Codine(x) : Uniting all forms of communication

Codine(x) issued a press release today announcing the company’s service, now in its pre-registration phase, which will allow users to unite all forms of communication including voice communications, fax, text messaging, email, instant message and voicemail by means of a unique Codine(x) ID.

“We saw a need in the marketplace that suggested busy professionals and end users demanded a technology that allows them to be reachable instantly by means of a single unique code that connects all of their communications devices,” said Pablo Kleinman, president and CEO of Codine(x). “By linking all forms of communication, Codine(x) makes messaging easy and efficient. Our service will be particularly useful for professionals and people that require accessibility at any given time.”

Each user will have a unique Codine(x) ID, which can be compared to an email address or a phone number. The user will be able to control via a private control panel which method of communication he or she would like to be contacted by. For instance, if you are in a meeting and you cannot accept calls, you can choose to have all incoming Codine(x) communications converted to a printed fax or translated to a text message.

“We are confident that Codine(x) will revolutionize the communications industry by allowing users to constantly stay connected to the device of their choice,” explained Kleinman. “We expect our service to be particularly useful for medical professionals, emergency personnel, as well as for large corporations with international executives who need to remain in touch at all times.”

An added benefit to using a service like Codine(x) is privacy. The user will never have to give out their email address, phone number or any contact information other than their Codine(x) ID, since all communication will be handled through this service.

Codine(x) service is currently accepting ID reservations online at www.codinex.com for $9.95 per year. The billing year will not commence until the service is launched in fall 2006.

The Tenth Dimension

Imagining the Tenth Dimension is a flash presentation of how we can imagine just that, the tenth dimension. The flash movie starts at 0, no dimension, and works its way through each dimension one-by-one up to the 10th, explaining how one would be able to imagine or if it were possible even experience each dimension.

In string theory, physicists tell us that the subatomic particles that make up our universe are created within ten spatial dimensions (plus an eleventh dimension of “time”) by the vibrations of exquisitely small “superstrings”. The average person has barely gotten used to the idea of there being four dimensions: how can we possibly imagine the tenth?

The flash presentation of Imagining the Tenth Dimension is is based of the book “Imagining the Tenth Dimension” by Rob Bryanton.

(Thanks Erik)

Flickr API keys for direct competitors

A few days ago TechCrunch wrote about Kristopher Tate, the founder of photo sharing site Zooomr, being denied access to the Flickr Commercial API. His intent was to use the Flickr API to create an easy way for users to export and move their images from Flickr to Zooomr.

Flickr denied his request, saying “we choose not to support use of the API for sites that are a straight alternative to Flickr.” Stewart Butterfield, founder of Flickr said “why should we burn bandwidth and CPU cycles sending stuff directly to their servers?”.

It seems that Today, Stewart Butterfield, had a change of heart on the API issue, and posted the following message on the Flickr discussion forums.

Re API keys for direct competitors: this is something that we’ve never had any set policy on and this thread has sparked a lot of internal debate on the team: some people felt that it was unreasonable, some people felt like it didn’t matter since Flickr should win on the basis of being the best thing out there.

I actually had a change of heart and was convinced by Eric’s position that we definitely should approve requests from direct competitors as long as they do the same. That means (a) that they need to have a full and complete API and (b) be willing to give us access.

The reasoning here is partly just that “fair’s fair’ and more subtly, like a GPL license, it enforces user freedom down the chain. I think we’ll take this approach (still discussing it internally).

It great to see that Flickr is reconsidering the previous decision.

Tivo files for an On Demand DVR Patent

Tivo has filled a patent application for an “On Demand” type of service, or as they have labeled it “Method and apparatus for secure transfer of previously broadcasted content and Method and apparatus for secure transfer and playback of multimedia content“.

This new service from Tivo will let users download TV show or movies, much the same way you would use Pay-Per-View. The content can be flagged as free, subscription based, or pay-per-view. The pricing and availability will vary depending on what type of content it is. It looks like Tivo will be using the TiVoToGo authentication scheme.

No word yet if Tivo will offer this new content in HD.

Source Zatz Not Funny | Gizmodo

The Sony Vending Machine

Sony is introducing their own electronics and media vending machines in three malls this week. These machines will dispense electronics such as Sony PSPs, memory cards, headphones, etc, and media such as UMDs, DVDs and CDs. Currently the test locations are located in Atlanta; Boulder, Colo.; and Santa Rosa, Calif.

These robotic stores will come in two flavors; a 4-foot version, and an 8-foot version. Both will be equipped with a color touch screen, which will display product information, specifications, as well as movie trailers and music videos. Purchases will be made by swiping a credit or debit card. Cash will be not accepted at these machines.

Once a purchase is made, a robotic arm will locate and retrieve the item, and sensors will ensure that item is properly dispensed. The purchase information is updated over the internet, and sent to a fulfillment center for analysis and rapid product replenishment.

Sony hopes to have 10 of these robotic stores installed in malls, airports and grocery stores by the end of the year.

Source NYTimes

Mobile phones for the elderly and the blind

Trying to teach your parents how to use that new cell phone, can be frustrating for everyone. Lets face it.. Today, most cell phones are complicated, with an overload of features and settings, that you might even have a hard time getting used to.

Based out of Linz, Austria, Emporia mainly focuses on manufacturing mobile phones for the elderly. These specialized phones, feature an emergency button, simple operation with easy to navigate menus, big easy to press buttons, and a large display with big lettering. They are also hearing aid compatible, with extra loud speakerphone volume and ringer settings.

Emporia is also currently working on building mobile phones for blind people.

The screenless mobile phone for the blind people will feature text-to-speech technologies. The phone will read out loud incoming text messages, and the number or name of the caller, when there is an incoming call. The phone will also speak each number that is pressed while dialing out.

Grocerylists.org - A collection of found grocery lists

Bill Keaggy found an abandoned grocery list in a parking lot, sometime around 1996-1997. Ever since then, he has picked up and collected every grocery list, and any other list he has ever found. To be exact, to date, he has collected more than 1100 lists.

Naturally, he started a website and called it Grocerylists.com. He has scans of all the lists ever found, and has also compiled Top-10 lists for the best of the best.

Bill is currently working on turning the Grocery List Collection into a book, with the working title of “Milk, Eggs, Vodka: The Lost Grocery Lists of America.“.

YouOS : An Ajax web based OS

Check out the demo of YouOS. Currently in an Alpha stage, YouOS is an operating system within your web browser window, written using lots of Ajax. There are all sorts of little apps and programs you can launch, such as Chat, Rss Readers & Flickr Apps, Rich Text Editors and Games like Chess and “YouPong”. This is definitely very neat. You can also signup for a full account.

Farecast predicts airline ticket pricing

Farecast, currently in a closed beta, is a new service which uses historical pricing data from airlines to forecast when airline tickets will be the cheapest. Farecast beta currently only works for Boston and Seattle. However, when it’s launched later this year it will be available nationwide.

John Batelle spoke with Farecast founder Hugh Crean earlier last week, and has a great article on the upcoming service.

You can sign up for the private beta on the homepage, it’ll be out later in the year. The basic premise is neat - Farecast pays attention to the market price of all airline fares out of particular cities (it only does Boston and Seattle for now) at all times (it uses an industry data feed that, unfortunately, does not include Southwest). It then uses this data to help forecast when the right time might be for you to buy your ticket (and get the best price). In short, it’s a rip off detector for flights. Farecast leverages the power of data to put you back in charge, or at least more in charge.

Read John Batelle’s article here.

Source: BoingBoing

PerSecondPodcast : Own a piece of audio history

Launched June 1st 2006, PerSecondPodcast is an online audio time capsule and innovative advertising solution. Remember the Million Dollar Home Page? Well, this is the audio version of it.

This service allows anyone to purchase audio time from PerSecondPodCast to be used for music, advertisements, blogs, stories, rants or messages to the future. You can basically create a PodCast about anything you like with the audio time you purchase.

PerSecondPodcast promises that they will be online at a minimum of five years, and in addition to serving the audio content on their website, there will be an rss feed for iTunes, as well as college radio airtime, and possibly XM/Sirius Satellite radio airtime.

There is a limited amount of time available for purchase. Once all the time has been sold, copies of all the audio will be place in several iPod time capsules to be burried.

Priced at per second, the current rates are as follows:

$4$1 per second for the BronzeCast - Total of 24 hours available.

$8$2 per second for the SilverCast - Total of 12 hour available.

$16$3 per second for the GoldCast - Total of 6 hours available.

$32$4 per second for the BronzeCast - Total of 3 hour available..

Happy Podcasting!

(Tip by James)

Update: Pricing information updated here