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Toshiba Launches Application Processor Development Platforms For Wearable And IoT Devices
Toshiba has rolled out hardware and software development kits (HDK and SDK) for the Toshiba TZ1000 Application Processor Lite (ApP Lite) series of processors for wearable and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Together, the kits allow evaluation of devices in an environment closer to that of their final application. The TZ1000 processor can also be optimized for specific product characteristics, compared with the previous development environment.

Given the explosive growth of the wearable and IoT markets, customers need to be able to quickly and easily design application processors into their products. Toshiba’s new development platform allows them to do just that, enabling new products with short development cycles.

The company said it will supply a limited number of reference boards to select IoT device developers free of charge, under certain conditions.

Three elements make up the TZ1000 development environment:
- HDK, consisting of a main reference board embedded with a TZ1001MBG processor and a biometric sensor board that measures pulse waves and the heart’s electrical activities;
- SDK, comprising driver software that controls each component incorporated in the TZ1001MBG, middleware that measures activity and pulse waves, and application software that controls the overall system;
- supporting software development tools. Examples of supporting development tools available include Keil MDK-ARM and IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM.
First introduced in 2014, the TZ1000 series of ApP Lite devices integrate a sensor, an ARM Cortex-M4F processor, flash memory and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) controller in one package.

Also included is a high-resolution ADC that can convert analog signals from external sensors, such as pulse wave and electrocardiogram, into digital data and deliver it to the processor. T

he single-device solution measures, processes, saves and communicates data required for IoT devices and wearables, operating at low power to enable long battery life.

ApP Lite
Toshiba ApP Lite processors enable raw data to be fed to the cloud, and also carry out high-performance and efficient signal processing. They extract necessary data through sensors and image recognition, contributing to a reduced data load.

The ApP Lite family consists of four series, each optimized for specific applications: TZ1000, TZ2000, TZ3000 and TZ5000.
May 12, 2015
Facebook introduces Free Video Calling in Messenger

Facebook just recently introduced video calling in Messenger. With the update, you can now have face-to-face conversations with your fellow “Facebookers” via Messenger.

You can quickly turn a chat into a video call by tapping the video icon available at the top right corner of the screen and you can do this from within an existing Messenger conversation.

Facebook Messenger already has the voice calls function and the introduction of the video calling function will more than likely expand Messenger’s user base. It is interesting to see how the 600 million plus Messenger users receive the service.

The video calling function is available across platforms regardless of one’s OS and it is the latest feature to be added to Messenger, which is great news to users who are already using Messenger to send money to friends.

The video calling feature is already available to Android and iOS users living in Greece, Norway, Oman, Poland, Ireland, Laos, Portugal, the UK, the US, Lithuania, Nigeria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Mexico, France, and Uruguay.

The service will be rolled out on an ongoing basis to other locales and regions in the coming months.

Also read: WhatsApp now with Free Calling Service, new Sharing Extensions, and More…

May 11, 2015
WhatsApp now with Free Calling Service, new Sharing Extensions, and More…

The popular cross-platform chatting service WhatsApp recently released a major update to its iPhone app introducing some new ways to share content with family and friends.

The latest update to the iPhone app allows WhatsApp uses to call other connected users around the world for free. Similar to FaceTime Audio and Skype, WhatsApp calling service uses VoIP rather than the regular cellular service to make calls.

This feature has been expected for a while now since Facebook introduced the same service sometime last year. WhatsApp confirms that this new service will be rolling out to subscribers over the next few weeks.

This updated version will also include an iOS 8 sharing extension that makes it easy to send links, photos, and video to other WhatsApp users from other apps on the iPhone. You can also edit your contacts right from the app, access the camera, or send crop, rotate, and send multiple videos at once.

May 7, 2015
Speedflow’s CallMax Update Brings Powerful Retail SMS Solution

Available from May 4th and featuring a brand new retail SMS Solution, the latest CallMax release promises to be the biggest yet. Free for all current customers, the new release adds numerous upgrades, optimisations and new features.

CallMax version 3.5 sees the introduction of a powerful SMS module. CallMax SMS enables the sending of messages directly from the web-interface and supports mass SMS sending.

Compatible with softphones and other mobile applications, Retail SMS module can be used either as a separate Solution or as a part of the complete package.

Other CallMax v.3.5. features:

– voice mail access from web-interface;

– time zone support in reports;

– Calls Queue – new feature for Call Centres.

For more information, visit the company’s website.

Also check out: Speedflow – Company Profile

May 6, 2015
Nokia dispels rumors that it might be manufacturing smartphones again

A report published on Gizmodo stated that Nokia might be getting back into the manufacturing of consumer handsets at the end of the year (Dec 31^st, 2015) – that is immediately after its non-compete agreement expires. However, a statement released yesterday by Nokia dispels the rumors as inaccurate and false.

The statement reads, “Nokia notes recent news reports claiming the company communicated an intention to manufacture consumer handsets out of a R&D facility in China. These reports are false, and include comments incorrectly attributed to a Nokia Networks executive.

Nokia reiterates it currently has no plans to manufacture or sell consumer handsets.”

The return of Nokia into the manufacture and selling of consumer handsets started at Re/code where an article at their site stated that Nokia was plotting a 2016 return. The article speculated that Nokia was looking into designing exciting devices and then licensing the designs and its name to a Chinese manufacturer.

Nonetheless, the recent press release by Nokia pours cold water over the rumor and this somehow makes a Nokia revival pretty damn unlikely, at least for now.

April 29, 2015
Ooma Telo Air VoIP Phone with Bluetooth Adapter is 50% off at Amazon
Today’s Bonus Gold Box Deal of the Day at Amazon is the Ooma Telo Air VoIP Phone with Bluetooth Adapter for $89.99 shipped (50% off).

Ooma Telo lets you make free U.S. local and long distance calls over the internet. It includes the Wireless + Bluetooth Adapter, enabling your Ooma Telo to connect to the internet wirelessly using your Wi-Fi network. The built-in Bluetooth function also links your mobile phone to your Telo to receive incoming calls through your home telephones, giving you an additional level of convenience.

PureVoice HD technology allows Ooma to deliver clear audio even when the internet is busy. Packet loss causes VoIP phone calls to sound stuttered or garbled. Ooma’s Adaptive Redundancy detects packet loss and automatically sends redundant packets for better sounding phone calls and fewer dropped calls.

Ooma works with Nest

Ooma securely interacts with Nest devices for convenience and peace of mind never before possible with a home phone (premier service required).
- Automatically forward home phone calls when you leave the house.
- Receive a call from home when your smoke alarm detects smoke or CO and have the option to contact your local emergency services
- Receive a call from home when things don’t go as planned
Features included with free calling service:
- Free U.S. calling
- Caller-ID, call-waiting and 911
- Low international rates
- Wireless and Bluetooth Connectivity
- PureVoice HD technology for clarity and reliability
- Text alerts when 911 is called
- Online portal with call log, preferences and contacts
- One-touch voicemail audio playback
- Remote voicemail retrieval
- Fax mode
- Free Ooma-to-Ooma calling worldwide
- Choose almost any area code
Get it now for just $89.99.
April 17, 2015
Optimize Your VoIP Retail Business for a Special Low Price

Telecom services provider and VoIP software developer Speedflow announced that they are now offering their hosted IP PBX, Calling Card and Call Shop modules at an unprecedented price – $200 per month. It’s a perfect opportunity to start a VoIP business, or migrate to a more reliable platform.

According to the company, its SaaS Solution “can optimize any business, making it more effective and competitive.”

All modules are a part of the CallMax suite – a reliable Linux-based platform for VoIP retail. The flexible turn key solution comes with integrated VoIP billing, supports an unlimited number of subscribers, has a user-friendly interface, convenient report generation tools, and a whole host of other effective features.

In addition to a high-class software platform, each customer also receives hosting at Speedflow’s data-centre, 24/7 technical support, free installation and trainings at no extra cost.

For more information, visit the company’s website.

Also check out: Speedflow – Company Profile

April 17, 2015
Westbee: A Canadian start-up aiming to challenge the “made in China” era

Westbee is a Canadian start-up offering to change the way we purchase goods by putting forward products by designers and manufacturers who respect proper working conditions. In a matter of a few clicks, people can be assured of the quality and origin of the products they purchase, and of the ethical standards that had to be respected for their production.

The website gowestbee.com targets a trendy clientele by putting forth many exclusive and original products. On it, you will find clothing, fashion accessories, kitchen accessories, beauty products, and toys as well as exclusive products from Canada, the United States, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

WestBee donates 1% of sales revenues earned in Canada to Alvéole, a company which contributes to the protection of bees by setting up beehives in urban areas.

“Western companies, just like bees, produce high quality products that are endangered. The bee is thus the symbol of the fair vision of production and consumption that we wish to convey. Purchasing products that are distributed by WestBee means contributing to the maintenance of local and Western economies, while also promoting the growth and employment of our designers. I invite you all to visit our website!”, said Lorenzo Sterzi, co-founder of WestBee.

April 16, 2015
4SeTV Streaming Device Brings Four-in-One Viewing Experience to Big Screen TVs, Tablets and Smartphones
A new TV streaming device from 4SeTV lets you watch any four live television shows at once on a tablet, smartphone or TV. Alternatively, up to four people can view an individual live show of their choice on four different devices, at the same time.

Built on patent pending technology, 4SeTV uses over-the-air broadcasting and streams the HD content you want to see to your connected devices in your home network. It is said to be the first-ever device that lets you select and watch four channels on the same screen.

4SeTV hooks up to your HDTV antenna and connects to your router with an Ethernet cable. From there, simply switch the box on and go, at the push of a button.

How it works:
- Content is broadcast (i.e. free HDTV content over-the-air, clear QAM)
- It is captured by an antenna and relayed to the 4SeTV device
- Broadcast content is captured by the 4SeTV device
- 4SeTV streams the content to connected devices in your home network (smartphones, tablets and TVs)
4SeTV is now at the production unit stage and conducted live demonstrations of its device at the Showstoppers media event held yesterday at the NAB show in Las Vegas.

4SeTV is available for pre-order on Kickstarter and is priced at $99 for early adopters. The first units are slated to ship in August.
April 13, 2015
Clear Destination Launches New Apple Watch-Compatible Web App, Lets Customers Track Home Deliveries

Clear Destination has announced the launch of a new web app that customers can use to track the delivery of large household items, like furniture and appliances. The web portal is available on all web browsers, iPhone, Android, Windows phone, Blackberry (through a software development kit), and on the new Samsung and Apple watches.

Clear claims it is the first home delivery tracking web app to provide such complete details on each step of the delivery, “from the moment customers make the purchase and schedule the shipment, to real-time updates on the item’s location until it’s been delivered.”

To use the app, a customer first signs in via their computer or smartphone, and can instantly locate their item in real-time on a map. Customers can also arrange to receive notifications by texts or emails.

The site has a comprehensive set of tracking features: on top of seeing their purchase, address, and scheduled delivery date, customers will also see pictures of the delivery team assigned to their items, a map with a truck icon displaying the real-time location of the delivery team, the number of deliveries the team has to make before arriving at the customer’s home, an estimated time of arrival (ETA), a customer service chat window, and the ability to cancel or reschedule a delivery at any time.

Plus, if the delivery team arrives at the customer’s home when no one is available, they’ll take a picture of the house or building and upload it to the tracker to demonstrate that they attempted a delivery.

April 8, 2015