IE9 beta surpasses 20 million downloads

Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 browser has reportedly surpassed 20 million downloads while still in beta development, according to numbers published by Net Applications. IE product marketing director Roger Capriotti also suggests IE8 jumped from 24 percent market share in 2009 to 33 percent in 2010, though the surge in popularity was mostly explained by users updating from IE6 and 7.

Taken together, all versions of Internet Explorer have reportedly reached a total market share over 34 percent. Firefox 3.6 holds the second position with 18.5 percent, while Chrome 8 represents 7.3 percent of the market and Safari numbers fall to 3.2 percent.

Separate rumors, posted on LiveSide, suggest Microsoft may be ready to launch the final version of IE9 by January 28, however the company has yet to confirm a launch date.

Read more: http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/01/03/final.version.rumored.to.be.set.for.jan.28.launch/#ixzz1A6R3tsQw

Samsung’s SH100 controlled by Android?

Samsung’s New SH100 Brings Your World Closer

New Wi-Fi-enabled camera delivers ultimate connectivity on the move

 

Good-by EyeFi?

 

Hello Android?

2011 International CES

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the launch of the new SH100, a compact Wi-Fi enabled camera that delivers great shots that you can share over the internet and social networks with your friends and family, from wherever you are in the world. The SH100 is set to be Samsung’s leading fully connected camera in 2011, building on the success of the company’s wirelessly connected cameras to date and allowing Samsung to take a dominant position within this growing market.

The SH100’s built in Wi-Fi can also automatically back up your shots to your PC by only pushing two buttons, or by using DLNA to wirelessly connect to your HDTV and see your photos and videos right away. Wi-Fi enables you to upload your pictures instantly to your social networking sites such as Facebook, Picasa or Photo Bucket, or email them to individual email addresses straight from the camera. The people you care about can now enjoy your experience from wherever they are. You can also record HD video and share your favorite moments over sites such as YouTube™. To make the upload process of large files easier and quicker, the SH100 includes an account with mobile hotspot provider Boingo™, giving you access to over 200,000 Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide.Samsung’s pioneering steps within the connected camera market can be seen in the SH100’s unique innovation, which allows you to connect wirelessly to your other devices with ease. You can use Wi-Fi to connect to your Android® powered Galaxy S™ smartphone, so you can view the shot you’re about to take in real time on your phone. If you’re not happy with it, you can zoom in and out to get the best picture, and then activate the shutter remotely when you’re ready to pose. This innovation means that the days of running between your camera and your subject, trying to line up the perfect group shot, are over. Users now have total control of their camera in the palm of their hand, from wherever they are in the shot. Users can even use their phone’s GPS to record exactly where they were when they captured their favorite memories.

The SH100 is the latest example of Samsung’s user-focused innovation and design. The company has always carefully researched its target audience, and in 2011, Samsung is applying this research to create unique products for a younger, more digitally connected generation of camera users. The company is also leveraging its strength in other product areas, such as mobile phones, to make emerging camera technologies, such as Wi-Fi, accessible to all camera buyers, even those on smaller budgets.

“At Samsung, we are always striving to innovate and you can see this in every product we release,” said Mr. Hyunho Chung, Executive Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “From our in-depth consumer research, we know that younger users have different needs from their digital camera. They don’t want to wait until they get home to share their favorite moments with their friends, they want to be able to do this instantly from wherever they are. The SH100 gives young people the chance to bring their world closer, by drawing on Samsung’s technological strength to deliver total connectivity in a compact camera, at an accessible price. Through the SH100, we hope to provide the best product for people looking for ultimate connectivity from their camera, and strengthen Samsung’s leadership in the compact camera category.”

Experience the Convenience

The SH100 uses built in Wi-Fi capability to deliver unique new experiences for all camera users. By selecting the PC Auto Back-up function, your camera will automatically find your PC and download the latest photos onto it, even if the PC is turned off. This feature is compatible with the Wake-on-LAN (WoL) system which many modern home PCs are already equipped with.

Innovation in Control Helps you Capture the Moment

The Wi-Fi capability on the SH100 also allows you to use your smartphone as a remote control and viewing device for your camera. If you’re shooting over a crowd at a concert, you can enable the Remote Viewfinder function, meaning that you can hold your camera high over your head while you see a preview of the picture in real time on your phone screen. It’s also ideal for taking self shots as you can zoom in and out using the 5x optical zoom, and access basic menu functions including parameters and shooting modes. When you’re happy with the shot, you can operate the shutter remotely too, and the camera will record the GPS information for photo geo-tagging.

Seamlessly Simple

Samsung has also used its strength in the smartphone market to develop a new Smart Access user interface (UI) for all of its new compact cameras. The touch based UI works in the same quick, intuitive way as many smartphones. Advanced functions, such as sharing content wirelessly, can be done simply by a few touches of the buttons on the large, clear 3” LCD screen. The Smart Access UI enables users to drag, click and control ‘app-style’ icons, easily flip through photos, and control a range of the camera’s features.

The Heart of your Digital Home

The SH100 features Samsung AllShare, which uses DLNA technology to allow you to connect to your HDTV and stream content wirelessly. For instance, when you get home from a concert, you can now watch the videos of your favorite songs instantly on your TV.

Android and Youtube are registered trademarks of Google Inc. Boingo is a registered trademark of Boingo Wireless, Inc

Garmin GTU 10 live GPS tracker announced

Garmin GTU 10 live GPS tracker announced

from GPS Tracklog by Rich Owings

Garmin has announced their entry into the GPS tracking market with the Garmin GTU 10 GPS locator and web-based Garmin Tracker™. The small (3”x1.3”x.8”), lightweight (1.7 oz.) and waterproof device can be used to track pets, kids, endurance racers, construction equipment – you name it.

The $199.99 MSRP includes the first year of tracking, with data delivered by AT&T. After that, standard tracking goes for $49.99 per year, or you can pony up for a deluxe service for $4.99 per month. Methinks Garmin may have a winner here. One thing for sure, the GPS tracking industry just got a major new competitor today with access to a ton of retail channels. More details are in the news release below.

OLATHE, Kan./January 4, 2011/Business Wire — Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today that it is entering a new market – personal and property tracking – with the introduction of its innovative GTU 10 GPS locator and web-based Garmin Tracker™ service for computers, smartphones and compatible Garmin nüLink devices. GTU 10 will be showcased in the Garmin booth (South Hall #35831) at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

“For more than 20 years, Garmin has been the go-to name for location-based technology and our new GTU 10 broadens the scope of ways that we can help our customers in their everyday lives,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Whether you’re keeping an eye on your children after school, your pets or your property, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you can easily and affordably track the locations of the things that matter most to you.”

How It Works

Small (3”x1.3”x.8”), lightweight (1.7 oz.), waterproof and packaged with a carabiner clip and pouch, GTU 10 is easy to attach to a backpack, dog collar or anything else you want to track. Once you register your GTU 10 at my.Garmin.com, the tracking service is enabled. Tracking data is delivered across AT&T’s wireless network. When you’re on your computer, Garmin’s Tracking website helps you manage your GTU 10 and map its location. For even more convenience when you’re on the go, you can download the Garmin Tracker™ application for your mobile device to see the location of GTU 10 and how it relates to your current location. For another level of connectivity, compatible Garmin nüLink devices can automatically route to the GTU 10’s location with turn-by-turn directions.

GTU 10 owners can create up to 10 geofences (virtual boundaries) for your device so that when it enters or exits a geofenced area, Garmin can send an email or text message notification to you or authorized friends and family members. It’s also easy to view a track history of where your GTU 10 has been. And because there are numerous ways to use GTU 10, it’s easy to customize battery settings for optimal performance. The built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery can last up to four weeks between charges, and low battery/powered off notifications through the tracking service let you know when it’s time to recharge or when the device has been turned off.

Make It Yours

“While GTU 10 was being developed, countless uses evolved as different people saw different possibilities,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Our role is to provide the technology and make it intuitive and reliable, how you use it is up to you.1”

Among some of the many potential uses for GTU 10:

• Parents: Know that your child arrived at the babysitter’s house after school, or track your teenager when he/she borrows your car. 
• Cyclists and runners: Let loved ones track your whereabouts, or let friends track your progress on race day. 
• Property owners: Attach GTU 10 to your prized possessions, such as boats, tools, farm machinery, construction equipment, etc. – or hardwire it into your car – and keep an eye on your valuable goods from anywhere.

And the list goes on, depending on what you want to track, and how you choose to track it.

Tracking options

GTU 10’s tracking capabilities are a result of combining high-sensitivity GPS with a connection to AT&T’s nationwide wireless network. GTU 10 has a suggested retail price of $199.99, which includes one year of Standard Tracking. Providing access to 10 points of daily track history, Standard Tracking can be renewed at an annual rate of $49.99 after the first year of complimentary service. For those who want a more detailed history, the Deluxe Tracking service plan ($4.99 per month) can access 7 days of track history. Each service plan includes the option to automatically renew upon expiration, and there are no early termination fees, no activation fees and no contracts.

Since its inception in 1989, Garmin has delivered 72 million GPS enabled devices – far more than any other navigation provider.  Garmin’s market breadth in the GPS industry is second to none, having developed innovative products and established a leadership position in each of the markets it serves, including automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation, tracking, and wireless applications. For more about GTU 10 and Garmin’s other products and services, go towww.garmin.com, www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/garmin.

Use of the GTU 10 is subject to applicable laws and regulations.

Garmin brings out first iPhone GPS ap...

Garmin brings out first iPhone GPS app, nuvi 2400

Garmin kicked off CES today with not just a GPS unit but its first-ever iPhone navigation app. StreetPilot ($40, App Store) reflects Garmin's exit from smartphones and gives iPhone users full spoken, turn-by-turn directions. It provides many of the features of high-end GPS units, including lane assist, both 2D and 3D map views, weather and real-time traffic.

The app can use iOS 4 and will keep navigating if the user starts or takes a call in mid-route. It likewise taps into Apple's support for accessing the iPhone's music library and has access to the address book to drive to existing contacts.

Using the app requires an iOS device with built-in GPS and at least iOS 3. Map updates are free for the lifetime of the app. Garmin has promised a handful of other apps as well, including Garmin Tracker for Android and iOS to pair up with its new GTU 10 personal tracking unit; myMechanic, an Android app due in February that can provide engine details when paired with an ecoRoute HD over Bluetooth; and a version of My-Cast Lite for Android that provides radar and weather updates like in the iOS version.

Those who need traditional GPS hardware also received a new dedicated unit, the nuvi 2400 series. It sits as one of the larger devices at five inches and on some models has voice recognition support, Bluetooth pairing for calls and a predictive routing system that calculates based on historical data.

The series is split into four models that each get increasing amounts of access. An entry nuvi 2450 supports North American maps but lacks Bluetooth and has strictly optional map and traffic updates. The 2450LM brings lifetime map updates; a 2460LT adds Bluetooth, voice guidance and lifetime traffic while omitting lifetime maps, and a 2460LMT flagship brings them back.

All of the nuvi 2400 models are due before the end of March at prices ranging between $250 and $350.

Read more: http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/01/04/garmin.streetpilot.for.iphone.hits.with.nuvi.2400/#ixzz1A5iUjliE

U.S. Smartphone Race Still a Three-Wa...

U.S. Smartphone Race Still a Three-Way Contest, but RIM Is Fading as Android Gains [Mobilized]

from All Things Digital by Ina Fried

The latest Nielsen figures on consumer smartphone market share will give all of the leaders something to crow about.

Apple can tout that it remains in the lead in the U.S. market with more than 28 percent share as of November. Android, meanwhile, continues to gain and now has 25.8 percent of the market.

RIM has been losing share, but remains in second place with 26.1 percent and is still in a statistical tie with the other two given that Apple’s lead is within the survey’s margin of error.

But those numbers tell only part of the story, since they focus on what phones are currently out in the market overall. More indicative of the future (and less rosy for RIM) are the stats on recent phone purchasers.

Those figures show Android attracting more than 40 percent of new smartphone buyers, with 26.9 percent opting for an iPhone and 19.2 percent choosing a BlackBerry. Consider how that has changed since June 2010, when BlackBerry was garnering 35 percent of new smartphone buyers and Android accounted for 27.5 percent.

Also of note were findings released by Nielsen last month that showed Android more popular among men and Apple’s iOS more popular among women.

The good news for all involved is that proverbial rising tide is lifting all the top smartphone boats. In November, 45 percent of recent phone buyers chose a smartphone over a feature phone, Nielsen said. In June 2010, only
slightly more than a third of phone buyers scooped up a smartphone.

In all, smartphones now account for 31 percent of the consumer market, as compared to 24 percent as of last June, Nielsen said.

Smart cameras — not phones — on the way?

Smart cameras — not phones — on the way?

from (title unknown) by Paul Worthington

The company promotes use of the chip with Google’s Android operating system, but there is apparently no affiliation, nor anything about the chip that limits it to any particular OS.

Semiconductor developer Ambarella claims its iOne System-on-Chip “will open the door for a new class of smart camera device capable of no-compromise still photography, advanced HD video recording, Internet-connectivity, and running powerful applications.”

The iOne is based on a triple ARM CPU architecture developed for low-power mobile media applications, the company says.

Among its features are simultaneous still photography and HD video recording: Up to 32 megapixel still image processing, and 5 megapixel images at 30 frames per second.

It also can simultaneous encode 1080p HD video and a second stream for uploading to the Internet or streaming over WiFi.

When combined with Ambarella’s S3D pre-processor, it handles stereoscopic 3D photo and video capture.

The iOne SoC is sampling now from Ambarella.

Monday Morning News Kick Off: New Air...

Gorgon Stare

from got geoint? by USGIF

With Air Force’s New Drone, ‘We Can See Everything’ (USGIF and GEOINT 2010 Mentioned in Article) 
In ancient times, Gorgon was a mythical Greek creature whose unblinking eyes turned to stone those who beheld them. In modern times, Gorgon may be one of the military’s most valuable new tools. This winter, the Air Force is set to deploy to Afghanistan what it says is a revolutionary airborne surveillance system called Gorgon Stare, which will be able to transmit live video images of physical movement across an entire town. The system, made up of nine video cameras mounted on a remotely piloted aircraft, can transmit live images to soldiers on the ground or to analysts tracking enemy movements. It can send up to 65 different images to different users; by contrast, Air Force drones today shoot video from a single camera over a “soda straw” area the size of a building or two. Be sure to read the full Washington Post article here that references the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation and speakers from GEOINT 2010 on this topic. Click here to read more.