Quick Bytes

Who’s (really) calling?
The moral is, be nice to your customers and colleagues – or don’t bother calling them. CIAmedia has upgraded the Android version of its Caller Identification App with a range of new features. The app, which detects incoming calls and searches 1.3 billion personal and business listings as the phone rings to display the caller identity, now includes Reputation Check. Bundled as part of the premium feature set, Reputation Check allows users to see how friends, family, peers and others saved them within their contact lists. For privacy protection, the source of the contact list is never disclosed. The labeling of the same phone number in different contact lists can vary greatly, from the real name to flattering nicknames to entries with a negative connotation. Once the self-serve Reputation Check is complete, users can then manage their reputation, remove negative or inaccurate entries and present themselves and their contact details as they wish. Editing ‘My Profile’ in the app makes it easy for users to directly control their digital identity and the CallerID name that appears when they make a call. Users also have the option to set their number to private.

Leave a message
Cooliris recently launched BeamIt, a mobile app and service that combines private messaging with a photo experience. The app is designed to help users seeking greater privacy and control for their communication and media, without sacrificing quality. Today, photos are a mainstream communication tool, with 1.8 billion photos being shared daily, according to the 2014 KPCB Internet Trends. Yet, today’s sharing functionality in messaging apps has not necessarily kept pace. Photos are treated as isolated attachments rather than being part of a coherent story. BeamIt is designed to seamlessly integrate photos and text, enabling users to share hundreds at once, all in full resolution, without interrupting the flow of the conversation. The app also enables users to simultaneously and privately share separate groups or people at the same time, saving the sender the pain of having to separately compose the same message multiple times. Finally, an “unsend” feature permits the sender to delete his or her content from the entire group. BeamIt features offline support for composing and curating, so users can interact with their groups, as well as share the media without incurring data usage costs or roaming charges.

Smartwatch
AT&T has added the LG G Watch to its portfolio of accessories. The smartwatch reportedly works on any smartphone with Android 4.3 or higher, allowing users to receive notifications and other information at a glance. Other features include:

• Answers to spoken questions.
• 1.65-inch Always-on display.

The eyes have it
LusoVU has introduced EyeSpeak, designed to let users talk with their eyes. The system is based on Epson’s BT200 smart glasses, on which a micro-camera, microphone and speaker are integrated. These, in turn, are controlled by a microprocessor unit, which will monitor the user’s eyes position. To reduce latency, the eye tracking algorithms are embedded on the systems’ firmware. With the augmented keyboard shown in the user’s field of view, and the eye tracking routines, users can write words or sentences and have them spoken by a synthetic voice through the systems speaker. This device was designed specifically for people who have disabilities affecting their communication and motor abilities, such amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, locked-in syndrome, spinal cord injuries, tetraplegia and some cases of traumatic brain injuries.

Wrist device measures heart rate
PulseOn, a start-up spun out from Nokia in 2012, has introduced a new wrist device that measures heart rate, without the need for a chest belt. Features include:

• Heart rate data transformed into meaningful insights during and after training.
• Wireless synced with apps for iOS and Android.
• Personalized, easy-to-understand feedback.

Pocket PC
The Tango PC fits in one’s pocket. Not only that, it is said to be a formidable office as well as entertainment machine with mid-core gaming performance on traditional Windows. The device is reportedly slim and weighs under 7 ounces. The operating system, Windows 7/8, is certified to run on Tango, but any OS compatible with a laptop PC reportedly will work, including Linux, Unix and Chromium OS. The device costs $99, features multiple functions, including IPTV boxes and older gaming consoles. That means once device to carry – and afford.

What’s new in tablets?
Sony Mobile and Verizon Wireless have introduced the Xperia Z2 Tablet, an Android™ 4G LTE connected tablet. At just 0.25 inches thick and weighing under a pound, the Xperia Z2 Tablet features a scratch-resistant display and waterproof body. The 6000mAh battery plus STAMINA Mode is designed to ensure up to 10 hours of multimedia use. Additionally, the speed of the Snapdragon 801 processor, paired with that of Verizon’s 4G LTE network, helps users share their photos and files faster and stream their audio and video more smoothly. As the first 10.1-inch full HD TRILUMINOS™ for mobile display with live color LED technology2, the Xperia Z2 Tablet reportedly delivers an enhanced viewing experience with bright, true-to-life colors and sharp images. Through Sony’s Front Surround™ audio technology, the device efficiently channels sound. Digital noise canceling support enables the Xperia Z2 Tablet to help minimize background noise, even when on the move.

Growing intelligence
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/nj8cfg/smartintelligent) introduced its 2014 Report on the International Smart/Intelligent Sensors Market – Forecast to 2019. Driven by continuous growth in sales of smartphones, tablets, cars and others devices, global market for smart/intelligent sensors was valued at USD 9.0 billion in 2012 and is expected to reach USD 21.60 billion by 2019, growing at a CAGR of 12.2 percent during the forecast period from 2013 to 2019. Smart/intelligent sensors are now being incorporated in devices such as smartphones, cars and medical equipment, enabling them to provide advanced features. Increasing demand of smartphones, tablets and PCs among others has additionally supported the market growth. The adoption of smart/intelligent sensors is increasing in various industries such as medical, automotive, industrial, consumer electronics and infrastructure among others.