Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Displays

We had a hunch that Sony’s VGF-CP1 was just too svelte to stay locked in Japan forever, and now that CEDIA is upon us, we’re finally getting the news we’ve been waiting for: it’s coming to the United States. Rechristened the VAIO CP1 WiFi photo frame, this device features a 7-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, support for Google Picasa streaming, 128MB of internal storage space, an SD / Memory Stick / CF multicard reader and an RSS reader to keep you abreast on the latest happenings. Furthermore, it touts built-in stereo speakers and an internet radio player, not to mention the digital / analog clock. Check it in mid-October for three bills.

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Original post by Darren Murph

It was just announced on the Office Communications Server Team blog that the next release of OCS 2007 (rumored to be called OCS 2007 R2) will support 64-bit operating systems only. Customers who are using 32-bit hardware systems to run OCS 2007 will have to upgrade to x64 systems to install and run the next release of OCS.

From Microsoft:

As a part of the broad initiative across Microsoft to support 64 bit versions across many of its product lines, the next release of OCS will support 64-bit operating systems only. This decision will help meet customer demand and is a natural progression of the product that aligns with the same approach taken by the Exchange team (with Exchange 2007) and the SharePoint team (with SharePoint 2007) to support 64 bit operating systems only.

For the next release of OCS, Microsoft will support deployments on 64 bit operating systems - Windows Server 2003 x64 (R2) and Windows Server 2008 x64.

They based their decision to go 100% 64-bit in part based on customer feedback, as they explained here:

Based on customer feedback, Microsoft’s goal with the next release of OCS is to simplify deployments by reducing the number of servers needed for deployment. Customers are also telling us they are pushing the limits of existing hardware with their “mission critical” communications solutions.

OCS 2007 Video Call

There was a bit of a backlash from customers when Microsoft announced that Exchange Server 2007 would be 64-bit only, but I think that mentality has eased a bit over the last year. More IT departments are deploying 64-bit servers these days, so it’s much less of an issue. Plus, OCS 2007 servers are installed by companies that are on the leading-edge of technology. After all, OCS 2007 is only 1-2 years old. Plus like Microsoft says, when you consider that enterprise communications are mission critical, why would stick with 32-bit when 64-bit works much more reliably?

I’m sure there will be those that disagree, but I for one am happy Microsoft is jumping in with both feet into the 64-bit world.

Tags: 32-bit, 64-bit, microsoft, Microsoft OCS 2007 R2, OCS 2007, unified communications, VoIP

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Original post by nafiz

Filed under: Cellphones

Don’t rule out the possibility that this is a complete and utterly disgusting fib, but a recent writeup in The China Post about HTC’s financial situation very clearly states when the hotly-anticipated Touch Diamond is coming to Sprint: this month. If you’re looking for the play-by-play, the article proclaims that the “company released its Diamond phone in Asia in June and will begin selling the handset through Sprint Nextel Corp. in August.” Look, we’ve seen a CDMA version of this thing donning Sprint garb, we’ve watched it fall into the capable hands of the FCC and we know it has to arrive sometime. If all of this doesn’t add up to Sprint getting the Touch Diamond in August, well, we’ll let you do the math.

[Thanks, Sumit]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Transportation

Audi has already manged to work some LEDs into a few of its cars (concepts and otherwise), but the automaker has gone all out with its latest Audi R8, which employs LEDs for seemingly every lighting function. That includes the 24-LED running lamps the R8 had before, along with some brand LED high and low beam headlights, and LED turn signals, which add up to some 54 LEDs in all. Of course, given the prices that single LED bulbs demand these days, it should come as no surprise that this is quite the pricey option, with it adding a full €3,590 (or about $5,560) to the R8’s already lofty sticker price.

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Original post by Donald Melanson

Filed under: Gaming

Just when you think Pong can’t be played any other way, yet another creative soul emerges to prove the notion wrong. Mike McCracken has managed to remove all visual aspects of the game yet still maintain the core goal by enabling one’s head to make the motions typically assigned to the hands. Essentially, a sound is emitted from the headphones on one side or the other, and the gamer has to tilt his / her head just so until the noise is centered. This back-and-forth sequence speeds up to intensify the challenge, and if you can’t manage to keep the ringing front and center, an unpalatable buzzer sounds and a light turns on to alert you of your defeat. Really, it’s way more clear how all this works in the video below, so have at it.

[Via MAKE]

Continue reading Audio Ping Pong lets your ears, noggin do all the work

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Handhelds

Surely you’re not content with just multi-touch and built-in accelerometers, right? Microsoft Research is expecting not, as it’s already working towards integrating force-sensing technology that will enable gestures to twist on-screen imagery without crafting UMPCs out of flexible material. Essentially, the gurus behind the idea feel that implementing said tech would “turn an otherwise passive component that just holds the device together into an active input surface.” In the future, it’s likely that auditory cues would enable users to know when they’ve applied enough pressure to cause a change, and of course, they expect it to work hand-in-hand with existing human-computer interfaces. Yeah, who needs keypads these days, anyway? [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via BBC, thanks Joe]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Robots

Finally, a robot that “gets” us. Researchers at Toshiba in Japan have created a talking bot that can be used as a voice-activated universal remote in addition to formulating plots about terminating humans. The 5-pound, 11-inch-tall android is called ApriPoko, and is capable of learning how to control electronics by watching you and asking questions about your behavior. When you use an infrared device, the robot senses the signal and asks the user “What did you just do?” If you say something akin to “I turned on the TV,” it will commit the command to memory, and you can operate those functions by voice. Apparently, the little guy is still in the R&D stages, but there are plans to turn this technology into a consumer device — one which the company swears will not kill you in your sleep.

[Via Pink Tentacle]

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Original post by Joshua Topolsky

Filed under: Portable Audio, Wearables

Oakley’s Split Thump MP3 player sunglasses’ fashion offenses are too numerous to mention, and we’re not sure this is helping matters. According to the folks over at Tech Digest, the wrap-around music players will be getting a very special 500-piece, 1GB Jamiroquai edition, replete with purple and white camouflage design and two new remixes from the disco-aping singer’s 1993 album Emergency on Planet Earth. Grab your glasses, get out your floppy hat, slip on some Mickey Mouse gloves, and crack open a bottle of Vicks VapoRub — it’s time to party like you don’t know any better.

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Original post by Joshua Topolsky

I received an email last week asking for my assistance in spreading the word about an independent, non-profit RightFax Users Group (RFUG) and their inaugural meeting coming up on February 22nd. The users group will cover RightFax in a VoIP environment and include discussions of FoIP & T.38 topics I’m sure. TMC actually uses an older version of RightFax that we never got around to upgrading since it works quite well as it is. In any event, check out the news release which talks about this one day event:

The first-ever RightFax Users Group (RFUG) meeting is set for Feb. 22 in Minneapolis, Minn., at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Bloomington, 8a.m. - 5 p.m.  Steve Bouma, GMAC Res Cap senior systems engineer, a veteran RightFax user who is attending the one-day event, said, “It’s important to build a RightFax community, so we can share our experiences in solving business issues with fax automation. As the group grows, our hope is to build a library of fax automation best practices—something that all members can benefit from tremendously.”

Brent Lothrop, Dynamic Solutions Group (www.dsgi.net) president, explains why his company is helping to organize the RFUG and plan the one-day event: “So many of our RightFax clients ask us how other companies are using the product and wanted us to get involved in the effort.
We’re all for an ongoing forum—both in person and online—where we all can learn from each other how to get more from RightFax.”

Veteran RightFax users from J&B Wholesale, Norwood Promotions, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, ING Group, and United Health Group will share their experiences and answer questions. Topics include:

• Using RightFax in a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) environment;
• Using RightFax with Microsoft Sharepoint Services;
• Best Practices for Migrating RightFax Servers;
• Integrating RightFax with Business Applications.

Exhibits by related fax automation professionals will round out the day.

For more information about the one-day meeting or to register, visit www.rightfaxusersgroup.com. The group’s free online forum, http://forum.rightfaxusersgroup.com, provides an opportunity for RightFax users around the world to contribute to the users group.

About RightFax Users Group
The RightFax Users Group (RFUG) is a community of RightFax users committed to getting the most out of their RightFax investment. Through meetings and online activities that connect members, RFUG promotes productivity through education, networking, and sharing fax automation best practices, as well as inspiring creative ways to solve business issues with fax automation.

Tags: FoIP, RFUG, RightFax, T.38, VoIP

Original post by Ryan

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Epoq’s no (complete) stranger to the portable media player realm, and apparently, the firm is gearing up to crank out another of its own at CES 2008. The Nextgen 4GB will reportedly sport a 3-inch 320 x 240 resolution display, 4GB of internal storage space, USB connectivity, an SD expansion slot, FM radio / audio recorder and support for RMVB, AVI, DAT, FLV, JPG, GIF, BMP, MP3 and WMA files. Admittedly, we’re a bit bummed the likes of AAC, OGG, APE, FLAC and DivX / XviD were seemingly disregarded, but nevertheless, it should be available in the not-too-distant future for around $250.

[Via PMPToday]

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Original post by Darren Murph