Skype SDK Now Available for Windows

Developers interested in integrating Skype into their applications can now request access to Skype’s new SDK, called SkypeKit. Available in beta format as of June 14th, the Windows version of the developer’s kit works on Windows x86 operating systems.

Access to the kit is on an invite-only basis at the moment, and interested developers have to go to Skype’s website and fill out an online form detailing their user and organization info.

SkypeKit will allow the integration of voice and video calling and/or IM features into third-party desktop applications or compatible Internet-connected hardware devices. It also offers Skype’s super wideband audio, based on the SILK codec. Developers who use SkypeKit will be able to describe their apps as “plugged into Skype” in their marketing materials, notes a company blog post about the announcement.

To request an invite to the program, you can head over here to the sign up page now.
http://on10.net

Microsoft Research Shows off Street Slide View

Engadget (via MIT’s Technology Review) uncovered a cool Microsoft Research project called “Street Slide” view. The project attempts to create a new interface for viewing the street-level photos used in online applications like Bing Maps Streetside View.

As explained on the project’s homepage, today’s mapping applications enable users to virtually visit cities by way of “immersive 360 degree panoramas, or bubbles.” Users move from bubble to bubble, but this doesn’t necessarily provide the best visual sense of a city street.

With Street Slide, the researchers took the best aspects of the “immersive bubbles” and transformed them into multi-perspective strip panoramas. You can actually slide out of a bubble to see the street from a different perspective – a strip that’s viewed from a greater difference. When viewed in this mode, the empty space above and below the strip could be used for business logos and building numbers (addresses), or even ads.

According to the MIT article, the researchers have already made a version of this technology for mobile devices, including the iPhone. “It broadens out your visual sense to cover a two-block radius,” says Michael Cohen, a senior scientist at Microsoft Research.

Who’s hoping for a WP7 phone implementation of this tech? I know I am. In case I didn’t explain this too well, you can see Street Slide in action in the video here.

Introduction to Project Hilo

Project “Hilo” is a series of articles and sample applications that demonstrate how you can leverage the power of Windows 7, Visual Studio 2010 and Visual C++ to build high performance, responsive rich client applications. Hilo provides both source code and guidance that will help you design and develop compelling, touch-enabled Windows applications of your own. Join Yochay Kiriaty and James Johanson for an introduction of Project Hilo, a quick tour of its architect and design principles.

Additional information about the project can be found in the Introducing Project HILO post, and on MSDN – Hilo: Developing C++ Application for Windows 7

Acer Frameless Laptop & Touchscreen Keyboard?

Would you believe that Acer is working on a frameless laptop with touchscreen keyboard? As far-fetched as the idea might be, it's certainly plausible, expected even. The idea, as rumored by DigiTimes, involves doing away with the display's frame by printing colors directly onto the back of the display's reinforced glass substrate from Corning (a la Gorilla Glass presumably). Coupled with a touchscreen keyboard, the rumored device should be impossibly thin by traditional laptop comparisons. Keep in mind that we've already seen this Frame Zero concept pictured above from Fujitsu and Acer's arch-rival ASUS has been showing off its dual-display laptop prototype with touchscreen keyboard for months. Even the OLPC XO-3 plans to eschew the clickity keyboard in favor of a touchscreen version. And anyone who has ever seen a scifi movie knows that tactile keyboards and display bezels have no role to play in our computing future anyway, so we might as well get things started now -- or in the second half of 2010 according to DigiTimes' sources.

Aiptek PocketCinema Z20 Packs Pico Projector

Watch out, Flip, because here's one tough guy that you don't wanna mess with. Joining Aiptek's family of pocket camcorders is the PocketCinema Z20 -- a fine mix of 720p camera (courtesy of a 5 megapixel sensor) and pico projector of an unknown resolution, powered by a two-hour battery (which we'll believe when we see it). Users will be spoiled by a long list of features: 2GB of internal memory, microSDHC expansion, built-in 2.4-inch LCD, HDMI output, composite video input (iPod adapter included) and remote control. Want it? You can pre-order now for €349 or about $476 ahead of its mid-April launch. Meanwhile, enjoy Aiptek's cheesy promotion video after the break.

GPS and Sensor-laden ski Goggles

Remember those mind-melting Recon Instruments goggles that we caught wind of late last year? Admit it -- you never, ever expected those things to actually make it to market. Despite your pessimism, it seems as if those very specs are indeed making a beeline to the consumer realm, with Zeal Optics jumping in, working a bit of magic and relabeling 'em Transcend. Deemed the planet's first GPS and sensor-laden ski goggles, these things are purportedly capable of logging speed, altitude, temperature and time details, and the side-mounted toggle switches will enable you to view said data in real time (or not, if you're paying attention to the 50 foot drop ahead of you). Peek the read link for further details on the $350+ wearables (demoed after the break), and get ready to hit the slopes with a whole new mindset this October. more

eVouse Concept Mouse

We're not going to lie, it was a major let down when we found out that this glowing V-shaped mouse with faux Microsoft branding is nothing more than a splendiferous concept, but we're holding back the tears as best we can. The super futuristic-looking eVouse doubles as both a regular mouse and a pen sensor (in theory, anyway) or as its designer Marcial Ahsayane says, "it's a mix between a classic mouse and a tablet PC." We assume that means you can -- you know -- write digitally with it, but it will also work as an air mouse with touch sensitive buttons. Maybe you can discern a little more from the images below where it seems to morph into a boomerang of sorts, but in the meanwhile we'll be in the corner wishing this thing had a ship date attached to it. You hearing this, Microsoft? (www.engadgets.com)

The 10 Golden Rules of Systems Analysis

The 10 golden rules of Systems Analysis by John E. Gibson, William T. Scherer, William F. Gibson.

Rule 1: There Always Is a Client

Rule 2: Your Client Does Not Understand His Own Problem

Rule 3: The Original Problem Statement is too Specific: You Must Generalize the Problem to Give it Contextual Integrity.

Rule 4: The Client Does Not Understand the Concept of the Index of Performance

Rule 5: You are the Analyst, Not the Decision-Maker

Rule 6: Meet the Time Deadline and the Cost Budget

Rule 7: Take a Goal-Centered Approach to the Problem, Not a Technology-Centered or Chronological Approach

Rule 8: Nonusers Must be Considered in the Analysis and in the Final Recommendations

Rule 9: The Universal Computer Model is a Fantasy

Rule 10: The Role of Decision-Maker in Public Systems is Often a Confused One

Dublin's Luas Route Info - Android App

I have developed a very simple application to show Map Info of Dublin's Light Rail Tram System Luas. This will show you full route of Luas-Green Line and Luas - Red line stations and different fare areas. This application is built for Android plateform. You can download this application on your Android device simply by downloading from following link.

Download Luas.rar (contains Luas.apk)

HTC HD2

From a pure specification standpoint, it's hard to knock HTC's HD2. Scratch that -- it's impossible to knock the HD2. A 1GHz Snapdragon CPU is just the tip of the iceberg, with the icing on the cake being the 800 x 480 resolution display, 5 megapixel camera, GPS and a downright stunning overall design. Unfortunately, phones are made or broken by the software that's loaded on, and Windows Mobile 6.5 isn't exactly the most nimble mobile OS on the market right now. That said, we're confident that more than a few of you have unloaded your savings accounts in order to posses one of the sexiest cellular telephones this world has ever seen, and now that the deed is done, we're eager to hear your opinions on how the phone really stacks up. Are you happy with the performance? Did you expect it to be snappier given the monstrous CPU? Would you have held out for WinMo 7 if Sir Patience would've allowed you? No need to go easy on anything -- tell it like it is in comments below.