NothingButSoftware Blog

Google home entertainment system in the works?

kduffy — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:42:48 +0000

Of course! Google wouldn’t be complete without their own home entertainment system—as they seem to have succeeded every other sub industry out there.

They’ve been working on the project for a while; last May Google announced their Android@Home project framework, getting people excited that they wanted us to think of “every appliance in your home” as a potential phone accessory, too.

People have already begun running a free trial of the Android@Home—approximately 252 homes in various locations such as LA, Mountain View, and New York— and the feedback has been minimal so far, but does hint at a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi station.

“Google is developing an entertainment device that requires testing outside the laboratory environment. The device is in the prototyping phase and will be modified prior to final compliance testing….Users will connect their device to home Wi-Fi networks and use Bluetooth to connect to other home electronics equipment. [...] From this testing we hope to modify the design in order to maximize product robustness and user experience.”

Much like the technologies revealed at CES, the “home base” technologies seem to be making more of an appearance—having the idea of home and mobile interconnected. Google’s Android@Home will live up to that, controlling home theatre systems, switches, and appliances (though we don’t think it could possibly compare to Samsung’s Smart Appliances; they had customizable laundry load and ‘SpeedSpray technology washers).

(via Slashgear & Android@Home)

High quality USB turntable by Audio Technics will record vinyl to your Mac or PC

kduffy — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:32:54 +0000

We’ve seen our fair share of USB-equipped turntables for digital L.P. conversion, but the process has always been lengthier than we would have liked, and the final recorded product doesn’t always sound up to par; it’s often times easier to just download the album on iTunes or buy a CD.

A fellow vinyl “pack rat” over at the Financial Times, Paul Taylor, recommends the latest from Audio Technics—the AT-LP120 USB Direct Drive Turntable System, which includes a “selectable internal stereo [phonographic] pre-amplifier allows the turntable to plug directly to components with no dedicated turntable input,” allowing for high quality phono recording.

The AT-LP120, selling for $300, has an oldschool quality to it, resembling something from a Hi-Fi setup back in the 60s and 70s. A cast aluminum planter with a slip mat and start/stop button play tracks both forward and reverse, at all three speeds of 33/45/78.

The good thing too, is the software included with the AT-LP 120 is both Mac and PC compatible, compared to the software that comes with Sony’s USB turntable is only PC compatible (something they never really specified on the box).

For record collectors, Audio Technics’ latest will deliver high quality phonographic recordings for all of those old school favorites you just can’t go without having digitally (well, without having to pay extra).

(via The Financial Times)

Kodak is Dropping Cameras to Focus on Printing

khoward — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:23:52 +0000

After filing for bankruptcy protection last month, Kodak has now announced that it will no longer make digital cameras, digital frames, and pocket video cameras. Standalone cameras have become less necessary with improvements in smartphone camera quality and functionality, and Kodak will now “look for other companies to license its brand for those products” that it is phasing out.

Instead, the company will focus on the printing industry, emphasizing its home photo printers, commercial inkjet presses, workflow software, and packaging. Product warranties for discontinued products will still be honored, and technical support provided for owners of Kodak digital cameras and video cameras. Refining its focus could mean a more than $100 million in annual savings for Kodak, though it is unclear the exact effect the changes will have on jobs.

(Story and Image via CBS News)

1991 FBI investigation of Steve Job’s reality distortion field revealed

kduffy — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:10:02 +0000

Today the FBI released new documents to their electronic reading room—The Vault. This reading room has over 3,000 scanned documents for your reading interests, and a search option is available if you’re looking for something in particular. The released documents show that interestingly enough, back in 1991, Steve Jobs had been considered for a “sensitive” position in the Bush Administration. It seems the F.B.I. had known all along about Jobs’ “patented reality distortion field.”

“Several individuals commented concerning past drug use on the part of Mr. Jobs’ honesty stating that Mr. Jobs will twist the truth and distort reality in order to achieve his goals. They also commented that, in the past, Mr. Jobs was not supporting of [redacted] (the mother of his child born out of welock) and their daughter; however, has become supportive.”

The report also said:

“Twenty-nine additional persons, consisting of colleagues, neighbors, references, professional associates, and social acquaintances, were interviewed. They provided favorable comments concerning Mr. Jobs’ character, associates, reputation, and loyalty. They stated they are unaware of any current illegal drug abuse by Mr. Jobs, nor have they ever known him to exhibit any type of bias or prejudice against any class of citizen[.] [...] They recommend him for a position of trust and responsibility.”

Part of us thinks Jobs wouldn’t particularly fancy working for the White House, after all, “honesty and integrity [were] not required qualities to hold such a position.”

Other interesting facts in the report showed Jobs was the victim of a bomb threat in 1985 and reported 3 lawsuits against Apple in that time period.

(via Cult of Mac & Bloomberg; photo via newsoxy)

iPad III coming soon!

kduffy — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:42:54 +0000

People have been predicting Apple would release the iPad 3 sometime in the next month or so, and what better time than near the one year anniversary of the iPad 2?

A San Francisco event (no specific timing has been set) will debut the latest tablet sometime in the first week of March (last year Apple released the 2 on March 11), and All Things D confirms inside sources say the rumors have pretty much lived up to what the iPad 3 will feature— a 2048×1536 Retina Display (or possibly something relatively closer) and chip speeds running supposedly 4-5x faster than the 2; visually, the design will remain similar to the 2, and will of course come with complimentary Siri voice control.

iPad 3 News reported The Repair Labs at Fix-iPhones.com announced they had gotten their hands on the iPad 3 back panels, which “created a large buzz about the iPad 3 design and features.” The mount appears “very different and smaller than the current mount used in the iPad 2[,] [...] suggest[ing] that there is definitely going to be a change in the processor in the iPad 3.”

Much success will attribute to the iPad 3, and with Apple’s $13.6 billion profit earning in Q1, these numbers are predicted to continue trailing upward in Q2.

(via The Verge and All Things D; photo via SodaHead)

Smart Seatbelts are a Luxury, for Now

khoward — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:10:33 +0000

Along with food items, crayons, and other identifiable items, seat belts often disappear in the back seat of the family car. Missing and stuck connectors can be a source of frustration to the safety-conscious – but that annoyance may be solved by Mercedes’ new active seat belt buckle.

These intelligent connectors feature glowing LEDs that will make them easier to spot during the day or at night. They are also motorized, extending up to 2.8 inches for a more convenient buckling-up experience. And during a crash, Mercedes’ active seat belt buckle retracts for a more secure hold.

These clever seat belt buckles will soon be appearing in Mercedes’ luxury vehicles – and will hopefully make it to more affordable models after. We definitely wouldn’t miss the seatbelt hunt.

(Story and Image via Gizmodo)

Does Amazon want to burn the book business?

kduffy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:29:10 +0000

The cover of Bloomberg’s Businessweek for the week of January 30 depicted a bold move by the publisher, referencing Ray Bradbury’s epic novel Fahrenheit 451, how “Amazon wants to burn the book business,” akin to how in the novel the ironic job of firefighters was to burn the books. And as beloved bookstore chains like Borders go bankrupt, independent booksellers around the world’s inventory increasingly shrinks, and Amazon continues to grow, who is to blame?

While Amazon thinks the “Nazi-iconography” propaganda Bloomberg went with for their cover is highly inaccurate, you can’t really ignore the fact Amazon’s somewhat monopolization of the book biz can make independent booksellers think in these evil terms.

As David Streitfield puts it in the New York Times’ Tech Bits column, “[Amazon] does not [necessarily] want to destroy the book business, but simply [wants] to reinvent it – or, as its opponents would have it, seize control of it.”

A notable Seattle librarian and NPR commentator Nancy Pearl, known for her book promotions and the Book Lust Series, which lists over 1,000 titles for book recommendations, has recently been put under much scrutiny for her latest move to sign a deal with Amazon.

JB Dickley, owner of the Seattle Mystery Bookshop, said Pearl’s move was “turning her back on independents [,] [and] Amazon is absolutely antithetical to independent bookselling, and [for] many of us, truth, justice, and the American way.”

Ultimately it boils down to none other than consumer convenience. People like the 24/7 option of Amazon; there’s often times free shipping or unexpected discounts available, and overall, that beats out any other book-buying option there—not to mention, instant Kindle-ness.

Authors must ask the question: do they want to boycott Amazon to make a point, or do they want their book to be available to an infinite audience that independent bookstores just can’t provide?

(via The NY Times & Bloomberg Businessweek)

No related posts.

Lady Gaga announces her social networking site LittleMonsters.com

kduffy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:57:13 +0000

Just when you thought you hadn’t heard from Gaga in awhile, she decided to launch a social networking site on us: LittleMonsters.com.

The site, created by Backplane, is currently invite-only, but you can request that your name be added to the community and hope to receive an invite code shortly thereafter.

Backplane’s CEO told Mashable the startup is all about “bringing together communities and Gaga’s community just so happens to be the community we’re using… We think we can really change the world, but we’re fearful that we’re going to be pigeon-holed.” Based in Palo Alto, Backplane thrives on being a “canvas for self-expression.”

From what we can tell of the site, it’s looking a little bit like Pinterest as far as layout goes, but as far as networking specs go, we’re sure the site will be filled with everything Gaga—letting the “Little Monsters” publicize their die-hard Gaga devotion.

More Gaga-like sites are in the works, and Backplane hopes to bring them altogether in a “dashboard on its site this summer that would combine the communities.”

While the social networking site devoted solely to Lady Gaga sounds a bit ridiculous, take into consideration the fact she was the first artist to reach 1 billion views on YouTube, and also beat out the Prez to 10 million Facebook fans.

(via TAXI & Mashable; photo via last.fm)

Ever wonder how expensive your work meetings really are?

kduffy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:33:58 +0000

So it’s Friday, you’re having your end-of-the-week meeting, and things are dragging—you have other assignments due and you just want to get back to your desk and finish before the weekend, which is the case most times in meetings: they just…keep…lagging…

And this lag isn’t cheap, as it turns out. Ever think about how much those lingering meetings cost?

MeetingCalc for the iPhone will factor an equation to show you; figuring in how many people are present in the meeting, you add attendees as they come in and attach their hourly rate, then depending on how long the meeting is, the app factors in all present people in their meeting along with their pay divided by how long the meeting took, so you can see the overall cost of precious work time that meeting took away. Seth Taylor, the app creator, says it’s pretty much, “the cure for the common meeting.”

Of course, you need to be in some sort of authoritative position to see these statistics to deem useful for the future meeting plans, and the app doesn’t have a salary calculation, but is a good solution to foresee future meetings don’t exceed the time limit unnecessarily—plus, it’s only 99 cents.

Could this 99 cent app save your company hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars?

(via Lifehacker; photo via iTunes App Store)

Use the Most Data, Win a Vacation

khoward — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:40:47 +0000

While most US mobile data users are faced with frustrating data caps and slowdowns, a Russian data service provider created a contest to award those who use the most mobile data. The first place winner – who received a $5,000 vacation - used an incredible 419 GB of data in one week.

MegaFon used the competition for most data use in one week to highlight the extent of its coverage as well as its unlimited 3G data service. Second and third place winners were reportedly not far behind first place in the amount of data used.

(Story and Image via CNET)