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Microsoft unveils its “Surface” computer

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Microsoft Corp. unveiled its new computer called Surface. It’s a coffee table shaped computer that responds to touch and to special bar codes attached to everyday objects.

Surface is essentially a Windows Vista PC tucked inside a shiny black table base, topped with a 30-inch touchscreen in a clear acrylic frame. Five cameras that can sense nearby objects are mounted beneath the screen. Users can interact with the machine by touching or dragging their fingertips and objects such as paintbrushes across the screen, or by setting real-world items tagged with special bar-code labels on top of it.

The machines are set to arrive in November in T-Mobile USA stores and properties owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and Harrah`s Entertainment Inc.

Originally posted on May 30, 2007 @ 7:27 am

Lavalife introduces new online personals and social networking site for baby boomers

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lavalife.jpgLavalife, a leading provider of products and services designed for singles, announced the launch of lavalifePRIME, an evolution in online dating and one of the first-ever sites exclusively for mature singles age 45 and over. The new lavalifePRIME, designed exclusively with socially active 45+ singles in mind, offers a mix of online dating and social networking that allows members to have a customized experience that reflects their life stages, interests and attitudes.

“There are more than 85 million Baby Boomers in the United States and Canada, according to recent research, and this particular group of singles is looking for something quite unique,” said Marina Glogovac, Lavalife’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we created lavalifePRIME, we did extensive research that confirmed that Boomers are tired of competing on mainstream dating sites where the overall users are much younger and the emphasis is primarily on looks. This group of mature singles is seeking a place not only to connect with other like-minded singles, but also to uncover important life information, explore new interests, exchange ideas and to maximize their busy lifestyles.”

Originally posted on May 29, 2007 @ 12:05 pm

Apple retail stores ban MySpace

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applestore.jpgApple confirmed that it has blocked access to MySpace in its retail stores. Their reasoning is straight and simple: “Nearly 2 million people visit Apple stores every week. We want to provide everyone a chance to test-drive a Mac, so we are no longer offering access to MySpace in our stores,” a statement from Apple said.

An Apple store employee told CNET that “MySpace is a big issue for the Apple stores because people come in, Photobooth themselves (using Macs’ built-in webcams), then stick their picture up on their MySpace account and loiter at machines for hours.”

Originally posted on May 26, 2007 @ 9:15 am

Mobixie launches free user-generated content for mobile

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mobixie.jpgMobixie, an Israeli startup, is launching Mobixie, a free user-generated content for mobiles: games, videos, ringtones, screensavers, themes and graphics.

Mobixie mobile application features a visual folder interface with image previews to easily navigate through content types and categories, creating a responsive and enjoyable user experience, unlike slower and less intuitive wap interfaces. Users can download, upload and share content directly from their mobile without having to go through a PC first.

In addition to free download, an upload feature enables users to contribute content to everyone, or store personal content on Mobixie server to free handset memory. Users can also share content by sending SMS links to anyone, including friends without Mobixie. SMS links do not contain the actual file and enable the recipient to download the file without size limitation.

Mobixie is a private company and was a finalist in the Best Startup Competition held in March 2007 in Israel by Microsoft, KPMG and TheMarker.

Originally posted on May 28, 2007 @ 11:33 am

Live Search Maps presents photo-realistic 3-D imagery, starts with New York

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Microsoft Live Search Maps will begin offering three-dimensional, photo-realistic views of New York City buildings and landscapes, with perspectives that few people have ever seen. The free online service will provide a unique look at many of New York’s iconic locations, along with local listings, ratings and reviews and driving directions to help people easily find, discover, plan and share relevant location information that is important to them on the web.

The 3-D imagery of New York City will debut along with similar aerial perspectives of several other Canadian, U.K. and U.S. cities, with many more cities worldwide expected to be available by the end of summer.

Originally posted on May 29, 2007 @ 2:18 pm