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.