Thursday, October 3, 2013

Software : Amazon may go camera crazy for rumored 3D smartphone

Software : Amazon may go camera crazy for rumored 3D smartphone

Amazon may go camera crazy for rumored 3D smartphone

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Amazon may go camera crazy for rumored 3D smartphone

Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets appear to be only the first volley in its hardware wars, with a set-top box and two different smartphones said to be under development.

TechCrunch reported Wednesday that Amazon is developing not one, but two different smartphones, including a high-end model featuring a 3D user interface and packed with multiple cameras for facial tracking.

The rumored project, codenamed "Smith," reportedly uses four cameras - one at each corner of the handset - to track the user's head and eyes in order to give the illusion that the screen is actually in three dimensions.

In theory, the feature could provide a more accurate version of the parallax effect used with Apple's latest iOS 7, which is controlled by internal sensors of the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad running the operating system.

Spreading like wildfire

It's unclear how Amazon plans to absorb the manufacturing cost of three additional cameras (counting a fifth rear-facing camera for photos and video), but the report suggests real-world image recognition as one such possibility, which would make it easier to purchase products from the e-tailer.

While no one knows for sure what kind of operating system might power the high-end smartphone, an anonymous poster on Hacker News claims that a second, budget-priced model running the company's Fire OS is also in the cards and could debut before the end of this year.

Fire OS is a forked version of Google's Android that currently powers Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets and has been rumored to also run a branded set-top box capable of streaming music, movies and TV show content into living rooms.

Amazon's future hardware is a closely-guarded secret within the company's Lab126 facility in Cupertino, where several projects named after letters of the alphabet are said to "shipped around internally inside a locked metal case" with only the displays visible.

  • Get an eyeful of the iPhone 5S with our full review of Apple's latest!

Google waves hello to gesture controls with Flutter acquisition

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Google waves hello to gesture controls with Flutter acquisition

Flutter was able to use its "Kinect for OS X" gesture recognition technology to flag down a deal with Google, the two companies announced today.

The Flutter app on Mac and Windows enables users to control a number of programs like iTunes, Spotify and PowerPoint with simple gestures using a computer's built-in webcam.

Installing the Chrome extension also adds YouTube, Pandora, Grooveshark and Netflix support to Flutter's array of motion controls.

The company planned to go beyond the app's basic "previous," "skip to next," and "pause" motion controls, and now it may be at the Google campus in Mountain View, Calif.

"Today, we are thrilled to announce that we will be continuing our research at Google," wrote Flutter CEO Navneet Dalal on the company's official site today.

"We share Google's passion for 10x thinking, and we're excited to add their rocket fuel to our journey."

Google is 'really impressed' with Flutter

Google's acquisition is a sign that the company may be interested in Kinect-like motion controls for its own products.

"We're really impressed by the Flutter team's ability to design new technology based on cutting-edge research," a Google spokesperson told TechRadar.

"We look forward to supporting and collaborating on their research efforts at Google."

Google wasn't ready to announce what the Flutter team is working on next. But at least users who downloaded the app for Mac, Windows and Chrome can stay put by continuing to use it.

Android superpowers?

The Flutter app was designed with a comic book theme that intended to make users "feel like a superhero." But its powers were limited to Mac OS X and Windows computers.

Flutter could open the floodgates for Android gesture controls using the existing front-facing cameras found in most Google-powered phones and tablets.

The company told GigaOm last year that it wanted to give machines eyes and make them aware of users.

Dalal asked pointed questions like "Why wouldn't a computer automatically lock its screen once you move away from your desk?" and "And why shouldn't your phone recognize whether you're smiling or having a bad day?"

Flutter could make new waves like this beyond its superhero origins as a new sidekick to Google.

Note 3, Xperia Z1, LG G2 and more get Sky Go for Android access

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Note 3, Xperia Z1, LG G2 and more get Sky Go for Android access

The television demigods at BSkyB have seen fit to bestow the Sky Go for Android app upon owners of the newest flagship devices running Google's mobile operating system.

Owners of the new Sony Xperia Z1, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and LG G2 handsets can now download the app from Google Play, as well as Sony's Xperia Z Ultra, and Xperia M devices and the HTC One SV.

The popular app, which allows Sky subscribers to tune into live TV on their smartphones and tablets, isn't universally available to all Android phones as Sky likes to optimise it for the devices personally.

The total number of Android devices supported is now up to 45, following its initial roll-out for the platform in February 2012.

Extra, Extra!

Sky Go is a free accoutrement for subscribers to the company's satellite TV platforms, and is also available on the web, the Xbox 360 and for iOS devices.

For an extra £5 a month users can sign up for Sky Go Extra, which allows shows to be downloaded for offline viewing.
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