Nokia accuses Google of ‘forcing’ VP8 video codec on the world, uses patent system to resist it
Just when Google thought everything was going swell with its open source VP8 video standard for the web, up pops one last hurdle. And it’s a big one: Nokia has suddenly decided to use the patent system to try to prevent VP8 from being adopted as a free (or at least free-er) alternative to the license-laden H.264. Why would it do such a thing? Because, according to a statement given to FOSS Patents, the Finnish manufacturer believes VP8 isn’t truly open. It describes the codec as a “proprietary technology” that offers “no advantages” over H.264 and that Google is “attempting to force” on others as part of its WebM project. What’s more, Nokia claims VP8 infringes on its own intellectual property and says it isn’t prepared to license any patents that may be required to let VP8 flourish. Oh dear. This problem may now need even more money thrown at it.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Nokia, Google
Via: The Register
Source: FOSS Patents
View full post on Engadget RSS Feed
Intelligent Shading System Unfurled On Abu Dhabi’s Al Bahar Towers
Abu Dhabi’s new inspiring architectural design might lead to even further research into the world of transforming interior and exterior environments with ingenious creativity. Al Bahar Towers housing the Abu Dhabi Investment Council Headquarters are now part of Aedas Architects‘ portfolio, rising tall to shape a new era in modern office building design. Inspired by a traditional Islamic lattice shading device named “mashrabiya”, the interesting geometric shapes enveloping the towers offer a powerful visual impact while intelligently protecting the interiors from excessive heat gain. Each of the 25-story high twin office towers in the United Arab Emirates will accommodate approximately 1,000 employees, who will be working in an inspiring, environmentally appropriate atmosphere.
According to the talented design team, “the cocoon-like buildings are based on a pre-rationalised geometric form, fine-tuned via parametric design tools to achieve optimal wall to floor area ratio. A solar-responsive dynamic shading screen further decreases solar gain. This ‘Mashrabiya’ acts as a secondary skin that mediates daylight and reduces glare. The system is driven by renewable energy derived from the photo voltaic panels. The south facing roofs of each tower incorporate photo-voltaic cells, generating approximately five percent of the total required energy from renewable energy sources.” Compliant with the aspirations of the recently published 2030 Abu Dhabi Development Plan, these stunning buildings were molded after the cultural and environmental needs, becoming an easily recognizable city icon.
You’re reading Intelligent Shading System Unfurled On Abu Dhabi’s Al Bahar Towers originally posted on Freshome.
The post Intelligent Shading System Unfurled On Abu Dhabi’s Al Bahar Towers appeared first on Freshome.com.
View full post on Freshome.com – Interior Design & Architecture Magazine
5 CommentsAmazon wins patent for airbag system designed to protect portable devices
As avid patent-watchers may recall, an application for a rather unusual contraption from Amazon surfaced last summer — one that detailed an airbag system designed to protect portable devices from falls, with none other than Jeff Bezos himself listed as one of the two inventors. Now, it’s no longer just an application, as the USPTO officially has granted the patent to Amazon today. Of course, that still means it’s likely a long ways from finding its way into an actual Amazon product (if it ever does), but don’t be too surprised if your future Kindle Fire 4K XL 5G one day saves itself from an imminent demise.
Source: USPTO
View full post on Engadget
Gabe Newell hints at possible ‘turnkey’ Valve living room system, sees others following suit
Valve has been making a visibly deep push into the living room, but in bits and pieces — controllers here, Big Picture interfaces there. Company chief Gabe Newell may have just hinted at a more holistic, though non-exclusive, approach in the works. Chatting on the sidelines of the Video Game Awards, he tells Kotaku that any Valve hardware would involve a “turnkey solution” with a “very controlled” environment, not unlike a console. While that’s not necessarily the confirmation of the rumored Steam Box, Newell only stokes the speculation further through his eagerness to put Big Picture on Steam for Linux and get that much more control when building hardware. The game developer doesn’t see his company monopolizing couch-based devices should it get involved, however — he predicts more companies will be selling PCs in 2013 tailored for the TV in a way that would favor Steam. We won’t consider either a Valve-made gaming box or its third-party equivalents to be imminent based solely on award show banter, but the remarks suggest that at least one of the PCs is more than just a dream.
Filed under: Gaming
Source: Kotaku
View full post on Engadget
NASA building Space Launch System with laser melting, adapts 3D printing for the skies (video)
As we know it, 3D printing is usually confined to small-scale projects like headphones. NASA is ever so slightly more ambitious. It’s using a closely related technique from Concept Laser, selective laser melting, to build elements of its Space Launch System on a pace that wouldn’t be feasible with traditional methods. By firing brief, exact laser pulses at metal powder, Concept Laser’s CAD system creates solid metal parts that are geometrically complex but don’t need to be welded together. The technique saves the money and time that would normally be spent on building many smaller pieces, but it could be even more vital for safety: having monolithic components reduces the points of failure that could bring the rocket down. We’ll have a first inkling of how well laser melting works for NASA when the SLS’ upper-stage J-2X engine goes through testing before the end of 2012, and the printed parts should receive their ultimate seal of approval with a first flight in 2017.
Filed under: Transportation, Alt
NASA building Space Launch System with laser melting, adapts 3D printing for the skies (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | 
NASA | Email this | Comments
View full post on Engadget
Rainbow-Like Illumination System Brings Some Fun to Your Home
The Russian design studio SL Project has managed to innovate the interior of the Housing Problem project, a small apartment located in Moscow, through a colorful illumination system. Ever heard of home colour therapy? In order to solve a real problem, the lack of space, the team put a spell on the dwelling and added a fun element. The main idea of this entire concept was to bring a bright colorful scent into a home that sometimes tends to get boring. Colours have the ability to influence our mood. Moreover, a certain ambiance can be created with limited resources. This ingenious rainbow-like illumination system is ideal for those who want to “add some colour” to their lives and let’s face it, once in a while, we all feel like doing so!
Small apartments are the most exposed to the “boredom” effect. When it comes to colours, the choices are always made based on subjective tastes. For a romantic evening, one can choose to “paint” the room all red. Emphasizing particular elements becomes an easy process because the light is smoothly led wherever you want it to. Not only that you can move the focus from one element of decor to another, but you can also put different light effects on different items. Purple, green and red for instance can blend, creating a warm atmosphere, without getting too extravagant. There are a dozen of colourful possibilities, after all! It’s just a matter of discovery and intriguing experiments!
You’re reading Rainbow-Like Illumination System Brings Some Fun to Your Home originally posted on Freshome.
The post Rainbow-Like Illumination System Brings Some Fun to Your Home appeared first on Freshome.com.
View full post on Freshome.com – Interior Design & Architecture Magazine
Creating Indoor Flower Terraces With I-pot Modular System by Supercake
We received photo and information about the I-pot modular system for creating flourishing terraced gardens indoors, designed by the creative team at Supercake, The vertical furniture system consists of lightweight and adjustable interlocking elements that can be set up separately or in groups to host large items like flower pots or tall books. I-pot also has several add-ons such as bags for plants, shelves, an aquarium for small fish, and lighting objects.
Adapting to the characteristics of each space, the I-pot modular system could be a great addition to a small room in need of a refreshing touch. We also believe it could do wonders on a terrace or in the balcony, helping you set up a miniature garden. How do you find this modular system in terms of design and functionality? Would you be interested in having it in your home? Where would you place it?
You’re reading Creating Indoor Flower Terraces With I-pot Modular System by Supercake originally posted on Freshome.
The post Creating Indoor Flower Terraces With I-pot Modular System by Supercake appeared first on Freshome.com.
View full post on Freshome.com – Interior Design & Architecture Magazine
5 CommentsN+S, Nature System Dietary Supplements
Enric Aquilera Asociados created this packaging system for Cinfa’s N+S Dietary Supploments. Each item is color coded, clearly marked and showed a photo of the supplement pill.
View full post on TheDieline.com – Package Design Blog
Changing Work Spaces One Flexible Office System At A Time
We love to see projects that flourish after years of research and development. Creativeness flows through its every inch of the NINO office system, a dynamic and flexible piece of furniture encouraging sociability in the workplace. After spending 2 years to research this new approach to collaborative working, Arianna De Luca‘s project gathers three important features in one mobile office system – flexibility, dynamism and sociability. Composed of a stand supporting easy to assemble satellite objects, NINO encourages an up-to-date interaction between co-workers, leaving static and outdated office furniture way behind.
This is the concept behind the versatile NINO system: “In depth practice-based research highlighted the need for tools and conditions capable of supporting mobile, flexible and social dynamics within the work environment. Nowadays most workers spend 60% of their working day away from the desk and all the tools we daily use at work (laptops, mobile phone, cloud computing etc) do not require anymore static and fixed positions. But companies still allocate a huge expense to buy and install workstations that are occupied only a few hours per day. NINO office system introduces a new mobile and multifunctional solution which allows companies to provide fewer workstations used as working hubs in a more suitable way for the contemporary worker.” If you liek it as much as we do, you should be happy to know that NINO is currently exhibited at New Designers 2012 at the Design Business Centre in London.
You’re reading Changing Work Spaces One Flexible Office System At A Time originally posted on Freshome. If you’ve enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Freshome on Twitter, Facebook and Google+
View full post on Freshome.com – Interior Design & Architecture Magazine
In Brief: Saul Bass’ Bell System Pitch
This is a video prepared by Saul Bass as a presentation to executives of his identity system for Bell System in the early 1970s. The first half is a fantastic primer on identity design and the second half (starting at around 13:00) is the identity pitch. A little long for today’s video-viewing standards but totally worth it.
Thanks to Brad Loliger for the tip.
Don’t forget to cast your vote about this post online
View full post on Brand New
