Gig. U hopes to bring Gigabit networks and straight cash, homey, to university communities

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Jul 282011
 

Familiar with Johnny Appleseed? He who traipsed ’round the country with a sack ‘o seeds on his shoulder, planting trees hither and yon leaving apple orchards blooming in his wake? Gig. U is similar, only it’s a project that aims to plant Gigabit networks in 29 collegiate communities to facilitate research, attract start-ups, and stimulate local economies. The plan is just getting underway, and the schools in question — including Virginia Tech, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Alaska — are asking private telcos and companies to help make their high-speed dreams a reality. In addition to benefiting the immediate areas, Gig. U sees these swift new networks functioning as hubs in a faster nationwide broadband system. The colleges claim that construction of these new information superhighways won’t start for several years, so it’ll be some time before they can help elevate us from our current state of broadband mediocrity. Chop, chop, guys.

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OOP Tetris cartridge begs you to buy it now for $1 million

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Jul 282011
 

It may shock you to know that you’re a simple lottery win away from picking up a Like New copy of Tetris for the Sega Mega Drive (that’s the Genesis to us Yanks). That’s right, for the low price of $1 million American, you can pick up an original Japanese Mega Drive cartridge signed by the game’s creator, Alekséi Pázhitnov on eBay. No word on whether the Russian game designer will actually hand deliver the red-boxed piece of gaming history if you’re the lucky winner.

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SolarCity gets in the EV charging game, we’re still waiting for our Leaf

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Jul 282011
 

Tired of trekking down the 101, just to charge your damn Tesla? Must be rough, but at least SolarCity’s looking out for ya, as it’ll soon install ClipperCreek’s EV chargers in your digs, right alongside the company’s residential solar equipment. The $1,500 SAE-J1772 compatible juicers will work with almost any plug-in vehicle we can think of — including the Volt, Leaf, Prius plug-in, Focus BEV, iMiev and aforementioned Roadster (provided you’ll spring for an adapter) — and being of the Level II ilk, top-up your automobile 5x faster than a 120V plug. Pair that with a solar panel lease, and you’ll apparently cut charging costs in-half — according to SolarCity, anyway. We can’t vouch for that, but if it doesn’t work you could always try to install something just a tad bigger.

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SolarCity to Make Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Available Across its Service Territory

Homeowners and businesses can install electric vehicle charging for as little as $1,500 with solar

SAN MATEO and AUBURN, Calif., July 27, 2011-Now more Americans than ever will be able to “drive on sunshine”, by charging their electric cars with solar power, and save up to 77 percent on fuel costs. SolarCity has partnered with industry pioneer ClipperCreek to provide electric vehicle (EV) chargers compatible with all new EVs. SolarCity will initially install ClipperCreek EV chargers through its 24 operations centers nationwide, making it the largest single provider of EV, solar and energy efficiency services in the U.S.

“SolarCity’s mission has always been to help homeowners and businesses adopt clean power while saving on energy costs,” said Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity. “Electric cars are already among the cleanest-running vehicles on the road-charging them on solar makes them that much better. Tens of thousands of electric cars will be delivered over the next year alone, with hundreds of thousands expected over the next five years. We’re making it easier to power them with carbon-free electricity for zero emissions, and to dramatically reduce the cost of driving.”

Pricing for home or business installation of a ClipperCreek 240-volt Level II EV charger, including the charger, starts at $1,500. Charging at Level II is roughly five times faster than using a 120-volt wall outlet. For its solar and energy-efficiency customers, as well as those who wish to install EV chargers only, SolarCity can prepare a home or business to be EV ready even before delivery of an electric car.

Powering an EV with electricity generated from a home solar system can be 77 percent less expensive than powering a car with gas. An average San Francisco Bay Area resident paying the national average of $3.65 per gallon gas spends about $230 per month to fuel her gas-powered car. She’d pay $107 to power an equivalent-size EV with grid electricity, and, by leasing a solar system from SolarCity, only $54 to power the car with solar electricity for the same miles driven.

ClipperCreek pioneered EV charger safety features in the mid-1990s that have become the industry standard. Its UL-listed chargers are designed for use with the Chevy Volt, Ford Transit Connect, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Roadster and all SAE-compatible plug-In vehicles that are soon to be released from major and most new car companies.

“We are pleased to partner with SolarCity to help increase the number of homes and businesses that can run electric cars on renewable energy,” said Dave Packard, President of ClipperCreek, Inc. “Roughly 40 percent of residential EV owners have solar and we expect these environmental and economic benefits to expand with the coming proliferation of electric cars and increasing use of solar power.”

SolarCity installed the world’s first solar-powered enhanced electric car charging corridor, between Los Angeles and San Francisco, in 2009. The EV chargers, located at Rabobank branches along highway 101, support the new industry-standard J1772 protocol common to newer EVs.

SolarCity is also the North American distributor of EV chargers for Toyota Tsusho, which represents a public EV infrastructure of thousands of chargers.

About ClipperCreek, Inc.
ClipperCreek brings product leadership to the electric vehicle charging infrastructure marketplace with reliable, safe and flexible, software-driven products that have been proven through 15 years of development and field experience. ClipperCreek leads the industry with over 3,000 chargers shipped since January of 2009 and is the exclusive provider of EVSE chargers for BMW’s Mini-E and for Tesla Motors’ Level 2 EVSE charging stations. ClipperCreek also provides chargers to power Mercedes, GM and Nissan vehicles.

About SolarCity
SolarCity® – a national leader in solar power design, financing, installation, monitoring and energy efficiency services-was founded with the mission to help millions of homeowners and businesses adopt clean power, protect themselves from rising gas and electricity costs and protect their environment from polluting power sources. The company’s SolarLease® and Power Purchase Agreement (SolarPPA™) options can make it possible for homeowners and businesses to switch to clean, solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity. SolarCity’s 24 operations centers serve Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C. Additional information about the company is available on the Web at www.solarcity.com.

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Canon PIXMA iP4920, MG5320 bring filters, ‘creativity’ to photo printing

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Jul 282011
 
Canon PIXMA iP4920, MG5320 bring filters, 'creativity' to photo printing

Canon’s just released a pair of new PIXMA printers that seem to rely on your lack of Photoshop knowledge. For the PIXMA MG5320 Wireless All-In-One and iP4920 Inkjet Photo Printers, functionality is pretty straight forward, but the outfit’s hoping to reel you with the promise that the pair brings “creativity to a whole new level.” That “enhanced creativity” comes in the form of “Fun Filter Effects,” a set of elementary photo filters, like Fish-Eye and Toy Camera, and the ability to add soft focus and blur backgrounds. What’s more, the MG5320 also allows you to print sans-PC from the company’s PIXMA Cloud Link. If fisheye functionality is enough to get your creative juices, and cash money, flowing, the iP4920 and MG5320 are now available for pre-order for $100 and $150, respectively, at the source links below. A rather uninspiring press release awaits you after the break.

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Canon U.S.A. Enhances Creativity With New PIXMA Printers
Significant Software Upgrades for Easy-PhotoPrint EX and Full HD Movie Print

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 26, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the introduction of two new photo printers, the PIXMA MG5320 Wireless Photo All-In-One1 and the PIXMA iP4920 Photo Inkjet Printer models. Developed to enhance the overall user experience, both printers feature significant upgrades to Easy-PhotoPrint EX and Full HD Movie Print2 software.

“One of the most important attributes consumers look for in a printer product is high-quality output and versatility,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technology and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “These new PIXMA printer models will undoubtedly meet this demand while also allowing consumers to show their creative side as well.”
Printing Flexibility

An incentive for those who have registered with the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY service or Picasa Web Albums is PIXMA Cloud Link, which provides the ability to print, directly through the PIXMA MG5320 printer without the use of a computer, photos from photo albums stored in those services3. Users of PIXMA Cloud Link will also have access to exclusive templates including stationary, envelopes, memos, calendars and many others. In addition, the PIXMA MG5320 printer is 802.11n Wi-Fi certified allowing for a fast network transfer rate. Wireless networks can be set up with the press of one button when using a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Canon U.S.A. offers its award-winning service and support online for all of its consumers looking to set up any of the new Wi-Fi products at, www.usa.canon.com/wirelesshelp. Here customers have access to manuals and video tutorials to assist in setting up a Wi-Fi device.

The Canon EPP mobile app, for use with compatible Android and Apple smartphones and tablets, will be upgraded in August to have documents scanned on the printer to then be sent directly to a compatible device. Users can also print pdfs of documents that were created with the App directly from compatible devices whereas in the past only photos were able to be printed.
Creative Personalization

Since its inception, the Canon Easy-PhotoPrint EX software has provided users with an easy way to get the most out of prints by creating albums, calendars and stickers from almost any image. Now with the latest version, users can bring creativity to a whole new level with the addition of Fun Filter Effects similar to scene modes found on the latest Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras. Images can be customized with Fish-Eye, Miniature and Toy Camera effects to make them even more memorable while being a conversation piece at the same time. In addition, there is an option to change the focus of the image to have it appear softer and the ability to blur specific aspects of the background, an effect previously only captured with a SLR. Adding to the versatility of these Canon PIXMA printers is the ability to print directly on to CDs, DVDs, and Blue-rays allowing users to personalize media in a creative way while creating fun photo projects at the same time.

Full HD Movie Print, which is available on both new PIXMA printers, has been enhanced to produce clearer images of frames from videos captured on compatible HD Canon EOS and PowerShot Digital Cameras. This technology allows users to tell the story of a video captured in the park or at a memorable event frame by frame in a more unique way than before. One new aspect is the ability to merge multiple images into one final shot so users will be able to capture nearly every portion of a golfer’s swing or a baby’s first steps. In addition, a new layout feature allows printing up to 72 individual images on one sheet of paper.
PIXMA MG5320 Wireless Photo All-In-One Printer

For the consumer interested in a high-quality multifunction printer which is easy to use and affordable, the Canon PIXMA MG5320 Wireless Photo All-In-One Printer should be at the top of the list. This printer features five individual ink tanks which is part of the ChromaLife100 + ink system4 and help to produce a 4″ x 6″ borderless photo in approximately 20 seconds5. In addition the printer has a maximum color resolution of 9600 x 2400 dpi6. This new PIXMA office machine will deliver output at approximately 12.5 ipm for black-and-white documents6 and approximately 9.3 ipm for color7. The Advanced Media Handling options such as Auto Duplex printing which helps conserve your paper supply and a two-way paper feed that can help reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a project. The LCD has been repositioned toward the middle of the printer helping to streamline the navigation process and achieving a more sleek and stylish design. The size of the LCD screen has also been increased to 3.0-inches for easy viewing and navigation through menus.

The Canon PIXMA MG5320 Wireless Photo All-In-One Printer will have an estimated selling price of $149.99.
PIXMA iP4920 Inkjet Photo Printer

The Canon PIXMA iP4920 Inkjet Photo Printer is an ideal choice for the consumer interested in an affordable, single function printer producing superb quality. Utilizing the ChromaLife100 + ink system4 with five individual ink tanks, the printer is capable of producing a 4″ x 6″ borderless photo in approximately 20 seconds5. This new PIXMA machine delivers output at approximately 12.5 ipm for black-and-white documents and approximately 9.3 ipm for color7. In addition, the printer has a maximum color resolution 9600 x 2400 dpi6 and is capable of Auto Duplex printing to help conserve paper. The overall functionality of the PIXMA iP4920 printer helps make this printer a perfect addition for any home or office.

The Canon PIXMA iP4920 Photo Printer will have an estimated selling price of $99.99.
Canon CREATIVE PARK

Looking to extend creativity beyond just photos and documents? Consumers can try Canon Inc.’s CREATIVE PARK website at www.canon.com/c-park. The site offers free 3-D paper craft projects, scrapbooking templates and embellishments, novel greeting cards, and educational materials. As an added bonus with the purchase of select PIXMA printers, including the MG5320 and the iP4920, consumers will be provided with exclusive printable content through CREATIVE PARK PREMIUM8. This content includes post cards, albums, and many more projects including paintings by artists such as Norman Rockwell.
CANON iMAGE GATEWAY

CANON iMAGE GATEWAY is an exclusive online photography resource and service for owners of registered qualified Canon products. Camera owners who have registered a qualifying Canon camera via their Canon Account can upload and share up to 2GB of photos with friends and family. Members also gain access to informative photography-related articles on topics such as macro shooting, portrait photography, printing tips and print projects to get the most out of their photos. Owners of registered qualifying printers can use their photos to create greeting cards, calendars and much more with Print Projects! Printer members are provided with a wide array of helpful articles to enhance their experience with their Canon printer and to help them create inspiring projects. The Video Podcast Service – available for owners of registered qualifying camera and video products – enables those members to upload videos to be shared and viewed, which can also be used with the Apple iTunes® application and downloaded to access on a compatible Apple iPod or iPhone mobile device.

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SK Telecom’s Smart Cart syncs to phones, reminds you to buy milk

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Jul 282011
 

Familiar with this scenario? You put off grocery shopping until the weekend, curse your way through the irate Sunday morning hordes, and then schlep your food all the way home only to realize you forgot to buy dish soap and use those coupons. Good thing, then, that SK Telecom is trialing a new service that syncs items from a smartphone app — like a shopping list — to its tablet PC-equipped Smart Cart. Hailed by the company as the first of its kind, this real-time aide uses indoor positioning to provide product info, tips and discounts while you peruse those crowded aisles. The WiFi-connected in-cart display also makes use of augmented reality, offering coupon clippers a high-tech solution for their cost-cutting predilections. If the current pilot test in China’s Shanghai Lotus Supermarkets proves a success, expect to see this “personalized smart shopping service” doling out recommendations based on purchase history and location. Hear that? That’s the sound of marketers licking their hyper targeting chops. Full PR is after break.

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SK Telecom Launches Pilot Test for Smart Cart in China
JUL.27.2011

SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM) today announced the launch of a pilot test for Smart Cart in China. Smart Cart is an innovative service that uses a smartphone and a smart shopping cart equipped with tablet PC to offer diverse shopping-related information based on accurate indoor positioning technology. The company said the pilot test will begin today at the Shanghai store of Shanghai Lotus Supermarket Chain Store Co., Ltd.

SK Telecom’s Smart Cart is the world’s first shopping cart service that utilizes smartphones to provide information gathered through indoor positioning technology. Unlike previous RFID-based cart services provided by retailers that only showed product information and discount offers within stores, Smart Cart – through synchronization with smartphones – provides a wide variety of shopping tips, product information and discount/ special deal information in real time based on indoor positioning technology.

After downloading the Smart Cart application to their smartphones, customers can search for shopping/discount information, store coupons and draw up a shopping list. Then at supermarkets or retail stores, the customer’s smartphone is synchronized with a tablet PC installed to a smart shopping cart through user authentication. Within the stores, depending on their location, customers can get useful information – e.g. catalogue, product information, discount information, etc. – and receive coupons using augmented reality technology. At the checkout counter, the tablet screen shows the list of purchased items, membership points and available coupons.

Since 2009, SK Telecom has been studying and developing diverse services and solutions based on its ICT capability and in the same vein, it started developing Smart Cart since 2009 reflecting opinions of relevant industries.

Indoor positioning technology uses both UWB and Zigbee to offer location information within error range of one meter and diverse real-time information updates appear on screen of tablet PCs attached to shopping carts via Wi-Fi networks.

SK Telecom expects that Smart Cart will become a more personalized smart shopping service when combined with customer information – e.g. shopping history, usage pattern, etc. – managed by existing retailers. Customers will shop conveniently through product recommendations based on analysis of user’s shopping history and location information; manufacturers will be able to carry out targeted marketing for customers located in the store; and retailers will secure a new marketing channel that enables integrated and seamless communication with customers.

SK Telecom will identify areas that can be further improved through the pilot test in China, thereby enhancing the value and completeness of the service. The company is also planning to run pilot tests in Korea in the second half of 2011 through discussions with Korean retailers.

Park In-Sik, Executive Vice President and Head of Enterprise Business Division at SK Telecom said, “SK Telecom plans to build an ecosystem through which Smart Cart, developed to become an absolute necessity for retail, advertising and manufacturing industries, can firmly position itself as a new way of shopping for customers.”

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Speaker concept does away with the volume knob by becoming the volume knob

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Jul 282011
 

How to solve the problem of controls cluttering up electronics devices? Simple: make the device the controller. That’s the simple but elegant solution employed by designer Hironao Tsuboi with the equally simply named Vol Speaker concept. The speaker is the knob — or maybe the knob is the speaker. However you choose to unravel this zen-like chicken and egg riddle, the result is pretty neat.

[Thanks, Arthur]

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HTC Wildfire S swaggers CDMA bands at FCC

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Jul 282011
 
True to its namesake, the Wildfire S is preparing to blaze across our native prairies without abandon. After gaining the FCC’s nod of acceptance for use on our 1900 / 850MHz HSPA bands — followed by T-Mobile’s official announcement — the fun-sized candybar has received FCC approval for igniting our CDMA networks. A leaked roadmap suggests the Gingerbread treat is destined for US Cellular in October, but don’t be surprised if the little guy appears at Cricket, MetroPCS, Virgin Mobile, and the like. Even Verizon could benefit from the Wildfire S, seeing that the Motorola Citrus is downright sour. Just promise not to name it the Droid Burn, okay?
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Box pics, price and features leak out for the Best Buy Insignia cTV with TiVo

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Jul 282011
 

As we close in on the purported release date for Best Buy’s Insignia cTV, more details have come to light about the TiVo menu system (but not DVR) powered HDTV. Zatz Not Funny reports the 32- and 42-inch models available initially will cost $599 and $999, respectively, with a pretty standard list of features including built-in 802.11n WiFi, 4 HDMI ports, etc. More interesting however are these box shots that reveal unannounced apps on the way including Chumby widgets — destined to replace the late FrameChannel? — as well as Twitter and Facebook, which were integrated via the iPad app but not the box, yet. So far we still don’t know for sure if these TVs will be able to serve as multiroom extenders and stream video from a TiVo Premiere (whenever TiVo brings the feature back) but until there’s some official word you can get more pictures and details at the source below.

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