The Future Of Camera-Based Input

Not entirely dissimilar to the 2008 patent which showed an iPhone being controlled by camera-based input, is this German student's app, which controls the Maps app being controlled by the camera tracking hand movements through the app.

It's probably easiest if you watch the below, which demonstrates—in a slightly limited fashion—a hand being moved in front of the camera, controlling a dot moving around the iPhone's Google Maps app. The iPhone is connected to a laptop, which has the Map interface displayed. Interestingly, moving the hand further away from the camera zooms the map out, and moving it in zooms the map in.

I can't see how this app could be used any further though—or maybe I'm being too obtuse? The idea of having another way to control a touchscreen phone just seems a little crazy to me.

All credits and information was found on gizmodo.com

T-Mobile invites us to 'come experience the HTC HD2' on March 16; release on the 24th? (update: or 23rd!)

Like clockwork, we've just been dropped a line by T-Mobile USA asking us to join them for a very special media event to check out the HTC HD2 -- "a larger than life entertainment powerhouse" -- in fabulous New York City on the evening of March 16. That lines up nicely with the company's earlier assurances that we'd see a launch in March -- but what day in March, exactly? Well, we're hearing from a number of tipsters (including trusted sources) that the 24th is the day this thing breaks loose at retail, so set your watches and calendars accordingly -- assuming you haven't been wooed into Windows Phone 7 Series' tender, loving grasp, that is.

All credits and information was found on engadget.com

Bad news: HTC says the Nexus One doesn't 'go in pockets'

One of the biggest mysteries in the blogosphere right now is probably Crave's Nexus One, which somehow developed a cracked screen while simply charging on the desk (sounds familiar, right?). Not even HTC could unearth the cause from its forensic inspection, but it didn't rule out the possibility of a small crack growing over time due to, for example, "getting knocked around by keys" and repetitive squeezes in tight pockets. That's fine, but saying "people sometimes forget that they don't go in pockets" is surely stretching a bit, no? What happened to the awesomeness in the compression test and bend test that we once witnessed? More importantly, has anyone here had the same baffling screen problem and been charged £180 ($273) for the repair? If so, do share your pain with us -- we've got a shoulder for you.

All credits and information was found on engadget.com

Sony Developing PlayStation Phone

Today the Wall Street Journal reports that Sony is going to develop "a smartphone capable of downloading and playing PlayStation games" in order to combat Apple's growing hold on the mobile gaming market. The smartphone (along with a second multimedia device alo in development) will be able to connect with Sony's online gaming and media platform, which will go live in the U.S. later this month. The Sony Online Service will offer much of the same content being offered by Apple's iTunes Music Store, but Sony believes that it can differentiate by permitting a range of devices (not just phones) to access its catalog of games. Sony says the games will mostly include older games that are compatible with the original PlayStation. Sony is working more actively with Sony Ericsson to develop the handset, which is expected to launch later this year. Sony has indicated that smartphones are going to play a much more strategic role in the company's future. Details about the smartphone, such as price and features, weren't shared.

All credits and information was found on phonescoop.com

Google stands behind HTC in Apple lawsuit

Yesterday Apple filed a lawsuit against HTC claiming that the company was infringing on 20 of its patents involving user interfaces and hardware. Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, even went so far as to say "We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, and not steal ours."

Today, Google offered a comment on the matter when a spokesperson told TechCrunch: "We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it."

Despite Google enabling multitouch on Android, allowing developers like HTC and even Motorola to add multitouch capabilities to their respective devices, the lawsuit doesn't involve Google. Google did not go into specific details as to how it plans to support HTC in the lawsuit.

All credits and information was found on engadget.com

Nokia C5 pairs candy bar form with S60

Today, at CeBIT, Nokia unveiled the first handset in its newly-named line of phones, the C-Series: the Nokia C5. The C5 pairs the classic Nokia candy bar form-factor with S60 3rd edition and a very modest price point — €135 ($182) unsubsidized. The phone will feature a 2.2″ display, 3.2 megapixel camera, 3.5 mm A/V connector, FM radio, 12 hours of talk time, GPS, Ovi Maps, Nokia Messaging, and microSD card slot (with support for up to a 16GB card). The C5 will be available in the second half of 2010 in Europe, Eurasia, and China. Not for everyone, but hey, for $182 it’s way better than a feature phone, in our modest opinion.

All credits and information was found on boygeniusreport.com

Windows Phone 7 Series themes for WinMo abound in dev forums

We know that it ain't always practical or desirable to put money down on a phone every time a new OS or interface comes out -- so what is a gadget hound to do when they realize their hardware won't be supported by Windows Phone 7 Series? Well, if you're anything like these enterprising individuals you roll your own. Both Jaxbot and LeSScro, members of the XDA Developers forum, have skins in the works that mimic the new OS on WinMo devices with varying degrees of success. The work of the former is still pretty slow and buggy but it does offer some functionality -- including info on live tiles and the ability to see upcoming appointments on your lock screen. The latter theme, on the other hand, sports time, date, and notifications on the lock screen, profile settings, transitional animations, a handful of hubs (including games, media, and Office), and an apps launcher.


All credits and information was found on engadget.com