Alltel Rolls Out 3D Avatars ServiceStarting at $0.99
The 13.5 million American Alltel customers have, from now own, a new 3D animated MMS greeting service that comes to take mobile multimedia messaging to the next level.
Leveraging on the Xend 3D hosted platform provided by Vidiator (a company based in Bellevue, Washington), Alltel Avatars allows mobile users to choose from a wide range of pre-produced animated greetings. Moreover, everyone can create personalized greetings by using their own photos, voice and 3D avatars.
Alltel's avatar-based content is available to any of the carrier's customers, as long as they are subscribers of its MMS service and they have a device that can play 3GP video files (like HTC Touch, LG Glimmer, Motorola Z6m and so on).
"Taking messaging beyond simple text, the introduction of 3D avatars represents the next evolution of wireless communications. The vast level of personalization offered to our customers via Alltel Avatars provides them with a new vehicle to express their emotions, style and personality," says Craig Kirkland, Alltel Wireless' vice president of Messaging and Voice Services.
Connie Wong, chief executive officer at Vidiator, further adds: "3D animated avatar-based mobile messaging driven by Xend 3D goes well beyond simple text, and is the next big leap in mobile messaging. It enables carriers to easily bridge the gap between SMS and new 'entertainment-focused' MMS messaging applications and advertising; and for consumers, we think this type of services will change the way people communicate with their mobile devices by allowing them to richly express their emotions through voice, animation and 3D like never before."
Alltel is offering the new Avatars service for as little as 0.99 USD. In this price, hundreds of avatars are available. Users are also able to add personal audio tracks, personal digital signatures or emoticons to the MMS messages they send. Furthermore, animated images can be combined with audio messages and sent either to another mobile device or via e-mail.
miercuri, 10 septembrie 2008
New LifeCam Webcams from MicrosoftFor both desktop and laptop users
New LifeCam Webcams from MicrosoftFor both desktop and laptop users
Yesterday, Microsoft announced the availability of two new webcams, the LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500. The two new additions include stunning new features and a new design that allows for them to be used with both a portable and a desktop computer system. Each of two new webcams provide several distinguishable features that virtually make them a unique offer on the market.
“Our design team has been working hard to ensure that we could fit best-in-class webcam technology into such a tiny footprint. Even at only one-half inch deep, LifeCam Show packs a mean punch with industry-leading audio and video technology,” said Industrial Design Manager at Microsoft, Ralf Groene. “We also designed these LifeCams to attach with ease to any type of PC because we know that consumers move between notebooks and desktops and back again, and they want a webcam that can move with them.”
The new LiveCam Show is one of the thinnest webcameras on the market. According to the Redmond, Washington-based software giant, the new LiveCam Show will be shipped with its own complete attachment system, which can enable an easy setup for any desktop or portable computer system. The included attachment system has a laptop clip, a desktop stand and two attachment discs, all of which will prove extremely useful, Microsoft assures.
Other features include a 2.0 MP sensor, built-in unidirectional microphone with acoustic noise cancellation and echo cancellation, and Windows Live Call button.
The other new webcam announced by the company, the LifeCam VX-5500, ships with three interchangeable faceplates in blue, red and white. This feature allows the user to choose their favorite color, depending on their current mood. As with the LiveCam Show, the new VX-5500 also comes with an innovative attachment clip. It also sports a VGA sensor for a 640 by 480 video, 1.3MP resolution and a unidirectional, noise-canceling microphone.
Regarding pricing and availability, the company announced that the LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 will be made widely available in October 2008, for an estimated price of $99.95 and $59.95, respectively.
Yesterday, Microsoft announced the availability of two new webcams, the LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500. The two new additions include stunning new features and a new design that allows for them to be used with both a portable and a desktop computer system. Each of two new webcams provide several distinguishable features that virtually make them a unique offer on the market.
“Our design team has been working hard to ensure that we could fit best-in-class webcam technology into such a tiny footprint. Even at only one-half inch deep, LifeCam Show packs a mean punch with industry-leading audio and video technology,” said Industrial Design Manager at Microsoft, Ralf Groene. “We also designed these LifeCams to attach with ease to any type of PC because we know that consumers move between notebooks and desktops and back again, and they want a webcam that can move with them.”
The new LiveCam Show is one of the thinnest webcameras on the market. According to the Redmond, Washington-based software giant, the new LiveCam Show will be shipped with its own complete attachment system, which can enable an easy setup for any desktop or portable computer system. The included attachment system has a laptop clip, a desktop stand and two attachment discs, all of which will prove extremely useful, Microsoft assures.
Other features include a 2.0 MP sensor, built-in unidirectional microphone with acoustic noise cancellation and echo cancellation, and Windows Live Call button.
The other new webcam announced by the company, the LifeCam VX-5500, ships with three interchangeable faceplates in blue, red and white. This feature allows the user to choose their favorite color, depending on their current mood. As with the LiveCam Show, the new VX-5500 also comes with an innovative attachment clip. It also sports a VGA sensor for a 640 by 480 video, 1.3MP resolution and a unidirectional, noise-canceling microphone.
Regarding pricing and availability, the company announced that the LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 will be made widely available in October 2008, for an estimated price of $99.95 and $59.95, respectively.
money
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iPhone Software 2.1 Confirmed by Apple
As expected, Apple announced iPhone OS 2.1 at its event in San Francisco yesterday. The new firmware upgrade should fix all the nasty bugs occurring with previous versions of the software, as well as the dropped-calls issue. Battery life is also said to be improved thanks to the new software, which is slated for an official release this Friday, according to Apple's Steve Jobs, speaking at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco) yesterday.
To give you a clue as to how upset some iPhone users were over the bad functionality after installing the 2.0 software, here's a comment coming from one of our readers.
“I've had nothing but problems with iPhone 3g updates... broken apps, text messaging stopped working, call drops... my first gen iPhone was flawless,” Denise wrote. “I now wish I'd kept it and not purchased the 3g. It doesn't seem like testing of the firmware is nearly as rigorous as it should be,” our reader concluded.
Well, Denise, good news from Apple! “Some great new performance enhancements” are said to be included in the next software update for iPhone owners. Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, stated on stage at the Let's Rock event that "this is a big update,” and that “it fixes lots of bugs.”
Also worth noting is Jobs' mention of fewer dropped calls, “big battery life improvements, no crashes with Apps” and faster backing up. The update will be provided free of charge for iPhone owners worldwide (first-generation and second-generation iPhone users alike). iPod touch users will have to pay the regular ten dollar upgrade fee to download and install the new software. iPhone / iPod touch OS 2.1 will be made available this Friday.
iPhone 2.1 was the only iPhone-related announcement at the Let's Rock event yesterday, proving that the update is a very important one for iPhone users. Hadn't the 2.0 software been so glitchy since first released (along with the introduction of the iPhone 3G), Apple wouldn't even have mentioned the iPhone at yesterday's event.
To give you a clue as to how upset some iPhone users were over the bad functionality after installing the 2.0 software, here's a comment coming from one of our readers.
“I've had nothing but problems with iPhone 3g updates... broken apps, text messaging stopped working, call drops... my first gen iPhone was flawless,” Denise wrote. “I now wish I'd kept it and not purchased the 3g. It doesn't seem like testing of the firmware is nearly as rigorous as it should be,” our reader concluded.
Well, Denise, good news from Apple! “Some great new performance enhancements” are said to be included in the next software update for iPhone owners. Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, stated on stage at the Let's Rock event that "this is a big update,” and that “it fixes lots of bugs.”
Also worth noting is Jobs' mention of fewer dropped calls, “big battery life improvements, no crashes with Apps” and faster backing up. The update will be provided free of charge for iPhone owners worldwide (first-generation and second-generation iPhone users alike). iPod touch users will have to pay the regular ten dollar upgrade fee to download and install the new software. iPhone / iPod touch OS 2.1 will be made available this Friday.
iPhone 2.1 was the only iPhone-related announcement at the Let's Rock event yesterday, proving that the update is a very important one for iPhone users. Hadn't the 2.0 software been so glitchy since first released (along with the introduction of the iPhone 3G), Apple wouldn't even have mentioned the iPhone at yesterday's event.
Zune 3.0 vs the New iPod (nano and touch)
Microsoft and Apple are making a tradition of releasing new digital media player product line-ups, along with firmware and service upgrades in tandem on an annual basis. On September 8, 2008, Microsoft unveiled Zune 3.0, an evolution touted to crank up a notch the process of accessing digital music via the Redmond giant's device. A day later, on September 9, Apple released the second generation iPod touch and the fourth generation of iPod nano, claiming to deliver the “funnest iPod ever”. The truth? Both the Redmond and Cupertino companies delivered very little on top of the 2007 line-up of products, software and services.
2007 marked a giant leap for Apple in terms of the evolution of the iPod and the product's ecosystem. With the September 9 announcements, the Cupertino-based hardware company managed to offer consumers only cosmetic, superficial modifications to what was already available, with no major innovations. This does not mean that Apple is not still ahead of the other players on the digital media players market, including Microsoft. This aspect is evident in nothing more than the market share owned by Apple with the iPod, over 73% just in the U.S.
Apple revealed that “the iPod is the world’s most popular family of digital music players with over 160 million sold. Apple’s incredible new lineup includes the iPod shuffle in four vivid new colors starting at just $49; the iPod classic in one slimline model with 50 percent more capacity for the same great price - 120GB of storage for just $249; the fourth generation iPod nano featuring a gorgeous curved aluminum and curved glass enclosure, in nine vibrant colors starting at $149; and the second generation iPod touch now starting at just $229.”
What is sad for Microsoft is that the Redmond company, even in a year when Apple failed to deliver any major iPod-innovation, introduced just a modest update to Zune 2.0. And modest is not so much a euphemism as a criticism, considering that Microsoft has yet to catch up with Apple, and that it cannot afford anything short of the fastest technological pace possible, but certainly not a move to a 3.0 generation which resembles a stagnation.
Apple has indeed softened the rough edges of iPod touch and equipped the new devices with volume control buttons, built-in speakers, as well as accelerometer sensors. At the same time, the Cupertino-based hardware company re-styled iPod nano, dropping the bulky design offered at the end of 2007. But the iPod classic is nothing more than the same device it was last year, now with a bigger hard drive.
“iPod touch is the funnest iPod we’ve ever created,” claimed Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Users can listen to millions of songs, watch thousands of Hollywood movies and now, thanks to the App Store, download and play hundreds of great games on their iPod touch.”
Just like Apple, Microsoft found itself at an all time low in terms of Zune innovations. Furthermore, the Redmond company is adopting a strategy in which the device is nothing more than an appendix of the Zune service itself, and not the focal point by any measure. Robert J. Bach, President, Entertainment & Devices Division, indicated to SeattlePI that Microsoft is leaning hard on the software and service aspect of the Zune product and less on the actual hardware. Furthermore, Zune is, of course, only a small part of the Connected Entertainment puzzle built by Microsoft, stretching to include devices such as the Xbox and Windows Mobile phones. In fact, the biggest announcement for Zune 3.0 was the Buy from FM feature.
“There’s a reason we put in FM Radio and wireless capabilities in every device and Zune 3.0 delivers something that I am sure you’ll be impressed with, Buy from FM. Second to friends, terrestrial radio is a major way people find now music. 50% of Zune owners use FM radio on a regular basis. Now when you hear a song on a radio station that transmits with RDS or RT+ data feeds, you’ll be able to tag that song and purchase it,” stated Cesar Menendez, from the Zune team. “Another feature that will take advantage of wireless capabilities is the ability to browse, stream, buy and download from Zune Marketplace on the device. When you are connected to a wireless network, you can check out the top hits, newest release or even search for your favorite artist with the new search function.”
While the Zune 3.0 and new iPod releases indeed came almost concomitantly, Microsoft and Apple also synchronized the prices of the products. Come September 16, Zune will be available in five variants 120 GB: $249.99; 80 GB: $229.99; 16 GB: $199.00; 8 GB: $149.99 and 4 GB: $129.99. Apple will sell iPod Shuffle 1 GB: $49; 2 GB: $69; iPod nano 8 GB: $149; 16 GB: $199; iPod touch 8 GB: $229; 16 GB: $299; 32 GB $399 and iPod Classic: 120 GB: $249.
2007 marked a giant leap for Apple in terms of the evolution of the iPod and the product's ecosystem. With the September 9 announcements, the Cupertino-based hardware company managed to offer consumers only cosmetic, superficial modifications to what was already available, with no major innovations. This does not mean that Apple is not still ahead of the other players on the digital media players market, including Microsoft. This aspect is evident in nothing more than the market share owned by Apple with the iPod, over 73% just in the U.S.
Apple revealed that “the iPod is the world’s most popular family of digital music players with over 160 million sold. Apple’s incredible new lineup includes the iPod shuffle in four vivid new colors starting at just $49; the iPod classic in one slimline model with 50 percent more capacity for the same great price - 120GB of storage for just $249; the fourth generation iPod nano featuring a gorgeous curved aluminum and curved glass enclosure, in nine vibrant colors starting at $149; and the second generation iPod touch now starting at just $229.”
What is sad for Microsoft is that the Redmond company, even in a year when Apple failed to deliver any major iPod-innovation, introduced just a modest update to Zune 2.0. And modest is not so much a euphemism as a criticism, considering that Microsoft has yet to catch up with Apple, and that it cannot afford anything short of the fastest technological pace possible, but certainly not a move to a 3.0 generation which resembles a stagnation.
Apple has indeed softened the rough edges of iPod touch and equipped the new devices with volume control buttons, built-in speakers, as well as accelerometer sensors. At the same time, the Cupertino-based hardware company re-styled iPod nano, dropping the bulky design offered at the end of 2007. But the iPod classic is nothing more than the same device it was last year, now with a bigger hard drive.
“iPod touch is the funnest iPod we’ve ever created,” claimed Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Users can listen to millions of songs, watch thousands of Hollywood movies and now, thanks to the App Store, download and play hundreds of great games on their iPod touch.”
Just like Apple, Microsoft found itself at an all time low in terms of Zune innovations. Furthermore, the Redmond company is adopting a strategy in which the device is nothing more than an appendix of the Zune service itself, and not the focal point by any measure. Robert J. Bach, President, Entertainment & Devices Division, indicated to SeattlePI that Microsoft is leaning hard on the software and service aspect of the Zune product and less on the actual hardware. Furthermore, Zune is, of course, only a small part of the Connected Entertainment puzzle built by Microsoft, stretching to include devices such as the Xbox and Windows Mobile phones. In fact, the biggest announcement for Zune 3.0 was the Buy from FM feature.
“There’s a reason we put in FM Radio and wireless capabilities in every device and Zune 3.0 delivers something that I am sure you’ll be impressed with, Buy from FM. Second to friends, terrestrial radio is a major way people find now music. 50% of Zune owners use FM radio on a regular basis. Now when you hear a song on a radio station that transmits with RDS or RT+ data feeds, you’ll be able to tag that song and purchase it,” stated Cesar Menendez, from the Zune team. “Another feature that will take advantage of wireless capabilities is the ability to browse, stream, buy and download from Zune Marketplace on the device. When you are connected to a wireless network, you can check out the top hits, newest release or even search for your favorite artist with the new search function.”
While the Zune 3.0 and new iPod releases indeed came almost concomitantly, Microsoft and Apple also synchronized the prices of the products. Come September 16, Zune will be available in five variants 120 GB: $249.99; 80 GB: $229.99; 16 GB: $199.00; 8 GB: $149.99 and 4 GB: $129.99. Apple will sell iPod Shuffle 1 GB: $49; 2 GB: $69; iPod nano 8 GB: $149; 16 GB: $199; iPod touch 8 GB: $229; 16 GB: $299; 32 GB $399 and iPod Classic: 120 GB: $249.
BlackBerry Welcomes AOL Mail, AIM and ICQ
If you've been dying to use AOL Mail, AIM and ICQ on your BlackBerry smartphone (assuming you own one), you should be thrilled to find out that RIM has partnered with AOL in order to embed these features into the Canadian-made handsets.
From now on, fans of AIM and ICQ, the popular instant messaging applications from AOL, can easily use them on any BlackBerry smartphone (including the newly announced Flip 8220 – when it hits the market, of course). RIM and AOL have developed native BlackBerry applications for both of the IM clients, hence they should provide a hassle-free experience when used on a BB handset.
AOL Mail for BlackBerry is built on the "push e-mail" architecture that RIM's smartphones already have. After installed on a BlackBerry device, AOL Mail will offer the same features as the desktop version, synchronizing data and content with the users' online account. Also, those who have BlackBerry OS 4.5 or later can view emails in HTML format and download Microsoft Office attachments.
Talking about the collaboration with the Canadian smartphone manufacturer, Kevin Conroy, executive vice president at AOL, stated, "We are thrilled to work with RIM to make our leading email and instant messaging services available to BlackBerry smartphone users worldwide. By integrating our AOL Mail, AIM and ICQ services with the BlackBerry platform, users will have an exceptional mobile communications experience anytime, anywhere."
Mark Guibert, vice president, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion, added, "The BlackBerry platform offers unparalleled email and messaging capabilities for mobile customers and we are very pleased to be working with AOL to enable a rich mobile experience on BlackBerry smartphones for the tens of millions of people who use AOL Mail, AIM and ICQ."
BlackBerry users can download both AIM and ICQ from the BlackBerry official website, accessible at this address. Unfortunately, for the moment, AOL Mail, AIM and ICQ for BlackBerry are only available across the US. However, RIM is working to bring the features to BlackBerry owners from other countries too, and the next few months should widen the list of markets where they will be available.
From now on, fans of AIM and ICQ, the popular instant messaging applications from AOL, can easily use them on any BlackBerry smartphone (including the newly announced Flip 8220 – when it hits the market, of course). RIM and AOL have developed native BlackBerry applications for both of the IM clients, hence they should provide a hassle-free experience when used on a BB handset.
AOL Mail for BlackBerry is built on the "push e-mail" architecture that RIM's smartphones already have. After installed on a BlackBerry device, AOL Mail will offer the same features as the desktop version, synchronizing data and content with the users' online account. Also, those who have BlackBerry OS 4.5 or later can view emails in HTML format and download Microsoft Office attachments.
Talking about the collaboration with the Canadian smartphone manufacturer, Kevin Conroy, executive vice president at AOL, stated, "We are thrilled to work with RIM to make our leading email and instant messaging services available to BlackBerry smartphone users worldwide. By integrating our AOL Mail, AIM and ICQ services with the BlackBerry platform, users will have an exceptional mobile communications experience anytime, anywhere."
Mark Guibert, vice president, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion, added, "The BlackBerry platform offers unparalleled email and messaging capabilities for mobile customers and we are very pleased to be working with AOL to enable a rich mobile experience on BlackBerry smartphones for the tens of millions of people who use AOL Mail, AIM and ICQ."
BlackBerry users can download both AIM and ICQ from the BlackBerry official website, accessible at this address. Unfortunately, for the moment, AOL Mail, AIM and ICQ for BlackBerry are only available across the US. However, RIM is working to bring the features to BlackBerry owners from other countries too, and the next few months should widen the list of markets where they will be available.
marți, 9 septembrie 2008
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