TouchSmarter: Touch Screen Gadgets

Natural User Interface Technologies AB (NUITEQ) wins the Innovation Company of the Year 2010 award at the Alvar Gala.

Last evening together with our Head of Sales Andreas Desai, we headed over to the prestigious Alvar Gala, where NUITEQ was nominated in two categories to receive an award, namely “Best Newcomer of the Year 2010″ and “Innovation Company of the Year 2010″.

In the blistering outside cold of minus 25 degrees Celcius we were warm welcomed by a group of tropical drum musicians at the entrance of the building.

After leaving our coats and having found a nice spot in the bar, we had a few chitchats with other attendees. Shortly after, we were joined by Chief Software Officer Mikael Bauer and Vice Chairman Dr. Johannes Hirche. Not much later also Chairman Dr. Sorin Chiorescu joined the welcome drink.

After a while, everybody seated themselves at the dinner tables, where a nice salmon starter was presented. After the starter and some wine, 5 awards were handed out.

The main course was typical Swedish raindeer meat with berries, which tasted pretty good.

After the main course, an additional 5 awards were handed out. We were very delighted with the award that we received in the category Innovation Company of the Year 2010. It is great to receive recognition for everybody’s hard work and efforts, at such a prestigious event as Alvar Gala.

We continued with a few drinks after the last awards announcements and off we went, with a beautiful new experience in our pocket.

It was great to meet the hardworking entrepreneurial community in the Northern region, all together in one place. The Northern Swedish region is a creative, innovative world class hub that holds many interesting companies like Optronic, Artopod, Zone Systems, North Kingdom and other corporate initiatives like incubator B-park and creative digital media network the Lodge.

This regions client portfolio includes amongst others: Walt Disney, Coca Cola, Adidas, Vodafone, Ferrari, Nordea, Credit Agricole, Swedish Army, Pepsi, Lockheed Martin and more.

We are proud to be part of this entrepreneurial network.

I would like to thank our employees, partners, investor, shareholders, board of directors, local bank and clients that have contributed to building the road to receiving this award. We are very thankful for the 2 nominations and the award.

Read more about the gala here.

Read an article about the award in the media here.

Rumor: Apple’s latest gadget would be a touch-screen tablet.
Outcome: Apple’s iPad ended up looking a whole lot like what we saw in the patent applications.

An early Apple tablet patent, and what we got today.
(Credit: CNET/US PTO/Apple)

Rumor: The tablet operating system would be based on the iPhone OS
Outcome: Very real. The iPad shares the iPhone’s software development kit, or SDK, and can even run the same applications. It simply scales apps that have been designed for the smaller screen up to its 1024×768-pixel resolution.

Rumor: The tablet would be called the iSlate.
Outcome: False. Apple seems to have just been covering its bases with the iSlate trademark application and domain grab. This is kind of like buying alternate top-level domains when starting a Web site. That said, Apple could bring this name to a future product–be it hardware or software.

Rumor: The tablet would be called the iPad.
Outcome: Ding ding ding. Despite initial observations that Apple could be in for a legal battle, due to Fujitsu owning the iPad trademark, that’s what Apple ended up going with. This could end up being problematic. Bloomberg reports that Apple’s decision to go ahead with the iPad name, despite Fujitsu’s trademark ownership, could lead to big legal battle. It could also have a similar outcome to the iPhone trademark battle it had with Cisco Systems.

Still, kudos go to iLounge for getting the name, along with a handful of other details, correct in September of last year.

Rumor: The tablet would include textbooks.
Outcome: Real, but almost entirely skipped over in Apple’s big unveiling. Part of the reason for that could have been the big slip by McGraw-Hill Chairman and CEO Terry McGraw, who the night before had told CNBC that 95 percent of his company’s content was ready to go for the Apple tablet.

Nonetheless, textbooks will be sold through Apple’s new iBooks store, though details are scarce about whether Apple has worked the kind of pricing magic with which Amazon.com has been so aggressive in trying to get similar content available for its Kindle e-book reader.

Apple now has a bookstore, though details about textbook offerings and magazines are slim.
(Credit: Apple)

Rumor: Apple was gunning to get book prices between $12.99 and $14.99.
Outcome: True. Book prices on the iBooks store fall well within that range, including new releases. It remains to be seen how competitive Apple’s offering is with those of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others.
(Credit: Apple)

Rumor: The tablet would be powered with a chip from Apple’s in-house manufacturing facilities instead of Intel.
Outcome: Very true. The iPad packs a 1GHz chip called the A4 that is Apple-branded. Steve Jobs said it has the processor, graphics processing unit, and input/output memory controller on one chip. (Find out more about the A4 chip)

Rumor roundup scorecard: The iPad edition | Apple – CNET News.

Steve Jobs uses iPad during unveiling keynote. Apple iPad Event by mattbuchanan, on Flickr

Apple has posted the January 2010 media event keynote video online in both streaming and downloadable formats. The keynote, hosted by Steve Jobs saw the introduction of the iPad. A new multi-touch mobile device between the iPhone and MacBook.

Streaming versions are available on Apple’s website and downloads are available through Apple’s Keynote Podcast.

Apple iPad running multi-touch versions of Keynote, Pages and Numbers

During today’s special event Apple executive Phil Schiller gave a demonstration of the new version of iWork built specifically for the iPad. All three applications, Keynote, Pages and Numbers have been reworked for the large multi-touch display and will be available for just $9.99 each.

“With Pages, Keynote and Numbers you can create beautifully formatted documents, stunning presentations with animations and transitions, and spreadsheets with charts, functions and formulas,” Apple said in a press release.

During the demo Schiller demonstrated dragging slides around in Keynote, inserting text into Pages using the virtual keyboard whilst describing it as “the most beautiful word processor you’ve ever used”.

The three apps will be available separately through the App Store for $9.99 each.

Apple iPad

Apple today announced the iPad during its special event held in San Francisco. iPad is a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more. iPad’s responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch display lets users physically interact with applications and content. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds — thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad will be available in late March starting at the breakthrough price of just $499.

“iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

iPads features 12 multi-touch applications that work in landscape and portrait mode. The precise Multi-Touch interface makes surfing the web on iPad an entirely new experience, dramatically more interactive and intimate than on a computer. Reading and sending email is fun and easy on iPad’s large screen and almost full-size “soft” keyboard. Import photos from a Mac, PC or digital camera, see them organized as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad’s elegant slideshows. Watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD or flip through pages of an e-book you downloaded from Apple’s new iBookstore while listening to your music collection.

iPad runs almost all of the over 140,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased. iPad also syncs with iTunes using a standard dock connector allowing easy transfer of contacts, photos, music, movies, TV shows, applications and more from your Mac or PC.

Apple iPad running New York Times app

iPad features a 9.7-inch IPS display and is powered by a custom built Apple processor called A4 running at 1GHz which provides exceptional processor and graphics performance along with long battery life of up to 10 hours.

iPad comes in two versions—one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. iPad includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions support speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks. Apple and AT&T announced breakthrough 3G pre-paid data plans for iPad with easy, on-device activation and management.

iPad will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model.

Apple’s special event will begin momentarily. Follow updates below (newest first). Refresh for updates.

• That’s it. Event finished.
• “Apple’s the one place we can do this: we built battery tech, chip tech, software — we bring all those things together in a way no one else can do.”
• Case that doubles as stand also available.
• iPad has accessories including a keyboard dock.
• iPad shipping in 60 days, 3G models in 90 days.
• “At $499 a lot of people can afford an iPad. 16GB is our base model. For 32GB it’s $100 more, and for $100 more than that you get $64GB. The 3G models cost another $130.”
• iPad pricing starts at $499.
• “iPad, the whole internet in your hand”
• All iPads unlocked and are GSM. Use micro-sims.
• International deals coming in June-July timeframe.
• No contract, can cancel at anytime.
• AT&T providing the service.
• Unlimited plan for $29.99.
• First plan includes 250MB data per month for $14.99
• iPad models available with 3G built-in.
• iPad syncs with iTunes like the iPod and iPhone. Everything is synced through iTunes.
• Compatibility with Mac versions and the iPad can connect to a projector.
• Keynote, Pages and Numbers available for $9.99 each.
• Phil Schiller on stage. Completely reworked versions of Pages, Keynote and Numbers.
• iWork UI rebuilt for iPad.
• “Now something very exciting” iWork
• Steve demo’ing iBooks store. Some books showing at $14.99
• “We’re very excited about this.”
• Apple has developed a new app called iBooks for e-book reading.
• Steve back on stage.
• Demo of Need for Speed shift from EA. Demonstrating the speed of the iPad.
• Demo from the New York Times who have developed an app.
• Demos from developers.
• Developers can develop for the large display. New SDK available today including iPad tools.
• All the apps in the App Store will run on iPad.
• “We built the iPad to run virtually every one of these apps unmodified right out of the box. We can do that in two ways — do it with pixel for pixel accuracy in a black box, or we can pixel-double and run them in full-screen.”
• Scott Forstall on stage to talk about 3rd party software
• Over a month of standby battery life
• 10 hour battery life
• 802.11n wireless, Bluetooth 2.1+
• 16, 32, or 64GB of flash storage.
• Powered by custom chip called the A4 running at 1GHz
• Super precise touch display
• 0.5-inches thin, weighs 1.5 pounds has a 9.7-inch IPS display.
• Demonstrating calendars, Maps street view, iTunes, iTunes store, HD YouTube playback
• Demonstrating typing with two hands, all fingers.
• 
• Two-pane email view.
• Steve demonstrating web surfing “scrolling is super smooth”
• “iPad is an awesome way to enjoy your music collection. And, of course, we have the iTunes store built right into the iPad.”
• “a wonderful way to share your photos. Built in a calendar. Address book, great maps app with Google Maps.”
• On-screen keyboard
• 
• Steve holding iPad, very thin. Customisable home screen looks like a mix between OS X and iPhone OS.
• Introducing iPad.
• A device would have to do things like web browsing better than a laptop.
• “Everyone uses a laptop and/or a smartphone. The question has arisen lately: is there room for a third category device in the middle?”
• “Let’s get to the main event.”
• “Apple is the largest mobile devices business in the world today”
• Apple a $50 billion company.
• Over 140,000 apps in the App Store and over 3 billion downloads.
• 284 retail stores open
• We’ve recently sold our 250 millionth iPod
• Steve on stage.
• Press is being seated.
• 5 minutes until showtime.
  

The high-tech world portrayed in the films Quantum of Solace and Minority Report could soon be commonplace in the boardroom.

Scientists at Napier University have unveiled a meeting room, thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.

Read more about it and see the video here at BBC.

The importance of setting accurate expectations

Customer is always king.

Was browsing http://www.90percentofeverything.com and ran into the below video, highlighting the importance of setting accurate expectations and that customer is always king.

Mediateam from Ukraine shot this video of Snowflake Suite on a 100″ multi-touch wall

NUITEQ is nominated in the category for the award Innovation Company of the Year, for the Alvar gala.

The gala will take place on Friday the 29th of January and will gather companies, entrepreneurs, bankers and venture capitalists.

We are very excited and thankful to have been selected as a nominee for this award, considering the great amount of innovative, creative and entrepreneurial companies this region holds.