IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (TechConnect Magazine) 25/07/2009

MetaTools unveils Making Faces for iPhone/iPod Touch
Making Faces, formerly known as Power Goo, is now available for purchase in the iTunes App Store. Using the app you can enjoy the comical versions of yourself and your friends. All the built in effects you might expect are present; you can pinch, bulge, spike, twirl, wave, ripple and many more. Overall, the app has ten built-in effects. Making Faces supports both landscape and portrait mode and is available for purchase now for $2.99.

"We knew the Power GOO experience would be perfect for the iPhone and iPod touch platforms because Making Faces enables anyone to instantly create fun caricatures of their family, friends, pets, politicians, celebrities or anything around them and make them move," said John Wilczak, CEO, MetaTools. "Making Faces can literally put a smile on anyone's face, even Mona Lisa.

If you are talented enough Metatools is finalizing details for a Making Faces Funny Photo contest where you could win up to $1,000 for your funniest creations.

Link:MetaTools

LongBox: iTunes for comic books coming
You can easily, legally (or not), download all your favourite music, films and books in their digital format, those who were complaining were the comic book readers as no one, until this moment, had thought to digitally distribute comics. Rantz Hoseley is the CEO and founder of the LongBox, a free, cross-platform iTunes-style jukebox for comic books.

"One of our guiding principles is not replacing print or subsuming print, but creating a business model that works hand-in-hand with print. We want a diverse clientele." Along with buying an incentivised 12-issue subscription for $10, publishers can and will provide discount coupons for print versions if the reader subscribes to the LongBox version." Rantz Hoseley said.

Built on a set of proprietary APIs, LongBox will allow readers to purchase and download new comic books in a new, proprietary LBX format. The program contains a viewer that allows you to see pages one at a time or as a double-page spread, zoom in on individual panels, flip through pages, and skin the interface. It even contains an 'anti-spoiler' feature so you won't see what's coming in a story unless you want to.

LongBox will launch probably on October in the U.S, for Windows and Mac. There are also plans to support handheld devices, smart phones and games consoles by the summer of 2010.

Link:Longbox

Android arriving in home devices and remote controls
San Francisco-based start-up Touch Revolution says that a series of Android-powered household gadgets will launch before the end of the year.

These gadgets will be divided in three basic categories: home control devices, media control devices and home phones. All the gadgets will feature touch-screens in sizes ranging from 4.3 to 10 inches, support Android as an operating system, and connect to the Web through wi-fi or wired ethernetأ¢آ€آ™ Touch Revolution is calling the third category of products, "smart phones for the home." Each of these devices could be programmed to do even more. As Android devices, they will be able to access the same applications written for Android cellphones.

We expect to see these products in the market before the end of the year, made by well-known companies.

EU Commission content with new browser solution for Windows 7
We don't know if the recent solar eclipse had anything to do with it but the European Commission and Microsoft seem to have finally reached an agreement in the antitrust case regarding the bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows operating systems.

According to a proposal made by Microsoft, its upcoming Windows 7 OS would be offered in Europe with Internet Explorer 8 but will still provide users with choice via a 'ballot screen' that will enable them to disable IE, install another browser and make that the default surfing app. Also, OEMs would also be able to install other browsers and disable IE if they wish.

The European Commission has welcomed the proposal and said that it is currently "investigate its practical effectiveness in terms of ensuring genuine consumer choice."

Microsoft's next step will be to publish the proposal in full on its website and wait for the EC's thumbs up. Hopefully this solution will get the green light as Windows 7 is set for an October 22nd release so there's not much time left for arguing.

Sonic Solutions to serve up movies on flash drives
If you thought that movies on SD cards was a genius idea then know that Sonic Solutions, developer of the Roxio family of multimedia software, has decided to put films on flash drives.

The CinemaNow USB Movie Drives, which are expected to hit stores in Q4, will be loaded with a title provided by one of the 250 content providers Sonic has agreement with, the codecs required by the movie, DRM based on Widevine technology, and will also include a media player enabling playback on a PC or streaming to network-connected TVs, set top DVRs, Blu-ray Disc players, and other media devices. According to Sonic, to get the movie playing on anything other than a TV, the user will have to connect online and add the title to their Roxio CinemaNow Digital Locker.

"Delivering content on USB drives is the latest example of how Roxio CinemaNow is enabling access to digital Hollywood hits across the broadest possible range of devices," said Dave Habiger, president and CEO, Sonic Solutions. "Teaming with industry leaders such as Widevine is allowing us to overcome the technical hurdles of digital rights management and platform optimization behind the scenes, so all the consumer experiences is convenient, hassle-free entertainment viewing."

In addition to retail, CinemaNow USB Movie Drives are planned to become available as part of bundles with mobile phones and netbooks.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

IT News HeadLines (TechConnect Magazine) 25/07/2009

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