Laptops to get 3D depth cameras

6 January 2014 Last updated at 18:44 ET

Intel has said that laptops featuring 3D-camera technology developed by the chipmaker will go on sale this year.

It said seven firms would release products that contained its software and hardware, which would be indentified by the RealSense brand.

At a press conference in Las Vegas, Intel showed how one of its depth sensors could be used to interpret gesture controls and to separate foreground objects from the background.

The idea itself is not new.

Microsoft's Kinect and SoftKinectic's Depthsense cameras already offer such functions. Apple recently bought another firm, PrimeSense, that also makes depth sensing hardware.

But one expert said Intel's intervention could help the innovation go mainstream as a built-in component.

"This tech has been knocking around for a while, but Intel's move will give it fresh momentum," said Tony Crabtree, from the consultancy Juniper Research, who is attending the Consumer Electronics Show where the announcement was made.

"It needed a big player to help the market take off. Having said that, I don't see it as a transformative technology in the same way wearables or ultra-high definition screens will be."

Fake background

Intel named Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo and NEC as the first manufacturers to release RealSense branded kit.

At CES it gave a demonstration of the tech using a version of Skype in which the camera was used to isolate the user's video image, extract it and superimpose it over a different background in real-time.

This mimicked an effect that would normally require a green screen and special compositing software.

It also showed how the software could turn the majority of a video feed black-and-white while leaving one of the objects in colour.

In another demo a member of Intel's team played a pinball video game by moving a real paddle in front of the computer's camera.

The company said that it believed that the use of other possible gestures could help educate children by making software more immersive.

Several "edutainment" titles for Nintendo's Wii consoles are based on the same principle.

Intel added that it had formed a partnership with 3D Systems - one of the leading 3D printer makers - to let its kit be used to create real-world objects by shaping them in the air.

3D Systems had previously worked with another firm, GeoMagic, to offer this facility for its printers using the Kinect-to-3D-Scan app and Microsoft's sensor.

Wearable tech

Intel's chief executive Brian Krzanich also unveiled several new concept wearable technologies that the firm is developing, during a separate Keynote Address.

These included:

• Smart earbuds, which act as an activity tracker as well as playing music, drawing their power from the attached machine's audio jack
• A smart headset, nicknamed Jarvis, which hooks behind the user's ear. It is controlled by speech and is meant to allow the user to set up diary appointments, book restaurant tables and other such tasks
• A smartwatch that can connect to the net without needing to be linked to a phone

Mr Krzanich also unveiled a computer called Edison, which is the size of an SD card but can run Linux-based operating systems and connect to wi-fi networks.

The company also confirmed it had developed a technology to allow a Windows computer powered by one of its chips to run certain Android apps under software emulation.

23.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nvidia boasts better mobile graphics

6 January 2014 Last updated at 03:19 ET

Chip-maker Nvidia has announced a new processor destined for mobile devices that it says will offer better graphics than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

The Tegra K1 features 192 GPU (graphics processing unit) cores, based on the same Kepler technology used in the US firm's high-end PC components.

It showed the chip running Epic Games' Unreal Engine 4 at a Las Vegas event.

The advance is intended to help Nvidia compete against Qualcomm and Samsung for orders from manufacturers.

The company was beaten by rival AMD for the contract to make the graphics chips that power the recently released PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles.

Nvidia's current generation Tegra 4 mobile chips - which feature 72 GPU cores - are used by Microsoft's Surface 2 tablet, Asus's Transformer Pad Infinity hybrid, the Toshiba Excite Pro tablet and Xiaomi's Phone 3.

64-bit chip

California-based Nvidia's chief executive Jen-Hsun Huang described the Tegra K1 as offering next-generation graphics to mobile devices "for the first time" when he announced the news at the Consumer Electronics Show.

He noted that while the chip outperformed the last-generation consoles, it required just 5% of their power.

He added that it would be released in two variants: one with a quad-core Cortex A15 CPU (central processing unit) designed by the British firm ARM; the second with Nvidia's forthcoming dual-core Denver CPU, which is a customised version of ARM's more powerful 64-bit V8 architecture.

Offering a 64-bit CPU means the chip can theoretically be used in high-end mobile devices that require more RAM (random-access memory) than a 32-bit chip can address.

Apple based the CPU of its recent A7 chip, which powers the iPhone 5S and iPad Air, on the same design.

However, Mr Huang claimed the GPU cores in its chip meant the Tegra K1 would be three times more powerful than the A7 according to the GFXBench 3.0 Manhattan test.

"It's a huge deal that Nvidia is finally putting its real talent in building high performance GPUs to use in mobile," Anand Shimpi, founder of influential component news site AnandTech, told the BBC.

"Nvidia definitely has an uphill battle when it comes to convincing device makers to pick its solutions over Qualcomm or others, but Tegra K1 is likely the best story it has ever had in mobile.

"If it can get the chips out on time and they are competitive in terms of power efficiency, they should do better than any previous Nvidia solution.

"The real impact of Tegra K1's GPU is that it raises the bar for what is expected in terms of graphics performance in mobile. And that's a very good thing."

Mr Huang told the press conference that the Tegra K1 would also be targeted at carmakers wishing to introduce processor-intensive self-drive facilities.

"You'll have a supercomputer in your car," he said.

The 32-bit version of the Tegra K1 is intended to appear in devices before mid-2014, and the 64-bit version by the end of the year.

23.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

China lifts ban on games consoles

7 January 2014 Last updated at 05:59 ET

The Chinese government has temporarily lifted a ban on selling foreign video games consoles, paving the way for firms such as Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft to enter a lucrative market.

China banned gaming consoles in 2000, citing their adverse effect on the mental health of young people.

A grey market in the sale of consoles has continued in the country.

But, partly as a result of the ban, PC gaming dominates - capturing two-thirds of the $13bn (£8bn) market.

In a statement, the government said that it would allow foreign firms to make consoles within Shanghai's free trade zone and sell them in China after inspection by cultural departments.

But China's State Council did not say how long the suspension would last.

In response to the news, Sony said: "We recognise that China is a promising market. We will continuously study the possibility, but there is no concrete plan at this stage."

Production race

China's video game market is rich in potential.

In 2013, it grew 38% from the previous year to reach 83bn yuan ($13bn), according to data released at the annual China games industry conference in December.

Chris Green, an analyst with Davies Murphy Group, told the BBC that the decision to liberalise the market was "huge news".

"This is an enormous market worth potentially tens of billions of dollars," he said.

"Now this is going to be a race to see who can be first to market, who can get a factory in the Free Trade Zone up and running and get consoles off the production line the fastest," he added.

He thinks Microsoft may have the edge on Sony and Nintendo.

"Sony and Nintendo have their own factories but Microsoft outsources its hardware and could be the best-placed to gear up and get a third party electronics contractor to start making the consoles," he said.

23.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

CES 2014: Director loses direction

7 January 2014 Last updated at 00:36 ET

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Michael Bay initially said he would "wing it" after his autocue malfunctioned

As there was just so much happening on press day at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show 2014, we thought we'd bring you a selection of highlights - and some of the lowlights - as they happened.

Audi brings Press Day to a close with the last of the day's Keynotes.

The German automaker's chief executive Rupert Stadle headed a presentation that featured self-driving cars, dancers who looked liked they had escaped from the movie Tron, and a vehicle fitted with laser lamps.

The madness continues tomorrow.

There were lots of wearable tech prototypes, a fancy mini-computer and more at Brian Krzanich's Keynote address.

The Intel chief executive has been in charge of the firm for less than a year, making this his first CES as CEO.

One part of his presentation, however, marked the end rather than the start of an era - the decision to rename the firm's security products division.

It is ditching the McAfee brand and replacing it with Intel Security.

The controversial founder of the security business, John McAfee, told the BBC he was overjoyed by the news.

"I am now everlastingly grateful to Intel for freeing me from this terrible association with the worst software on the planet. These are not my words, but the words of millions of irate users.

"My elation at Intel's decision is beyond words."

The reaction should come as no surprise. Last year Mr McAfee released a video showing how to "uninstall" the firm's anti-virus software by blasting a laptop with a bullet.

Video games developer Valve has confirmed 14 companies will manufacture the first generation Steam Machines - "PCs consoles" designed to run its new Linux-based gaming platform.

In alphabetical order, they are Alienware, Alternate, CyberPowerPC, Digital Storm, Falcon NW, GigaByte, iBuyPower, Maingear, Material.net, Next Spa, Origin PC, Scan, Webhallen and Zotac.

They range in price from $499 to $6,000.

It's a respectable line-up - Alienware's involvement means Valve has the backing of its parent company Dell.

But one senses that neither the Xbox team nor their PlayStation counterparts are likely to be quaking in their boots - at least at this point.

Sony, along with all the other TV makers it seems, has been plugging its UHD - ultra high definition - 4K TVs for all its worth at CES.

Screens are set to get bigger and bigger, with Sony's flagship 4K beast boasting an 85in (216cm) screen - not quite as big as Samsung's 105in (267cm) monster - but pretty chunky nonetheless. No doubt it will come with a similarly gargantuan price tag attached.

But surprisingly, Sony did not unveil a new OLED - organic light-emitting diode - TV.

Earlier, MakerBot, the 3D printer specialist, announced three new machines, including a mini one-touch version priced at $1,375 (£838).

At the other end of the scale, MakerBot's new Replicator Z18 printer, stands nearly 46cm (18in) tall on a 30.5cm (12in) square base.

It costs $6,499 (£3,963) and is aimed at inventors wanting to make large industrial prototypes, primarily from polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradeable polymer.

BBC Technology Editor Rory Cellan-Jones has been checking out Epson's rival to Google Glass. If you thought Epson only made printers, think again.

"The Epson Moverio 2 is a clunky name for what is really quite a clever product," Rory reports.

"These smart glasses do a number of jobs: They allow you to watch movies in panoramic 3D; give you access to all sorts of Android apps and content; and they provide an augmented reality experience.

"In other words, this is a rival product to Google Glass, with the difference that it actually has a price tag and will soon be on sale to consumers."

But Rory thinks Moverio 2 is "clunkier and more geeky looking" than Google's product, especially as it needs a separate controller tethered to it.

"This looks like clever technology, but somehow you can't see many consumers walking down the road in Epson glasses," he concludes.

If you don't want to fork out for one of the latest smart, internet-enabled TVs, there are a number of products than can help your flatscreen punch above its weight.

FreeCast's Rabbit TV Select, for example, a small $99 (£60) quad-core powered set-top box, connects to any TV with an HDMI input and turns it into a brainy networked device capable of handling internet TV, emails, and video calls, its makers claim.

The device can also communicate with tablets and mobiles and even manage your home security system.

FreeCast's Rabbit TV Network offers videos-on-demand and thousands of online games.

When our roving technology reporters aren't poring over the latest gadgets or listening to the latest keynote speeches, there are other quirky sights to behold at CES, as this picture from Dave Lee shows.

And pretty soon we'll be able to share our pics in 3D, if Intel is to be believed.

Launching the "world's first and smallest" integrated 3D depth and 2D camera module, Intel said its RealSense technology will help devices, including smartphones, cameras, tablets and laptops, "see" depth much like a human eye.

The company demonstrated the camera using products from Dell, Lenovo and Asus.

It said the new camera would feature in gadgets from Acer, Fujitsu, HP, and NEC, as well as the three companies already mentioned, in the second half of 2014.

Meanwhile, Samsung flaunted its curves, unveiling its first commercial curved-screen ultra high definition (UHD) TVs, the biggest of which is a gargantuan 105in (267cm).

A flat-screen TV can be transformed into a curved-screen TV at the touch of a button.

It's all about offering "mesmerising immersion", the company said.

Unfortunately for Samsung, teleprompter gremlins forced Michael Bay, director of the Transformers film - and the technology company's guest speaker - to quit the stage in embarrassment.

"When the autocue wouldn't work he seemed at a loss to know what to say," said BBC technology reporter, Carolyn Rice who witnessed the incident.

"After a few false starts he just apologised and walked off the stage. There was an awkward silence as everyone waited to see if this was a dramatic interpretation of a new device.

"But no, this really was a director who had lost his direction."

When it comes to pixels, you can never have enough it seems.

Just when we've got our heads around ultra high definition 4K screens offering picture resolution four times greater than our current high definition TVs, along comes Sharp, Phillips and Dolby showcasing 8K technology.

Sharp says its 7,680 x 4,320 screens are the equivalent of 16 times the pixel resolution of current HDTV.

It says the picture is so sharp - no pun intended - it gives a "3D experience" without the need for those annoying glasses.

Sharp first showed off its prototype 8K technology at CES 2012, but this year is doing so on a whopping 85in (216cm) screen, while also showcasing its more commercially viable 4K-ready Aquos large screen TVs.

Demand for power is outstripping supply in the press centre.

Our technology correspondent Mark Ward sent in this photo:

So it's press day at CES and the announcements are coming thick and fast.

We've already covered LG showing off its jazzy new graphical user interface for smart TVs; Nvidia promising better mobile graphics; and Parrot's leaping and flying toys.

Now Panasonic has unveiled its latest "ruggedised" 7in (17.8cm) tablet, the Toughpad FZ-M1, targeted at business and government users who need reliability from their gadgets while out in the field.

Running Windows 8.1 Pro operating system and powered by a Intel Core i5 processor, Panasonic claims it is the "thinnest and lightest rugged fanless tablet" on the market.

It features a replaceable battery - the optional high capacity battery can give up to 16 hours of power - plus the ability to switch batteries without having to switch off the device.

But it won't come cheap. Panasonic says it will retail at $2,099 (£1,279) when it is released in the spring.

The company also announced a high-performance 20in (50.8cm) version of the Toughpad featuring an ultra high definition 4K screen. The cost? A mere $6,999.

Fed up of not being able to record two programmes simultaneously while watching something else? Then Dish's SuperJoey product, that allows viewers to record eight shows at the same time, could be of interest.

Dish, a US digital video recording (DVR) specialist, unleashed a number of enhancements to its Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR platform.

But it's not just established names exhibiting at CES - newer companies and start-ups have a valuable opportunity to get their products seen by the tech community.

Chris Elsworthy from UK 3D printing firm Robox is a first-timer at CES.

"This is huge for us," he told the BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones. "It's a first show ground. It's important for us to be here and showcase our product."

23.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

LG shows off TVs running webOS

6 January 2014 Last updated at 13:19 ET By Leo Kelion Technology reporter

LG has shown off a "simplified" way to control and find content on its smart TVs using the webOS operating system.

The user interface (UI), which features sliding card graphics, is powered by software originally created for Palm smartphones, which the South Korean firm bought from its previous owner HP last year,

LG said more than 70% of its smart TVs released this year would use webOS.

Analysts had complained LG's earlier menu system had been too confusing.

The firm unveiled the new technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where many of its rivals are also showing off new televisions.

Card-based menus

The centre-piece of the new UI is Launcher - a scrollable menu that runs across the bottom part of the screen, allowing the owner to switch between content.

Different coloured cards are used to represent on-air programmes; internet-based movies and shows from firms including Netflix and Amazon; apps including Twitter and Skype; and media stored on other devices.

The idea, the company said, was to allow viewers to simultaneously watch a show, play a game or surf the internet while also searching for other content - removing the need to navigate to a home screen.

A second menu bar, Today, can be activated to run horizontally across the central part of the screen providing suggestions for popular shows and other content the software believes is likely to interest the watcher.

LG also highlighted that the software was designed to make it easier to set up the TV. For example, if you plug in a games console it is identified as such, rather than as an HDMI source.

It also suggested it would be relatively easy for developers to create third-party apps for the platform.

"One of the big problems TV manufacturers have had has been trying to tailor the available content to each user," said Edward Border, from the consultancy IHS Screen Digest.

"They have struggled to crack how to avoid requiring too many clicks or menus to go through. Previous efforts to simplify things have only resulted in it becoming difficult for owners to find what they wanted."

Early feedback for LG's new approach suggested it was an improvement on its previous design, but not a huge leap forward.

"It won't generate massive consumer demand for LG's TVs," wrote Dieter Bohn for the Verge news site, which had an early hands-on with the technology.

"But what it could do is make your next smart TV a little less painful to use."

Fitness tech

LG also used its Las Vegas press conference to announce two new pieces of wearable technology.

Its Lifeband Touch is a wristband that features an OLED display, which activates when the wearer rotates their wrist.

Its accelerometer and altimeter sensors allow it to display how many calories have been burned, the number of steps taken and distance covered.

In addition it can tell the time and provide alerts about calls and texts sent to a Bluetooth linked mobile phone, as well as providing a way to control music played via the handset.

The firm also showed off its Heart Rate Earphones, which are designed to capture data about the wearer's blood flow and oxygen consumption while exercising.

LG said both devices would be released in the US before the end of June before rolling out to other markets.

The firm had shown off another fitness tracking wristband at last year's CES but never put it on sale.

23.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Smartphone glass combats bacteria

6 January 2014 Last updated at 15:43 ET By Leo Kelion Technology reporter

A new type of touchscreen glass that combats bacteria and fungi has been unveiled

US firm Corning said its Antimicrobial Gorilla Glass contains ionic silver, a substance that has been used to fight germs for more than 100 years.

The speciality glass-maker said the protection against germs would last for the lifetime of devices that used it.

One components expert said he believed there was a gap in the market for such a product.

"This gives Corning an edge, even if it's a bit of an odd edge," said Bob O'Donnell from the Technalysis Research consultancy.

"There are clearly folks in the world who are very concerned about germs and carry antibacterial hand gel in their pockets.

"If vendors opt to pay extra for this glass I'm sure they will talk about its abilities. But it's likely to be only a small niche of people for whom this would be the deciding factor when choosing between products."

Companies including CaseCrown and S-View already sell anti-bacterial films that can be fitted to tablets and smartphones as an alternative.

Anti-fungal glass

Apple, Amazon, LG, HTC and Samsung are among the many smart device manufacturers to use Corning's products.

Gorilla Glass has become a publicly recognised brand - a rarity for the glass industry - and has generated more than $1bn (£610m) of annual sales for the company.

However, some investors have been concerned that its competitor GT Advanced Technologies might tempt clients away to its sapphire glass, which promises greater scratch resistance.

Corning believes its new product - which it says inhibits the growth of algae, mould, mildew, fungi, and bacteria - gives its customers an extra reason to stay loyal.

"This innovation combines best-in-class antimicrobial function without compromising Gorilla Glass properties," said the firm's senior vice president James Steiner.

Marketing materials for the glass state that: "Thousands of bacteria live on the average mobile device."

However, one microbiologist previously told the BBC that this would not pose a threat to most users.

"Touchscreens are a source of a wide range of microbes, but not much of an issue if you do not share it among other people - since, if you are the only one using it, it's only your germs," said Prof Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona.

Corning said its new glass was ready to go into high-volume production and that several unnamed tech manufacturers were already testing it.

The firm added that it also intended to market the material to the healthcare, hospitality and transportation industries.

23.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Samsung unveils its Bendable TV

6 January 2014 Last updated at 20:49 ET By Leo Kelion Technology reporter

Samsung has shown off the Bendable TV - an 85in (216cm) prototype that allows the curvature of its screen to be adjusted by remote control.

The LED (light-emitting diode) set was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

LG has also announced a smaller 77in (196cm) flexible TV of its own that is based on OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology.

The firms suggest that a curved screen can enhance the viewing experience.

The tech would allow the sets' owners to determine how bent the screens should be taking into account how many people were watching them and how far away they were sitting. The screens would have the added benefit of being able to be left flat against the wall when not in use.

LG's model will go on view when its show floor booth opens to attendees on Tuesday.

However, industry watchers are unconvinced there is a market for such innovation.

"The challenge for the firms is to demonstrate that the world really needs this," said Martin Garner, a TV tech consultant from CCS Insight who is attending CES.

"They are, however, a nice attempt at differentiation."

Will Findlater, global online editor for Stuff Magazine, added: "The jury is still very much out on whether curved displays make much difference to image quality and the experience you have when watching a TV. At this stage it does feel like a bit of a gimmick."

Lost for words

Neither of the two South Korean manufacturers have given a projected price or release date for the user-bendable TVs.

They both, however, offer versions with a fixed curvature.

The two companies are showing off new giant-sized 105in (267cm) concave-screened versions in the extra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio.

Samsung said such a design delivered the "most immersive viewing experience" possible.

However, a demonstration of the equipment went awry when it invited Michael Bay, director of the Transformers movies, on stage at its press conference.

The Hollywood millionaire complained his autocue had malfunctioned and initially said "I will just wing this."

But when asked what he thought about the new set he found himself speechless, apologised and walked off stage leaving a stunned audience.

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Michael Bay initially said he would "wing it" after his autocue malfunctioned

Joe Stinziano, senior vice president of Samsung Electronics, told the crowd: "Welcome to Vegas, it's a live show folks."

Mr Bay later wrote a blog giving his take on the mishap.

"Wow! I just embarrassed myself at CES," he wrote.

"I got so excited to talk, that I skipped over the Exec VP's intro line and then the teleprompter got lost.

"Then the prompter went up and down - then I walked off. I guess live shows aren't my thing."

23.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sony shows off life logging kit

6 January 2014 Last updated at 23:40 ET By Leo Kelion Technology reporter

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Kunimasa Suzuki shows off a Sony SmartBand and Core

Sony has unveiled a "life logging" software that charts a person's activities on an interactive timeline.

It records when a user speaks to friends, receives emails, watches a movie and other smartphone actions.

In addition the Android app receives data from a new, small piece of wearable hardware called the Core that acts as an activity tracker.

The software then uses this information to try and determine if the user was walking, resting or in a vehicle.

It is likely to raise privacy issues coming so soon after revelations about how spy agencies have forced tech companies to hand over information stored about their users.

However, the Japanese firm attempted to play down the issue.

"Sony treats the security and privacy of our users' personal data with the utmost stringency and integrity, adhering to legalities and ensuring it remains protected under appropriate technological procedures," it told the BBC.

"Upon first sign-in to Lifelog app, we make it clear absolutely clear what data users are submitting, how it is being used and provide them with option of opting in or out before proceeding."

Sony did, however, acknowledge that younger users were more likely to be willing to let their activities be logged with the service than older ones.

The announcement was made at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

'Smarter decisions'

Lifelog is Sony's take on what is termed "the quantified self" - the ability to better understand and change behaviours by gathering data about ourselves.

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

The BBC's Richard Taylor gets a demonstration of the new Sony SmartBand at CES 2014

"Today's alternatives can log your sleep and steps," Jun Makino, a senior product manager at Sony told the BBC.

"But there's more to life. We want to help you rediscover the best memories from the past as well as make smarter decisions for the future."

The kinds of data collected by the app from Android phones include information about when and where:

• Music and videos were listened to and watched
• Photos were taken
• Web browsing activity was carried out
• Video games were played
• Messages were received and sent
• Social network notifications were received from Twitter and Facebook

Sony is also releasing an application programming interface (API) to allow other apps to share information.

The Core is a plastic device containing an accelerometer that is supposed to be worn around the clock. It will provide data about the user's movements, which can then be used to try to work out what they were doing and how many calories were burned.

Sony said its algorithms would be able to distinguish between whether the user was on a train, using a bicycle or resting.

The device also features LED lights and a vibration motor to alert the owner to notifications sent to their phone. A "life bookmark" button can also be pressed to highlight special moments on the timeline.

It will initially be sold with a waterproof wristband.

But in time Sony aims to release accessories letting it to be worn around the neck, in shoes or even attached to a tennis racket among other options.

The firm added it also envisaged information being gathered from its other products, including Smart TVs and PlayStation 4 games consoles, to build up a more detailed record.

Actionable advice

Those who sign up to the app will be able to get information telling them how much time they spent carrying out different activities to help inform their choices.

"If you have not reached your daily goal perhaps you should take a walk rather than a taxi," Mr Makino gave as an example.

This is a similar to the idea behind other wearable activity trackers made by companies including Jawbone, Fitbit and Nike.

However, one wearable tech expert attending CES suggested that what was needed were more insights rather than just more information.

"The end goal for these companies is to provide actionable advice and not just data logging," said Daniel Matte from the tech consultancy Canalys.

"I don't think the average user frankly cares if, for example, they slept eight or nine hours. What they want to know is whether that was adequate and what they can do to sleep better, eat better etc.

"Creating change should be the primary goal these technologies are striving for."

Sony said it might also make use of the data gathered by the app to help it better understand how people used their phones and to spot bugs.

However, it said that it would make users' identifies anonymous before carrying out this analysis to protect their privacy.

23.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Intel chips will be 'conflict free'

7 January 2014 Last updated at 06:27 ET By Joe Miller BBC News

Intel will no longer use minerals mined in conflict zones to build its microprocessors, the company has said.

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Intel's chief executive Brian Krzanich urged the "entire industry" to follow suit.

Gold, tungsten and other minerals used in electronics manufacturing are mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and surrounding countries.

Production and trade of the materials are often controlled by armed groups.

Intel's policy comes after increased international pressure for technology firms to investigate the sources of their raw minerals.

Tracing origins

The company, which is the world's largest chipmaker and has factories around the world, says all the microprocessors it ships in 2014 will be "conflict free".

Most electronic devices contain either gold, tantalum, tin, or tungsten, much of which originates from sub-Saharan Africa and is mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses.

In 2010, US President Barack Obama introduced a law requiring public companies to report whether their products contained minerals from these areas.

Mr Krzanich, who took over as the head of Intel last year, told the audience at CES that the company had been trying to determine the sources of the metals used in its chips for some years.

"We felt an obligation to implement changes in our supply chain to ensure that our business and our products were not inadvertently funding human atrocities," he said.

'Important issue'

The company is already a member of the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative run by the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition, which encourages environmental and ethical responsibility.

"This is not an issue we would normally be talking about at CES. But it's an issue that is important to me," Mr Krzanich said.

"You begin to think about the impact of the supply chain and the potential issues you can be causing."

At the same keynote session, Intel also announced it would be scrapping the McAfee anti-virus brand name and replacing it with Intel Security.

Software rebrand

The move is intended to sever the connection to the software's eponymous founder, John McAfee, who has been mired in legal troubles, and has confessed to extensive drug use.

But Mr McAfee told the BBC he was was elated by Intel's decision.

"I am now everlastingly grateful to Intel for freeing me from this terrible association with the worst software on the planet," he said.

"These are not my words, but the words of millions of irate users."

Last year Mr McAfee released a video showing how to "uninstall" the firm's anti-virus software by blasting a laptop with a bullet.

23.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sky updates porn filter after block

7 January 2014 Last updated at 11:27 ET By Jane Wakefield Technology reporter

Sky has updated its porn filters following anger that they blocked a legitimate news website.

The filters are intended to allow parents to ensure children cannot view adult content.

But the automatic blocking of all file-sharing sites meant that news site TorrentFreak and other legitimate sites were also blocked.

Following publicity, Sky said that it had decided to tweak its filters to unblock the file-sharing news site.

"The categorisation of torrentfreak.com has now been updated so that the site will no longer be filtered by Sky Broadband Shield," the firm told the BBC.

"If at any time a website owner believes they have been unfairly filtered or miscategorised by Sky Broadband Shield, they can contact Sky and we will look into it as soon as we can," it added.

TorrentFreak editor-in-chief Ernesto van der Dar welcomed the change of heart.

Earlier he told the BBC that he was angry about the block.

"The problem with these filters is that they block many sites that are perfectly suitable for all audiences, simply because they are labelled a file-sharing site," he said.

He said that Sky had originally told him that the site would remain blocked.

A BBC investigation last year found that porn filters from other UK ISPs were blocking access to sex education and rape-victim support websites.

Default censor

Following pressure from the UK government, several of the UK's biggest ISPs have implemented new ways of blocking pornography.

Prime Minister David Cameron had said that the ISPs needed to act to prevent children from "stumbling across hardcore legal pornography".

Sky rolled out its filters in November. New subscribers have to opt out of its Broadband Shield default setting if they want to see adult content.

In December BT announced its version, which is automatically set to be on for new customers

Critics argue that the porn filters used are too sweeping and end up blocking too many legitimate sites.

"We are starting to see sites blocked which should not be," said Sebastien Lahtinen, founder of broadband news site ThinkBroadband.

"When the default position is to filter, a potentially high number of users might not be able to access a filtered site, acting as a form of default censor," he added.

He said that it was relatively easy to side-step filters for anyone determined to do so.

"As soon as I type the filter name into Google it suggests the search term 'bypass'. The second result is a YouTube video of what sounds like a kid explaining how to work around it," he told the BBC.

"The key message needs to be that these are a tool to help parents not a replacement for appropriate education and supervision," he added.

23.43 | 0 komentar | Read More