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| 12/27/2011 2:57:17 PM |
| Apple Acquires 3D Mapping Technologies |
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In a move to compete with the success of Google Maps, Apple has revealed news on its acquisition of C3 Technologies known for its forays into 3D mapping. C3 Technologies was added to Apple's 3D mapping portfolio along with their purchase of Poly9 last year, putting speculation to rest as to who actually bought C3 within the industry.
Now eyes are on Apple as to how the company will use 3D mapping technologies as current iOS devices use Google Maps for one's navigational needs. According to 9to5 Mac, C3's CEO, CFO, and lead product manager are working with Apple's iOS team to bring its realistic 3D mapping technologies to consumers. Ultra-realistic 3D renderings of maps are re-rendered on a 2D plane in order to give the user a very realistic map experience even more so than street or satellite views currently in use.
'C3 Technologies creates incredibly high-quality and detailed 3D maps with virtually no input from humans. The 3D mapping is camera based and the technology picks up buildings, homes, and even smaller objects like trees. C3′s solution comes from declassified missile targeting methods,' says the 9to5 Mac report.
The move by Apple is yet another maneuver to set itself apart from the competition. Acquisition of companies that can bolster iOS offerings has been the name of the game for Apple. Siri is a prime example as Apple purchased the start up last year as well to embark on natural voice recognition technology in the iPhone 4S.
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Apple is known for taking the best aspects from startups such as C3 in order to release services that coincide with the company's vision. Hence, acquiring C3 (and Poly9) for their 3D mapping technologies makes Apple in a prime position to oust Google Maps out of its native iOS devices.
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| 12/13/2011 4:11:21 PM |
| New 'Lumia' Nokia Smartphones Are Beautiful and Pack a Low-Cost Punch |
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At the recent London Nokia World conference, the company unveiled the new Lumia Nokia smartphones that are said to pack a punch despite their low-cost marketing. Unlike the powerhouses touted by the likes of Samsung, Motorola, and Apple, a couple of the new Nokia smartphones are beautifully crafted devices that come shipped with the equally aesthetically pleasing Windows Phone 'Mango' operating system.
While four of the six unveiled Nokia smartphones are meant for worldwide emerging markets like the Middle East and parts of Asia, two of them come packed with features essential to the smartphone experience, at a reduced price.
The Lumia 710 and Lumia 800 Nokia smartphones feature not only the latest 'Mango' updates, but have three exclusive features. Nokia Drive is a turn-by-turn navigation app that provides all the fixings that we've seen with smartphone GPS technology, but will also feature offline maps so that you can save and access directions without network or WiFi connection. Nokia music has a feature called Mix Radio that plays pre-set mixes. And for those whose fancy does not lie with cell phone covers or cell phone charms, there's ESPN Sports Hub, exclusive to the Nokia smartphones.
However, there are downsides to the phones such as a lack of a front-facing camera. Kevin Tofel of GigaOM notes that 'while this trio of software features adds appeal to Nokia's new smartphones, I had expected a greater level of Nokia feature integration in Windows Phone. That impression came from the Nokia-Microsoft deal as both companies alluded to deeper software collaboration. Perhaps this will change in time, but from a software perspective, other Windows Phone makers should still compete well with the new Lumias, even without the Nokia software exclusives.'
Tofel does commend Nokia's consistency with hardware design and durability, noting the elegance seen with five available colors and a sleek yet tight design. Keep an eye out for their release date, as Nokia smartphones may prove to the wireless market that high-end ultra-smartphones with their steep price points are not the only way to be mobile.
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| 12/9/2011 6:28:58 PM |
| Siri has Potential with Next Generation 911 and Emergency Calls |
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Next Generation 911 has been in the works under the FCC, Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation in an attempt to make 911 emergency calls more efficient than the current iteration. However, health policy analyst John S. Wilson feels that Siri and other voice services could usher in Next Generation 911 with emergency calls that encompass almost everything except the rescue itself.
Emergency calls made to 911 at present can only be done via phone call and emergency operators and respondents have no way to find the caller without an address. Next Generation 911 is an overhaul to our current emergency response system, allowing GPS locations to be attached to not only phone calls, but texts and video messages as well. John S. Wilson of Policy Diary penned an article at GigaOM recommending development of Siri and other natural voice recognition software to aid in emergency calls.
Siri's popularity with new iPhone 4S owners has gotten them excited over new ways to bend the personal assistant to their will. Unfortunately, Siri cannot make emergency calls as Apple has not instituted a method to authenticate the call and ensure it is not a prank, as many Siri inquiries have been since launch.
As a health policy analyst, John S. Wilson believes 'Siri's particular ability to understand natural language and its deep, contextual search capabilities may change how people contact and communicate with first responders.' He also adds the three following steps Siri could take, if allowed to make emergency calls, when someone requires help but may not necessarily know where they are or what exactly happened due to trauma or otherwise.
- 'First, the phone could video call 911 utilizing Skype or a similar VoIP video service. This would allow first responders to have a much better context of the emergency at hand. Armed with a live video and audio feed of the event, visual cues could assist the first responders as they deconstruct the problem.
- 'Second, Siri could send the GPS location of the caller.'
- 'Third, an app could automatically transmit critical information to the nearest hospital. First Choice Healthcare already has an app that gathers this information – primary care physician, current medications and any drug allergies – for a patient heading to the ER. Depending on the patient's physician, it's possible that the patient's entire electronic health record (EHR) loaded into the app (or otherwise shared with authorized medical personnel) as well.'
Not only this, Siri could be prompted to notify next-of-kin when and where the caller initiated the emergency call and inform them as to which hospital the caller will be located.
'Capabilities like these may shave precious minutes off first-response times and get victims to critical care faster.'
In addition to the fun and convenience smartphones bring to our lives, those concerned with health policy and technology find essential emergency aids in the form of Siri. Imagine your Apple iPhone 4S accessories as well as cell phone covers and phone cases for Android devices that may have natural voice recognition software in the future all the apps and accessories on our trusted devices may help us in a way we take for granted. Imagine Siri, perfectly nested in stylish iPhone 4S leather cases or iPhone 4S covers, responding not only to one's appointments, questions, and whims but also assisting with emergency calls in a dire moments of need.
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