Talkitt voice software helps the speech-impaired communicate in any language
Over the years we’ve seen companies big and small introduce products to aid users with speech impediments, but many of these solutions ignore the fact that disabled users still have a voice. Talkitt, a new application currently up for crowdfunding on Indiegogo, translates users’ pronunciation into understandable speech and plays back their words on a smartphone or tablet. Danny Weissberg, co-founder and CEO of VoiceItt, the company behind the product, said he began developing Talkitt after his grandmother had a stroke and experienced difficulties in communicating. For people with other conditions such as Lou Gehrig’s, Cerebral Palsy, Brain Damage, Autism and Parkinson’s Disease, this tech could make everyday tasks, such as ordering lunch and communicating with friends, more manageable.
The software is currently being tested with several partners (including hospitals and universities) across Israel and Europe, and its makers assure us that it will work with any language — it can even translate between languages. Provided the project meets its $50,000 funding goal, the application will hit the market some time in 2015. Once it’s widely available, there will be a monthly subscription fee of $19.99. Down the line, Talkitt will also run on laptops, PC and wearables. Check out the video below for a closer look.
Voiceitt from VoiceItt on Vimeo.
Filed under: Software
Source: Talkitt
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The Vocca lets almost any light bulb listen for (and obey) your commands
We’ve been controlling light bulbs with claps for ages now, but you’ll soon be able to illuminate your foyer with mere words… as long as the teeming millions and their wallets are down with it. The $39 Vocca is a simple, savvy intermediary that aims to give most regular lightbulbs the ability to spring to life when you say “Go Vocca light.” Lacking in pizzazz, no? Shelling out an extra $10 will net you a slightly smarter Pro model that’ll let you customize your activation phrase (“Flame on,” maybe?) with your smartphone.
Alas, you’ll have to leave those old-school incandescent bulbs high atop that shelf in your closet — they generate too much heat for Voccas to handle, so you’ll need LED or compact fluorescent bulbs instead. That little quandary aside, the Vocca seems like a refreshing bit of kit in an age where you could feasibly drop a few hundred dollars on smartphone-friendly lighting. At first glance, it might not seem as whiz-bang awesome as, say, the Philips Hue or the crowdfunded LIFX but the Vocca team begs to differ. They’re convinced that whipping out a smartphone to control the ambiance takes way more time and effort than flipping a switch or — you guessed it — just speaking a command code aloud. Different strokes for different folks, but with just $2,000 more needed at time of writing to seal this deal, it’s clear that people are keen for a cheap, functional way to smarten up their homes.
Oh, and by the way: if you’re having a lousy day and need a serious dose of cheese, be sure to watch the team’s campaign video. You’ll either crack up or cringe; there’s not much room for middle ground here.
Via: Recombu
Source: Kickstarter
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Comcast tries to clinch TWC merger by sweetening its low-income internet plan
Comcast mostly uses its Internet Essentials program to butter up antitrust regulators; it created the low-income plan to help complete its NBC takeover, and extended the offering indefinitely to improve its chances of acquiring Time Warner Cable. It’s no coincidence, then, that the company has just sweetened Internet Essentials at a time when the TWC merger remains an uncertain prospect. The cable giant is now offering debt amnesty to those who would normally qualify for the $10 monthly plan, but are saddled with outstanding Comcast bills that are over a year old. It’s also offering six months of free service for those who sign up by September 20th, in part to guarantee that kids have access to online educational resources when they return to school.
The gesture may well bringing home internet access to more people who otherwise couldn’t afford it. However, it’s also a direct response to low adoption rates that may thwart Comcast’s merger plans. As of May, only 12 percent of eligible families had signed up — even with a recent increase in users, the numbers won’t look good to officials wanting proof that Internet Essentials makes a difference. If the company doesn’t offer an olive branch to the less fortunate, its TWC deal may be shot down before it ever gets off the ground.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar]
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Networking, Internet, HD
Source: Comcast
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AT&T announces LG G Pad 7.0 LTE for release later this Week
AT&T has announced that the LG G Pad 7.0 LTE tablet will be making its debut on the carrier on August 8th. AT&T has the tablet set up at $149.00 with a typical two-year contract or $12.50 a month on AT&T’s Next program. If you are looking to buy one out right you will be looking at $250. The release info also mentions that you can get the tablet for $0.99 if you bundle it with the purchase of a LG G2, LG G3 or LG G Flex.
Official LG G Pad 7.0 Specs:
- 7-inch 1280 x 800 IPS display
- 1.2GHz quad-core processor
- 5MP rear camera
- 8GB onboard storage with Micro SD card slot
- 4,000 mAh battery (rated for 10 hours of life)
- Android 4.4.2
The LG G Pad 7.0 LTE also comes loaded with a variety of LG apps like QPair that lets your tablet pair to your LG phone to make and receive calls and texts just like if you were on your phone. You also get Knock Code so you can tap a pattern to unlock the device. The tablet also features Dual Window and QSlide Multitasking that can be used with a variety of apps.
Source: AT&T
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T-Mobile and MetroPCS launching waterproof Kyocera Hydro Life this Month
Waterproof, or resistant, devices are becoming more of the norm this year than in the past and I am loving it. Another new device is headed towards both T-Mobile and MetroPCS that will easily target those that find themselves dropping their devices often. We all have one of those people in our lives that has gone through more phones than socks. Kyocera‘s new Hydro Life device could be the inexpensive device of choice for those that need a little bit more protection built-in to their device without breaking the bank to do so.
“The Hydro Life is a perfect option for someone who leads an active lifestyle, wants access to the latest technology and apps, but needs a smartphone that can withstand the elements,” said Jason Young, senior vice president of marketing at T-Mobile. “At T-Mobile, we partnered with Kyocera to match a rugged smartphone with the only nationwide network built data strong.”
The Hydro Life is IP57 certified waterproof, shock-proof and drop-proof. It meets Military Standard 810G. The Hydro Life carries a 4.5-inch impact resistant IPS qHD display, 2000 mAh battery, 5MP rear camera, 2MP front camera and Wi-Fi calling for the T-Mobile variant. Detailed specs of the device seem to be missing from the press release, however PhoneScoop has some more details that outline the Hydro Life with a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8212 processor, 8GB on-board storage, 1.5GB of RAM and a Micro SD card slot. Along with Bluetooth 4.0+LE and the ANdroid version being 4.3.
The new Kyocera Hydro Life will be making an appearance in Wal-Mart for T-Mobile starting August 8 for just $124.99 + tax. MetroPCS will be putting the device, minus the Wi-Fi Calling, to market on August 29th for the same price tag.
Press release:
Kyocera Battles Fragiphoniphobia with the Everyday Durable Hydro Life at T-Mobile and MetroPCS
Newest 4G Android from the Industry Leaders in Waterproof, Shock-Proof, Drop-Proof Smartphones Can Handle the Demands of Daily Life
SAN DIEGO – August 4, 2014 – Many of us are suffering from “fragiphoniphobia” without even realizing it. The fear of fragile phones – and worries about drops and spills ruining our smartphones and disrupting our lives – prevents us from using them to their full potential. Enter Kyocera Hydro Life, a waterproof 4G Android™ smartphone that’s also Military Standard 810G drop- and shock-proof.
The ideal smartphone for both active consumers and workers on the job, Hydro Life is available for T-Mobile customers at Wal-Mart starting August 8 for just $124.99 (+taxes & fees) with qualifying service. MetroPCS will also launch the Hydro Life on August 29.
“The Hydro Life is a perfect option for someone who leads an active lifestyle, wants access to the latest technology and apps, but needs a smartphone that can withstand the elements,” said Jason Young, senior vice president of marketing at T-Mobile. “At T-Mobile, we partnered with Kyocera to match a rugged smartphone with the only nationwide network built data strong.”
Hydro Life is IP57 certified for protection against dust and full immersion in water up to a meter (3.28 feet) deep for up to 30 minutes. It is also certified to meet Military Standard 810G for protection against drops and shock. Tested to withstand drops, dunks, and spills, Hydro Life can handle the everyday unexpected.
A recent survey from comScore revealed that 73 percent of consumers surveyed rated drop protection or scratch-proof/shatter-proof screens as the most desirable durability feature, while 62 percent said they expect waterproofing to be a standard feature on their next phones.*
“Many of us have let the fear of fragile phones constrain our lives while many other solutions are either budget busters, too bulky or lack the best Android smartphone experience,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. “Hydro Life delivers everyday durability with the right design and feature set; while remaining very economical for cost-conscious households. Combined with fast, affordable 4G from the un-carrier, it’s a big win for on-the-go consumers.”
Hydro Life has an inherently durable design, with a 4.5-inch impact-resistant IPS qHD touchscreen, reinforced housing and non-slip finish, which eliminates the need for bulky and expensive cases. A powerful 2,000 mAh lithium ion battery is assisted by Kyocera’s proprietary Eco Mode and MaxiMZR apps to manage and conserve every last bit of power. Wi-Fi calling support helps manage mobile-network usage. Hydro Life can act as a Wi-Fi Hotspot (additional fee may be required), giving high-speed connectivity to multiple other devices. The phone also features 5.0-megapixel rear-facing and 2-megapixel front-facing cameras.
Via Android Central | PhoneScoop
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iOS 8 Beta 5 Tidbits: SMS Relay, New iCloud Icons, Health App Updates, and More
Apple today released the fifth beta of iOS 8, which brings a number of improvements, tweaks, and bug fixes to the beta software that was first introduced on June 2.
iOS 8 beta 5, like previous betas, includes several minor interface modifications designed to make iOS 8 feel faster and more polished. We’ve gathered up a comprehensive list of all the enhancements that have been bundled into the new beta release below, and to find out about all of the under-the-radar changes in iOS 8 so far, make sure to check out our iOS 8 Hidden Features Roundup.
Health: According to the beta’s release notes, Apple’s Health app now collects Spirometry data. Spirometry tests measure lung function, tracking the volume and flow of air when inhaling and exhaling. The app has gained several new icons, the ability to export Health data, and a “Show When Logged” option to display Medical ID on the lock screen. There are also privacy settings for Health in the Settings app.
SMS Relay: iOS 8 users are getting a popup that asks them to use their phone numbers for SMS Relay on their MacBooks, one of the new Continuity features between OS X Yosemite and iOS 8.
Photos: Photos now displays a “Last Updated” notification to let users know when images were last synced to iCloud. There’s also an iCloud Photo Settings option to store full resolution photos solely in iCloud while keeping device-optimized versions available on the iPhone to save storage space.
iCloud icons: iCloud Drive, Backup, and Keychain have new icons in the iCloud section of the Settings app. The overall iCloud icon has also been updated, featuring a white cloud on a field of blue.
WiFi Calling: When WiFi calling is enabled, it’s now labeled T-Mobile WiFi at the top of the iPhone screen.
Predictive text: There’s now an option on the keyboard to toggle on predictive text.
Additional features in iOS 8 beta 5 will be added here as they are discovered. Apple is likely to continue pushing regular updates to iOS 8 at two or three-week intervals to bring minor performance boosts and changes ahead of the operating system’s launch. For more information on iOS 8′s features, major and minor, make sure to check out our roundups.
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Apple TV Beta Includes Redesigned Interface With iOS 7-Style Icons, Fonts [Mac Blog]
Alongside iOS 8 beta 5 and the fifth Yosemite beta, Apple today launched a new Apple TV software beta, which includes a long-awaited interface update.
The new interface includes new icons, which are designed to resemble the icons in iOS 7, with a flatter, less glossy look. Several icons, like Music, Computers, and TV Shows have new colors, and the on-screen fonts have been updated as well.
Image courtesy of iLounge
Previous Apple TV betas have also added new Family Sharing options and support for iCloud Photos, both of which are features introduced in iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite.
Currently, the Apple TV beta is available only to registered developers, but the updated software is expected to be released to the public in the fall, likely alongside the launch of iOS 8.
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Buffalo Bills coach has issues in first NFL game with Surface tablets
Last night’s Hall of Fame game was the first NFL preseason matchup of the summer. It was also the first time that Microsoft’s new plan to replace binders of printed photos with a fleet of Surface Pros on the sidelines was put into effect. As you might expect, implementing the tech hit a few snags. The so-called Sideline Viewing System provides images for examining pre- and post-snap formations by the opposing team between series, but the option wasn’t in the lineup at kickoff for Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone. “I was told mine was going to work, and mine didn’t work,” Marrone said in a post-game interview. After remedying the issue, the coach was able to leverage the system during the second half, adding “I like it a lot.” Just like teams are ironing out on-field issues in the scrimmages leading up to week one, the new Surface system will need that time to smooth out kinks of its own.
Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft
Source: NBC Sports, WGR 550
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New Xbox One bundle gives you ‘Madden 15’ for free
Microsoft is all about football at the moment. Shortly after outing its Sideline Viewing System for pro players and coaches, as well as a new NFL app for Xbox One and Windows 8, the company has now revealed how it plans to tackle the arrival of Madden 15. Surprise, surprise: it’s an Xbox One bundle. Now don’t expect a unique console or anything like that; instead, the Surface maker wants to lure you in by including the game free as part of this “limited edition” deal. So, in exchange for $399, you get an Xbox One without Kinect and a digital download of EA Sports’ latest addition to the popular football franchise, plus three Pro Packs to use in Ultimate Team mode. The Madden 15 Xbox One bundle is set to hit shelves on August 26th, though you can pre-order right now from some online retailers, including the Microsoft Store.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
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Robotic exoskeletons give dock workers superhuman lifting abilities
We talk a lot about robotic exoskeletons that give people almost supernatural lifting skills, but these tend to be confined to labs or science fiction. Not in South Korea, though. Daewoo has been testing suits that let shipyard workers carry objects as heavy as 66 pounds like they’re nothing. The key is support for task-specific frames that put virtually all the load on the machine, giving you full dexterity — whether it’s an engine part or a piece of the hull, you can easily put it into place.
The hardware isn’t ready to enter full service just yet. It doesn’t currently cope well with slippery floors or twisting movements, and its 3-hour battery life isn’t enough to cover someone’s entire shift. Daewoo says that the trial has been going well, however, and it ultimately hopes that the exoskeleton will shoulder up to 220 pounds. If everything pans out, shipbuilding could take considerably less time — and put much less strain on the people involved.
Filed under: Robots, Wearables
Via: Gizmodo
Source: New Scientist
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