couple of memory card slots and a USB port, and users will be alerted when new content has been received and is ready to view. All images are rendered in a 4:3 aspect ratio with content automatically resized to best fit the display.

The new PULSE Digital Frame is also available for pre-order with a shipping date of October 4. It carries a manufacturer's suggested retail of US$199.95

Mobile Call Manager for the Iphone?

One of the benefits of a successful blog, is the talented people you meet and the ideas that you exchange with other industry professionals. Through an earlier blog on the subject of connecting an Apple Iphone to a ShoreTel System as a SiP extension, I met such a creative talent: Matt Vlasach of Pacificswell! Matt was both an excited ShoreTel user and a Iphone aficionado. Thought Matt was happy to play with SIP his real interest was in creating a ShoreTel App for the Iphone!

As a result of Matts talented development team at Pacificswell, I have had the pleasure of playing with a beta version of StreamLine, a mobile call manager for the Iphone! If you have always wished that ShoreTel could work on your Iphone, your wish has been granted! Pacificswell’s first release of the App is a useful, easy to master, technically brilliant mobile call manager! Using Streamline you can remotely connect to your ShoreTel server and setup your call handling modes and activate your Office Anywhere feature. The App is intuitive and graphically obvious!

Even using the Apple developers platform to obtain the beta version ( an Apple strategy for enabling developers to offer the App before it appears in the App store), the download and install was remarkably simple. It downloads and installs using the already familiar App Store process! Configuration was a breeze and I had the App up and running in under five minutes.

Clearly there are some server side issues that need to be addressed and license compliance issues for the ShoreTel Mobile Call Manager, but technically, the App is brillant. More importantly it just works! I was able to select either my Office desk phone or my Iphone as the primary answer point. Each of the Call Handling modes can be accessed in a visual graphic that is experentially compatible with the ShoreTel user interface for setting up Call Handling Options.

Product Development is a process, not an event! Matt assures me that he will continue the development and enhancement of this App adding more features in future releases. The product can be explored in detail on his site at Pacificswell