University of Southampton have developed a new way to generate music

Researchers Group at the University of Southampton have developed a new way to generate music and control computers. EnricoCostanza, Researcher of the university's electronics and computer science department, who launched Audio d-touch, said, “Grab a block and add a base beat, turn a block to speed up the high hat, and we have a new way to generate music through controlling the Our computer.” New way to generate Audio d-touch, based on EnricoCostanza research on tangible user interfaces (TUIs), offers physical control in the world of computers with new technology. dtouch uses a standard computer and a web cam also. Using simple computer vision techniques, physical blocks are tracked on a printed board with new technology. The position of the blocks then determines how the computer samples and reproduces sound in computer. “As more of our world moves into the electronic records to mp3s and books to eBooks---we loose the satisfying richness of touching physical objects like paper and drumsticks,” He added EnricoCostanza in an institute release, adding, “Our Audio d-touch system allows people to set up and use tangible interfaces in their own homesand also @ offices or music recording studios,” further He added, EnricoCostanza. “This is the first time such a free dtouch application has been developed,” he added. TUIs are an alternative to virtual worlds. Human computer interaction researchers Group are investigating ways to move away from the online, purely digital world and rediscover the richness of our sense of touch. All that is needed is a regular computer equipped with a webcam and a printer.

mobile service providers

India Mobile services private telecom player Bhartiairtel today hinted that mobile tariffs may increase further due to the rising operating costs. “The pressure on this industry will be acute since the operators have to serve the rural markets as well as low-end customers, who use only voice calls and text messages,” said Mr.SunilMr.Sunilmittal, chairman, Bhartiairtel at an industry event. He added the correction in tariffs was required to compensate for the rural operations and the cost of operations had gone up exponentially. Indian cellphone users have been enjoying the lowest tariffs plan in the world for the last two years. However, due to high competition and tariff war, which was unleashed by new Mobile services telecom players, the margins and the profits of the operators have taken a hit. The mobile service providers are also reeling under big pressure due to high debt taken for acquiring third generation (3G) and broadband wireless access spectrum in the auction last year.

Bhartiairtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular had recently increased their prepaid tariffs in almost all circles by 20 per cent. Bhartiairtel was the second private telecom operator to increase tariffs after Tata Docomo, which raised the prices in 1/2 circles two months back. Subsequently, Vodaphone Essar, Idea-Cellular and Reliance Communications service had also increased the prices in most of the circles. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had sought explanation from operators who had increased tariffs. Currently, operators have to notify Telecom Regulatory Authority of India of any change in the tariff plan, introduction of new plans as well the changes in the prices within 30 days. At the same event, minister for communications and information technology Mr.KapilSibal spoke for the need to consolidation in the telecom industry. The department of telecommunications (DoT) is working on a new telecom policy 2011, which will talk about mergers and acquisitions for the players apart from other things. "It's time for us to consolidate the industry. We can't afford 12 13 players in a circle. I think spectrum can be shared and I don't think there is a need for over-regulation for this," he added.

Windows Mobile application - Google Android -download applications from

Microsoft is turning off the lights, closing the doors and shutting down its Marketplace for Windows Mobile. The writing has been on the wall for the Windows Mobile app storefront since at least the launch of the Windows Phone operating system in 2010, which marked a move away from the physical keyboards, styluses and touch input of Windows Mobile and toward newer Apple iPhone- and google Android-rivaling handsets that are touch screen only. But although Microsoft has largely abandoned the Windows Mobile OS, which hasn't been updated since 2010, the software still does run on leftover smart phones purchased before the switch to Windows Phone. Microsoft announced the move in an email sent out to Windows Mobile users, which was first reported by Tech Crunch. "Beginning May 9, 2012, the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service will no longer be available. Starting on this date, you will no longer be able to browse, buy or download applications directly on your Windows Mobile 6.x smartphone using the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace application and service," Microsoft's email said. "Applications and games acquired from the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service installed on your Windows Mobile 6.x phone will continue to work after the service is discontinued on May 9, 2012. However, additional downloads of these applications and games from the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service will no longer be available." The message is clear: Microsoft's efforts are solidly behind Windows Phone and making that platform work. So if you're the owner of a Windows Mobile phones, you'll no longer have a marketplace to download applications from -- so get what you can while you can, or maybe think about getting a new smart phone.

Facebook online strategist

Chris Hughes, one of the co-founders of Facebook and a former online strategist for Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign, has purchased a majority stake in The New Republic, the magazine said on Friday. Hughes, 28, will become publisher and editor-in-chief of the nearly 100-year old magazine which covers American politics. He is also expected to apply his expertise in digital technology in his new role. The New Republic currently publishes a daily Web magazine. The New Republic did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction or the exact size of the stake. Hughes co-founded Facebook in 2004 at Harvard with his then- roommates Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg and Dustin Moskovitz. Since working on the Obama campaign Hughes founded Jumo.com in 2010, a non-profit site that aimed to help people find ways to help each other. It was later combined with GOOD in 2011, an online content and social engagement platform. As well as his new role Hughes will continue to invest independently and work with non-profits like the Knight Foundation.

advanced encryption processing

NEC Corp has developed an ultra-thin, 0.3mm thick, organic radical battery (ORB) that is compatible within standard IC cards of 0.76mm thickness. The adoption of these ultra-thin ORBs featuring greater flexibility, higher power output and faster recharging speeds than existing rechargeable batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, is expected to enable advanced new functions in IC cards, electronic paper and other technologies. Conventional ORBs of 0.7mm thickness are difficult for IC cards of standard 0.76mm thickness to adopt. These new 0.3mm ORBs are less than half the thickness of existing units, a size reduction that was accomplished by using printing technologies to integrate circuit boards with batteries. As a result, IC cards embedded with these batteries can be used for a wide range of functions, including displays, transmission and advanced encryption processing.

Apple programing support

The corporation is looking at making all of its programmes available to download to own for an average £1.89 per show, reports Paid Content. The idea, which is codenamed ‘Project Barcelona’, is an attempt to monetize both new and old BBC content. However, ‘Barcelona’ is being met with skepticism by some independent producers who are worried that the arrangement will harm their DVD sales and are unsure of what percentage revenue share they will receive. It is not clear, if the service was to launch, how it would eventually impact the £145.50 annual license fee – which is currently frozen for the next four years. But Project Barcelona could help the corporation make more money to support itself, as the Government advised as the time of capping the fee in 2010. The BBC is proposing to give producers a greater share of the episode download price (around 40 pence from £1.89) than Apple currently does (which gives them 28 pence on the same price).

According to information seen by Paid Content, the project is “about making what is effectively seen as non-commercial programming available to the market at a price and ease of use that will encourage consumers to purchase programmes that the commercial market would not make available due to the poor returns and risk involved”. Presently people can watch and listen to new BBC TV and radio shows via iPlayer for up to 30 days after transmission. After that cut off point, the commercial arm of the BBC (BBC Worldwide) or the original producers, can license the rights to iTunes or other download to own services. However, at the moment, only seven per cent of the corporation’s content is being made available to buy through these channels – which is why certain executives are pushing for this new system. A BBC spokesman said: “In addition to BBC iPlayer, the BBC already makes some of its content available on a download-to-own (DTO) basis. "Any proposal to extend this facility would require not just the support of the industry but formal approval by the BBC executive and the BBC Trust.”