Sony has been capitalizing on the brand Xperia by launching an array of smartphone devices. After focusing on the premium devices, the new focal point of Sony remains to be the mid-range phones. The new target customers for Sony are the mid-range users. After the …
Sony has been experimenting with its established brand Xperia and launching an array of devices under this brand. The latest device that is undergoing the pre-release preparations is the Sony Xperia A. It is set to be released in the market by the Japanese …
Sony preps a new e-ink reader that targets university students who love to read but don’t like to lug bulky e-readers.
Sony isn’t new to the e-paper slate industry so we’re not surprised when it unveiled its latest e-reader called ”Digital Paper”. The first thing you’ll notice is the huge 13.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display which has 1,200 x 1600 resolution. The e-reader is equipped with a stylus pen allowing students to jot down notes and navigate through its menus aside from their fingertips. Of course, the chassis is slim enough to be slipped into school bags with only 6.8mm thick and weighs just 385g.
Other specs include a 4GB onboard storage (which is expandable via a micrSD slot), WiFi and a rechargeable battery that could last up to three weeks. As a refresher, E ink (or “electrophoretic ink”) is a specific electronic paper that has been widely used in e-reader devices due to its ultra-low power consumption. It is common for these slates to come with grayscale panels.
Meanwhile, it is noteworthy to say that Sony’s prototype e-reader might not be financially sound. If you could remember, Amazon’s Kindle DX didn’t do well in terms sales; so don’t be surprised if Sony’s 13.3-inch Digital Paper won’t make it, as well.
Sony’s prototype e-reader will debut on Japanese universities before launching to the market before the end of this year. Stay tuned.
(source)
Today’s gaming has evolved to being more interactive compared to the days when we use to get the hang out of Atari’s and even Nintendo’s. One of the critical components that dictate our play is the controller. In this age, having an innovative console controller could defy how we do and view gaming and such can be said to Mad Genius’ creation.
For starters, the company has developed a motion-controlling gamepad that has superb precision. The controller can even be separated into two (2) portions when one is playing a game.
What sets it apart is that it doesn’t utilize accelerometers or cameras to track gamer/player movements. Its precision is down to 1/100 of an inch which is dead precise in controlling characters, weapons and game menus. It’s also flexible as it can be used to any game console for any game.
The early prototype developed by Mad Genius still has a lot of wires connected to it. As demonstrated in the game Skyrim (see video below), the controller allowed full 3D controls and sensed the jumps, moves and ministrations done by the player.
Mad Genius is planning to launch it on Kickstarter in order to source out the necessary funds for the undertaking. No word as to when production will start and its availability. The company though assured that the final or end product to be shipped will be completely wireless.
The Financial Times reports that Apple is still in negotiations with Sony and Warner over royalties for their iRadio streaming music service. Apple had offered roughly 6 cents per 100 tracks streamed, but is reported to have raised the offer to 12.5 cents per 100 tracks. A similar rate is paid by established music servvice Pandora.
The Financial Times, via MacRumors:
Some music industry executives argue that cash-rich Apple should pay a higher rate than Pandora, which had 70m “active listeners” in April, because of its broader ambitions for iRadio. These include using data it already has from hundreds of millions of iTunes users to predict the selection of tracks they will enjoy, and a plan to allow listeners to purchase songs seamlessly via the iTunes store.
Those familiar with the terms say Apple was offering the label three different revenue possibilities: A royalty per track streamed, a share of iRadio’s advertising revenue, and a guaranteed minimum sum over the course of the contract that would provide a safety net just in case the number of plays or advertising dollars weren’t up to snuff.
Apple is reported to be working hard toward reaching a deal for a summer launch for iRadio, perhaps at WWDC in June.
