Consumer Electronics Daily News

Apparently Your Cell Phone is Too Lazy

Eureka Mobile Advertising, a start-up, founded by technology veterans, Rahul Jayawant and Yogesh Sholapurkar, has launched the world's first mobile phone utility that monetizes the idle screen to deliver exciting and relevant content to target subscribers. Eureka is currently available on the Google Play Store (Android), and will soon be made available on other platforms. By utilizing the idle screen space of the mobile phone, Eureka provides a unique opportunity for brands to engage with customers.

Built on the back of proprietary technology, Eureka works in partnership with telecom operators and brands. For subscribers that opt to download and continue using Eureka, the service offers a share of the advertiser revenue on a continued basis, along with cool deals, interesting content and relevant ads. For brands, Eureka offers better ROI, greater transparency and insights.

Mr. Rahul S Jayawant, Founder and CEO, Eureka Mobile Advertising, says, "With the kind of power that the mobile phone wields, it has become the single most important tool for marketers. With our pilot launch completed in India over the last eight weeks, we have seen overwhelming enthusiasm for our service from subscribers and CMOs. Over the next year, we aim to be present in multiple markets across the world. We see immense potential in this technology, and are excited about the opportunities that it presents."

App Developers Conference Calls for Talks

UBM Tech is announcing a call to present lectures, roundtables and panels at the inaugural App Developers Conference™ (ADC) and the inaugural Game Developers Conference Next™ (GDC Next) – with submissions open from now through Wednesday, May 29. ADC and GDC Next are taking place simultaneously on November 5-7, 2013 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The App Developers Conference is an entirely new event from the creators of GDC focusing on the very best development, UI, marketing and business of apps outside of games. Some of the major app vertical markets covered at this inaugural ADC will be Entertainment, Enterprise, Health/Wellness, Lifestyle, Brand Marketing, and Education, and organizers are looking for great quality talks on design, programming, and business/marketing from practitioners in all these areas and beyond. Submissions are open now athttp://adc.callforsubmissions.gdc4p.com

Co-located with ADC (and available to attend with a separate standalone pass, or with a VIP All Access Pass that gets you into both shows), the inaugural Game Developers Conference Next (GDC Next) will feature detailed content about creating the game experiences of the future.  The conference organizers and advisory board are programming this spiritual sequel to the long-running GDC Online shows and are striving to bring the creators of tomorrow's biggest and most innovative video games and game platforms together in one location.

Submitters are being asked to present best practices across six tracks: The Future of Gaming, Next Generation Game Platforms, Free-to-Play & New Business Models, Smartphone and & Tablet Games, Cloud Gaming and Independent Games.  GDC Next organizers and its esteemed advisory board, separate and unique from the ADC advisory board, will be accepting submissions now through May 29th; more info can be found here http://gdcnext.2013.gdc4p.com

"With the evolution and growth of interactive technology moving at light speed, it became clear to us that we should bring our 25+ years of expertise producing the Game Developers Conference events to the ever-expanding universe of app development, and also create a new event that looks at the future of the games space," said Meggan Scavio, general manager of all Game Developers Conference events.  "We anticipate a wide range of submissions from the top echelon of the app development community and the game makers of the future, and we look forward to bringing the highest quality of content that GDC is known for to both events in Los Angeles this fall."

With a developer-focused Expo Floor area, numerous day and evening networking events, ADC and GDC Next 2013 will offer business and networking opportunities to all attendees. For more information on ADC please visit http://www.adconf.com/ and for additional details about GDC Next visit http://www.gdcnext.com/.

Related articles

Game Developers Conference 2013 Attracts 23,000 Attendees

Akitio's New Thunderbolt External Drive Packs a Punch

 Akitio, a manufacturer of storage solutions, today announced the release of the company’s new 256GB one-bay, bus-powered Thunderbolt storage solution.  Akitio’s new larger capacity storage solution is a follow-up to the company’s successful 120GB SSD solution, which was previously launched in 2012. 

Akitio has upgraded the 120 GB SSD to meet the demand of consumers by rising up to the challenge and offering an upgraded 256 GB SSD version of the Neutrino Thunderbolt.  In addition, the 256 GB version is the fastest one-bay bus-powered external storage device on the market today. 

“Akitio’s new 256 GB SSD version is a result of the needs voiced by technology enthusiasts everywhere, “stated Richard Wright, Director of Global Distribution, Akitio.  “The new 256GB option is something that Akitio users have been longing for, as the original 120GB product was just not large enough for many people involved in video editing and other occupations where larger storage capacity was required.” 

Designed elegantly in a compact size, the 256 GB SSD Neutrino Thunderbolt features the following:

·       464 MB/second data transfer speeds

·       Thunderbolt cable, making it a true “plug and play” solution

·       High performance SATA controller

·       Enhanced speed, performance and flexibility

 

Akitio’s 256 GB Neutrino Thunderbolt Edition is available for purchase at an MRSP starting price of $339.99 and can be found at Akitio.com, as well as Amazon.com and other various Akitio retailers and distributors.

Sony Unveils 2013 Home Audio Product Line

Sony Electronics introduced its 2013 Home Audio product lineup today, highlighting the STR-DN1040 Audio/Video Receiver and the HT-CT660 Soundbar. Available in June, both products boast of Sony's legendary commitment to quality sound, and are packed with connectivity and accessibility features. Both the STR-DN1040 receiver, priced at $599, and the HT-CT660 soundbar, priced at $399, will be available at Sony Stores and http://store.sony.com, as well as retailers nationwide.

"Our rich audio legacy leads consumers to expect continued innovation and performance from Sony audio products," said Neal Manowitz, Director of Sony Electronics' home audio group. "The newest AV receiver in our line has the simplest, most user-friendly interface, which when combined with a world first and only AVR feature set of built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay and Bluetooth connectivity, raises the bar with respect to usability, and does so with knockout sound performance. Likewise, the new soundbar extends the Sony line and brings theater-like, high-definition sound to any room in the house, with Bluetooth ease and convenience."

A Receiver Built for Sound – and More

The STR-DN1040 AV Receiver delivers premium home theater performance with 7.2 Channel 1155 Watts (165 W x 7) of power and ten HD inputs (8 HDMI in), and features a newly redesigned chassis, an increased power transformer as well as Sony-designed capacitors and audio-grade transistors. "Just like a musical instrument, this AV receiver is specially tuned to bring out the very best sonic performance," said Aaron Levine, Product Marketing Manager of Sony Electronics' Home Audio group. "There is a sonic performance reason for every part, every material, and every assembly technique put into this receiver."

Even at low sound levels, features such as sound optimizer maintain the nuances of the complete sound field, perfect for watching effects-laden motion pictures. Sony's innovative High Definition Digital Cinema Sound™ (HD DCS) adds auditory depth for dramatic cinematic sound that faithfully reproduces the movie theater experience. Spectacular sound is further produced through support of Dolby® TrueHD, Pro Logic IIz and dts® HD enhanced audio codecs. For outstanding picture performance, video signals can be converted up to 4K Ultra HD HDMI®. Complementing the sound performance is ample connectivity for HD and 4K Ultra HD devices, supporting both new and legacy connectivity.

Wi-Fi enables the STR-DN1040 receiver to easily access streaming media sources, and has integrated applications for Sony Entertainment Network's Music Unlimited, Pandora®, Slacker®, vTuner®, and more, as well as capabilities to seamlessly stream music from DLNA® enabled PCs. The receiver also has built-in AirPlay and Bluetooth, allowing it to wirelessly receive the broadest amount of music from phones, tablets and computers. Users can also operate the receiver with the free Media Remote™ app available for both iPhones® and Android™ phones.

Also available in June is the STR-DN840 AV receiver, a 7.2 channel, 1050 Watt juggernaut with the same connectivity convenience of built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay. With six HDMI inputs, 4K pass-through, sound optimizer and more, the STR-DN840 is aggressively priced at just $449.

A Soundbar to Bring Boom to Any Room

Designed to bring the TV experience back to life, the HT-CT660 Soundbar is a 330 Watt system producing exceptional audio marked by rich, natural sounds and incredible clarity. The 2-way, 4-driver mica reinforced speaker system delivers exceptional sound clarity with detailed highs and lows, with big sound and minimal distortion, all complemented by a wireless subwoofer that brings feeling back to the low end, along with an added convenience of being able to be placed anywhere in the room. The three HDMI inputs allow easy connection to up to three devices, such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray Disc players and cable or satellite boxes, while delivering superior high-definition picture and sound quality. Movies are presented as directors intended, with Dolby® TrueHD and dts® HD Master Audio modes the reproduce high definition sound for uncompromised quality.

Sony's S-Force® PRO Front Surround 3D technology synchronizes sounds to match the motion and depth of images on screen so viewers enjoy a fully immersive, simulated 3D surround experience without the bother and clutter of surround sound speakers. Connecting the HT-CT660 soundbar with mobile devices such as phones and tablets to stream music is as simple as one touch of any Near-Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth enabled device. And with Bluetooth standby mode, you can start streaming and enjoying music without having to turn on any additional components.

Home Theaters to Bring Cinema to the Home

Sony also unveiled its complete home theater lineup, including the BDV-N8100W and BDV-N7100W "home theaters in a box." Both products feature 1000W, 5.1 channel 3D Blu-ray disc full HD 1080p playback, with built-in Wi-Fi to stream Netflix, HuluPlus, Pandora, the Sony Entertainment Network and more and wireless rear surround sound speakers. Additionally, NFC or Bluetooth-enabled devices connect seamlessly with one touch. The BDV-N8100W system also features three-way, 47-inch floor standing speakers for exceptional sound clarity and definition, with the upper portion of the speaker separable and ideal for wall-mounting installations.

Priced at $699 and $599 respectively, the BDV-N8100W and BDV-7100W home theaters in a box are available now at Sony stores and online at http://store.sony.com, as well as electronics retailers nationwide.

iPad, Kindle Fire Users Score their Tablets High

Apple and Amazon tables score with their users, according to a recent study by J.D. Power and Associates. The 2013 U.S. Tablet Satisfaction Study^SM—Volume 1 released today notes that Apple ranks highest among manufacturers of tablets in overall owner satisfaction. Apple achieves a score of 836 and performs well in four factors: performance; ease of operation; styling and design; and features. Amazon (829) closely follows Apple in the rankings and performs particularly well in the cost factor.

Now in its second year, the study measures tablet owner satisfaction among those who have owned their tablet for one year or less. Satisfaction is measured across five key factors (in order of importance): performance (26 percent); ease of operation (22 percent); styling and design (19 percent); features (17 percent); and cost (16 percent).

KEY FINDINGS:

• Tablet owners who also have a smartphone spend 36 percent more time browsing the Internet on their tablet than on their smartphone.

• Twenty-seven percent of tablet owners say they are likely to buy a new tablet within the next 12 months, compared with 37 percent in 2012.

• Ninety-four percent of highly satisfied tablet owners are likely to purchase additional consumer electronic devices from the same manufacturer.

The study finds that 51 percent of tablet owners share their device with at least one other person. While the incidence differs across brands, tablet manufacturers may benefit from promoting shared usage as a selling point, as satisfaction increases when more people use one tablet device. When a tablet is only used by one person, overall satisfaction is 824 (on a 1,000-point scale), 28 points lower than when a tablet is shared by four or more persons (852).

"It is somewhat unexpected to find that although 64 percent of tablet owners were the sole decision-maker involved in their device purchase, many of them share their tablet with someone else," said Kirk Parsons, Senior Director of telecommunications services at J.D. Power and Associates. "It is important that manufacturers understand this dynamic and try to provide an exceptional experience for all users since this may improve future business prospects, as high satisfaction through sharing a tablet device may result in owners handing down their tablet to a family member or friend, and the likelihood of repurchasing a new tablet from the same brand and running the same operating system increases."

In fact, 41 percent of tablet owners who share their device among four or more persons indicate they "definitely will" repurchase their next tablet from their current tablet manufacturer, compared with 28 percent among those who do not share their device with any other person. This shared usage is not limited to adults. Nearly one-half (46 percent) of tablet owners have children who also use their tablet.  Among owners who indicate they share their device with children, 30 percent have downloaded education apps, compared with 16 percent among those who do not share their device with children.

Tablets are also being used for business activities, with 20 percent of owners indicating they use their tablet for this purpose. Owners of tablets that originally evolved from e-readers are not as likely to use their device to engage in business activity. While tablet owners are beginning to engage in business activities with their device, just 31 percent of employers contribute to the price or reimburse their employees for the entire tablet purchase price, a 3-percentage-point decrease from 2012. This may be an indication that some companies may be promoting a "bring your own device" (BYOD) strategy.

 

AT&T; to Provide Exclusive Wireless Network Enhancements for Kentucky Derby

AT&T collaborated with a third party wireless infrastructure provider for the installation of new wireless antennas located throughout the grandstands, suites and premium seating areas of the Churchill Downs Racetrack to improve wireless coverage, capacity and data speeds during peak event times at this year's Kentucky Derby.

AT&T will be the first wireless carrier to connect to the new distributed antenna system. The third party wireless infrastructure provider has worked closely with Churchill Downs and AT&T's Antenna Solutions Group (ASG) to ensure the network is designed to meet the needs of AT&T's customers as well as Churchill Downs, given the historical nature of the facility.

"Investment in next-generation technologies is imperative to Kentucky's future success," said Senator Robert Stivers. "During the greatest two minutes in sports, the world is focused on the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Kentuckians, as well as thousands of visitors from across the globe, will descend on Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, and I will continue to encourage investment in better wireless and broadband across the state through innovative public policy."

According to Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack, "Churchill Downs is committed to providing exceptional wireless coverage on Derby day. Our collaboration with AT&T will bring the latest wireless technology to Churchill Downs and address the coverage and capacity issues when folks are using their wireless devices to capture those photos, utilize social media and make calls."

In addition to ensuring voice calls are successfully connected, the new antenna system will allow smart phones, tablets and other devices to access the Internet and run interactive applications including the Kentucky Derby mobile application. The Kentucky Derby mobile application allows users to access many features on their mobile devices, including information on the schedule of racing and entertainment events, horse and contender information, betting information, ticket information and sales, video and photo galleries, Derby trivia and racing meets, Facebook and Twitter links, and breaking news announcements.

"An integral part of our goal to deliver an outstanding customer experience is to provide an exceptional wireless experience," said AT&T Kentucky President Mary Pat Regan. "We want to enable the thousands of Derby attendees to use their wireless devices to capture the memories made and stay connected."

Sports Fans Flocking to Mobile Apps

Use of sports apps by members of the Arbitron Mobile smartphone panel has been climbing steadily since their post-Super Bowl, mid-winter doldrums, thanks to the NCAA Tournament and opening days of the regular season of Major League Baseball.

In the two weeks following the NFL championship game on February 3, use of mobile sports apps by men, age 18 and older in the Arbitron panel, plummeted from 12.9 percent to 10.0 percent.

Starting the week of March 10, as fans starting filling out their brackets for the NCAA Tourney, use of mobile sports apps boomed, reaching 13.7 percent of men, age 18 and older during the week of the "Elite 8" and the opening games of Major League Baseball.

Men 35-44 Are the Most Avid Users of Mobile Sports Apps

It's no surprise that sports app users are predominantly male. Slightly more than twelve percent (12.4 percent) of the Persons age 18 and older in the Arbitron Mobile smartphone panel use sports apps; by gender—18.4 percent of the men 18+ in the panel use mobile sports apps versus only 6.0 percent of the women 18+. Compared to men, the women who do use sports apps log on for fewer sessions (14.8 per month vs. 32.8 per month) and spend far less time with mobile sports apps (34.4 minutes per month vs. 63.8 minutes per month for men).

Men, age 35-44, are the most avid users of mobile sports apps in the Arbitron Mobile smartphone panel, representing the largest share of users within a demographic—22.8 percent, and the most time spent with mobile sports apps—77.1 minutes per month.  Men, age 25-34 who use mobile sports apps, do check in with their app most often—42.1 sessions per month.

Mobile Sports Apps
	Men 18+	Men 18-24	Men 25-34	Men 35-44	Men 45-54	Men 55+
% Using Sports Apps	18.4%	17.0%	16.2%	22.8%	19.2%	17.2%
Time Spent/Month	63.8	60.5	71.7	77.1	47.2	50.0
# of Sessions/Month	32.8	35.8	42.1	35.1	22.1	22.5

Lenmar Power for the Undead Experience

Lenmar Enterprises releases its newest solution for portable power, The Helix.The Helix is the first battery pack created specifically for Lenmar's newest collection of power accessories, Undead Power.

The Helix has 11,000mAh of battery power and three USB outputs: two of the USB ports have an output of 1 Amp, while the third USB port has an output of 2.4 Amps.  This new battery pack is specifically designed to power a new generation of tablets, including the iPad 4 and the iPad Mini.  With the Helix, you can charge two cell phones and a tablet simultaneously. 

The Helix is sleek and powerful, with green LED indicator lights, an on/off button and a Green Double Helix, the Undead Power logo. Keep the portable and lightweight battery pack in your backpack, briefcase, purse or carry-on bag for on-the-go charging. With such versatility, the Helix is the perfect addition for your transatlantic flights, long layovers or your daily commute.

Inspired by the structure of DNA, the Helix was designed to keep your smartphone running up to 7 times longer. Fully charge your power hungry tablet when you're away from home or out of the office with this large capacity battery.

The Helix PowerPort Wave 11000 Undead, is shipped in an undead power box, the edges surrounded by caution tape. The creative box, coupled with a few Undead Power stickers make for an awesome Undead experience. To become part of the Undead Team, purchase yours today on www.undeadpower.com.

To learn more about Undead Power, sweepstakes and online promotions, please visit www.undeadpower.com orwww.facebook.com/poweredbylenmar.

 

Related articles

New Wireless Charging Options from Monster Watts for Samsung Galaxy S3

An Emergency Charge for Mobile Devices

Don't be caught without power for your smartphone or tablet

Lenmar Enterprises Releases the Meridian iPhone 5 Battery Case

Techradar Names Vuzix's M100 One of the Best Augmented Reality Headsets

Vuzix Corporation, a developer and supplier of smart glasses, announced today that Techradar.com has named its M100 one of the 8 best augment reality (AR) headsets.

Techradar.com's article titled, "8 Best Augment Reality Headsets: Google Glass and More – AR is getting ever more popular. Go Go Gadget glasses!" opens with, "Google's Project Glass is probably the most well-known of the new 'smart glass' products, but there are plenty more prototypes and rival products where that came from." Techradar lists Google Glass Explorer Edition as the first on its list and goes on to list Vuzix' M100, which is slated for release well before Google Glass, second.

Vuzix President and CEO Paul Travers stated, "Since the M100 runs native Android apps as well as being capable of running full blown AR apps directly in the glasses, the M100 is ready for full-scale launch this summer. Ahead of that launch, we are pleased that our product is receiving recognition and praise from the tech community including developers, the media, and the Consumer Electronics Show where it won the 2013 CES Innovations Award for smartphone accessories."

About The Vuzix M100

The Vuzix M100, a hands free display peripheral for your smartphone, has a built in color display driven by a powerful processing engine running the Android OS, an integrated head tracker and GPS for spatial and positional awareness.

An integrated camera enables video recording, still image capture and the potential for powerful augmented reality applications. Interactive tracking and an integrated camera, combined with newly developed applications on the M100 and a wireless link to the Cloud, enable the merging of virtual information with the real world.

The M100 software developer kit (SDK) is available in two versions, Gold and Silver. These SDKs are being delivered in stages and include frequent updates, hardware advances when released, and access to the developer center to provide technical and developer community support.

Panasonic Releases New Compact Digital Camera

Panasonic has announced a new digital pocketable compact camera LUMIX DMC-LF1(LF1), part of the new LF series – a sister line of the world-renowned LX series.

Features:

1.    Practical EVF and Large, High Resolution LCD for Easy Viewing of Image  
The LF1 is a premium sleek, stylish digital compact camera with the only 0.2-inch EVF with an adjustable diopter (Electronic Viewfinder) in its class. Its EVF features 200K-dot resolution and 100 percent field of view. It assures stable framing and high visibility of live view image even under strong sunlight.

2.    The F2.0 Fast LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON Lens with 7.1x Optical Zoom  
The LF1 is equipped with newly developed 28mm wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens with 7.1x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 28-200mm). This superb lens features F2.0 high speed, which boasts approximately twice the speed of an F2.8 lens. 

3.    The Large 1/1.7-inch 12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS Sensor  
The LF1 integrates a large 1/1.7-inch, 12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS Sensor which is larger in size than standard digital compact cameras. Thanks to the extensive light receiving area of each cell, the performance of image recording in low light is superior with its excellent wide dynamic range. The result is a high resolution image with stunning clarity not only in high sensitivity recording but also in low ISO settings reproducing rich gradation with the exquisitely wide dynamic range even when there is a great deal of contrast in the subject.

4.    Creative Panorama & Creative Control / Creative Retouch 
The LF1 is also equipped with popular Creative Control and Creative Retouch featuring a total of 15 filter effects – Retro, Expressive, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, Star Filter , Cross Process, Soft Focus, One Point Color and Old Days. The Creative Control lets users shoot with a filter effect while checking how it makes a difference in the picture, which can also be used for video recording, too. The Creative Retouch enables applying a filter effect on the picture even after shooting in camera.

5.    Wi-Fi® Connectivity with NFC  
The LF1 integrates a Wi-Fi® connectivity (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology to offer a more flexible shooting experience and instant image sharing with easy operation. The NFC allows "Touch & Share" in which users can connect the camera to their smartphone/tablet anywhere at one touch to share an image easily right on the spot by just pairing the two devices. 

Related articles

Panasonic's New LUMIX Incorporates Advanced Video Features

Five Nikon Digital Cameras Receive the "red dot award: product design 2013"

Sony Announces the Cyber-shot HX50V

Panasonic LUMIX LF1