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magazine
www.binfo.co.uk
innovations
i
Pen and paper Wacom-style
Wacom’s Bamboo Paper app – already downloaded
by 2.5 million people – has been made even better
with the ability to add images and photographs
to handwritten notes. There are also new security
options including a passcode feature that allows
users to control who views Bamboo Paper
‘notebooks’; and a read-only mode to prevent notes
being edited by others. The app is now available
for PCs, Macs and Android devices, as well as the
iPad. Complementing Bamboo Paper,Wacom has
launched a series of touch-screen styluses including
the Bamboo Stylus duo, which has a capacitive tip
for on-screen use at one end and a ballpoint pen at
the other.
http://bamboopaper.wacom.com
www.wacom.eu/bamboo
App turns sign
language into text
A software app that translates sign
language into text is set to transform
the way deaf people communicate in
the workplace.
Currently being developed by
computer scientists at Technabling, a
spin-off from the University of Aberdeen,
Portable Sign Language Translator (PSLT)
bridges the gap between sign language
and standard forms of communication.
When a user ‘signs’ into the camera
on a laptop, netbook, smartphone or
tablet, the app automatically translates
gestures into text that can be read by
the person they are conversing with.
Dr Ernesto Compatangelo, a lecturer
in Computing Science at the University
of Aberdeen and founder and director
of Technabling, said the software
overcomes the limitations of general-
purpose sign languages such as British
Sign Language (BSL) and Makaton.
“One of the most exciting aspects
of the technology is that it allows sign
language users to develop their own
signs for concepts and terms they need
to have in their vocabulary but may not
have been able to express easily when
using BSL,” he said.
Funded by the UK Department for
Business, Innovation and Skills, the
software has particular benefit for young
deaf people in education or training.
“The key intent is to enable sign
language users of this age and beyond
to overcome the communication
disadvantage they experience,
allowing them to fulfil their education
potential and enter the job market. The
personalised aspect of the technology is
crucial to making this happen,” said Dr
Compatangelo.
As an example, he cites the case of a
student being trained in joinery.
“There is no sign in BSL which
means dovetail joint, but a student
using PSLT can create their own sign
to mean dovetail joint, allowing them
to communicate easily with their
tutor or other students in their class,
without the limitations imposed when
communicating solely with BSL,” he said.
Scientists on the project are asking
sign language users from Aberdeen
to help with the app’s ongoing
development. If interested, please
contact Dr Compatangelo at pslt@
technabling.co.uk.
www.pslt.org
Call for entries
The Vodafone Foundation is calling for entries to the
2012 Smart Accessibility Awards. Supported by AGE
Platform Europe and the European Disability Forum
(EDF), the awards honour smartphone applications
that address the needs of older people and those
with disabilities. Application developers are being
invited to submit entries in four categories: social
participation; independent living; mobility; and
wellbeing. The closing date is October 15, 2012.
http://developer.vodafone.com/smartaccess2012
RFID protection
The ScanSafe range of security envelopes from
BONG prevents RFID tags on passports, credit cards
and other items from being read by identity thieves
armed with small portable scanners. The envelopes
and security sleeves include a middle layer of
aluminium foil that blocks 99.99% of radio waves
from the scanners. The outer layers are made from
tear-resistant,
water-proof
and printable
DuPont Tyvek.
www.bong.
com/tyvek
Conference phone simplifies
video dialling
LifeSize describes its second generation LifeSize
Phone as the first touch-screen conference phone
optimised for HD video conferencing. Designed
with ease of use in mind, the phone features
touch-based navigation and directory dialling,
as well as control of data sharing and cameras,
all with a streamlined, video-optimised user
interface. Logitech says the phone is so easy to
use that virtually anyone can operate it.
Michael Helmbrecht, vice president and general
manager of video solutions for LifeSize, said: “Our
goal with the second generation LifeSize Phone
was to design a product so simple to use, anyone
could walk into a conference room and be instantly
engaged in a productive meeting over video. By
making the act of video calling instinctive while also
taking advantage of more advanced collaboration
features, we’re helping drive mass adoption of video
calling throughout the enterprise.”
The LifeSize Phone is available for use with the
LifeSize® Room 220™ HD video conferencing system.
www.lifesize.com
Citrix launches webinar
service
Citrix has expanded its range of web-based
collaboration tools with a webcasting
solution that enables organisations to
deliver audio and video presentations to
as many as 20,000 customers at a time.
GoToWebinar Premier Event is a highly
scalable and fully managed solution
with pay-per-event pricing, automated
recording, optional telephony integration
and dedicated support before, during and
after an event.Webinars can be accessed
from any internet-enabled device including
PCs, Macs, tablets and smartphones (iOS,
Android and Blackberry).
www.citrixonline.com