Nokia’s next step…

After the birth of the Apple iPhone, a new dawn is coming. One of the first to jump on this is the leading mobile phone manufacturer Nokia.

Nokia is planning to update their smartphone’s OS – Symbian:

S60 smartphone software evolves to enrich the user experience.

Here is part of the Press Release by Nokia as issued on Oct 16, 2007:

Expanding the platform with intuitive touch user interface, sensor technologies and complete web video experience.

Symbian Smartphone Show, London, UK – As Internet is
entering into the core of mobile experiences, Nokia continues to
implement new innovations for S60 on Symbian OS(TM), the market leading
smartphone software, to develop the best possible mobile experiences
for people.
S60 will
introduce new features that enhance the user experience and enable
manufacturers, developers and operators to design new types of mobile
devices, applications and services. 
The
touch user interface in S60 smartphone software offers licensees the
opportunity to develop devices with a variety of input methods, whether
it is a touch screen with a traditional keypad, touch screen with a
qwerty keyboard or touch screen alone, supporting both finger or stylus
optimized input, in addition to the range of access options that
already exist today.

You can read the rest of the Press Release here.

Technorati Tags: Nokia, S60, smartphones, Symbian, touch screen

Windows Vista EULA: How BAD is it?

 

Ever since I found out that Vista Home and Vista Home Premium editions explicitly prevent you from running the software in a virtual machine I’ve been poring over Microsoft’s EULAs trying to make sense of them. Kudos to Microsoft for providing a nice easy way to browse through all the EULAs for all their software. You can download all the licensing agreements as pdf files from that link.

There have been a number of reports on the internet about all sorts of terrible things you agree to when accepting the Vista EULA, but it isn’t really that bad.

There are however a couple of things that you might want to know. It’s true that Vista Home and Home Premium can not be installed in virtual machines. The specific text reads:

USE WITH VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES. You may not use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system.

Microsoft claims that the majority of users wanting to run Vista under virtualization software are businesses and enthusiast who would be better served by the Business and Ultimate versions respectively. Which, while it may have some merit, is nevertheless market-speak for “we arbitrarily decided to punish users looking to run our software on a part time basis.”

But the crippling doesn’t stop there, even those who go with Vista Ultimate on their virtual machine still can’t play Microsoft DRM content:

You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device. If you do so, you may not play or access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other Microsoft rights management services or use BitLocker

Another rumor I’d heard about the Vista EULA is that it allows Windows Defender, the built in virus and spyware protection that ships with Vista, to arbitrarily remove programs. How much merit this has depends on how paranoid you are, here’s the relevant text:

If turned on, Windows Defender will search your computer for “spyware,” “adware” and other potentially unwanted software. If it finds potentially unwanted software, the software will ask you if you want to ignore, disable (quarantine) or remove it. Any potentially unwanted software rated “high” or “severe,” will automatically be removed after scanning unless you change the default setting. Removing or disabling potentially unwanted software may result in

• other software on your computer ceasing to work, or
• your breaching a license to use other software on your computer.

By using this software, it is possible that you will also remove or disable software that is not potentially unwanted software.

In other words, Windows Defender could remove programs you don’t want removed (certain torrent software comes to mind) if the mothership decided to tell it to do so with an update. However you can always disable it and use another anti-virus/adware remover.

The last line in that quote is kind of interesting since it basically says that Windows Defender may not work. However in this day and age it probably behooves Microsoft to err on the side of caution when it comes to security, still it’s not very comforting.

The last part of the licensing that bears mention is sure to send shivers down the spine of any FLOSS advocate:

The software is licensed, not sold. This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software. Microsoft reserves all other rights. Unless applicable law gives you more rights despite this limitation, you may use the software only as expressly permitted in this agreement. In doing so, you must comply with any technical limitations in the software that only allow you to use it in certain ways. For more information, see http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/userights. You may not

• work around any technical limitations in the software;
• reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the software, except and only to the extent that applicable law expressly permits, despite this limitation;
• use components of the software to run applications not running on the software…

I still have trouble with the idea that commercial software is not sold but licensed, but that’s hardly unique to Windows, most other large commercial software packages ship with similarly worded EULAs. What varies from manufacturer to manufacturer is how the license is applied. In Vista’s case the software is licensed to a specific machine, not a user. You can transfer your software and license to a new machine exactly once after disabling or removing it from the old machine if you bought Vista retail. If your copy of Vista came with the purchase of new computer that copy of Vista may only be legally used on that machine.

On the bright side, Microsoft has done a good job of writing the Vista EULA in a surprisingly readable, low-jargon manner. There’s a few places where the wording gets tricky, but it’s nothing compared to those of some other companies.

I should also point out that regardless of the Vista EULA, local laws governing the country of your residence always trump any EULA so bear that in mind.

Free VST plugins

Tritone Digital offer some wonderful VST plugins. Most of them you can purchase them but there are some free.

The first one is PhaseTone:

PhaseTone is a FREE frequency-dependent phase rotation and correction plugin.

PhaseTone allows you to manipulate the phase of your signal across a user-definable frequency range, with options for creating different phase and time-based offsets (if desired) for the left and right channels of a stereo signal.

Similar to hardware boxes popular for correcting phase relationships between signal-pairs such as bass DI and bass mics and top/bottom snare mics, PhaseTone goes a little further.

By allowing the user to select the center frequency and Q of the phase process, PhaseTone allows for more creative manipulation of phase when mixing, producing effects with more EQ like results, increasing clarity and removing mud. And, best of all, it’s free!

The second one is ColorTone:

ColorTone is a “Tone Box�? which simulates the signal path of analog devices through the use of convolution and various proprietary non-linear processes. ColorTone is designed to provide analog-like character and flavor to the modern digital audio workstation.

ColorTone is available in two formats: ColorTone-Pro and ColorTone-Free.

ColorTone-Pro allows the user to load their own samples (instructions for sampling your own equipment are included) and provides the user with our custom-coded Warmth algorithm to enhance the signal-path with extra harmonic goodness. ColorTone-Pro comes with a selection of classic samples.

ColorTone-Free is another free plugin from TriTone Digital.

ColorTone-Free provides the user with a preset group of classic signal-path samples. ColorTone-Free cannot load new samples and does not contain the Warmth algorithm.

Both versions of ColorTone allow the user to multiply the color of the selected circuit, increasing the color from the standard character to several times the original color.

So better head to their site to download these free plugins to give them a try yourself!

Tags: VST, plugins, TriTone, ColorTone, PhaseTone

PHOSCYON: New VST analogue synth

PHOSCYON is a virtual instrument (made with VSTi technology), which emulates sound of famous nowadays analogue synthesizer. It’s equipped in many options expanding possibilities of an original synth. Phoscyon’s innovative technology takes virtual analogue moddelling to a whole new level and it should convince even the most die hard analog fans.

It has characteristic sound which is irreplaceable in many cases and even more famous modular synthesizers can’t imitate it though more advanced construction.

Phoscyon was created mainly for musicians who compose modern electronic music and especially music coming from techno style. So it’s: acid, house, drum and base or ambient.

More details and even audio samples of this analogue synth, and if you really like it, you can instantly buy it from the d16 Group’s website and shop.

Tags: VST plugin, analogue synth, Phoscyon, dance, music

Solid State Logic: LMC-1 VST Plug-In – Now Free!

Every now and again a piece of audio equipment comes along that defines the sound of an era. Back in 1979 Solid State Logic gave birth to a legendary recording console. The SSL SL 4000E Master Studio System forever changed how records would be recorded and mixed, heralding a new age in popular music. In less than three years, every major studio worldwide featured at a least one room with an SSL “E�? Series console.

The SSL Listen Mic Compressor was the secret weapon in many producers sonic arsenal of recording techniques. Originally designed to prevent overloading the return feed from a studio communications mic, its fixed attack and release curves were eminently suitable for use on ambient drums mics. Of course, we’d like to take all the credit for this great sound, but as usual, it was the creativity of SSL users that led to the idea.

Long-time SSL user Hugh Padgham was one of the first to capture this new drum sound on tape,while working with Steve Lilywhite on Peter Gabriel’s ‘Intruder’, he told Mix magazine:* “On a normal console, you have a button to press to talk to the musicians in the headphones, but you did not have a button to press for us to listen to the musicians. To do that, you’d plug a microphone into a spare channel on the desk and listen to your musicians through that. But the SSL had a reverse talkback button and there was a microphone hanging up in the studio already, a dedicated input into the reverse mic input on the console. And on this microphone, they had the most unbelievably heavy compressor, so you could hear somebody who was over in the corner.

“One day, Phil (Collins) was playing the drums,�? Hugh recalls, “and I had the reverse talkback on because he was speaking, and then he started playing the drums. The most unbelievable sound came out because of the heavy compressor. I said, ‘My God, this is the most amazing sound! Steve, listen to this.’ But the way the reverse talkback was setup, you couldn’t record it. So I had the desk modified that night. I got one of the maintenance guys to take the desk apart and get a split output of this compressor and feed it into a patch point on the jack field so I could then patch it into a channel on the board. From there, we were able to route that to the tape recorder.”

Now you can experience the Listen Mic Compressor within the comfort of your own workstation software and see what sounds it’ll lead you to create. If you discover something really great – like a radical new distorted oboe sound then be sure to let us know.

Download your copy now!

Technorati Tags: Solid State Logic, LMC-1, VST, plugin, Mic, compressor, free

Creative X-Fi Sound Blaster

CREATIVE INTRODUCES SOUND BLASTER X-FI -
DELIVERING DRAMATIC ENHANCEMENTS TO ANY MUSIC OR AUDIO PLUS ACCELERATED PC GAMING

Sound Blaster X-Fi, featuring the breakthrough Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity Audio Processor, provides unprecedented power and performance to deliver the new Xtreme Fidelity Audio Standard.

Enjoy the most advanced 3D headphone audio ever! It’s so good you’ll forget you’re wearing headphones!

Experience the most detailed and believable 3D audio you’ve ever heard over multichannel speakers!

The key benefits of Xtreme Fidelity Audio are:

1. X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity Processing – 10,000+ MIPS
The Creative X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor packs in over 51 million transistors that churn out over 10,000 MIPS of power! That is 24 times more powerful than its predecessor, the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS, and is all dedicated to delivering the best audio experience ever!

2. No Compromise Technology For Any Use
Unlike ANY previous audio technology the X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio processor delivers an “Active Modal Architecture” that allows you, the user, to switch between one of three modes (Gaming, Entertainment & Audio Creation). Each mode dynamically dedicates the processor’s power to deliver the features, quality and capabilities that you require for that usage. The outcome is maximum features and quality no matter what you want to do!

3. 136dB SNR Processing Quality
The Creative X-Fi audio processor features an SRC engine that is so precise that any audio resolution is converted to any other resolution at near transparency with 136db SNR (THD+N) – a conversion that’s over 300 times higher quality than the previous best (Sound Blaster® Audigy®). This delivers truly incredible quality and audio experience for any audio and frees up the audio creation user from having to think about the final required resolution – record at whatever resolution you want and just SRC to your final requirements.

4. Xtreme Fidelity Audio Enhancement
X-Fi CMSS-3D delivers incredibly realistic surround sound!

5. SuperRip Your CDs Into 24-bit Xtreme Fidelity Music
With the X-Fi 24-bit Crystalizer and the X-Fi CMSS-3D features, you can now “SuperRip” your CDs into Xtreme Fidelity quality so that you can permanently enhance your music to sound better than the original CD.

There are 4 cards to choose from:

Technorati Tags: Creative, sound blaster, X-Fi

Dream Keyboard: Optimus

The Optimus Keyboard from Russian’s Art.Lebedev Studio should be out on February of this year. This is truly a dream keyboard, as every key has it’s own customisable OLED display, which means that you can choose what is displayed on it.

These are a few points that the manufacturers point out:

• It’s in the initial stage of production.
• We hope it will be released in 2006.
• It will cost less than a good mobile phone.
• It will be real.
• It will be OS-independent(at least it’s going to be able to work in some default state with any OS).
• It will support any language or layout.
• Each key could be programmed to produce any sequence.
• It will be an open-source keyboard, SDK will be available.
• Some day it will be split(and made “ergonomic�?).
• It will most likely use the OLED technology (e-paper/e-ink is sooo slow).
• It will feature a key-saver.
• Keys could be animated when needed.
• It has a numeric keypad because we love it.
• It will be available worldwide (why not?)
• OEM is possible(why not?)

Optimus is good for any layouts—Cyrillic, Ancient Greek, Georgian, Arabic—and so on to infinity: notes, numerals, special symbols, HTML codes, mathematical functions.

Underneath are some shots of the keyboard customised for the program / application in use:

English lower case

Photoshop customised keys (forget the shortcuts! just press the pre-programmed key!)

Quake game keys (keep your focus on the game not the commands)

In my opinion, this is a wonderful concept for a keyboard and always wondered why no one came out with such a product. Hope others would follow in this brilliant example, and when such keyboards would become ‘standard’, also hope that software makers would have their software customisation (key shortcuts) with the installation of the software.

Technorati Tags: Optimus, keyboard, customized

The Sony E-Ink Reader

Gizmodo Live from CES:

This is the Sony reader that uses the display technology from E-Ink I’ve been hearing so much about. To give you an idea of just how good this display looks… I walked up to the counter, looked at the text on the screen and asked, “So when will you have working units to play with?” The reply: “This is a working reader.” I mistakenly though the text on the screen was some kind of plastic overlay—that’s how ink-like it looked. Then the PR rep increased the text size, searched through the table of contents and showed me some Manga comics. It is the first e-reader that seemed like I could sit down and spend hours on without experiencing eye strain. Part of the reason it works is that it does not have a backlight, so forget about reading in the dark. There is also zero flicker, as far as I could see. It’s small and lightweight too (.5 inches thick and smaller than a hardcover book). The reader accepts both Memory Stick and SD flash memory cards. It’s got a USB plug, and could be used to download and read websites, JPEGs or PDF docs. The battery life, as they are selling it, is equivalent to “7,500 page turns, avid readers can devour a dozen bestsellers plus War and Peace without ever having to recharge.”

The books will be available through the Connect Store, and there is some Connect software for managing your books (so far this is the only drawback). Random House, HarperCollins Publishers, Penguin-Putnam, Simon & Schuster and Time Warner Book Group are all on board with titles, along with Manga publisher Tokyopop. Sony is promising to deliver this reader by Spring.

Source.

Technorati Tags: Sony, E-Ink, reader