IBM develops computerized voice that actually sounds human

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/ibm-develops-computerized-voice-that-actually-sounds-human/

If there's one thing that still grates our nerves, it's automated calling systems. Or, more specifically, the robotic beings that simply fail to understand our slang and incomprehensible rants. IBM's working hard and fast to change all that, with a team at the company's Thomas J Watson research division developing and patenting a computerized voice that can utter "um," "er" and "yes, we're dead serious." The sophisticated system adds in the minutiae that makes conversation believable to Earthlings, and it's even programmed to learn new nuances and react to phrases such as "shh." The technology has been difficulty coined "generating paralinguistic phenomena via markup in text-to-speech syntheses," and while exact end uses have yet to be discussed publicly, we can certainly imagine a brave new world of automated CSRs.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

IBM develops computerized voice that actually sounds human originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's Mofiria biometrics to be trotted out sometime this year

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/sonys-mofiria-biometrics-to-be-trotted-out-sometime-this-year/

We don't know anybody who seriously relies on biometrics -- except, of course, those of you who rushed out late last year to pick up your very own BioMirage Coffer -- but if this is your bag, take note: Sony has just announced Mofiria, their new high speed, compact biometric solution for mobile devices. Similar to Fujitsu's PalmSecure, the technology uses near infrared LEDs and a CMOS sensor to capture a snapshot of your veins. Apparently, vein patterns vary from person to person and from finger to finger, and don't change throughout a person's life -- making them perfect for use in authentication. Of course, passwords should also vary from person to person, and computer to computer, but Sony won't ever be able to charge extra for a secure password. And that's really what all this is about, isn't it? No word on a price yet, but this bad boy should roll out sometime in 2009. PR after the break.

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Filed under: Peripherals

Sony's Mofiria biometrics to be trotted out sometime this year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alpha version of Intel's Moblin OS released for brave netbookers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/30/alpha-version-of-intels-moblin-os-released-for-brave-netbookers/

It's been nearly a year since we were first confused about what this whole Moblin thing was going to be, but now here it is released to the wild, roaming about in alpha form and looking to find a home for itself in your netbook. If you haven't been following along, Moblin is a custom flavor of Linux that Intel has been whipping up for installation on devices using its chips, particularly the Atom but Core 2 processors as well. It's based on Fedora and, as of this release, is confirmed to work on Acer's Aspire One and Dell's Mini, though Eee peeps can check it out too -- so long as they don't mind living without WiFi. Mind you, this is still a very early version and there's a ways to go before a final release, so feel free to sit this round out if you're not into the whole bleeding edge thing.

[Via Ars Technica]

Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

Alpha version of Intel's Moblin OS released for brave netbookers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GigaPan Epic imager released, your party photos will never be the same

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/30/gigapan-epic-imager-released-your-party-photos-will-never-be-th/

You may have heard about that absolutely giant (1,474 megapixel) photo taken of the Inauguration using a Canon G10 and a GigaPan Imager. Well, today the company's launched the GigaPan Epic for commercial sale. It works with most point-and-shoots, and composes a single photograph from many (the inaugural photo was 220) shots. A robotic mount attached to the camera automates the process of taking all of those images, so you don't need to worry about missing any of the details. The GigaPan Epic is available now for $379, and a GigaPan Epic 100 for larger point-and-shoot models is expected "soon." Full PR after the break.

[Via Photography Blog]

Continue reading GigaPan Epic imager released, your party photos will never be the same

Filed under: Digital Cameras

GigaPan Epic imager released, your party photos will never be the same originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VAIO P spotted and unboxed in the American wild

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/30/vaio-p-spotted-and-unboxed-in-the-american-wild/

Sure, we were certainly rocking Sony's littlest VAIO in various locations across these United States, but the things have been taking their time in finding their way to the hands of our fellow gadget lovers. After finally starting shipping on Wednesday they're now starting to show up on the doorsteps of lucky folks around the country, with AdamW at HappyAssassin the first to give one the domestic unboxing treatment -- also performing a bonus little comparo with his friendly neighborhood Aspire One. Adam indicates that installing Linux is next on his to-do list, which sounds quite tasty to us.

Filed under: Laptops

VAIO P spotted and unboxed in the American wild originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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