June 3rd, 2009

Kinoma Inc is ready to launch a new version of its multimedia playback environment called “Kinoma Play” that contains features of enhanced links with social networking services (SNS) like “Twitter” and “Facebook.”

Kinoma Play will enable users to easily upload and share photos shot with its built-in camera, as well as stored photos using Facebook, the service that serves the largest number of photos today, and the “Flickr” photo sharing service.

The new version runs on Windows Mobile. Compared with the previous version, which is more like a photo and video player, the new version came closer to a software execution environment. For example, it is added with a capability to access online stores where new applications dedicated to Kinoma Play are available. Application icons can be arranged anywhere on Kinoma Play’s home screen.

Besides, it is also possible to create icons that work in conjunction with part of application capabilities. For example, Kinoma Play comes with a dedicated application to play video clips on “YouTube.” Users can choose any clip they like and register it on the home screen as an icon for playing “today’s recommended clip on YouTube.” This enables users to enjoy the clip on YouTube with less operation.

Other applications in Windows Mobile, too, can be arranged on Kinoma Play’s home screen as link icons. The new version of Kinoma Play is sold at US$29.99 in the US. Kinoma is planning to disclose the S60-compatible version in the third quarter of 2009. In addition, the company said it is currently developing a Japanese version but did not specify when it would be released.

The Japan Franchise Association (JFA) said it has planned to sell solar power generation systems and electric vehicles through convenience stores in a bid to resist global warming.

JFA said that so far 12 major convenience chains that are affiliated with JFA are ready to sell the systems and vehicles, as the plan itself came  from the of 12 convenience chains.

Solar power generating systems will be marketed through approximately 1,500 convenience stores within three years. In fiscal 2009, JFA will hold proving tests in 20-30 directly-managed stores.

At the same time,  JFA plans to sell 50-60 to electric vehicles and to raise the number at approximately 200 in three years. Besides, it plans to install totally 10-20 electric vehicle charging stations in fiscal year 2009 and to lift the number to about 100 within three years.

The association said it will use LED lights for sign boards and interior lighting in 500-600 stores by the end of fiscal year 2009, with target of of introducing them to approximately 4,500 stores in three years.

Yet, the convenience store chains are still mulling on the plan, so the stores that will be taking parti in the proving tests and the scale of the tests have will be decided later.

Adam Schacter thinks to the urban traffic congestion problem. So, Adam Schacter
design the unique CarGo, to help urban community activity every day. The concept Eco-friendly status as a zero-emission electric vehicle.

The unique CarGo concept use electric power, load carrying configurations turned into three modes a compact mode where the pickup section is placed longitudinally with the cabin, a narrow mode with tilted cargo bay for higher maneuverability and a full pickup mode for larger payloads.

NEC Electronics will introduce a super-resolution application-specific standard product (ASSP) called the µPD9280GM that can reduce blurring that takes place when low-resolution images and video are expanded and displayed in 1920 x 1080-pixel HD monitors.

Using on the company’s single-frame super-resolution technology, the ASSP achieves crisp images in HD TV broadcasts by boosting 720 x 480-pixel standard definition (SD) image data. Besides, the technology is capable also of supporting one billion colors (30-bits color depths), which enhances color vividness and accuracy of display.

The ASSP extends its color quality from 24-bit color supporting 8 bits per component of red, green, and blue (RGB) color, to 30-bit color. While 24-bit color is only capable of displaying 15 million colors, 30-bit color can display one billion possible colors with smooth color gradation.

The device is intended for applications in which data and memories previously recorded with only low-resolution technology, from security camera and automotive backup camera to medical endoscope. Samples of the µPD9280GM super-resolution ASSP are available, and mass production is scheduled to begin in July 2009.