Nuance voices found in OS X Lion, patent application suggests new iPhone speech / text capabilities
May 16, 2011 No Comment
Apple’s certainly no stranger to speech recognition, but it looks like it may have enlisted a bit of outside help for the next version of OS X, otherwise known as Lion . As Netputing reports, some of the text-to-speech voice options available in the developer preview of Lion just so happen to match the voices available from Nuance — which would seem to suggest a partnership or licensing agreement of some sort, as the voices themselves cost $45 apiece directly from Nuance. In somewhat related news, Apple has also recently filed a patent application that would bring some fairly extensive new speech recognition options to the iPhone — if it ever actually moves beyond a patent application, that is. In short, it would let you either instantly have a phone call converted to text, or send some text and have it converted to voice on the other end — which the application notes could come in handy both in noisy environments or in situations where you simply aren’t able to talk. It would even apparently incorporate a noise meter that could automatically trigger various options when the ambient noise hits a certain level. Hit up the source link below for a closer look at how it would work. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Nuance voices found in OS X Lion, patent application suggests new iPhone speech / text capabilities originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 15:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Remember that 3D display technology that Samsung and RealD were working on at CES? Today, the two companies announced that they’ve struck a licensing deal for the panels, which promise to deliver full resolution HD images to each eye by integrating active shutter technology directly within an LCD. This approach differs from the passive film patterned retarder (FPR) technologies that you’ll find in Vizio and LG displays, which cut image resolution in half for each eye. The new panels will also be compatible with RealD’s lightweight 3D glasses that are used in movie theaters. The technology should be available for 23 and 27-inch PC screens by early 2012, later making its way to 55-inch TV displays. No word on pricing or compatibility with other screen sizes, but expect more details to emerge at this week’s SID Display Week in Los Angeles. Full PR after the break. Continue reading Samsung, RealD announce licensing agreement for new LCD-based 3D panels Samsung, RealD announce licensing agreement for new LCD-based 3D panels originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 12:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …NEC spits out LaVie L and S Series laptops, ValueStar W and N Series all-in-ones
May 16, 2011 No Comment
Like your computers Japanese and fire engine red? You might want to have a gander at the quartet of PCs NEC just churned out, including twin LaVie notebooks and ValueStar all-in-ones. The laptops both have 15.6-inch displays, optional Blu-ray drives, and hard drives as large as 750GB, but the L series packs a TV tuner and maxes out at a Core i7 processor, while the S series’ top CPU option is a Core i5-2410M. On the desktop side, the W series has a 23-inch screen, Core i7 processor, a 2TB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M card, a TV tuner, and a Blu-ray drive with an optional 3D display. Moving on down the line, the N Series offers a 20-inch screen, Core i5 processor, and integrated Intel graphics, though it, too, will be offered with a 3D panel. No word on pricing or availability, but for now you can check out hands-on photos aplenty at the links below. NEC spits out LaVie L and S Series laptops, ValueStar W and N Series all-in-ones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 13:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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As even non-Canadians may recall, there was a big issue in the country a few years back over a so-called ” iPod tax ” (something that cropped up again in the recent election) and, while it still hasn’t come to pass, the Canadian Private Copying Collective is now pushing for a music tax of another sort. While there’s no iPods in danger of being taxed this time, the CPCC is asking for a new levy to be placed on memory cards (presumably all types, although that hasn’t been specified). That levy would vary depending on the capacity of the card, with those less than 1GB facing a $0.50 tax, while cards between 1GB and 8GB would have an additional dollar tacked on, and those over 8GB would cost a full $3 more. Needless to say, that would be a fairly sizable percentage of the price in most cases given the way memory card prices are dropping — and it would cast a fairly broad brush, as those memory cards obviously aren’t just used for music. Of course, it is also still just a proposal but, as the Excess Copyright blog notes, the peculiarities of the Canadian Copyright Board may well give the CPCC a leg up in this case. Head on past the break for its official announcement. Continue reading Canadian copyright group pushes for levy on memory cards Canadian copyright group pushes for levy on memory cards originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 13:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …As even non-Canadians may recall, there was a big issue in the country a few years back over a so-called ” iPod tax ” (something that cropped up again in the recent election) and, while it still hasn’t come to pass, the Canadian Private Copying Collective is now pushing for a music tax of another sort. While there’s no iPods in danger of being taxed this time, the CPCC is asking for a new levy to be placed on memory cards (presumably all types, although that hasn’t been specified). That levy would vary depending on the capacity of the card, with those less than 1GB facing a $0.50 tax, while cards between 1GB and 8GB would have an additional dollar tacked on, and those over 8GB would cost a full $3 more. Needless to say, that would be a fairly sizable percentage of the price in most cases given the way memory card prices are dropping — and it would cast a fairly broad brush, as those memory cards obviously aren’t just used for music. Of course, it is also still just a proposal but, as the Excess Copyright blog notes, the peculiarities of the Canadian Copyright Board may well give the CPCC a leg up in this case. Head on past the break for its official announcement. Continue reading Canadian copyright group pushes for levy on memory cards Canadian copyright group pushes for levy on memory cards originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 13:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Lodsys comments on iOS patent infringement, receives hate mail, death threats
May 16, 2011 No Comment
We’d typically expect a plaintiff to remain mum with legal action pending, but in a bizarre twist, Lodsys has taken to its blog to defend its reputation — or something. You may recall the patent holding firm’s letter , sent to individual Apple iOS developers last week demanding licensing fees for a somewhat-obscure patent. Understandably, the letters and related coverage prompted a negative response from developers and supporters. Posts to the Lodsys blog may be in response to inappropriate emails received over the weekend, which include death threats and “hateful bile” sent to Mark Small, the firm’s CEO. Click on through for full details. Continue reading Lodsys comments on iOS patent infringement, receives hate mail, death threats Lodsys comments on iOS patent infringement, receives hate mail, death threats originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 09:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Over the past couple of years, HTC has rapidly built up an enviable reputation (and bank balance ) in the smartphone space with a succession of feature-rich, smartly designed, and innovative handsets. The HD2 introduced us to the 4.3-inch form factor, the EVO 4G ushered in the era of 720p video recording, and the Legend wrapped itself inside a never-before-seen aluminum unibody enclosure. Today, the company’s Android assembly line is turning out yet another groundbreaking device, though this one’s closer in size to the Athena than the Aria . Yes, we’re talking about the 7-inch Flyer, the most unique of this year’s Android tablet offerings, opting for a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a sturdy aluminum construction that doesn’t even try to compete in the race for extreme thinness, and a Magic Pen to make you forget it’s running Gingerbread and not Honeycomb ( yet ). Also set for release under the EVO View 4G moniker on Sprint in the US, this tablet is the sum of a set of bold choices on the part of HTC. To see how well those decisions have come off, click past the break for our full review. Gallery: HTC Flyer review Continue reading HTC Flyer review HTC Flyer review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Americans eager to get their eyes on Samsung’s 3D video on demand service are just going to have keep waiting, but our friends across the pond can break out their active shutter glasses and Santana Champ because Explore 3D has arrived in the UK. While the rest of us are stuck shelling out for Blu-rays and premium cable subscriptions for the luxury of watching videos in all their three-dimensional glory, Samsung Smart TV owners in Britain can now fire up movies, music videos, trailers and other clips for free. The company promised the service would be coming to the US and Europe shortly after its Korean launch in March and plans to expand its library of free titles to over 70 by the end of 2011. So, if you’re still excluded from Sammy’s free 3D party, relax — your patience will be rewarded. Full PR after the break. Continue reading Samsung’s free Explore 3D VOD service lands for British Smart TV owners Samsung’s free Explore 3D VOD service lands for British Smart TV owners originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 10:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Paralyzed student uses robotic exoskeleton to walk at college graduation (video)
May 16, 2011 No Comment
Austin Whitney hasn’t been able to walk since a 2007 car crash left him paralyzed, but on Saturday the 22-year-old triumphantly strode across the stage to accept his degree from UC Berkeley. He had a little help, in the form of a specially crafted robotic exoskeleton developed by Berkeley engineering professor Homayoon Kazerooni. Kazerooni and his team designed the exoskeleton with lightness and affordability in mind, resisting the urge to load it up with expensive hardware and tethering the mechanized walker to a backpack that houses a computer and a rechargeable, eight-hour battery. As a result, the Austin walker won’t enable the kind of acrobatic leaps that would make Lt. Rasczak proud, but its reduced mobility comes at a reduced cost of just $15,000. That’s certainly not an impulse buy, though it’s a welcomed alternative to other exoskeletons that retail for $100,000 or more. Walk past the break for a video of Whitney’s momentous steps, along with a clip of Kazerooni describing his creation. Continue reading Paralyzed student uses robotic exoskeleton to walk at college graduation (video) Paralyzed student uses robotic exoskeleton to walk at college graduation (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 08:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …PC modding takes an architectural twist with Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Usonian
May 16, 2011 No Comment
We admit, we’re pretty jaded when it comes to PC casemods , having seen everything from the inscrutable Edelweiss to Russian Ark of the Covenant-like monstrosities . Jeffrey Stephenson, though, charmed us with his wood-carved Level Eleven case, and now he’s back with Usonian, inspired by the work of famed Fallingwater architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Split-level cantilevered roofs made of teak, mahogany highlights, all that Cherokee Red and Covered Wagon coloring – it’s enough to make an architecture nerd swoon. Beneath all that fine styling it sports an Intel Core i7-875K on a Gigabyte Mini-ITX motherboard, with 8GB system memory. There’s a 256GB SSD along with a 2TB hard drive, so it’s not just built for looks; Wright, after all, emphasized utility over pointless fashion. Still, it’s very pretty to look at. More pics in the source link and after the break. Continue reading PC modding takes an architectural twist with Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Usonian PC modding takes an architectural twist with Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Usonian originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 09:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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