Tag: Apple TV

Artificial Retinas (AKA New Tech Assistance For Those With Macular Degeneration) & Streaming Video Update

Linda Reimer

Artificial Retinas (AKA New Tech Assistance For Those With Macular Degeneration): There is a cool  article in the tech section of the New York Times today about a new tech product, the just FDA approved Argus II Artificial Retina made by Second Sight Medical Products. And the Argus II will assist people who have certain types of blindness – namely blindness caused by damaged to the retina – in particular the blindness caused by macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa – to see shapes and outlines. The Argus Artificial Retina consists of a sheet of electrodes implanted in the eye (the retina part) and a camera and portable video processor (the input communication part of the retina system). When all three of those facets of the artificial retina work together they transmit images to the brain through the electrodes implanted in the eye and allow the blind to see outlines and shapes like the lines on a crosswalk or the outline of people. The Argus II Artificial Retinas currently cost about $150,000 and will shortly be available in seven hospitals in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, California, Maryland and Texas. This is very exciting technology as it is only the tip of the high tech ice berg as far as the creation and evolution of tech products that will assist the disabled goes!

Here’s a link to the New York Times article titled Device Offers Partial Vision for the Blind:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/15/health/fda-approves-technology-to-give-limited-vision-to-blind-people.html?hpw

Streaming Video Update: There have been two big stories in the news this week regarding new streaming video services. The first batch of stories have focused on the confirmed upcoming release of an Intel video streaming player and the second on a rumored Apple event that will supposedly be happening in March to unveil a new Apple TV platform.

The Intel Streaming Video Player: The stories about the Intel streaming video player came about as a result of an interview Intel Vice President Erik Huggers gave to Wall Street Journal staff on Tuesday. According to Huggers Intel’s new streaming box, which is as yet unnamed and for which Intel has yet to announce a release date or a price, is supposed to stream video content in specialized bundles rather like the cable companies already do – although Mr. Huggers indicated the Intel bundled channel service would be different that the current service of cable companies because Intel will be offering smart bundles (assumedly the channel bundles will be tailored to taste by genre but Huggers didn’t offers specific details). Mr. Huggers also said the Intel box will allow viewers the option to watch any program shown on the service in the last week at any time they’d like on any Internet connecting device they own.

For two cents worth from this cable cutter for whatever it is worth (about two cents I’d say!) the Intel box sound very similar to the packages the cable companies already provide – bundles of expensive channels that viewers are forced to take when the bulk of programs they want to watch are only found on ten channels or less – and of course there is no way to get the channels al la carte either from cable companies, with their outdated business model, nor it sounds like from the new Intel streaming video player. But of course as the Intel player has yet to be released we’ll have to wait and see. However, suffice it to say this cord cutter is not impressed! I’m ready for al la carte channels offered via streaming services…

The Rumors About A New Apple TV Platform: There have also been numerous news stories this week, all citing unnamed but knowledgeable sources, that indicate that Apple is planning on holding an event in March to announce what is speculated to be a new platform for the Apple TV – not a new Apple TV set– but instead a new type of Apple TV video streaming system; whether it is a new Apple TV streaming player or a software update that offers new features is currently unknown. However, as perhaps you’ll recall the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs was quoted in his authorized biography as saying: “‘I’d like to create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use,’ ‘It would be seamlessly synced with all of your devices and with iCloud.’ No longer would users have to fiddle with complex remotes for DVD players and cable channels. ‘It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine. I finally cracked it.'” (Issacson, 2012). And what the current Apple CEO Tim Cook said in December 2012 in an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams – that television is an area of “intense interest” to Apple but then of course he wouldn’t comment further on the subject but it did make it sound like Apple is working on something in the TV arena…

And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Apple does announce some sort of new high tech (and possibly evolutionary) television streaming platform in March. And again as with the Intel streaming video player we’ll have to wait and see! One thing is for certain though – we are likely to see a number of new streaming video services and options in 2013!

Here’s a link to a Gigaom article on the new Intel video streaming player titled Intel Media Service Confirmed:

http://gigaom.com/2013/02/12/intel-media-service-confirmed/

Another link to a Wall Street Journal article, titled Erik Huggers On Why Intel TV Makes Sense, on the new Intel player. The article includes excerpts from the interview Intel VP Eric Huggers gave to WSJ staff on Tuesday:

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/02/12/erik-huggers-on-why-intel-tv-makes-sense/

And a link to the Cult of Mac site where you can watch the video interview Tim Cook gave to Brian Williams last December:

http://www.cultofmac.com/204964/watch-tim-cooks-full-interview-on-last-nights-nbc-rock-center-here-video/

And a final link to a Slashgear article, titled Apple TV Event Rumored For March, New SDK Tipped, regarding the rumored upcoming Apple press event to unveil their reported new media streaming player and/or service:

http://www.slashgear.com/apple-tv-event-rumored-for-march-new-sdk-tipped-13269237/

Have a great weekend everyone!

Linda R.

References

Bellock, Pam. (2013, February 14). Device Offers Partial Vision for the Blind. New York Times. Online.

Brownlee, John. (2012, December 7). Watch Tim Cook’s Full Interview On Last Night’s NBC Rock Center Here [Video]. Cult of Mac. Online.

Clark, Don. (2013, February 12). Erik Huggers On Why Intel TV Makes Sense. Wall Street Journal. Online.

Craig, Lloyd. (2013, February 13). Apple TV event rumored for March, new SDK tipped. SlashGear. Online.

Isaacson, Walter. Steve Jobs. Simon & Shuster. 2011.

 

 

Microsoft Surface Tablet For Sale @ Best Buy & Staples, E-Book Sharing, Redbox Verizon Streaming Video Service & Apple TV Again!

Linda Reimer

Microsoft Surface Tablet For Sale @ Best Buy & Staples: The Microsoft Surface tablet will be available for purchase at Staples and Best Buy this week according to a ZDNet report. It is a good idea for Microsoft to sell the tablet through major retailers, other than the Microsoft Stores, because of course, there are many more Best Buy & Staples stores across the United States than Microsoft stores; and many people looking to purchase tech items do like to have the chance to check those tech times out in stores before they purchase them!

Here’s the link to the ZDNet article:

http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-confirms-surfaces-coming-to-non-microsoft-retail-outlets-7000008643/

E-Book Sharing: Ownshelf is a new and free web service that launched in beta last Friday. This new service offers users cloud storage and the ability to easily share e-books with family and friends. The Mashable site offers an article on the subject that discusses the ease of using the service and the ways you can social network and share e-books via the service through Facebook. Rick Marazzani, the creator of the service says he is filling a need in people’s high tech reading lives. Specifically he says of e-books: “We don’t see what people read anymore because it’s not piled up on their coffee table, or on their bookshelf or their night stand,”” and “”Our goal is to replace that with something virtual, where you can get recommendations and say ‘Hey, try it, read it.'””

And of course no doubt the big publishing companies will object to this latest attempt at essentially an ownership of an e-book item – that is offering e-book fans the unrestricted ability to easily share e-books with friends and family members. The big publishing and e-book vendors have shown through their business model that they believe in licensing e-books to consumers instead of selling them those same e-books. And the difference seems to be just in the format as if you buy a print book you own it! And not surprisingly, being a librarian I happen to believe that you should actually be able to own the e-books you purchase, read them on any and all tech devices you own and lend them to whomever you wish just like you would with a paper book. And having gotten up on the consumer e-book rights (or lack thereof) soapbox – I’ll now get off it! Here’s the link to the Mashable article:

http://mashable.com/2012/12/12/ownshelf/

Redbox Verizon Streaming Video Service: Netflix will shortly have a new competitor! The new Redbox streaming service (co-hosted by Verizon) will debut in beta form this month with a wide launch of the service planned for early next year. So who knows 2013 may be the year that the video streaming flood gates burst open.

Here’s a link to a an All Things D article, titled The Redbox Verizon movie service is almost ready to take on Netflix  which offers more information on the subject:

http://allthingsd.com/20121211/the-redbox-verizon-movie-service-is-almost-ready-to-take-on-netflix/

Apple TV Again! The Wall Street Journal All Things D blog has reported that words has come from electronics manufacturers in China that Apple is indeed testing a television set. Speculation is that this new set, if it actually comes to market, may transform the way people watch television. Of course, until Apple actually announces that it is going to sell a television set we all have to take the rumors with a pinch of salt just because Apple is testing a TV design does not mean it will actually be a product that gets made and sold. But still…Tim Cook did mention that the television was an area of interest to Apple now in the recent interview he gave to NBC’s Brian Williams. So it is something tech to ponder!

Here’s a link to the Wall Street Journal All Things D article on the subject titled Apple Tests Designs for TV:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323981504578174532274021230.html

Have a great day!

Linda R.

References

Apple Tests Designs for TV. (2012, December 12). Wall Street Journal All Things D. Online.

Fiegerman, Seth. (2012, December 12). Ownshelf helps readers share their digital libraries with friends. Mashable. Online.

Foley, Mary Jo. (2012, December 11). Microsoft confirms Surfaces coming to non-Microsoft retail outlets. ZDNet. Online.

Kafka, Peter. (2012, December 11). The Redbox Verizon movie service is almost ready to take on Netflix. AllThingsDigital. Online.

 

Library Tech Programs Week of October 8 – 14, 2012: iPads, Streaming Video Players and More!

Linda Reimer

Wednesday, October 10 2012

BE:Lab Wednesday One Hour Tech Workshop: iPad: Time: 2:00-3:00 PM.

Learn to use an iPad, navigate between screens and search for and download apps. Registration is required please call (607)936-3713 ext. 502 to register.

Thursday, October 11 2012

Evening Tech Workshop: Streaming Video Players: Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM.

Check out the cutting edge way of watching movies and TV shows. We’ll demonstrate the two most popular media streaming players: Apple TV and Roku, and show you how to access TV shows, movies, music, photos and more- all so you can watch and view them on that big HDTV in your living room. Registration is required please call (607) 936-3713 ext. 502 to register.

Free one-on-one assistance is also available throughout the week! So don’t forget if you have tech questions – you can come to the library for assistance!

So if you have questions about how to use that new gadget or tech item you just got – whether that gadget or tech item is a PC, Mac, a new piece of software, an e-reader or tablet etc. Let us know  – our tech staff is here to help! We don’t know everything of course, however, we are not afraid to do research on a tech subject and find out and will do our best to assist you.

And you may be able to walk into the library and find one of our staff free to assist you, but as we also teach several classes and could be busy with another one-on-one session we suggest that you call or email ahead of time to schedule a session, and tell us a bit about what you are seeking.  You can call us at either: 607.684.0361 or 607-936-3713 ext. 212 to make an appointment, or email us at either: belab@stls.org or reimerl@stls.org

We encourage you to bring your own laptop or device. Please let us know if you would like the use of one of our laptops or check out (in-house) one of our tablets or e-readers.

Linda R.

Hulu Plus Comes To Apple TV & Microsoft Launches New Email Service And Will Do Away With Hotmail

Linda Reimer

Hulu Plus Comes To Apple TV: Apple TV owners will find a pleasant surprise today. Apple has added Hulu Plus access to it Apple TV service. This is probably because the recent upgrade of Mac OS software by Apple has enabled Mac and Apple TV owners to stream Hulu content from the Internet directly to their HDTVs without having to purchase a $7.99 per month subscription to Hulu Plus. Granted streaming the content requires a few extra steps but it is free. And all Apple TV owners who don’t wish to bother with the extra steps – they can now easily subscribe to Hulu Plus from the Apple TV menu.

Here’s a link to a CNET article on the subject, titled Hulu Plus not showing up on your Apple TV? Restart it, which obviously advises Apple TV owners that don’t immediately see the Hulu Plus app on their Apple TV menus to re-start their Apple TV boxes:

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57483426-285/hulu-plus-not-showing-up-on-your-apple-tv-restart-it/

Microsoft Launches New Email Service And Will Do Away With Hotmail: Today Microsoft launched a new e-mail service called Outlook. This new email service is being seen as a complement to its business email software of the same name. The new email service will eventually replace Microsoft’s Hotmail email service and Hotmail users are being encouraged to transfer their accounts over to the new Outlook service. You can find the new Outlook site at: Outlook.com

And here’s a link to a New York Times Bits article, titled Microsoft Reboots E-Mail Efforts With a Familiar Name, that offers more information on the subject:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/31/microsoft-reboots-webmail-efforts-with-a-familiar-name/

Linda R.