May 19th, 2009

Information technology (IT) companies are making  efforts to improve “Android,” Google Inc’s software for its open source project for mobile phones and other home information appliances, and the efforts were shown at the 12th Embedded Systems Expo, from which was held in Tokyo from May 13 to 15, 2009.

During the exhibition, ISB Corp showed video file playback and Website browsing on a reference board equipped with Texas Instruments Inc’s (TI) “OMAP3530″ at its booth. The video on the display looked as if it was being played frame by frame due to the small number of frames. But this was because all of the display processing was being carried out by software alone said.

ISB said the company expects to enable smooth playback of HDTV video in the future by enhancing the software so that the hardware can handle the display processing. The company also demonstrated wireless keyboard operation and music playback using its Android-based system that supports Bluetooth.

On that occasion, Fujitsu Software Technologies Ltd showed an Android-based digital photo frame, navigation system and digital signage device at its booth. The digital photo frame can switch images on the display via a network using the existing DLNA middleware ported to Android.

The navigation system was realized by using a network cloud service for map data and route computation, making the most of Android’s high affinity with networks. The company could prepared the demonstrated device in about two weeks. It is because the terminal side needed only an application to transmit data on starting points and destinations and to display the route guidance received from the server.

At the same time, Ubiquitous Corp demonstrated a recorded terrestrial digital broadcast program received from a DLNA server, incorporating DTCP-IP on Android. With a reference board equipped with TI’s “OMAP3,” only encrypted DTCP-IP data was decoded on Android, and video was decoded on different hardware. The playback of the data transmitted from a DLNA server was smooth.

A resistive touch panel that enables multi-point detection for up to nine points has been  introduced by Touchpanel Laboratories, along with a touch panel-based ordering system which is meant to be used in restaurants.

Projection capacitive touch panels like those used in the iPhone are appropriate for the multi-point detection, but it is difficult to realize such a function with resistive touch panels. There are some resistive touch panels that support multi-touch operation. Yet, the new touch panel may be the only one that can detect as much as nine points.

According to Touchpanel, it is probable to make the new touch panel in the size ranging from four to 15 inches. Besides the multi-touch-enabled resistive touch panel, Touchpanel showed a surface capacitive touch panel that can be installed on curved surfaces. The applicability to curved surfaces can improve flexibility in chassis designs.

Concerning the touch panel-based ordering system for use in restaurants, the company said it plans to install the system in bars located around the company. Even the company also has planned like to introduce touch panel-based systems like this ordering system.

The GX723 is the latest series of MSI Notebook that comes in an AC mode that allows the user to merely touch the turbo button above the keyboard and increase the speed of the CPU.

It has a power management function to extend the battery running time while performing different tasks. The user can touch the ECO quick launch touch sensor repeatedly to switch among the five different modes - Gaming laptop mode, Movie mode, Presentation mode, Office mode, and Turbo Drive mode while performing game applications, playing multimedia applications, performing presentation applications, dealing with office documentation tasks, or looking forward to minimizing the battery power consumption.

Besides, GX723 gaming laptop has a wide 17-inch LCD monitor that allows the user to have a viewing pleasure, reach the perfect experience whether we are playing games or watching a DVD. With the best and latest nVIDIA Geforce GT 130M 3D graphic card (Build-in DDR3 512 VRAM), exclusive MSI vivid image enhancement technology, GX723 is able to create the most astonishingly realistic audio and visual effects. Recognized and approved by the highest standards of Dolby® Theater Class 5 speakers, delivering a real-life listening enjoyment even further.

Furthermore, the GX723 gaming laptop features the latest Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology, which uses Intel® Core™2 Duo processor and Intel® PM45 Express Chipset, to deliver innovative mobile solutions with unrivaled processor performance, stunning new HD capabilities, great wireless connectivity, and long battery life for full blu-ray movie playback.

As described above, GX723 has applied the aerodynamic touchpad design, using a simple black mirror plate as base and red linings to accentuate the slickness of the faceplate. There are no added accessories, and under the icy colors evolve a sense of elegance and professionalism. It creates a sharp contrast to the red outer body, adding even more individualism to the GX723.