Consumer Electronics Daily News

OwnSkin Launches Live Wallpaper Tool for Android Phones

The developer of OwnSkin.com announced the creation of a free Live Wallpaper user generation tool for Android phones. The tool (available at http://www.ownskin.com/livewallpaper) provides a simple solution for SkinLet filled wallpapers to personalize individual mobile phones.

SkinLet is an active component within the live wallpaper which can be customized to provide animation, phone information and live data from the Internet. These are the slickest wallpapers in the world, but they are the ones ordinary people can make and customize to individual needs. Users can download the application from the Android market and create customized live wallpaper on ownskin.com.

The launch of LiveWallpaper exemplifies the creative, innovative and entertaining mobile content generating tools to both the company’s rapidly growing digital community and social network enthusiasts worldwide. The company hopes to provide timely and useful information live to your screen.

They have developed Ownskin Live Wallpaper to enable users the easy upload of photos for the creation of SkinLet with animation, clock compass and battery information. The resulting Live Wallpaper, which provides interactive wallpaper to Android phones with advanced features, can be shared among friends. Wallpapers will no longer be just eye candy. There is no complicated SDK to download and install (no matter how simple the SDK might be) and no tutorial to read. The developer targeted the product to be pre-school friendly.

Free iPhone App Helps Drivers Beat the Traffic

INRIX launched a free app, INRIX Traffic!, for the iPhone and iPod Touch in Europe.

Available for immediate download from the Apple App Store, INRIX Traffic! is a community-powered traffic app that uniquely helps drivers reduce the amount of time they waste stuck in traffic through a better understanding of current and future traffic conditions. Initially available in local languages in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg with more countries to be added later this year, INRIX Traffic! covers more than 300,000 km of motorways, city streets and secondary roads in 100 cities.

"For most of us, what we really need is a tool that helps us save time going to the places we drive to every day," said INRIX Europe General Manager Dr. Hans-Hendrik Puvogel. "Who hasn't wanted an hour or more of their life back after a grueling drive home or crawling past road works that weren't properly posted? Whether traveling across town or across borders, INRIX TRAFFIC! gives drivers insight they can rely on to reach their destinations stress-free while reclaiming an extremely precious commodity—their time." In addition to real-time traffic information, the app's Community Traffic Reports feature allows consumers to instantly view and share with the community common traffic-causing delays such as accidents and road works along their route. As consumers head back to work and back to school following the summer holidays, INRIX Traffic! arrives just in time to help them take the guesswork out of their daily commutes.

EZ-Remote Joystick for Fingertip Control in Tractor Cabs

Trimble introduced the new EZ-Remote joystick for improved operator efficiency and comfort in the tractor cab. The convenient accessory mounts quickly on virtually any tractor console.

The EZ-Remote joystick can improve operator reaction time and ergonomics, providing an even more convenient way to control a variety of functions from the cab. The EZ-Remote joystick is also compatible with the CFX-750 display, Trimble's new 8-inch. The touch screen display guides and steers for precision agriculture capabilities.

Programmable, illuminated buttons on the joystick make it easy to both see and feel where control points are for rapid and effortless execution of tasks. The EZ-Remote joystick enhances a wide range of functions, from basic guidance to more advanced operations such as offsetting the scraper height in field leveling applications. Operators can experience fewer button miss-hits, less downtime and greater comfort.

"Trimble equipment has always been designed to help the operator in the cab be more effective and less fatigued," said Erik Arvesen, Vice President and General Manager for Trimble's Agriculture Division. "The EZ-Remote joystick is a continuation of that product design philosophy. In just a few minutes, operators can now connect the joystick to their Trimble GPS display for enhanced comfort and control during every working day in the field."

The EZ-Remote joystick ranges in price from $149 to $199 MSRP, depending on cabling requirements. The EZ-Remote joystick is expected to be available in September 2010.

TH(i)NQ Ed Launches Android App for journ(i)e

TH(i)NQ Ed launched journ(i)e mobile, a free Android application for K-12 students and teachers who are using the company's student-centered learning network, journ(i)e.

journ(i)e mobile enables users to access the student-centered learning network via their mobile smartphone, providing greater access to journ(i)e and new opportunities to engage and collaborate with other students and teachers.

journ(i)e mobile offers the same features and functionality provided through the traditional Web browser version, including the same mission critical privacy and security safeguards. journ(i)e users can now simply download the app directly to their mobile smartphones and experience collaborative learning anywhere, anytime. The journ(i)e app is now available in the Android Marketplace by searching for "journ(i)e."

"We created a mobile Android application to enable students and teachers to have anytime, anywhere access to their learning network—extending the value of journ(i)e for teachers and students," said Mary McCaffrey, CEO of TH(i)NQ Ed. "Students today require a solution that is engaging, allows them to collaborate, and be active drivers of their learning experience, and we are thrilled to answer to this demand."

With journ(i)e mobile, users can safely:

• Update their status

• View and comment on streaming updates from people and groups they are connected to

• Utilize Web 2.0 collaboration tools such as wiki, blogs and groups

• Share and publish content they created

• Subscribe to other's blogs

• Send a message to peers and their teachers

NeoTV HD Media Players Play Any Content on HDTVs

NETGEAR announced the NeoTV 350 HD and NeoTV 550 Ultimate HD Media Players as the flagship products in the NETGEAR AV Series. The NeoTV HD Media Players enable users to play their digital videos, photos, or music directly on their HDTVs whether the media is stored locally, on the home network, or the Internet. The AV Series is made up of easy-to-use products that help consumers easily connect their Internet-ready devices such as HDTVs, Blu-ray players, IPTV set-top boxes, media players and game consoles to the Internet and the home network.

"Our research has found that the biggest catalyst driving Web-connected consumer electronics products is access to premium content such as online video and music as well as personal content such as photos," said Kurt Scherf, Vice President and Principal Analyst with Parks Associates. "NETGEAR's latest offerings capitalize on this demand, and offer a flexible approach in how consumers choose to create a Web-enabled living room by providing either a stand-alone option, such as the NeoTV Media Players, or options to enable Web-capable consumer electronics such as televisions and Blu-ray players to be easily broadband-connected."

The NeoTV 350 HD and NeoTV 550 Ultimate HD Media Players enable users to play their digital videos, photos, or music directly on their HDTVs and offer the most complete access to media collections, whether stored on USB storage devices, hard drives, memory cards, home media servers, home networks or on the Internet. Both models support HD 1080p, Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound. The NeoTV 550 offers an additional E-SATA port for faster transfer speeds, Blu-ray disc support via external drives and advanced metadata tagging that lets users browse cover art.

Dual Paraboloid Reflector Technology for Search Light Applications

Wavien and TaYih announced that TaYih Industrial has licensed Wavien's Dual Paraboloid Reflector (DPR) technology for use in ultra-narrow beam, high output search lights. This new search light design produces a high intensity, narrow beam of light while extending lamp lifetime to provide virtually maintenance-free operation. Wavien continues to optimize the system performance and plans to expand the technology into spotlight and graphic projection systems.

"Wavien's DPR technology offers a longer lamp lifetime and significantly improved and maintained brightness with higher efficiency in search light applications when used with ultra high pressure mercury lamp from qualified vendors," stated Dr. Kenneth Li, President and CEO of Wavien, Inc., who is also the inventor of the technology. "This patented DPR technology enables ultra-narrow and bright beams to be generated where reliable and trouble-free operation is essential, such as for law enforcement, military, and search and rescue purposes," Dr. Li added.

"Search lights used in police, military and other law enforcement agencies and require high brightness, narrow beam, and long life operations. However, none of the existing commercial products provide all the desired features as readily as Wavien's unique DPR technology. When I saw the prototype of Wavien's searchlight, I immediately realized its potential. TaYih products based on this technology will serve the current market and create a brand new market," stated Mr. Huang, President of TaYih Industrial.

New Blu-ray Player From Onkyo Offers Blockbuster

Blockbuster reports that Onkyo's newest Blu-ray player, the BD-SP808 will offer BLOCKBUSTER On Demand. The model will be rolled out in electronics stores nationwide, adding to a list of more than 85 consumer electronic devices that have integrated the service to boost consumer access to the latest releases.

"Our partnership with Onkyo further represents Blockbuster's commitment to increasing the availability of movies, particularly the newest titles, as well as old favorites," said Bruce Anderson, BLOCKBUSTER On Demand's Senior Vice President and General Manager. "Combining BLOCKBUSTER On Demand with Onkyo's sophisticated Blu-ray technology, users will discover a convenient way to enhance their in-home movie watching experience."

The BLOCKBUSTER On Demand service allows customers to browse and select certain movies as soon as the titles are available on DVD and Blu-ray without having to pay a monthly subscription fee. Using the system's search tool, consumers can also view ratings, trailers and other information about each movie for a more personalized and simplified viewing experience.

"With the BD-SP808, Onkyo aimed to deliver not just on picture quality, but also on usability," said Paul Wasek, Onkyo USA's Marketing Manager. "Enabling consumers to access the movies they want faster and more easily is a part of that."

Onkyo's BD-SP808 offers other features in addition to BLOCKBUSTER On Demand, including a High Quality Video Scaler and full-featured Blu-ray Disc Play Back.

ATSC-MH Demodulator Core for the U.S. Mobile DTV

Iberium Communications, a provider of digital television (DTV) demodulation intellectual property, has made available its Santana digital demodulator core for the U.S. mobile DTV market. The core is fully compliant with the mobile DTV standard ATSC-MH (A/153) ratified in October of 2009. The new Santana ATSC-MH (A/153) core, along with the existing Garcia ATSC (A/53)/QAM demodulator core, completes the company's portfolio of products for the ATSC-based DTV markets, such as North America and Korea.

The Santana A/153 core targets next generation mobile devices—i.e., mobile phones, portable media players, laptop and notebook computers, etc.—and utilizes advanced algorithmic features such as time-sliced operation and an efficient ASIC microarchitecture design to provide IC vendors with a low cost, low power solution that will meet the demands of next generation consumer products. The design of the Santana core is highly customizable in order to meet diverse customer needs and requirements. The company also announced that it is working with interested parties on customization and silicon implementation of the core.

Iberium Communications is a San Francisco, Calif.-based company with engineering offices in Doylestown, Pa., engaged in the design, development and marketing of semiconductor IP cores for the reception of DTV signals for multiple transmission standards. Company's products include DTV demodulator cores for the global DTV market (ATSC, ATSC-M/H, DTMB, DVB, ISDB).

Guide Aimed at Resolving Common Issues with Two-Way Radio Systems

To help companies reduce costly repair fees, prevent productivity loss, and maintain a safe workplace environment, the premier provider of radio communication systems for both government and business, Discount Two-Way Radio, has released two tutorials designed to help companies maintain their professional two-way radio systems from Kenwood, RCA, Vertex Standard, Icom, Motorola, and others.

Ben Burns, the CEO of Discount Two-Way Radio says of the two free guides, "Managers often assume their system is 'buggy' and needs a technician's help when in fact there are things they can do to eliminate the problem themselves. We think these guides can help solve over 90 percent of all two-way radio problems."

"The Two-Way Radio Troubleshooting Guide: Six Simple Steps That Can Save You Headaches and Thousands on Repair Bills Each Year" is a thorough, step-by-step tutorial on quickly finding and eliminating malfunctions. Armed with this guide, most managers can identify and solve two-way radio mysteries within a few minutes.

The second document, "Two-Way Radio Battery Maintenance Tips," is a one-page, quick-and-dirty companion to the troubleshooting guide, and can save a department manager thousands of budget dollars each year.

Some of the guide's topics include:

• What causes the "Increasing Dead-Spot" phenomenon, and what can be done to prevent it?

• What is the major leading cause of static and how to make the audio on two-way radios as loud and as clear as possible?

• Learn why many two-way radio users unknowingly destroy their batteries, causing them to purchase endless replacements.

• Learn how to determine if your two-way radio battery has failed and can no longer be charged.

iPad App for WestlawNext

Thomson Reuters has optimized its new legal research system, WestlawNext, for iPad users. The iPad offers exciting capabilities for the lawyer on the go—greater portability than a laptop and a large, high-resolution Multi-Touch display that makes it far more functional for legal research than a smartphone. The new iPad app is available at the App Store free of charge to all current subscribers of WestlawNext.

The functionality and increased screen size of the iPad allows users to perform a range of easier tasks such as finding, viewing and sending documents, which many mobile users can perform with smartphones, as well as more complex tasks that have been built into WestlawNext, such as organizing research into folders and conducting advanced searches. Researchers also can use the touch screen to scroll through search results, reorganize their folders and highlight text in documents relevant to their research.

Similar to WestlawNext and WestlawNext Mobile, the intuitive design of the WestlawNext iPad app makes it easy to navigate the comprehensive content and use the most advanced legal research features, including WestSearch—the proprietary search engine that leverages more than 100 years of editorial assets to provide more inclusive, better-ranked results. "When we talk with lawyers, most say they wouldn't do more than five minutes of research on their smartphone," said Andy Martens of Thomson Reuters, Legal. "The iPad is a device where we can see attorneys comfortably doing an hour or more of comprehensive research."