BBC teams up with British universities to research new TV interfaces and systems

BBC teams up with British universities to research new TV interfaces and systems

When the BBC asked “Where next?” most of us assumed that online-only programming and all-HD channels would be the extent of the broadcaster’s ambition. Not so, now that the corporation has signed a deal with six British universities to research new ways that TV can be created, distributed and navigated. Buzzwords like “content” and “audience focused innovation” seem to mask an initiative to develop a new IP broadcasting system, work on user interfaces beyond gestures and research into how elderly, young and disabled viewers can get around 999-channel TV guides. The project will initially last for four years, by which time we’re hoping that the BBC can just beam episodes of Doctor Who straight into our brains — that’s not too much to ask, is it?

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Source: BBC

Eyes-on: MIT Media Lab’s Smarter Objects can map a user interface onto… anything (video)

Eyeson MIT Media Lab's Smarter Objects can map a user interface onto anything video

While patrolling the halls of the CHI 2013 Human Factors in Computing conference in Paris, we spied a research project from MIT’s Media Lab called “Smarter Objects” that turns Minority Report tech on its head. The researchers figured out a way to map software functionality onto tangible objects like a radio, light switch or door lock through an iPad interface and a simple processor / WiFi transceiver in the object. Researcher Valentin Huen explains that “graphical user interfaces are perfect for modifying systems,” but operating them on a day-to-day basis is much easier using tangible objects.

To that end, the team developed an iPad app that uses motion tracking technology to “map” a user interface onto different parts of an object. The example we saw was a simple radio with a a pair of dials and a speaker, and when the iPad’s camera was pointed at it, a circular interface along with a menu system popped up that cannily tracked the radio. From there, Huen mapped various songs onto different positions of the knob, allowing him to control his playlist by moving it — a simple, manual interface for selecting music. He was even able to activate a second speaker by drawing a line to it, then “cutting” the line to shut it off. We’re not sure when, or if, this kind of tech will ever make it into your house, but the demo we saw (see the pair of videos after the break) seemed impressively ready to go.

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Sony flaunts portable, social aspects of PS4 with high-res screenshots

Sony flaunts portable, social aspects of PS4 with highres screenshots

To keep the buzz going from its recent PlayStation 4 announcement event in New York, Sony’s just released some high-res screenshots from the upcoming console’s user interface. While we already saw many of them at the big event, there’s a few intriguing images showing how the tablet or smartphone interface might look, along with shots of the social and video editing aspects of the UI. Other screens show the home, sharing, game streaming, user profile and friend feed pages, so hopefully the gallery below will whet your appetite until we can all actually see, you know, the console.

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Via: Edge Online

Microsoft trots out Windows 8 mockups circa 2010, details the OS design process (video)

Microsoft trots out Windows 8 mockups circa 2010, details the OS design process (video)

Microsoft’s Jensen Harris, who wears the hat of Director of Program Management for the Windows User Experience team, showed off some Windows 8 mockups minted in early 2010 during a talk at last summer’s UX Week 2012. Now, a video of the presentation has been posted online, giving us a look at the reference designs. Despite roughly two years separating mockup creation and the launch of Windows 8, the OS remained remarkably true to its conceptual roots. During the hour-long talk, Jensen covers the birth of Windows 8, its driving principles and even mentions some distaste for the faux leather aesthetics in some iOS apps, calling them “cheesy visual effects.” Hit the adjacent gallery to catch a peek of the early Start screen, on-screen keyboard, Charms Bar and lock screen. For a video of the hour-long talk covering the story of how Redmond’s operating system came to be, head past the jump.

Continue reading Microsoft trots out Windows 8 mockups circa 2010, details the OS design process (video)

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Via: The Verge, istartedsomething

Source: UX Week

Autodesk researchers develop ‘magic finger’ that reads gestures from any surface (video)

DNP Autodesk magic finger

By combining a camera that detects surfaces with one that perceives motion, Canadian university researchers and Autodesk have made a sensor that reads finger gestures based on which part of your body you swipe. The first camera can detect pre-programmed materials like clothing, which would allow finger movements made across your pants or or shirt to activate commands that call specific people or compose an email, for instance. Autodesk sees this type of input as a possible compliment to smartphones or Google Glasses (which lack a useful input device), though it says the motion detection camera isn’t accurate enough yet to replace a mouse. Anyway, if you wanted that kind of device for your digits, it already existsin spades.

Continue reading Autodesk researchers develop ‘magic finger’ that reads gestures from any surface (video)

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Autodesk researchers develop ‘magic finger’ that reads gestures from any surface (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Tom’s Hardware  |  sourceAutodesk  | Email this | Comments

MediaPortal posts new beta with new look and CableCARD, teases bigger sequel (video)

MediaPortal posts new beta with new interface and CableCARD, teases bigger sequel video

MediaPortal is a rare veteran spinoff of XBMC — a testament to its fan base, but also a sign that it needs a fresh coat of paint. A new 1.3 beta might offer just what home theater PC users have been looking for to keep the front end relevant, at least in the short term. It carries a much more contemporary (and less Windows Media Center-like) skin with minor tweaks to the layout and overall interface. CableCARD support also makes its overdue appearance, although the lack of official CableLabs approval keeps the software from recognizing any copy-protected shows. Don’t fret if those additions aren’t enough, however — we’ve been given a hint as to what the long-in-development MediaPortal 2 will offer through a pair of videos. The clips are largely top-level overviews, but they allude to mobile tie-ins, events, extensions, more skin support, video backgrounds and news. With an Autumn Build of MP2 available “right around the corner” for viewers, it might not be long before we learn what those new additions are like through first-hand experience.

Continue reading MediaPortal posts new beta with new look and CableCARD, teases bigger sequel (video)

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MediaPortal posts new beta with new look and CableCARD, teases bigger sequel (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 23:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Missing Remote  |  sourceMediaPortal  | Email this | Comments

PlayStation Store update hitting PAL regions on October 17th, North America on October 23rd

PlayStation Store update hitting PAL regions on October 17th, North America on October 23rd

If you feel the current design of the PlayStation Store leaves a lot to be desired, then you’ll probably be glad to hear it’s being totally revamped. A new UI should do a better job of pushing fresh content at you, and its appearance will be consistent regardless of whether you’re outputting in standard or high def. Searching has been improved to handle abbreviations and misspellings, and a dynamic list of suggestions will try to work out what you’re looking for as you type. Also, Vita and PSP content will be separated, new filters will be available and content hubs will offer everything linked to a certain title, à la the Xbox 360 Marketplace. Sound good? Well, there’s not long to wait – it’ll be launching in PAL regions (Europe, Asia, Australia and others) on October 17th, while North Americans will receive it almost a week later, on October 23rd.

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PlayStation Store update hitting PAL regions on October 17th, North America on October 23rd originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceVG247, Sony PlayStation Blog  | Email this | Comments

Paul Allen takes a look at Windows 8, finds his ex-workmates mostly doing well

Paul Allen takes a look at Windows 8, finds his alma mater doing mostly well

When Paul Allen isn’t busy writing memoirs or suing everyone, he’s… providing insightful operating system commentary? While “software reviewer” isn’t normally part of his job description, Allen has seen fit to dissect Microsoft’s Windows 8 interface and learn how the company he co-founded is getting along without him. It’s coping gracefully, thank you. The industry pioneer has decided the OS has a lot of promise for tablets, where the touch interface and legacy Windows support could provide the best of both worlds. He doesn’t spare his former coworkers from criticism, though: he warns that the split between the Windows 8-style UI and the traditional desktop is potentially confusing, notes the absence of useful Android and iOS features like touch-friendly app folders, and doesn’t find the conventional Windows interface very practical with fingers alone. It’s hard to ignore the soft spot Allen likely has towards the platform he fostered for years, but his preview still offers a unique perspective on what many of us will see in three weeks.

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Paul Allen takes a look at Windows 8, finds his ex-workmates mostly doing well originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG gets patent for mobile UI that reacts to flexible displays, encourages origami

LG gets patent for mobile UI that reacts to flexible displays, encourages origami

As often as companies love to toy with flexible displays, we’re seldom told how we’d control that newfound freedom. Are we supposed to make e-paper cranes? Credit LG for some forward thinking — it’s just receiving a US patent for a 2008-era user interface invention that would use a bending screen to its advantage. The implementation includes two displays, one of which flexes while the other accepts touch; bend or fold the first display, and the touchscreen changes to suit the context. Having two closely linked displays would also let the panels run either in unity or independently. Suffice it to say that the technology is unlikely to roll out as-is on a smartphone, if ever: LG’s attention has swung towards having one big touchscreen as of late. However, the interface does give the Korean firm a place to start if it develops devices to match its new flexible batteries.

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LG gets patent for mobile UI that reacts to flexible displays, encourages origami originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Adobe Revel 1.5 released with new UI, text captions and auto-syncing albums

Adobe Revel 1.5 released with new UI, text captions and auto-syncing albumsAdobe’s cloud-based photo storage and editing app has been enjoying its new name since it hopped off the Carousel, and now it’s appreciating a feature bump too. Version 1.5 has just hit the virtual shelves of the Mac and iTunes stores, complete with a new UI and the option to log in using Facebook or Google accounts. Functionality wise, the update adds text captioning for your snaps and the ability to create albums which auto-sync across your devices and can be shared with others via the web. Alright, so the update isn’t revolutionizing the service, but we’re sure those that currently subscribe are reveling in it.

Continue reading Adobe Revel 1.5 released with new UI, text captions and auto-syncing albums

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Adobe Revel 1.5 released with new UI, text captions and auto-syncing albums originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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