[MobileRatty] tag: market

Robotic suit that helps people with mobility problems available for rent in Japan

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:31:37 +0000

Cyberdyne a new company in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan will mass-produce a robotic suit that reads brain signals and helps people with mobility problems. HAL- short for hybrid assistive limb -is a computerized suit with sensors that read brain signals directing limb movement through the skin. The robotic suit will be available for rent in Japan for ¥220,000 ($2,200) a month .The invention may have far-reaching benefits for the disabled and elderly. The 10-kg battery-operated computer system is belted to the waist. It captures the brain signals and relays them to mechanical leg braces strapped to the thighs and knees, which then provide robotic assistance to people as they walk. HAL comes in three sizes — small, medium and large — and also has a one-leg version for a ¥150,000 ($15,000) rental fee. The one –leg version weighs approximately 6 kg (excluding battery). Mr Sankai Cyberdyne's chief executive said a full device that covers the entire body is also being designed, though it is unclear when it will be available commercially. Some European nations have already expressed interest, and HAL may soon be on the market there, but U.S. sales are still undecided, Sankai said. Daiwa House Industry Co. will lease HAL suits to Japanese care facilities for the elderly and others for those with disabilities. It plans to rent 500 units over the next year. Source:-

where to put your money in this bear market

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:19:34 +0000

I read a news story the other day that whenever the economy is in the crapper, sales of safes shoot through the roof. I guess its better than putting your money under the mattress, right? Here’s a crazy safe that should keep all but the most devious of thieves away from your stash.

Artist Alex Schlegel is the creator of this complicated puzzle-inspired safe. According to Alex, here’s how you open this crazy thing…

“The 13 drawers of this band-saw box rotate rather than open outward. Objects for safekeeping are placed into the large, central drawer through a hole in the bottom of the box. Since the arrows on the front of each drawer point toward the drawer’s open side, objects may be moved from one drawer to another by first lining up the arrows on the two drawers and then rotating the entire box so that the objects fall from the first drawer to the second.”

On second thought, now that I know how to get into it (and the fact that it’s made out of wood), maybe the mattress is a better idea.

[via Boing Boing Gadgets via MAKE:]

Incipio Feather case for the iPhone 3G

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:30:13 +0000

Incipio Technologies has your iPhone 3G’s best interests in mind with its new Feather Protective Case that offers protection despite being less than 1mm thin. Hmmm, makes me wonder what kind of material they use - a highly advanced form of the fabled adamantium? Apparently not, as Incipio has used an ultra light, ultra strong polymer that is as light as a feather (hence its name) to offer form-fitting durability without adding any bulk. It is so thin that your iPhone 3G can still be used with many docks on the market without any problem, and there are seven colors to choose from. Just don’t expect this $19.99 iPhone 3G case to offer shock protection against drops…

Product Page via Press Release

Introducing Foolish Gadgets because not all gadgets are cool
[ Incipio Feather case for the iPhone 3G copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Nuance Signs Multi-Year Agreement with Nokia, Spanning Advanced Input Technologies and Open Development Framework

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:07:00 +0000

Partnership to Focus on Open Integration Framework to Develop Broad Partner Ecosystem Across Speech, Predictive Text and Mobile Interface Innovations

BURLINGTON, MA, — Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN), a leading provider of speech and predictive text solutions, and Nokia (NYSE: NOK), the world leader in mobility, together announce a comprehensive multi-year agreement to deliver innovative mobile speech and predictive text capabilities across a broad range of Nokia mobile devices worldwide. The agreement also establishes a strategic collaboration to advance an open integration framework for advanced input technologies that will foster innovation in the broader mobile developer ecosystem.

Nokia will leverage Nuance’s mobile input solutions to provide users with a new class of intuitive mobile user interface enabling improved access to the many mobile applications and services that drive productivity, convenience, safety, and consumer experience. Further, Nuance and Nokia will collaborate on open protocols to which development partners can leverage and extend a rich set of advanced multi-modal features, applications and consumer experiences on Nokia devices. Through a series of open programming interfaces, language models and development tools, those partners will have access to a vibrant and dynamic environment where mobile innovation around advanced multi-modal consumer interactions can flourish.

“As a mobile industry pioneer, we’re continually bringing the best devices to market that not only capture our focus regarding design and leading edge technology, but that also meet the consumer’s need for innovative, easy-to-use solutions,” said Lee Williams, Senior Vice President, Nokia. “By working closely with Nuance on leveraging their broad portfolio of mobile input solutions and to open up a framework for industry collaboration, we’re not only able to take advantage of their predictive text and speech software solutions, but also help in the creation of a vibrant ecosystem – one wherein the mobile applications and services of tomorrow can develop and flourish at a faster rate than otherwise possible.”

“The agreement with Nokia demonstrates the impact of our mobile and predictive text capabilities, and supports our broader vision of an Open Interface Framework that brings the mobile industry together in developing innovative, next-generation mobile solutions,” said Steve Chambers, President of the Mobile and Consumer Services division at Nuance. “Nuance and Nokia are working together to enhance the overall mobile user experience, offering consumers a simple, safe and convenient way to interact with mobile phones. By tapping into our wide portfolio of mobile text and speech text technology, Nokia can make it easier than ever for users to control mobile devices and access advanced mobile applications, services and content.”

About Nuance Mobile
Nuance Mobile Solutions are a combination of innovative products and services that use intelligent touch, speech and search interfaces to simplify and enhance the way people use mobile devices, applications and services. Nuance Mobile Solutions make it easier to control mobile devices, automate customer services, and to access and discover even the most advanced mobile applications and content – regardless of technical know-how, location, environment or physical and literacy capabilities.

Nuance Communications, Inc.
Nuance is a leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications, and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with information and how they create, share, and use documents. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance’s proven applications. For more information, please visit www.nuance.com.

CommonTime announces mSuite support for the new Nokia E71

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:57:00 +0000

Derby, United Kingdom; Boise, Idaho, CommonTime, with the release of its highly anticipated new corporate mobility solution mSuite5, has announced support for a range of highly desirable Nokia devices. The supported devices, all running on Symbian Series 60 3rd Edition Operating System, include the business dedicated Nokia E71, E61i and E90 Communicator. mSuite5 also supports Nokia N series devices, including the N96 and new N85, which although more focused on multimedia users still allow full access to Lotus Notes email and PIM applications when combined with mSuite from CommonTime.

mSuite5 is set to revolutionize the world of Lotus Notes corporate mobility, providing the best in functionality and usability for users and IT. With the new software extending full support for Nokia E-Series business devices, mSuite5 gives users more device choice coupled with fantastic Lotus Notes functionality. Nokia E-Series devices have been developed specifically for the corporate business user in mind, making them a great fit for CommonTime's mSuite solution.

CommonTime believe mSuite5 is the most complete and integrated Lotus Notes mobility solution on the market today, pushing the boundaries of the corporate mobility world. mSuite5 builds on the trusted functionality of mSuite4, giving customers more benefits and a better experience than ever before. A streamlined, flexible installation process, cut to just 15 minutes, plus a dedicated provisioning portal means setting up is quick and easy. All this, coupled with simplified end user deployment and user self registration, makes mSuite5 the ideal choice for both corporate end users and IT management wanting to deploy Nokia E Series devices.

For more information about CommonTime's mobility solutions, or to sign up for a 30 free trial of mSuite5 on Nokia E and N series devices, complete with full technical support, visit http://www.commontime.com/products/enterprise-solutions/msuite/free-trial/ or contact sales@commontime.com.

HP to open a new PC manufacturing plant in China

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:56:38 +0000

To strengthen HP’s ability to serve the fast-growing Chinese market and accelerate economic development in West China, HP and China’s Chongqing Municipality today announced plans for an advanced manufacturing complex. HP plans to operate a 20,000-square-meter facility in Chongqing,...

LG-KC780 the Slim Portrait Phone

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:05:51 +0000

LG Electronics announced their slim portrait LG-KC780 phone. The handset equipped with 8 Megapixel Camera with special feature that make it graet photo in portrait shooting (and thats why it’s called portraid phone). This slim phone has only 13.9 mm thick with 2.4 inch widescreen LCD display. The design will makes you fell easy to use the phone. The Camera has Schneider-Kreuznach certified for the lens, it’s mean you’ll get high quality and sharp photo.

This phone has smart technologies for the auto-fucos. With the face recognition, the camera can detect the people’s face and get the best focus for it. Another great technologies is the smile detection to recognize the angle of poeple’s mouth and get the focus to the faces.

The handset will go on Europe market in November 2008 and expanding to Asia the next time.

Cowon O2 portable media player launched

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:50:17 +0000

Cowon has just rolled out its O2 portable media player in its home market, Korea. This flashed-based PMP will be out next Monday there, featuring a bunch of specifications taht would make it a suitable replacement for an iPod nano in these times of economic distress since you won’t have to fork out too much money for it compared to Apple’s overpriced products. Some of the features include :-

4.3″ 16 million color touch screen LCD display
Supports H.264 video codec and HD video playback (720p)
Voice recording capability
Built-in electronic dictionary
T-DMB and DAB support
119mm x 73mm x 18mm
200 grams
8 hours video playback time
18 hours audio playback time

You can choose from white, black and pink colors in a choice of standard, T-DMB or Dictionary models.

Source: AVing

Touch-enabled Asus Eee Netbooks Next Year

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:20:27 +0000

Asus will release a new variant of its Asus Eee-PC next year. The company will introduce the new netbook at CES next year. It will be a touch-enabled model, dual-core Atom 330 processors with the pricing aiming at a sub-$300 model. I think Asus try to compete HP and Acer in the Netbook market. [Electronista via Laptop Notebook News]

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The World Slimmest Waterproof Handset is Belong to Sharp

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:53:47 +0000

Sharp claims that the world slimmest waterproof hanset is their’s. They show the Softbank 824SH on CEATEC 2008. This handset will be available in Japan market. The handset has dimention of W50.0 × H105.0 × D15.3 mm. Check out the complete feautre list below before take it home.

* 2.8″ Widescreen QVGA LCD
* 3.2 Megapixel Camera
* Digital TV (One Seg)
* Media Player
* microSDHC™ Memory Card (sold separately)*7
* Bar (QR) Code Reader
* Bluetooth®
* IrDA
* Simple Mode
* PC Site Browser
* Global Roaming Service
* 3G High Speed
* PC Mail
* Graphic Mail
* Chaku-Uta Full®/Chaku-Uta®
* E-Comics
* S! Appli
* S! Music Connect
* S! Information Channel
* S! Quick News
* Customized Screen
* S! Town
* S! Friend’s Status
* S! Circle Talk
* Video Call*8
* S! FeliCa (Mobile Suica)
* S! Familiar Usability
* S! Addressbook Back-up (SAB)