A neuro-technology company called Emotiv has unveiled a revolutionary personal interface for human computer interaction that makes it possible for video games to be controlled and influenced by the player’s mind.

Emotiv Systems, headquartered in San Francisco, California, was founded in 2003 by four award-winning scientists and executives: internationally recognized neuroscientist Professor Allan Snyder, chip-design pioneer Neil Weste, and technology entrepreneurs Tan Le and Nam Do. These founders all shared the same inspiring vision: to introduce the immediacy of thought to the human-machine dialogue. Together they have developed a technology that utterly transforms the way we interact with computers.

While Emotiv is currently focusing on the electronic gaming industry, the applications for the Emotiv EPOC™ technology and interface span an amazing variety of potential industries — interactive television, accessibility design, market research, medicine, even security. Plans for introducing Emotiv into these and other broad realms are already in the works. [Emotiv]

 

The neuroheadset prototype, called Emotiv EPOC, uses a set of sensors to tune into electric signals produced naturally by the brain to perceive player thoughts, feelings and expressions. It connects via wireless with all gaming platforms, from PCs to consoles.

The device will be available later this year and will cost $299. It will be sold with a range of games designed by Emotiv, but users will be able to use it with existing PC games.

Sony Pictures Television said it will become the first Hollywood studio to launch a movie network on cellphones in the U.S.

The company has signed deals with AT&T and MediaFLO to start offering movies from several labels as early as May.

The channel, called PIX, will contain full-length movies that have been already broadcasted on TV, theatres or DVDs such as “Karate Kid,” “Ghostbusters” or “Resident Evil.”

The service will be ad-supported and not be available on demand although Sony could eventually convert PIX to an on demand model or take it online.

AT&T has not yet disclosed a price for the new mobile TV package.

Apple has introduced new models of its iPhone and iPod Touch devices with double the memory of previous versions.

The latest iPhone offers 16 GB of memory and costs $499. The previously released 8 GB version will still be available for $399.

The new iPod Touch comes with 32 GB of memory and will sell for $499. Apple will continue to sell the older 16 GB and 8 GB versions at $399 and $299, respectively.

Apple said that all iPhone and iPod Touch models come with updated software which includes a new maps application and the ability to watch movies from the iTunes movie rental service.

Apple, which stated in January that it sold more than 4 million iPhones since it was launched last June, stood for 28% of the U.S. smartphone market in the fourth quarter of 2007 according to research firm Canalys. Research In Motion (maker of Black Berry) had the largest market share (41%) and Palm took the third place with 9% of the market.

Worldwide, Nokia is still the clear market leader with a 52.9% of all smart phones during the fourth quarter. Research In Motion was second with an 11.4% and Apple took the third place with a 6.5% of the market.

Start-up Vlingo has developed a speech recognition technology for mobile phones that allows users to search for local business information, songs or web information using their voice.

The application, called Find, is in beta phase at AT&T and Sprint. Consumers who use certain types of mobile phones from these carriers can download the interface from vlingo.

Vlingo is a voice-powered user interface that unlocks access to mobile phone wireless data services. Vlingo allows users to speak or type into any vlingo-enabled text box and get accurate, easy and consistent access to all the information, entertainment and communication made possible through today’s mobile applications. By giving consumers control of the mobile Internet with the power of their voices, Vlingo provides a quantum leap in usability for mobile data services that are currently restricted by limited user interfaces. Vlingo secured its venture capital financing from Charles River Ventures and Sigma Partners. Founded in 2006, the company is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. [Vlingo]

According to Opus Research, speech recognition was a $1.6 billion market in 2007. The firm predicts an annual growth rate of 14.5% over the next three years.

Vlingo will face competition for market share against companies such as Nuance (with its Voice Control system) and Yap, which is running a similar service.

Polymer Vision has unveiled the world’s first pocket size mobile phone with a screen that folds up when not in use.

The device, called Readius, combines a large 5-inch rollable display with 3G high speed connectivity to allow its users mobility and instant access to personalized news, blogs and email.

The exclusive Readius exploit the versatility of rollable displays to merge the ‘reading friendly’ strengths of ereaders with the ‘high mobility’ features of mobile phones. With a display larger than the device itself, and designed around ‘ease of use’ and mobility, Readius® is optimised for reading for 30 hours without battery charge.

The 3G HSDPA tri-band phone allows worldwide calls and high speed instant updates from personally selected news sources, special services and email. The Micro SD High Capacity storage ensures easy access to other favorite information and eBooks. Readius® also features phone as well as audio capabilities (such as MP3) for podcasts, audio books and music. [Polymer Vision]

Readius will compete head-to-head with Amazon’s ebook reader Kindle and Apple’s iPhone when it launches in mid-2008.

Sony has partnered with Skype to enable users of its latest slim PlayStation Portable (PSP-2000) to make free calls around the world through the Internet.

By introducing Skype on PSP, the following features and services will be made available to PSP users:

• Free voice calls between Skype users
• Skype contact list management (view existing contacts, add new ones)
• Skype presence (see which friends are online and available to talk)
• SkypeOut™ calls to make calls to landlines and mobile phones anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
• Optional SkypeIn™ number that lets users receive calls on Skype from landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world (requires the purchase of Skype credit)
• View and modify Skype settings and account details (including username creation, SkypeOut settings, voicemail settings and call forwarding) [Sony Pressroom]

PSP users worldwide will be able to start using Skype features and services through a simple system software update scheduled in late January. After updating the PSP system software, a Skype icon will be added to the Network category in the home menu. PSP users who do not yet have a Skype username can register by clicking the icon and following the instructions. PSP users who already have a Skype username can immediately sign in by clicking the Skype icon and entering their username and password.

Zipit Wireless has announced a new text-messaging plan for its Zipit Wireless Messenger 2, a device that enables Instant Messaging (AOL IM, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger) using Wi-Fi wireless networks.

The only device of its type, the Z2 works on home Wi-Fi networks and on all open, or free wireless “hotspots.” The Z2 supports all the major IM platforms - AOL, Yahoo and MSN - so teens can have multiple, concurrent conversations with their friends, across all popular IM networks. In addition, the new Z2 includes a fully capable music player called “MyTunez™” for instant access to music played from an optional mini-SD card or streamed from the Internet, and the ability to view slideshows with the built-in “MyPhotoz™” photo feature. [Zipit Wireless]

The plan, starting in February, will allow users to contact both cell phone and Instant Messenger users. It will cost $4.99 a month for up to 3,000 messages.

The Zipit Wireless Messenger 2 (Z2) runs in Linux operating system and has a full color display, backlit keyboard, Mini-SD memory card slot, MP3 player and a photo viewer. Its current price is $149.99.