Village Gamer

Advanced digital imaging company Point Grey has announced the launch of its new Flea3 FL3-GE series of GigE Vision digital cameras, setting a new industry standard with an ultra-compact size of just 29 x 29 x 30 millimeters, making it the world’s smallest Gigabit Ethernet camera. The first available models use monochrome and color versions of the popular Sony® ICX445 CCD, a high sensitivity 1.3 megapixel 1/3-inch EXview HAD image sensor that runs at 30 FPS. The Flea3 offers superior imaging performance, unbeatable price-performance, and a host of new features, including opto-isolated GPIO for industrial triggering and strobe output, non-volatile flash memory for user data storage, and on-camera frame buffer.

“We are very excited to launch the Flea3 GigE series, which will provide customers with a unique combination of size, performance, and price,” says Vladimir Tucakov, Director of Sales and Marketing at Point Grey. Tucakov adds, “Point Grey has a history of bringing innovative and ground-breaking products to market. This drive for innovation has led to many industry firsts, including the world’s first and smallest FireWire-b cameras. With Flea3 we’re pushing technology boundaries again by providing three different interfaces—FireWire, GigE, and soon USB 3.0—in the same small, ice-cube form factor.”

Every Flea3 GigE camera is equipped with an industry-standard C-mount lens holder, removable IR cut filter (color models) / optical window (monochrome models), and a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter. Additional features include automatic control of most camera properties, such as gain, exposure, and white balance; user configuration sets for defining custom power-up settings; gamma and programmable lookup table; customizable region of interest settings; and pixel binning. The Flea3 also complies with version 1.2 of the GigE Vision specification, which allows it to be used with many third-party software packages. Included with every camera is the FlyCapture® SDK, a full software library that provides a common control interface for all Point Grey cameras under both Windows and Linux.

The Flea3 FL3-GE-13S2 (1/3-inch 1.3 MP 30 FPS), list priced at USD $765, is available to order now from Point Grey and its network of distributors. Additional GigE Vision models are planned to be released throughout 2011.

Wacom is currently running its Summer of Sharing contest for non-professional photographers and artists who use either the Intuos or Bamboo tablets. This contest is open to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) and the United States who are over the age of 18.

To define “non-professional”, Wacom’s rules states that “entry must be enthusiast work only (no professional artwork). An enthusiast is defined as someone who enjoys their digital imagery, art and photos, but who does not make their living from the craft.

The contest is open for submissions until August 31st, with voting to start on September 1st. When you submit your artwork, you will need to tell Wacom a bit about how you created it using your Wacom Intuos or Bamboo pen tablet. The contest is open to all genres and personal styles: illustrations, caricatures, digital painting, anime, created with your favorite software.

As an added twist – this is a contest, after all -  you’ll have the chance to earn some serious cash, software, and gear. A Wacom panel of judges will hand-pick a select number of entrants to participate in our Fall 2011 program to showcase pen tablet techniques. This is a totally eclectic process, and entrants will be chosen at the full discretion of the Wacom panel, based on submissions and your answers to questions about how you use your tablet.

If you are going to SIGGRAPH 2011, you can visit Wacom on the expo floor in Booth 825.

Nintendo Canada has announced plans to drop the suggested retail price of its portable Nintendo 3DS™ system to $169.99 in North America, as new games based on some of the world’s most beloved video game franchises head to the system. The new price, down from the suggested launch price of $249.99 and effective Aug. 12, makes an outstanding value even better and sets up a strong holiday season for the system.

“For anyone who was on the fence about buying a Nintendo 3DS, this is a huge motivation to buy now,” said Nintendo of America President, Reggie Fils-Aime. “We are giving shoppers every incentive to pick up a Nintendo 3DS, from an amazing new price to a rapid-fire succession of great games.”

Nintendo 3DS has the strongest software lineup of any video game system this holiday season and the new price now opens up the glasses-free 3D experience to many more consumers. Building on the popularity of The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ 3D, which launched June 19, the upcoming game calendar is a Who’s Who of iconic video game franchises. Star Fox 64™ 3D arrives on Sept. 9, followed by Super Mario™ 3D Land in November, Mario Kart™ 7 in December and Kid Icarus™: Uprising during the holiday season.

In addition to great games, Nintendo 3DS has a host of attractive features (internet connection required for some features) that make it the must-have video game system this season:

• The new Nintendo Video™ service automatically delivers short 3D videos from the worlds of music, comedy, animation and Hollywood.
• A free application allows Netflix members with unlimited streaming plans to instantly watch TV episodes and movies streaming from Netflix.
• The Nintendo eShop is a digital store for Nintendo 3DS owners that provides access to a wide variety of downloadable content, such as original 3D software, classic games that have been re-mastered in 3D called 3D Classics, Game Boy™ and Game Boy Color “Virtual Console” games in their original 2D glory, and more than 350 Nintendo DSiWare™ games. Visitors can also view video game trailers, screen shots and product information for games, including those available at retail locations.

Since Nintendo 3DS launched in North America on March 27, nearly 900,000 people in North America have purchased one to enjoy 3D visuals without the need for special glasses. These Nintendo 3DS owners represent some of Nintendo’s most loyal customers, and Nintendo is rewarding them for getting in on the action early with 20 free downloadable games from the Nintendo eShop.

These free games are available to anyone who owns a Nintendo 3DS system and uses a wireless broadband Internet signal to connect to the Nintendo eShop at least once before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 11. These users will automatically be registered in the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program. The program contains two elements:

• Starting Sept. 1, Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors will be able to download 10 NES™ Virtual Console™ games at no charge and before they are available in the Nintendo eShop to the general public. These games, including Super Mario Bros.™, Donkey Kong Jr.™, Balloon Fight™, Ice Climber™ and The Legend of Zelda™, are slated to become paid downloadable games, but Ambassadors get them early for free. Once the paid versions of the games are posted to the Nintendo eShop later in the year, the updated versions will be available to Ambassadors for download at no cost.
• By the end of 2011, Nintendo will provide Ambassadors with 10 Game Boy Advance Virtual Console games. These include games like Yoshi’s Island™: Super Mario™ Advance 3, Mario Kart™: Super Circuit, Metroid™ Fusion, WarioWare™, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong™. These games will be available exclusively to Ambassadors, and Nintendo currently has no plans to make these 10 games available to the general public on the Nintendo 3DS in the future.

More details about this program will be announced in the future.

Business education and training developer amaRocks Group has announced the company’s first feature-packed Android 2.2 powered mobile learning tablet, the MLearnPad, which is is available now through amaRocks’ business education partners.

MLearnPad’s compact design encompasses a vibrant 8″ color LCD touch screen, with a 4GB of internal storage, and up to 32GB of expandable storage via micro SD, a powerful Freescale ARM Cortex – A8 processor, and 512 MB of RAM.  Boasting a feature set unparalleled in its class, MLearnPad comes standard with blazing fast Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1.3MP webcam, and USB.

MLearnPad which was recently approved by US FCC comes with Android 2.2, which means it has support for Adobe Flash Player, giving the course participants unbridled access to the learning content.  The multi-tasking MLearnPad also comes with eReader, e-mail, Skype, MSN, YAHOO! Messenger, Facebook, Office Suite, 3D games support, Built-in Monophonic Recording and many more.

The introduction of the MLearnPad was integrated and tested with more than 300 Soft Skills and Enterprise Business Skills courses represents a hugely innovative step forward in the evolution of the online training industry. It has quite literally made it possible to take an entire curriculum, classroom, support staff, library and access it anywhere, anytime, in a totally user friendly format that is no bigger than an ordinary text book, and is available absolutely free of charge when course participant enroll for Professional or Pro-Diploma certificate course or at discounted price when they buy a single course(s).

In today’s fast paced environment, much of business learner’s time is lost sitting on commuter trains and buses, waiting in line, sitting in waiting rooms and “killing” time between meetings and in coffee shops.  The MLearnPad makes it possible for business learners to invest all this down time in their future.  In fact, anywhere business learners have access to WIFI can now be their own office, private classroom, library or study hall.

MLearnPad will keep business learners connected and engaged whether they are at home, at office, in flight, or at the neighborhood coffee shop.  Surf the web, download apps, and check email, stream videos and music, or share online status with friends and family, anywhere, Anytime, and at their own pace.

Imagine being able to participate in LIVEeCLASS while ride the train to the office, review lessons while waiting at doctor’s office, write an assignment in the coffee shop, between meetings access webinar tutorials, while enjoy lunch at the food court review essay with course facilitator.

If business learners have access to WIFI, they literally have access to an entire world of training opportunities and support services through this revolutionary tool.

D-BOX Technologies Inc. has signed its first agreement with Paragon Theatres to equip the Paragon Odyssey 15 in Burnsville, Minn. with 32 D-BOX MFX Seats.

“On the heels of a record-breaking week with the release of Harry Potter, we are delighted to name Paragon as our newest exhibitor,” said President and CEO of D-BOX Technologies, Claude Mc Master.

The Paragon Odyssey 15 will unveil its D-BOX MFX Seats July 29^th, with the recently released epic motion picture, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

“At Paragon we are committed to providing the highest quality entertainment experience utilizing the greatest digital and audio technologies,” said CEO of Paragon Theatres, Michael Whalen. “Now that we offer D-BOX motion technology, our guests will not only see an incredible picture complemented by exceptional sound, but feel the onscreen action directly from their D-BOX seats.”

iSkin has redesigned its solo series of cases to look, work and fit even better while adding a new special edition to its iPhone 4 product line-up. To start, the classic solo for iPhone 4 is the case that merges slim-fit design, bold colors and precision fit to provide top of the class protection. This harmony produces an attractive yet, subtle appearance that provides the necessary shock absorption, comfortable grip and moisture resistance you’d expect from an iSkin soft case.

However, if you’re the technoista looking to express your inner love of fashion, the solo FX Special Edition (SE) for iPhone 4 arrives with all the goodness of the classic solo but with prêt-a-porter attitude. Its overall matte appearance is dressed only with a fun, spirited pattern that shimmers with designer flare and is sure to make an impression.

If you prefer the finer things in life and advanced design, the solo vu for iPhone 4 will satisfy your hi-tech desires, yet provide sophistication that’s anything but standard. Featuring a hybrid hard/soft material composition, integrated dock port cover and a surprisingly slim profile, the solo vu is the expression of elegance refined with art-deco accents and tuxedo lines as its defining clear shield reveals the iPhone 4 it so gracefully protects.

Each solo model clearly has their own diverse personality, but they all share many of the same advanced features such as: an iSkin-exclusive flash guard design that eliminates “glare” while taking photos in dark environments, protected home and volume buttons, tactile grip, precision cuts for speakers and earphone ports, exclusive Microban^® antimicrobial protection and the use of materials that are free of phthalates, making the solo series the ideal companion for the your beloved iPhone 4.

The classic solo retails at 29.99 (USD) and comes in Carbon (translucent black), Cosmo (translucent pink), Vive (translucent purple), and Bondi (translucent marine blue). The solo FX SE retails for 34.99 (USD) and comes in Carbon (translucent black), Cosmo (translucent pink), Vive (translucent purple), and Bondi (translucent marine blue). The solo vu retails for 39.99 (USD) and comes in Onyx (black), Merlot (red), and Velvet (purple).

Canadian-based manufacturer of satellite, RF equipment and microwave systems, Advantech Wireless Inc., has announced the launch of its newest generation of VSAT Hubs – the Discovery Series. The Discovery Series Hub is the perfect starter system offering better value for your dollar than any other manufacturer. The Discovery Series is a two-way, open standard (DVB-RCS), broadband satellite access system and includes a fully functional hub with 4 inbound carriers, scalable as your needs grow, all for under $50,000.

Overwhelming customer demand has driven the company to create a new series of Hubs for each market. The new Discovery series allows small to medium private satellite networks, commercial enterprises or government to get started today at the lowest possible cost.

As you grow, your investment remains intact, as the solution will scale with your needs. Advantech Wireless has removed all barriers to entry and has configured many systems for quick turnaround. For example, those companies seeking a turnkey package can opt for a complete, fully functional Hub along with 50 Remote Terminals (the S4120) from Advantech Wireless for less than $100,000.

• Lowest Entry Level Price: Starting at less than $50,000 for a fully-functional Hub
• Unmatched Features: 4 inbound carriers (Upgradeable to 32 carriers at a low incremental cost)
• Maximum Flexibility for Economical Scalability
• Up to18 Mbps Throughput
• Support for up to 500 terminals
• Minimize CAPEX and OPEX, instantly improve ROI
• DVB-RCS, DVB-S/S2
• Includes an Advantech Wireless Layer 3 Router!
• Advanced options available

Clickfree has announced the immediate availability of Clickfree C6 EASY Imaging, the first Total Computer Backup product that makes it easy to back up and restore everything on a PC including personal files (photos, videos, music, emails, spreadsheets, illustrations, documents, and 500+ other types), software programs and the Windows^®operating system.

Designed for non-technical consumers and small business owners, Clickfree has taken the difficult process of backing up and restoring virtually everything on a computer and made it effortless.

To perform a full image backup, just plug the Clickfree C6 EASY Imaging drive in to the computer’s USB port, and Clickfree’s Patented EASY Run™ will automatically launch and back up everything on the computer. If a computer crashes due to a software malfunction or virus attack, EASY Fix™ will restore all the personal files, software applications and the operating system.

“Up until now, PC users have had to compromise between backing up only part of their computer with regular file based backup system, or trying to figure out how to use a complex imaging product to backup their entire computer,” said Ian Collins, founder of Clickfree. “Clickfree combines its EASY Run technology with imaging capabilities, resulting in a no-compromise solution for total computer protection that is unparalleled in its ease-of-use.”

Clickfree C6 EASY Imaging takes a different approach to an image backup than other products. Current solutions combine personal files, software programs and the Windows operating system into one. Clickfree categorizes the user’s personal files as one category, and the software programs and Windows operating system as another. This provides the ability to repair only the portion of the backup that has been lost or damaged. Read the rest of this entry »

The Bell Aliant Pioneers are marking 100 years of volunteering and community support by the TelecomPioneers and awarding twelve SMART Boards to schools in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Across North America the TelecomPioneers are celebrating 100 years of community volunteering and fundraising,” said Joan Neil, President of the local Pioneers Chapter. “In Newfoundland and Labrador the Bell Aliant Pioneers have been active since 1972 and to celebrate we are awarding twelve SMART Boards to schools in the province.”

Over the past two months students around the province have been participating in a contest and have submitted presentations that highlight their schools’ volunteer efforts, the history on the Bell Aliant Pioneers and what a SMART Board would mean to the school. In addition to the SMART Boards the Bell Aliant Pioneers will donate $500 to each of the schools who submitted a presentation. The total value of the donation by the Pioneers is $55,000.

“This donation reflects our commitment to funding programs that support literacy and education,” said Neil. “Last year alone we recorded over 33,000 volunteer hours and donated over $73,000 across the province.  In addition, among other projects, we delivered over 1,100 books for literacy and distributed 450 backpacks filled with school supplies donated by Bell Aliant employees and retirees to a variety of local community groups.”

The winning schools were notified in time for their year-end assemblies and the SMART Boards will be delivered in time for the new school year. SMART Boards are being awarded to:

• Queen of Peace Middle School, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
• Green Bay South Academy, Robert’s Arm
• E.A. Butler All Grade,  Mckay’s
• Xavier Junior High, Deer Lake
• Canon Richards Memorial Academy, Flower’s Cove
• Coley’s Point  Elementary, Coley’s Point
• Catalina Elementary, Catalina
• Random Island Academy, Random Island
• Ackerman Elementary, Green’s Harbour
• Newtown Elementary, Mount Pearl
• Morris Academy, Mount Pearl
• Roncalli Elementary, St. John’s

Calgary’s Blackline GPS Corp. has begun delivery of the new Javelin™ Covert Tracker, a purpose-built GPS tracking device for professional surveillance and loss prevention markets in North America.

In a sector where software and hardware solutions often come from two separate companies, Blackline’s complete end-to-end technology – delivered by its internal multidisciplinary research & development team – is a key differentiator that enables the company to respond to specific customer requirements with highly-tailored solutions.

“Javelin was built from the ground up for investigators and police services. Unlike competing products, that are often modified consumer trackers, Javelin is a true professional grade covert tracker with features like device removal detection and track-on-motion,” says Cody Slater, CEO and Chairman for Blackline. “Police forces are accustomed to paying upwards of $2,000 for tracking products whereas Javelin’s price point is less than $700.”

“Our new platform’s modular hardware and firmware architecture enables us to efficiently bring new products to market with reduced engineering timelines.” indicates Barry Moore, Head of Research & Development. He further adds “Javelin addresses critical customer feedback, including a custom waterproof case, dual neodymium magnets with 240 pounds of mounting force, a new Ultimate Sense® 2 GPS internal antenna with improved tracking of weak satellite signals, and a large 6000 mAh battery.”

Javelin provides more than 4 times the battery capacity of the existing Entourage PS portable security product. Coupled with advanced power management features, Javelin enables users to choose between an aggressive 3-week tracking profile through to multi-month operation for long-term surveillance applications.

As of the date of this release our initial production run of Javelin has been oversold and the company is currently increasing its production capacity to accommodate demand.

Blackline will be showcasing Javelin at the National Technical Investigators Association (NATIA) trade show in Tampa, Florida on July 16^th – 22^nd. NATIA is composed of over 3,000 law enforcement and intelligence personnel who provide the technical operations, surveillance activities, and scientific support for hundreds of federal, state, local law enforcement and related agencies across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.