Consumer Electronics Daily News

Gigle Pushes Solwise Adapters to Gigabit Speeds, Enables 'No-New-Wires' Installation

Gigle Networks, a developer of intelligent multi-PHY switching devices for both wired and wireless entertainment grade home networking, reported that Solwise has selected the company's GGL541 solution for its PL-1000M Mediaxtream/HomePlug AV Ethernet adapter. Gigle Networks' HomePlug AV chipset with Mediaxtream technology enables the Solwise adapter to deliver ultra-high-speed, low-latency connections for residential gateways, game consoles, media players, PCs and IPTV set-top boxes.

Gigle Networks' GGL541 chipset uses the company's patented Mediaxtream technology to deliver wireline Gigabit-class performance with minimum latency, while maintaining full interoperability with other certified compliant 200 Mbps HomePlug AV products and forthcoming IEEE 1901 products. The fully integrated GGL541 device includes dual physical-layer (PHY) interfaces, media access control (MAC) and Smart Mesh home/Quality-of-Service (QoS)/Class-of-Service (CoS) switching capabilities. Smart Mesh capabilities coordinate traffic management for optimum performance and coverage in difficult signal environments or over long networking connections in the home.

Gigle Networks' GGL541 chipset also meets European 2011 Code of Conduct requirements for adapters and QoS, which is essential for video distribution around the home. Additionally, all Gigle Networks devices support Gigle Networks' Xtendnet intelligent switching technology, which amplifies and re-times signals on the powerline for improved network coverage. They also meet the active and standby power requirements for adapters of the Energy using Products Directive (EuP) Lot 6.

Savi Technology Unveils System-on-a-Chip Identifying Radio Frequency

 A Lockheed Martin company, Savi Technology, that provides real-time supply chain and asset management solutions, unveiled a state-of-the-art Radio Frequency system-on-a-chip (SoC) about the size of a dime that streamlines design and development processes of DASH7 RFID-based tracking devices.

Savi's new active RFID SoC combines three different microprocessor chips onto one silicon chip package, which dramatically consolidates and simplifies the integration of electrical circuitry used to process and store data on RFID tags and readers. As a result, the design and manufacturing processes of standards-based active RFID hardware and enabling solutions are speedier and more cost-effective while also maintaining the full functionality and memory of Savi's industry-leading hardware.

The Savi RFID SoC, which contains not only all of the core technology from Savi tags and readers but also enhanced functionality, is available now as part of the OEM Modules sold through the Savi Developer program. Savi Developers have open access to component technologies required to make RFID hardware and adaptive software applications based on Savi Technology products. The small size of Savi's SoC now makes it much easier to embed RFID in other technology devices or directly into an asset.

The Savi RFID SoC provides the industry's latest ultra-low power 32-bit ARM processor core in a single 9mm x 9mm chip package. The Savi RFID SoC has all of the core capabilities of a Savi RFID product.

In addition, Savi Technology is offering developers the OEM Tag Developer Kit and the Savi OEM Tag Module, which give developers and integrators access to Savi core technology as well as the flexibility to add power options, antennas and sensors to their applications.

Easy Energy Awarded First Handheld YoGen Power Charger

Easy Energy Inc., developer and manufacturer of manual power chargers for electronic devices, has been granted its first of several anticipated patents for manually recharging batteries and powering electronic devices. U.S. Patent No. 7,741,804 covers the axial flux alternator and related component technology utilized in their YoGen handheld personal charger for portable electronic devices.

Easy Energy introduced the YoGen in January 2010 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and the product was recognized as a "Best of CES 2010" item by Gadget-Gurus. The YoGen charger is the world's first clean energy, fully-sustainable device that manually creates electric power sufficient to charge most personal electronics products including cell phones, iPods, PDAs, MP3s, gaming devices, GPS units and many other electronic devices. The YoGen, currently available for sale at www.yogenstore.com, is the first in a series of innovative products developed by Easy Energy.

Easy Energy expects American and European markets will view the YoGen as an emergency or convenience product to recharge depleted batteries, while customers in Africa, Asia and parts of South and Central America will view the YoGen as a primary source of clean energy for portable electronic devices.

The U.S. patent number is 7,741,804, and was originally filed on August 20, 2007. The company has been issued or has applied for patent coverage covering the key aspects of this technology in all major global jurisdictions, including Europe, China, Japan, India and Korea. Easy Energy has two additional patent applications currently in process.

SINGULARITY Available on Store Shelves

Activision Publishing Inc. released its eagerly-awaited new first-person action title SINGULARITY. It is now available across the globe. Published by Activision and created by acclaimed developer Raven Software, who is celebrating their 20th anniversary in videogames, SINGULARITY, throws players into the heart of a conspiracy that sends players hurtling through time.

Thrust onto the mysterious Russian island base of Katorga-12, filled with Cold War secrets that threaten time itself, players must fight their way through an ever-shifting environment, haunted by time-ravaged creatures and mysteries. Armed with an arsenal of high-powered weapons and the Time Manipulation Device, players must contend with sudden time waves that hurl them back and forth between 1955 and the present day. In addition to a story-driven narrative, SINGULARITY offers players a unique multi-player experience, where Russian Special Forces with individual powers take on a team of creatures from another time including the powerful Radion, the gravity-defying Phase Tick and the time-altering Zek.

SINGULARITY is developed by Raven Software and is rated M (Mature) by the ESRB due to blood and gore, intense violence and strong language. SINGULARITY is available for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system for a suggested retail price of $59.99, and Windows PC for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Map the Oil Spill with New Mobile App

Trimble Outdoors launched Map the Spill, a mobile app and website that empowers Gulf Coast residents and the public to report on the oil spill. Map the Spill allows those directly and indirectly impacted by the spill to capture and chronicle what they see happening to the land, sea and wildlife in their areas. Using rich media and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, citizens can be part of a mass data collection process. The free app is currently available on Android and BlackBerry mobile phones and will be available soon on the iPhone. Scientists, government agencies and non-governmental agencies (NGOs) that are taking part in clean-up efforts can use the data and content created and shared by Map the Spill users to assist in their efforts.

Focused on helping to capture the impacts and clean-up efforts of the largest oil disaster in U.S. history, Map the Spill allows users to log reports, upload photos, map their locations and share updates with other users. mapthespill.org will serve as a content repository as well as a source for the latest news and tweets on the oil spill.

"Map the Spill provides an opportunity for individuals who are being affected by the oil spill to get the word out on the real-time repercussions as well as the collective clean-up efforts," said Rich Rudow, General Manager of Trimble Outdoors. "Map the Spill empowers citizens in a way never done before, so entire communities can be a part of the reporting and clean up. Now individuals in the Gulf Coast can have an opportunity to take part in the oil spill story as it unfolds."

NextAlarm Announces NextView IP Cameras and Service

Alarm monitoring service provider and technology developer NextAlarm Monitoring Services unveiled a new line of NextView cameras, which currently includes a fixed camera and a movable camera with pan and tilt, features customized firmware that allows the NextView service to react to any alarm event.

When an alarm panel reports an event through the VoIPAlarm platform, the system provides the customer and authorized dealer with video prior to and after the alarm event. Using a proprietary buffering technology, the camera continually captures and discards small amounts of video footage. When an alarm or motion is detected, the camera uploads the buffer to the NextAlarm servers, which includes video taken just before the event. The subscriber and/or dealer can view the seconds leading up to an event, as well as video taken after the event occurred.

NextView also features a new interface, redesigned and rewritten in AJAX and JavaScript. The interface, called the NextView HUD, allows live views of up to 16 cameras, browsing of recorded alarm events when associated with an alarm system and is searchable by date and time. It can be accessed from all major Web browsers, and does not require a software download or installation. A version of the HUD is also available as an Apple iPhone app. The app, which works over Wi-Fi and 3G on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, offers all the functionality of the desktop interface, as well as push notifications of new video.

INfinet Prepaid Solution Upgrade

XIUS-bcgi, a company that delivers innovative telecom solutions for mobile operators and MVNOs worldwide, has put in place a market offering of the latest version of its INfinet prepaid solution.

XIUS-bcgi's INfinet Prepaid solution is designed to be the service provider's central platform for real-time rating and charging, flexible plan offerings and value-added services. The core principle behind the INfinet roadmap has always been to evolve services that facilitate the movement of funds in and out of the prepaid subscriber's account in line with the industry direction. Ten years ago, the emphasis was on real-time call control, bad debt reduction in prepaid roaming and top-up. In the coming years, service providers will continue to engage in prepaid subscribers in growing ARPU and reducing operating expenses. The forms of engagement will center on real-time commerce control, and revenue generation through advertising and value-added services. Given that backdrop, XIUS-bcgi has developed INfinet v14 with many new features and enhancements.

Major investment and enhancements have been undertaken in the INfinet platform in the areas of advanced network/infrastructure support, customer care, rating and charging flexibility, and self care.

 

Playcast Media Partners-up with Playfect

Playcast Media, a video games streaming provider, joined up with Playfect, that specializes in games accessories solutions. The partnership allows Playcast to offer TV operators a wide range of game controllers as part of its comprehensive end-to-end solution. The Playcast/Playfect portfolio includes various types of peripherals, ranging from traditional game-pads, through driving kits, motion sensing controllers, fitness accessories and a variety of musical instrument controllers.

Guy de Beer, Playcast CEO, said, "The game controllers are an essential part of the overall gaming experience. With this partnership, TV operators can now benefit from a complete games on-demand kit which can be easily integrated with an existing set top box. Playfect was the natural fit for our solution, as they combine high-end controllers which are fully customizable to the operator's branding and packaging needs. One other important benefit for our PayTV partners is the affordable price, which compares to TV remote controls currently distributed by operators."

Liran Arkavia, V.P. Sales & Marketing of Playfect, said, "The partnership with Playcast allows us to enter the mass media market and extend our reach significantly beyond the retail space. With our diverse and wide range of products, we can provide every Playcast service subscriber with a whole bouquet of affordable peripherals to facilitate any and all types of gaming experiences."

Useful Smartphone Apps For Motorists

"Consumer Reports" provides a list of useful smart-phone apps for drivers, tested for the major smart-phone platforms, in the August issue of the magazine. Some of the apps are free.

Here are some useful apps for drivers:

Car Finder. Price: $0.99. Phone: iPhone. Car Finder uses your phone's compass and GPS capability to mark the position of your car when your park and then guide you back to it later.

aCar. Price: Free. Phone: Android. Once you set it up by entering maintenance-schedule information from the car owner's manual, aCar reminds you when your car is due in the shop. It even reminds you when it's time for your car's annual inspection, and tracks fuel mileage and costs.

DriveSafe.ly. Price Free or $13.95. Phones: BlackBerry and Android; coming for iPhone, Palm webOS. With the premium version DriveSafe.ly reads e-mail and text messages aloud while you drive and can send a response message saying you're unavailable. The free version has a limit of 25 words per message. The premium version can handle messages of 500 words.

iWrecked. Price: Free. Phone: iPhone. This simple program takes you through a list of what to do after a car crash, including taking photos of the scene and getting contact and insurance information from other drivers. It will also dial 911 and locate the nearest police station, taxi or tow-truck service to assist you.

RepairPal. Price: Free. Phones: iPhone; coming soon for Android. RepairPal helps you find a repair shop and get estimates. If you break down, it will locate a tow truck. After you enter your car's make, model and other details, it will give a range of estimates in seconds. It also helps keep records and gives service reminders.

Archerfish Unveils Mobile Portal with Live Video and System Control

Cernium Corporation unveiled a mobile Web portal for users of its Archerfish intelligent video monitoring systems. With Archerfish Mobile, users will have a greater range of video monitoring and control options for keeping tabs on their homes and businesses from any mobile phone using a Safari browser.

The mobile portal lets Archerfish users watch both live and event video, as well as change camera and system preferences. Users can further customize their mobile experience by selecting the devices, cameras and types of events they would like to see while on the go. They can also send video notifications from specific cameras to any number of friends, relatives or business associates.

The award-winning Archerfish video monitoring and recording products--Archerfish Quattro and Archerfish Solo--have built-in homeland security technology that understands what it sees. Users can draw detection zones and tell Archerfish to send a video notification when specific events happen in those zones during specific time periods. Unlike other systems, it does all the work, watching video for you and instantly sending a video alert to your mobile phone or email when something of interest occurs. Archerfish Solo, the first thinking camera for consumers, is a compact, wireless monitoring camera and recorder. Archerfish Quattro is a four-camera, prosumer-grade intelligent system with cabled cameras. The products can be used separately or combined into a single system, depending on user's needs.