Newsletter March 2002, Issue 53
Published by Sonaris Consulting, Felix Bopp, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Personal Robots: Evolution Robotics, Robots.net, Robot Information Central, OnRobo.com
- Can The Album Survive Digital Music?
- Wireless Streaming: DoCoMo tests Streaming Ads, The SWInG platform, UK aims to resolve mobile phone health fears
- Worth reading: Sonic Fusion
- Conferences & Events
Evolution Robotics
Companies including Sony, Intel, Lego, Fujitsu and NEC have dedicated unprecedented amounts of R&D investment in the past several years toward personal robotics. The personal robot market has already seen success with the introduction of early prototypes and robots such as AIBO: Sony generated sales well in excess of $250M in its first 18 months. The industry is now looking for functional applications, such as the robotic vacuum prototype developed by Electrolux. As with other industries, one platform will emerge as dominant, much the way the Windows OS did for the PC, that will result in increased development by third-party developers, lower production costs, and streamlined communication between machines. The Evolution Robotics mission is to become the standard platform that will power the advancement and development of personal robots for home and commercial use. Evolution Robotics offers a suite of products and services that enable companies and developers to prototype, program and build robots and robot applications quickly and cost-effectively. The Evolution Robotics Software Platform empowers technical and market leaders to develop functional, personal robotic solutions and turn them into commercially viable products. The platform is available with a Robot Developer Kit so you can begin prototyping and designing right away.
http://www.evolution.com
Robots.net
.. news on personal and industrial robotics, robot competitions, and other cool stuff.
http://robots.net
Robot Information Central
A source for robot information on the Internet.
http://www.robotics.com/robots.html
OnRobo.com
Interest in robotics both by children and adults has grown tremendously in the last 5 years. Today there are robot competitions all around the globe for enthusiasts of all ages. Television programs about robot wars receive some of the highest ratings. Robot toys and pets of all kinds fill store shelves. Robotic vacuums lawn mowers and personal assistants although expensive are beginning to be purchased and used by the public. As all these new products hit the shelves the need for a consumer information site is important. With that in mind Balanced Interactive, Inc. has developed OnRobo.com. The site features the latest robotic news and event information, but the most importantly it features product information and reviews.
http://www.onrobo.com
GO BACK
Can The Album
Survive Digital Music?
< … Compact disc sales fell 3% last year, and are down 8% so far this
year, according to SoundScan. The drop is attributed in part to digital
downloading and CD burning. There were an estimated 150,000 subscribers
to paid music-download services at the end of 2001, according to IDC,
with the number expected to rise to 10 million by 2005. Untold others
are still downloading for free, waiting to see how the legal issues over
online music sharing play out. "Until the record companies find a new
business model, where they are again making money on singles, they are
still going to push albums," says Owen Sloane, an entertainment lawyer
with 30 years in the business. "This digital music and the emphasis on
singles in a way brings us back full circle." Under the current system,
record companies must kiss a lot of frogs to find a few princes among
up-and-coming artists. Companies can spend $1 million to $2 million promoting
a new album by a mainstream artist, but only a few of them ever pay off.
In 2001, some 30,000 records were released in the U.S. Only 146 of those
went gold, meaning they sold 500,000 copies, according to the Recording
Industry Association of America. …. >
Full article at:
http://www.forbes.com/2002/02/22/0222albums.html
GO BACK
Wireless Streaming
DoCoMo tests Streaming Ads
DoCoMo, Dentsu, Inc. and ActiveSky, Inc. did field trials of wireless
streaming advertising from February 15 until March 9. The tests have been
conducted in the Tokyo area and incorporated streamed interactive video
to individuals who agreed to participate. The companies said that 210
people between the ages of 18 and 35 participated. Participants used wireless-enabled
Sharp Zaurus handhelds that incorporate technologies from the three companies.
Testers, which the vendors call "monitors," received 15-second streamed
ads and could request further streamed content. The ads adhered to individual
profiles for each of the users. In addition, the companies tested a system
that links the wireless devices to special terminals installed in convenience
stores. The terminals responded to streamed promotions, provide sales
information and support a frequent buyer's program. The goals of the trial
are both to test the technology and how users respond to the ads, the
companies said. Last August, the three companies formed the Interactive
Mobile Consortium to promote streaming services for mobile advertising.
The SWInG platform
XSVoice's Streaming Wireless Internet Gateway platform streams live and
on-demand audio through current-generation WAP-enabled devices. The SWInG
platform uses industry-standard hardware available today and is a plug-and-play
solution for those wishing to reach customers with live audio streaming.
The SWInG platform is designed to enhance the services of content providers,
wireless carriers and service providers. The SWInG streaming architecture
is the integration of voice and data platforms running a series of applications
that enable the streaming of audio media to the current generation of
mobile phones. The solution is built around industry standard hardware,
runs on the Unix operating system, and is designed to be completely open.
This open design approach stimulates usage by companies seeking to enter
the mobile streaming market quickly and efficiently. It can operate independently,
or in an application service provider model.
http://www.xsvoice.com
UK aims to resolve mobile phone health
fears
A major programme of 15 research projects designed to help resolve confusion
surrounding the health effects of mobile phones has been announced, funded
by the UK government and mobile phone industry. "People want to know the
impact being made by mobile phones directly on the human body," says William
Stewart, chairman of the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research
Programme (MTHR), an independent group of mainly of British university
scientists. More at:
http://www.newscientist.com/hottopics/tech/article.jsp?id=99991843&sub=Communications