A Closer look to Sony’s fantastic SmartAR Technology

Sony introduces a couple of weeks ago a new AR or Augmented Reality technology SmartAR, and after being able to enjoy Sony’s stunning demonstration at at the Sony Building (Video here after) I could not stop wanting to know more about it.
Luckily for me, the nice folks over at Sony was kind enough to organize a small private session with the Engineers and researchers behind SmartAR giving us the chance to know the very basic of this technology directly from the mouth of one of the lead researcher who worked on it.
So what’s SmartAR? SmartAR is in fact the child or shall say extension of years of research and development coming straight from Sony’s Robotic Department. During the past ten years Sony worked on many different aspects of Robotics and one of them was the capacity for a Robot to be able to visualize its position in a 3D world. These findings on such research are in the core of Sony’s AR Program with CyberCode and are now part of Sony new SmartAR technology.
Smart AR is based on three major features with MarkerLess Tracking, where SmartAR capable devices will be able to lock on any kind of objects without the needs of any QR like code, Speed and 3D Technology. While today’s presentation from Masaki FUKUCHI-San will only focus on the MarkerLess Tracking features, we have to remember that SmartAR has been developed to interact heavily with Internet content where most of the data that will comes to your smartphone or gaming device will be pulled from the cloud.
It is also very important to stress that SmartAR has been developed for two main usages including basic AR Needs that are already available right now, but also for gaming! And if unfortunately none could comment on this during our interview, I personally believe that SmartAR will most probably come in Sony’s future gaming console (PS Vita?) and Future tablets (S1 S2?)
Finally, and despite being technically possible, SmartAR will ONLY be available on Android devices for now. But as you have seen on Sony’s Official Video, SmartAR is nothing like you can imagine and will bring another “reality” to our world like never before, so stay tune for a better AR World with Sony!

Sony announces the PS3 Keyboard in Japan

Looking for an Official Sony PlayStation Keyboard? If so, here is the CECH-ZKB1JP, announced at 5,000 Yen and available at the end of June. This 290.0 × 25.0 × 120.4mm Bluetooth 2.1+EDR keyboard comes with the usual PS Button as well as the ability to eject a Blu-Ray disc and even power ON/OFF your PS3 (Like the actual Bluetooth PS3 Remote).

Acer debuts new Aspire Ethos laptops

Today Acer announced two new laptops in its Aspire Ethos line, the 8951G and 5951G.

The 15.6-inch Ethos 5951G can be fitted with Intel Core i3 to Core i7 processors up to the Core i7-2630QM, with other features including support for up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM, the NVIDIA GT 555M or the GT 540M, up to 750GB HDD, plus you have a choice of either a Blu-ray drive, Blu-ray burner, or standard DVD burner.

The 18.4-inch Ethos 8951G  on the other hand, can also be fitted with Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processors but up to the Core i7-2820M, plus the same graphics, HDD and amount of RAM as the 5951G.

One last cool feature both will have is a detachable trackpad that will work as a multimedia remote.

Complete with aluminum-magnesium alloy shells and glossy matte finishes, Acer plans to release both in mid-June with prices starting at a whopping £1,000  ($1,643).

Samsung Launches ‘Smart View’ App

Samsung Electronics launched the Samsung “Smart View” application that enables users to view images from a Samsung Smart TV or other input device right on their mobile devices.

Available now for the Samsung GALAXY S II, the free Smart View application displays a variety of images right onto mobile devices via Samsung Smart TV and wireless Ethernet—whether consumers are enjoying cable broadcast programs or content from a Blu-ray player, camcorder, set-top box or other input device.

In addition, users can browse any currently installed Smart TV applications from their mobile devices, bringing even more functionality and convenience to the Samsung Apps experience.

The Samsung Smart View is now available in the Android Market for Samsung Smart TV D7000, D8000, and D9500 series, as well as the GALAXY S II, and will be available for the GALAXY player (YP-GB70) in July, along with the GALAXY S and GALAXY Tab later this year.

Gazoo Racing unleashes race-prepped Lexus CT hybrid at Nürburgring

Sure Lexus’s CT200h is a hell of a hot hatchback, and its Hybrid powertrain is quite sexy, but frankly speaking I have drove “faster” cars in my life, but then again who’s said that Nothing can be improved? And this is exactly what the Guys at Gazoo Racing did with the Lexus Gazoo Racing CT a “Super Charged” Lexus CT200h that now comes with a more “powerful” engine of 2.4l instead of the 1.8l and that has been of course heavily modified to break records at Nürburgring!

Oh and here you are below one of Gazoo Racing finest piece… The Gazoo Racing LFA… Man this car is just pure madness!

Moto bringing Dual-Core, -Mode, -SIM Android Powerhouse to the Mainland

Today we have some interesting news coming out of Beijing from Motorola, as they recently announced the release of the MOTO XT882 for mainland China, which bears a striking resemblance to the Motorola Atrix 4G.

Moto China said that this is the world’s first dual-core, dual-mode and dual-SIMsmartphone in China. Each core in the NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor is running at 1GHz, while it also supports both CDMA/GSM , meaning it will work on networks such as China Telecom and China Mobile, plus as with most phones in China, it can hold two SIM cards.

Launching with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and MOTOBLUR UI, other features include 8GB of internal storage, an 8MP camera with dual-LED flash, a front-facing camera, 4-inch qHD display, HDMI port, 1880 mAh battery and some unique Chinese features, such as smart dialer, a business card scanner and contact manager.

If you were hoping to bring one of these back for use in the US during your next trip to China, it will set you back about 5,380 RMB or about $830, making it one of the most expensive smartphones.

The MOTO XT882 will be available from authorized Motorola resellers and China Telecom’s stores across China sometime this month.

Sony upgrade its Vaio L and J All In One in Japan

Sony has announced this morning that it will release by the end of the week a new and upgraded Vaio L, the VPCL229FJ/B. This New AIO or All-In-One Device comes with a 24-inch Full HD 3D display, an Intel Core i7-2630QM, 8GB of RAM, 2TB of HDD, a GeForce GT 540M with 1GB of VRAM, Blu-Ray and the now usual Digital TV Tuner, USB 3.0, Bluetooth 3.0+HS, HDMI, Wi-Fi and 1.3-megapixel web cam.

Alongside the Vaio L, Sony introduced a new Vaio J, another 21.5-inch AIO desktop PC that does not come with a 3D Screen or Core i72630QM, but comes with the choice between a Core i7-2620M, Core i5-2410M or Celeron B810, as well as the usual Digital TV Tuner, USB 3.0, Blu-Ray drive…

Samsung Smart TV Meets Van Gogh in Starry Night of Seoul

Samsung Smart TV becomes a docent for the exhibition of 2011 Musée d’Orsay ㅡ Rêve et Réalité, opening from June 4 through September at Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Art Center. With the subtitle of “Les Chefs-d’oeuvre du musée d’Orsay á Séoul”, this exhibition presents a rare opportunity to meet painters like Vincent Van Gogh, Jean F. Millet, and Claude Monet through their masterpieces. In particular, Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh is exhibited for the first time in Korea.

At the entrance of the exhibition, with the help of a ‘digital smart’ docent, viewers can gain knowledge and information about the exhibited pictures through video clips presented by Samsung Smart TV, and actually view those pictures through a four 46-inch LED integrated video wall. This Musée d’Orsay Exhibition is already attracting serene attention among picture lovers, for its ‘harmonic experience’ of art and technology.

BENQ brings new 24″ 3D LED display to stores

A new product for their display section! BenQ today announced the new EW2430V, an advanced VA LED backlit panel. Beautiful, fun features, movies and more comfortable are some of the keywords BenQ used in their official press release.

Equipped with the new 16:9 aspect ratio 24″ Theatrical  LCD display type, it gives you full-color drawing closer to natural color, a wide 178-degree vertical and horizontal viewing angle , 3000:1 (DCR 20 million: 1) high contrast ratio. Styled by expression, design from Ino Hukashi’s “dark shades”.

In addition, the EW2430V has a double HDMI jack and component video for better connection with various multimedia devices. New features in order to enjoy movies more comfortably include: a Super Resolution, 3D noise reduction, 3D De-interlace for smooth video and much more. Try one today to convince yourself of the clearly visible difference in display technology!

Type: EW2430V

Release: 17/06/2011

Est. price: 30.000 YEN

Max. res: 1920 x 1080p FULL HD

Contrast: 3000:1

Audio: 2 x 2W

Ports: HDMI/D-SUB/DVI/Audio/RCA/USB

3 Year warranty

LG Hitachi releases its first 4x External BDXL Writer

Here you are LG Hitachi first 6x external BDXL Writer, the BP20N. Capable to burn BD-R Single or Dual Layer at 6x, the BP20N is also capable to burn BDXL-R 3 or 4 Layer at 4x maximum and comes completely automatous by being only USB powered.