AudioVideo News

"Strobe" to Simplify Delivery of Custom Online Media Players for Content Owners

April 20, 2009 — Today at the 2009 NAB Show, Adobe Systems Incorporated announced a new software framework for building media players that extends the capabilities of the Adobe Flash Platform. Code-named "Strobe," the framework will help establish an open industry standard for media players and offer production-ready software components to streamline the development of custom media players, reducing the time content publishers spend creating their own playback technologies. The framework will enable developers using Flash technologies to quickly and easily add rich functionality—such as advertising, user measurement and tracking, and social network integration—into new custom players that can be branded for individual content owners.

"With Strobe, we're delivering an open framework that enables media companies to focus on their core competency, creating great content that people want to see, instead of developing their own video players from scratch," said Jim Guerard, vice president and general manager of Dynamic Media at Adobe. "Adobe is committed to driving Web innovation and now with Strobe, we are helping to create an open framework for media players, enabling developers and media companies to focus on developing, delivering, and monetizing content so they can extend their online media efforts."Read more

April 20, 2009 — At the 2009 NAB Show, Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced the extension of the Adobe Flash Platform to connected digital home devices with an optimized implementation of Flash technology that delivers high definition (HD) video and rich applications to Internet-connected televisions, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players and other devices in the digital living room. Major System on Chips (SoC) vendors, OEMs, cable operators and content providers including Atlantic Records, Broadcom, Comcast, Disney Interactive Media Group, Intel, Netflix, STMicroelectronics, The New York Times Company, NXP Semiconductors, Sigma Designs, and others announced support for the optimized Flash technology today. The Adobe Flash Platform for the Digital Home is available immediately to OEMs and the first devices and SoC platforms with support for the optimized Flash technology are expected to ship in the second half of 2009.

The Adobe Flash Platform for the Digital Home now enables the delivery of HD Web videos to digital home devices via the Flash Video (FLV) file format. Consumers will be able to enjoy rich, interactive viewing experiences and amazing new ways to engage with HD content on televisions. Flash technology-based applications will allow users to quickly switch between television programming and Web content outside the Web browser. With the optimized implementation of Flash technology, content providers are able to extend their reach to millions of connected digital home devices, and cable operators and device manufacturers are able to develop new services and powerful user interfaces that deliver immersive experiences. A preview of Adobe Flash technology for digital home devices is being shown in the Adobe booth (SL3320, South Hall) and during Adobe's NAB Super Session today.Read more

April 2009 -- Onkyo recently introduced a line of audio-video accessories, including the first to take advantage of the company's new proprietary Universal Port (U-Port) connection. The U-Port enabled models consist of a dock for iPhones and iPods, and an HD Radio module; the company is also introducing a second dock for iPod designed for non-U-Port receivers.

Onkyo's Universal Port, which was introduced on the company's TX-SR507 and TX-SR607 AV receivers earlier this year, provides a single-cable connection for these new accessories, as well as a wide range of possible future expansions. All necessary connections, including power, audio, video, and control signals, are incorporated into the Universal Port, making it simple for consumers to expand the capabilities of their system in just minutes.

The Onkyo UP-A1 dock and charger for iPod lets users enjoy programming stored on their iPhone or iPod directly through their home theater entertainment system. The dock recharges the portable player, and allows the user to control the device using their Onkyo AV receiver remote control. It is the first Onkyo product to carry the "Works with iPhone" certification, is capable of carrying component video as well as audio signals, and is compatible with nearly every iPod based player, including iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPod Touch (1G, 2G), iPod Classic, iPod (4G, 5G), iPod Nano (1G - 4G) and iPod mini. The UP-A1 dock and charger will be available in May at a suggested retail price of $109.Read more

April 15, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Staying "dialed" into your kids has never meant more. AT&T* today announced the availability of AT&T FamilyMap, a new tool that makes it easy to locate a family member's phone via web browser on a PC or mobile device. In addition, AT&T announced a new Mother's Day promotion featuring three Samsung quick messaging phones, each with a full keyboard that makes it easier to stay in touch, whether through text messaging, e-mail or AT&T FamilyMap.

AT&T FAMILYMAP

For on-the-go families, AT&T FamilyMap is a convenient new tool that lets customers see the location of family members on a map from a PC or AT&T wireless phone.

The service enables users to see details such as location on a map and surrounding landmarks like schools and parks. Users can also toggle between satellite and interactive street maps. Families can customize their mapping experience by assigning a name and photo to each device within their account, and can also label places they visit frequently, like "Home" or "Soccer Field."

Through the tool's schedule checks option, parents can receive alerts at specified times via text or e-mail. For example, parents could request a schedule check every weekday at 4 p.m. to check on their child's location. In another scenario, parents of a teenager who drives could use the tool to check on their child's location instead of calling or texting the teen, which might present a distraction while the teen is on the road.Read more

April 15, 2009--Hitachi, Ltd. just announced the release of GazoPa for iPhone application (app). Available free at Apple's iPhone App Store, GazoPa for iPhone app allows users to search for similar images on the web by uploading any photo captured with camera on iPhone. This makes it possible for users to search for images similar to the items in front of them. Since GazoPa use image features such as color and/or shape, users can look for images without typing any words. This gives users easy and unique way of searching images on the web.

In addition, searching by user's drawing is also available on GazoPa for iPhone app, that is very popular feature at GazoPa.com. This search by drawing enables users to search for items that users have in their mind. Users only need to draw what they want to search when they feel difficulty in expressing them in words or have no photo related to those items. Hitachi's advanced similar image search technology allows users to find images similar to their drawing. Read more

April 15, 2009 – Family Watchdog LLC, the country's foremost expert and source for sex offender information, in collaboration with mobile application developer HandStorm, Inc., just announced the launch of StaySafe, the first application to deliver sex offender registry information to mobile devices in real-time. With Family Watchdog's extensive database of registered sex offenders, consumers now have quick access to information about offenders in their area and across the United States.

Available today at the Apple iTunes Store for $14.99, StaySafe is an easy-to-use application that utilizes the iPhone's location awareness to deliver location-based sex offender information. StaySafe works with GPS-enabled iPhones, as well as first generation iPhones and iPod Touches. Additionally, StaySafe is available for the T-Mobile G1 and other Android devices, and can be purchased in the Android Marketplace.

"We're proud to work with HandStorm to offer StaySafe, the first mobile application to address this type of issue, and to take the next step in our fight to provide the most up-to-date, detailed information to protect consumers from registered sex offenders in their area and nationally," said Steve Roddel, founder of Family Watchdog. "It was clear from the beginning that HandStorm shared our commitment and helped accelerate the delivery of consumers' mobile access to the latest information that increases the safety of our families and loved ones. With StaySafe, consumers can now feel informed, empowered and safe in any location."Read more

April 13, 2009--Shure Incorporated today announced the availability of the Company's SE115 Sound Isolating Earphones, perfectly timed for the Mother's Day, Father's Day, and graduation gift-giving season. Combining superior sound quality and stunning aesthetics at an affordable price point, the SE115 is Shure's first earphone available in four brilliant colors - Blue, Pink, Black, and Red.

The SE115 first wowed audio enthusiasts at the 2009 Macworld Expo, where the earphones were awarded the iLounge Best of Show Award and the iProng Best of Show Award. At the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the SE115 was recognized as a CEA Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Award honoree. Continuing Shure's legacy of providing premium sound, durability and style, the SE115 offers a convenient modular cable design and brilliant color options to complement every consumer’s on-the-go lifestyle.

"Today's consumers are constantly connected to their devices – often, multiple devices – and seek accessories that provide a premium listening experience in every scenario," said Avi Greengart, Research Director for Consumer Devices, Current Analysis. "A modular approach provides the flexibility to adapt to different use cases." Read more

April 9, 2009 - Griffin Technology today announced the availability of the first of their spring lineup of cases for iPod and iPhone. These new additions to the iClear and Elan Form families include: iClear Sketch for iPod nano 4th gen; Elan Form Graphite for iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2nd gen; and Elan Form with Sky Blue Trim for 2nd gen iPod touch:

iClear Sketch

iClear is Griffin's transparent polycarbonate case, strong enough to take the daily abuse of active lifestyles. iClear is now available for 4th generation iPod nano in two new designs: iClear Sketch Baroque (a modern floral motif), and iClear Sketch 8-Bit (inspired by 8-bit game graphics). The enclosed iPod nano shows through the decorative translucent pattern for a subtle, stylish look. iClear Sketch is all-over protection for iPod with complete access to controls, dock connector and headphone jack.Read more

April 9, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless and HTC Corporation today announced that the HTC Touch Diamond will be available tomorrow through business sales channels and online at www.verizonwireless.com. The ideal productivity tool for busy professionals, the HTC Touch Diamond combines a fashionable mobile design with the added benefit of the nation's most reliable voice and data network for fast e-mail and Internet connectivity.

Available color: Black

Key features:

• Brilliant 2.76-inch touch screen display for navigating Web pages on the built-in Opera browser
• 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera
• microSD card slot that can support up to 16 GB of memory for extra storage of pictures, videos and music
• Customers can choose either the familiar Windows Mobile home screen or the intuitive HTC TouchFLO 3D user interface
• Supports the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional platform and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Office applications

Read more

April 8, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. today announced its new Home Theater TV series for 2009, offering a larger than life, vivid viewing experience and includes 3D-Ready(1) viewing technology - a feature becoming more in demand among consumers as 3D content production continues to increase. In addition to 3D-Ready, the new Home Theater TV product line features a solid offering of large screen sizes including an impressive 82" model. All eco-friendly Mitsubishi Home Theater TVs are highly energy efficient, consuming approximately one-half the operating power of similarly sized flat panel TVs.

"Based on current economic conditions, consumers are looking for products that marry high quality with significant value, and TVs are no exception. Our new Home Theater TVs provide unparalleled picture performance and value, and are the best performing displays for large screen entertainment," said Frank DeMartin, vice president of marketing, Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America. "We view Home Theater Television as a growth category, and our new 2009 line-up provides larger screen sizes, new technology enhancements, and notable efficiency in operating power consumption, which is becoming a prominent factor that consumers now consider when making a TV purchase." Read more