FocuSoft Tech Blog

iPhone OS 3.0 beta 3 goes live Posted: 14 Apr 2009 04:42 PM PDT No details on what’s new just yet, but iPhone OS 3.0 beta 3 has just hit Apple’s servers for registered, card-carrying members of the Dev Center — a nice release cadence since the new platform was first announced. More as we flesh it out! [Via Boy Genius Report] Here is the original post: iPhone OS 3.0 beta 3 goes live

Medialets beats Apple to a billion when it comes to the iPhone Posted: 14 Apr 2009 04:31 PM PDT Mobile analytics and advertising company Medialets is announcing a big milestone tomorrow with regards to the number one billion and the iPhone. Okay, not that billion milestone — but it's pretty impressive none the less. Medialets has now processed over a billion events on the iPhone and iPod touch by way of its analytics product, Medialytics. What this means is that the company, which launched on the same day as Apple App Store last July, has seen that much activity coming from the apps that use it on those platforms. Currently, because Medialytics is installed on so many different apps (it says "many" of the top downloaded iPhone apps), it has found its way on over 13 million unique devices — nearly half of the iPhones and iPod touches sold. And over the past 10 months all of this data has taught Medialets a lot about the iPhone platform. One interesting metric is engagement. Medialets says it's seeing between 3.5 and 7 minutes of average usage per session. App makers may be even more interested in ad click-through rates. Since its launch, Medialets is seeing click-throughs of between 1 and 8 percent. CrunchBase Information Medialets Apple iPhone Information provided by CrunchBase Crunch Network: CrunchGear drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware. More here: Medialets beats Apple to a billion when it comes to the iPhone

Zune rumors heat up, MS getting ready to launch Zune software on phones? Posted: 14 Apr 2009 04:31 PM PDT Yeah, something is definitely up in Zuneland. Not only did images of the Zune HD leak out late last week, today AdWeek says that Microsoft’s auditioning three major ad agencies for the launch of a new mobile service called “Pink” — which is the project codename for Zune software on mobile phones. No, this doesn’t mean any of those Tegra-powered Zunephone rumors are coming true — it’s far more likely that Microsoft is finally gearing up to re-launch Zune as the preferred media software and service for Windows Mobile, a plan Steve Ballmer’s been hinting at for ages now. Remember, Microsoft has to keep its large stable of Windows Mobile hardware manufacturers happy, and launching a hyped new phone of its own with a Zune-based OS would basically be perceived as stabbing a billion-dollar business in the back — not something you want to do when most of your partners are also deep in the Android game. On the other hand, you don’t audition three huge ad agencies just to launch a Zune app on busted ol’ WinMo, so there could be something big cooking — if you forced us to throw caution to the wind and just guess, what we’d want to see is that $500m Danger acquisition pay off in the form of a reskinned consumer-oriented edition of Windows Mobile that integrates Zune services, running not only on a touchscreen Zune HD, but a variety of phones from third-party partners. Wishful thinking? You bet — probably even crazy thinking — but it would certainly shake things up, and that’s never a bad thing. We’ll see how it shakes out — care to share your dream Zune strategy in the meantime? [Via CNET] More: Zune rumors heat up, MS getting ready to launch Zune software on phones?

iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 3 is out Posted: 14 Apr 2009 04:30 PM PDT If you're a developer dabbling away with the latest builds (or one of those clever dastardly gents who managed to get access to the beta firmware through other means), you've got an update waiting for you. Apple has just pushed iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 3 out the door. The changes seem minor, but here's whats been noticed so far: Read the rest of this entry » Read the original: iPhone OS 3.0 Beta 3 is out

EBay plans to spin off Skype in an IPO (or maybe sale) Posted: 14 Apr 2009 04:28 PM PDT EBay and Skype are breaking up. Credit: manu contreras via Flickr. Taking the first steps to unwind its strange 2005 marriage, EBay said today that it plans to spin off Internet phone service Skype through an initial public offering in 2010. The news comes a day after the San Jose online auction company said it would sell Internet search company StumbleUpon back to its founders. Both announcements signal that EBay is making good on its promise to investors that it will focus on its online marketplace, rather than on the assorted businesses it has acquired over the last three years. “Separating Skype will allow EBay to focus entirely on our two core growth engines — e-commerce and online payments — and deliver long-term value to our stockholders,” EBay Chief Executive John Donahoe said in a release. EBay bought Skype nearly four years ago with the idea that it could use voice over Internet protocol software to enable buyers and sellers to communicate (think haggling over prices) while conducting transactions. But some observers say that Skype has been a distraction for management, and … … that buyers and sellers don't want to talk to one another online. “EBay has no synergies with Skype,” said Jeffrey Lindsay, a senior analyst at Sanford Bernstein. EBay needs to focus on its core services as it loses ground to Amazon.com, Lindsay said. That's part of the reason EBay's stock is down 54% over the last year, compared with 29% for the Nasdaq composite index. Senior executives have admitted recently that EBay and Skype don't fit well together, and they indicated through several write-downs of the value of the deal that EBay realizes it overpaid. But until today EBay hadn't announced any formal plans to separate them. News emerged this weekend that Skype's founders, Scandinavian entrepreneurs Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, had tried to buy back the business but could not raise enough money. The IPO is Plan B, Lindsay said. Other analysts speculate that the announcement of a public offering has another motive: It's acting as a for-sale sign for Skype, hoping to get some Internet giants in on the bidding. “Otherwise, why announce an IPO now for something that's a year away?” said James Mitchell, an analyst at Goldman Sachs. – Alana Semuels More here:  EBay plans to spin off Skype in an IPO (or maybe sale)

How It Feels To Walk With Honda’s Cyborg Legs [Video] Posted: 14 Apr 2009 04:25 PM PDT Few geeks haven’t dreamt of one day taking on cyborg enhancements—me included. And today I did, thanks to two of Honda’s wearable Asimo-inspired Walk Assist devices. This is how it felt. I strapped on Honda’s fresh-from-the-labs Stride Management Assist and Bodyweight Support Assist rigs, and both devices made me feel totally unstoppable, albeit in a goofy sort of way. The whole time I felt the need to go do something great, like go on a cross-country jog or blast into outer space to join a robot colony. I’m definitely not the target demographic for either device, which Honda’s Fundamental Research Institute hopes will help mobilize and rehabilitate Japan’s rapidly aging population or lessen the leg fatigue of factory workers who stand and crouch for hours on end. But of course, this didn’t stop me from jumping at the opportunity to strap them on and stomp around; this is the first time Honda’s prototypes have been presented on U.S. soil. Stemming directly from Asimo research, Honda’s learned so much about how bipeds walk that they can now produce devices that react to human motion in real time to support the motion of walking, using just a few simple sensors each. The magic is in the processing software which was refined with Asimo. The first one I strapped on, the Bodyweight Support Assist (the one with the saddle) reduces the load on the user’s legs to help with physically demanding activities. This one was definitely a bit more cumbersome to wear, but aside from riding up your crotch a bit (it doesn’t exert upward pressure, much to Mahoney’s relief), the experience is pretty cool. The system operates using just two tread sensors in the soles of the sweet built-in Velcro sneakers and two lift sensors in the legs which register the upward motion of your stride, as well as the orientation. There is zero delay, and you never feel like the device is controlling your movement. It reacted instantly to my motions and enhanced everything I did, like an exoskeleton. Mundane activities like walking up the stairs and crouching down suddenly became fun and much easier—the saddle provides anywhere from 6.5 to 18 pounds of support when you lean back in it, which isn’t enough to sit down on, obviously, but it’s certainly noticeable and makes crouching easier. Personally, I had a little issue navigating the stairs and nearly fell backwards, as you can see in the video. Apparently my feet were too small for the sneaker sensors to pick up properly, making the whole device jerk my legs around more than was expected on the stairs. But even Asimo takes a tumble now and then, so wearing his legs, it was only natural that I had a stumble at some point. But when the shoes fit, the experience is absolutely natural. Second was The Stride Management Assist, which straps on like a belaying harness and weighs practically nothing. It regulates the person’s stride and walking pace, making walking much easier for the elderly or disabled while still building up their own muscles. The device was by no means discreet looking, but frolicking around in it felt very natural—just better, as my movements were enhanced almost immediately. The robo hip-huggers definitely perked up my posture and made me move around more confidently, giving gentle support to my legs during all parts of my stride. Walking up and down stairs, you can feel the complex processing involved, with more support given on the way up than on the way down. Both devices have a sleek look, which Honda hopes to refine even further as they reduce the weight. Battery life for each is around two hours on a single charge, which will also get better as batteries get lighter. Even though Honda’s tested both devices in real-world scenarious—the Stride Management Assist in a hospital, and the Bodyweight Support Assist in one of their factories in Saitama, there is no timeline for actual retail availability, but Honda does intend to come up with a finished product for sale eventually. Which means most people will have to go on dreaming of the cyborg life, but hopefully not for much longer. See more here: How It Feels To Walk With Honda’s Cyborg Legs [Video]

Somali Pirates Make Hijacking Home Music Videos [Listening Test] Posted: 14 Apr 2009 04:20 PM PDT This home video obtained by Danger Room isn’t from the recent cargo ship hijacking involving U.S. sea Capt. Richard Phillips, but it does give you some rare insight into how these rebels operate. The video takes place aboard the Yasa Neslihan—a Turkish vessel captured by Somali pirates in October. In that situation, the crew was released after a ransom was paid. Apparently, this sort of thing is common: “There are many videos like this,” the source told Wired magazine contributing editor Scott Carney, who obtained the video. “They make this video before they collect the ransom and leave the ship.” “They make videos to show the owners that they have the ship and that it is still intact,” he said. “The pirates are normally very well networked.” In contrast to their recent skirmish with the U.S. Navy, it appears from the video that a hijacking can be a semi-chill affair. Hostages are seen walking around unrestrained and the Somalis are even using the opportunity to kick out the jams. [Danger Room] Original post: Somali Pirates Make Hijacking Home Music Videos [Listening Test]

It’s Not a TV, It’s a Tati Lamp [Design] Posted: 14 Apr 2009 04:00 PM PDT Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve been staring at this image for a while now, waiting for a baseball game or something to pop on the “screen.” Called the Tati Lamp, it’s one of many of Ferruccio Laviani’s designs being shown off during Milan Design Week 09. Completely black when off and white when on, this photo skews the lamp’s scale in an enjoyably preposterous way. In reality, the Tati Lamp doesn’t take up all the space of an old rear projection big screen. It fits right on the table. [designboom] More: It’s Not a TV, It’s a Tati Lamp [Design]

Motorola building Android-based cable boxes for Japan’s KDDI? Posted: 14 Apr 2009 03:52 PM PDT Don’t know why the Motorola rumors are flying hot and heavy today, but right on top of that connected GPS whisper comes word that the struggling device manufacturer is being tapped to build a new version of KDDI’s multifacted Au Box set-top unit that runs Android instead of the previous custom Linux build. The Au Box, if you’ll recall, is a trick little IPTV box with a DVD drive that can rip audio and video and transcode it for transfer or streaming to your cellphone — kind of like a more flexible Slingbox that costs $3/month for KDDI subscribers. Definitely interesting, especially since Android could make browsing and email extremely easy to implement as well — hey Moto, maybe you want to ditch your current garbage Stateside cable box lineup and start shipping these things at home? [Via CNET] Original post: Motorola building Android-based cable boxes for Japan’s KDDI?

Microsoft’s Prepping Advertising for Zune-On-Phone Software [Zune Phone] Posted: 14 Apr 2009 03:47 PM PDT Adweek is claiming that Microsoft’s “pink”, which was code for the Zune Phone/Zune on Cellphone project, is in the looking-for-advertiser stage. This probably means it’s getting pretty close (months, not years) to shipping. AdWeek says the three ad firms, McCann Erickson, Crispin Porter + Bogusky and JWT, are vying for the ad run. The first firm has worked with Microsoft before and the second is in charge of the I’m a PC and laptop hunter ads. There’s no target for when the ads will hit, but Microsoft will choose a winner by the end of May. [AdWeek via CNET] Read more from the original source: Microsoft’s Prepping Advertising for Zune-On-Phone Software [Zune Phone]

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