Friday, July 31, 2015

Nintendo -- Emotion Projector !?

In the most recent conference call, CEO Alexander Tokman spoke about the interesting new ways people are using PicoP.

I'm not sure if PicoP is in this, (but it should be) and this is definitely an interesting new way to use a versatile display like the PicoP.

Thanks Jason!

Nintendo Projector

Nintendo’s attempts to diversify its revenue streams are about to get a little more unusual, with the company proposing a device that projects images above your bed.

A recently filed patent application reveals that Nintendo is working on a bedside dock with a built-in projector. The dock will hold an as yet unknown device, probably a smartphone, and will detect the user’s emotions using a microphone and camera.

It is believed that the projector patent relates to the healthcare platform that Nintendo announced late last year. At the time, Nintendo explained that the aim of the project was to improve quality of sleep and it is possible that the projector is a way of gamifying the process of falling asleep. Other sleep data like body temperature and pulse rate is also recorded, sent to the cloud and then analysed so appropriate feedback can be given.

Should the device see a commercial release, it would mark a significant departure away from Nintendo’s usual offering in the video game market. That being said, sleep tracking technology is being offered by a number of other businesses, either through specialist hardware or a smartphone app.

Projection Times - Interesting Reaction to SONY/MVIS MPCL1

Translations by computer have their limitations, but it is clear that at the Projection Times, the new SONY laser projector with PicoP inside is causing some significant interest. To them, it's a big deal.

This is for a product that has been leaked, but not yet announced.

In spite of its rough translation, I believe this is the most important article about the MPCL1 yet.

This is the entire Google-translated article from Projection times. (I believe a Chinese website) -- Thanks to Joe S.

Projection Times (Chinese)

[Tiger] Perspective Why talk first to the layout of Sony laser micro-projector market

Recently, one of Sony's upcoming mini laser projector MPCL1 news caused no small concern projection circles, the media who have also been reported. If not quite understand it, it will ask Is Sony began to force the micro-projector market?In fact, Sony has already launched a micro-projector products, but did not sound in the country and the products are not listed, then Sony exactly why choose this time to launch laser micro projector? This issue I come to talk about their views.

The Sony has launched a new miniature laser projector MPCL1 not launch its first products in the IFA 2014 show, Sony will showcase its a hybrid light source 1080P mini projector, the resolution of 1080P, and built-in battery, Unplugged under the can be projected. And it is located in the home scene applications, mainly used in refrigerator or wall, to provide users solve problems and paste notes or photographs brought.

In addition, the CES 2015 show, Sony also demonstrated another stylish mini projector, which has 100 lumens, a nominal resolution of 720P, maximum support 1366 × 768, can be projected 22 inches to 71 inches of various sizes screen. And it uses a laser light source, non-LED light source, so the brightness basically meet the recreational use, the effect will be even better in a dark environment.

In addition, Sony also had the mini projector embedded in its camera, and introduced a variety of products, and the brightness of 35 ANSI lumens, the largest 100-inch projection screen (diagonal). So, Sony has been in the micro-projector has a research and development. In February 2014, Sony announced that the company is developing a high-definition resolution miniature projection core member that the United States will use MicroVision (MVIS) the company's PicoP mobile projection technology. The news came out in the US Nasdaq-listed shares rose 74 percent in early trading MVIS. Thus, Sony has launched a miniature laser projector MPCL1 this is not surprising, then what laser light Why?

Known as micro-projector market will be aware, currently on the market are the most miniature projector LED light source, there is little laser light source products.According to my understanding, laser micro-projector manufacturers have introduced in recent years, very few, and only this year infocomm exhibition launched its first peak polish portable laser projector Xiaoming, the domestic market can be said to be scarce.

It can be seen, laser micro-projector market was still a new field, the market is yet to be developed, unlimited potential. Coupled with the laser light intensity is easy to upgrade, and so was a good solution to enhance the difficulty of the LED light source brightness, both to achieve compact, also has high brightness, it can be said the best solution. It is not hard to understand Sony's laser projector products.

At the same time, this year in the infocomm exhibition, the reporter square projection of the times Chen Sony projector product manager informed, laser and 4K Sony projector in the future will be a top priority, follow-up will focus on these two dimensions to launch a range of products and solutions Program. So it is even more difficult to understand why the launch of Sony's laser micro-projector product. Comprehensive layout of the whole product line of laser light, projected at the forefront of the market, grasp the voice market.

And published "Life space UX" topic in early 2014. President and CEO Kazuo Hirai Sony to become, that the future will create a new concept of Sony consumer electronics products, redefining product media and living space to a whole new level, in the border-free environment, Sony also explore other screens and devices from the traditional limitations of future products. From years of Sony released micro-projector products are also easy to see.

From the launch of laser micro-projector MPCL1 parameter point of view, it is only 32 lumens, resolution is strange 1920x720, which is now rarely seen in mini-projector market resolution. In addition, it includes also a mini HDMI inputs, a life of the battery in two hours or so, as well as Wi-Fi playback via phone, tablet or laptop video. You can also use the projector 3000 mA battery to charge your cell phone. But it will also enhance the Sony live entertainment for consumers and a product, to further enhance the innovative product concept Sony gives values.

As to whether users gain fancied only the market can give an accurate answer.But according to the author, the Sony launched the laser micro-projector has also positioned in key entertainment, Sony will not be publicized or more is laying the groundwork. With the projector miniaturization future trends, future business projector will become more compact, miniature projector will undoubtedly be substituted by a portable business projector, laser light sources is the best, and this is perhaps the most Sony The overall aim.

PicoP can put a display on nearly anything

PicoP is a display.

It can be used to create a display on nearly anything. So, nearly anywhere people want a display - art - moving pictures or data PicoP can be there making it a reality.

The ways a display on nearly anything can be used... is limited only by imagination.

Tokman from the conference call...

"...We're supporting a subset of these OEMs in a number of design win and design in activities. Although, we are not otherwise at this time to disclose OEM names nor to comment on their products or launch date, we are really excited by the innovative way that people are integrating our technology into potential products.

...We are focused on making our customers successful by providing them with high quality components and the system with their go-to-market efforts, both commercially and technically. At the same time, we are looking to the future by continuing to innovate and identifying where to take our technology next.

While it's truly exciting to us and me personally is that we created PicoP technology to be a platform solution, a solution that can scale to a variety of new high growth application areas beyond basic pico projection."

Thursday, July 30, 2015

SONY pending announcements -- UPDATED

This article from Android Headlines strikes a significantly different tone than most of the other leak and new device articles I see. (I look at a LOT of them.) This has a distinctly different tone, and I suspect the author knows more than is being written about here. Android Headlines is also a source I take more seriously than most.

My guess, based on this and other things I've read through is that the MPCL1 will be introduced in August, be featured at IFA (possibly even at GamesCom from August 5-9) and available for sale as we've read elsewhere in October.

As stockholders, the attention this new technology gets will soon be worth more to us than company earnings. I think we'll get both.

UPDATE AGAIN:

UberGizmo

According to Sony, “Something golden is sparkling on the horizon.” Unfortunately apart from that rather cryptic message, we have no idea what Sony is going on about. It is possible that they might be referring to a new smartphone color option which wouldn’t be surprising, especially since gold seems to be the in thing in terms of color options these days.

It has been speculated that Sony’s recent tweets might have something to do with a new product announcement. After all it was tweeted by Sony’s Xperia Twitter account which is related to mobile devices, so safe to say that this will be a mobile-related announcement. We have been speculating that it could be for new handsets.

So far we have been hearing about devices like the Sony Xperia Z5 and the Sony Xperia C5 Ultra, but it is entirely possible it would be another device entirely. It might even be software related although we’re hoping that it’ll be a new smartphone. In any case all will be revealed on the 3rd of August, so check back with us next week for the details.

UPDATE: Just noticed this in ifreepress. This is very unusual language for these kinds of articles. I read two or three of these a day and scan a dozen others. This is NOT normal, so I really believe that something is up.

ifreepress

"It’s only a tiny amount of patience we need to muster until August 3, when the announcement is scheduled for, but then again Sony might surprise us and reveal something entirely different."

Ausdroid

"Sony begins teasing August 3rd Event with focus on photos."

Android Headlines

Below are just little clips from the full article.

... seems like Sony is preparing to launch something exciting before the end of the year. Sony is rumored to be working on a couple of high-end devices which will reportedly going to be released on August 18th.

It seems like Sony plans to make some serious announcements next month, it only remains to be seen what will be announced. Take this rumor with a grain of salt though, this is the first time we see a rumor regarding the Xperia M5, and the device is reportedly going to launch in a couple of days. We haven’t seen any info regarding it thus far, so… who knows. Either way, we’ll find out what’s what soon enough.

So, according to the available info (leaks), Sony will launch devices on both August 3rd and 18th.

but it seems like Sony is preparing to launch something exciting before the end of the year. Sony is rumored to be working on a couple of high-end devices which will reportedly going to be released on August 18th. That’s not all though, the Xperia C5 Ultra ‘bezel-less’ prototype was caught in a photo recently, and revealed its rather sleek design.

... It seems like Sony plans to make some serious announcements next month, it only remains to be seen what will be announced...

So, according to the available info (leaks), Sony will launch devices on both August 3rd and 18th. .. As you can see, Sony is planning to launch quite a few interesting devices soon, at least according to a slew of rumors / leaks that have surfaced in the last couple of weeks. Either way, let’s wait and see what happens.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Revenue +562% Year over year

Seeking Alpha

Microvision beats by $0.01, beats on revenue
Jul 29 2015, 07:49 ET | By: Jignesh Mehta, SA News Editor

Microvision (NASDAQ:MVIS): Q2 EPS of -$0.06 beats by $0.01.
Revenue of $4.04M (+562.3% Y/Y) beats by $2.14M.

4Traders

Strong Second Quarter Results

Company builds on momentum with significant year-over-year revenue growth

Earnings Call
Audio Recording Available Here
Transcript here
Second Transcript

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 29, 2015-- MicroVision, Inc. (NASDAQ:MVIS), a leader in innovative ultra-miniature projection display and imaging technology, today announced its results for the second quarter of 2015.

MicroVision continued to build on the strong momentum witnessed in 2014. Revenue in the quarter was $4 million, showing significant growth both year-over-year and sequentially. The company delivered three times as many components to its Fortune Global 100 customer during the second quarter as it did in the first quarter 2015. Revenue for the quarter was comprised of component deliveries (product), royalties and contract revenue: component deliveries and royalties accounted for $2.5 million while $1.5 million was from contract revenue following completion of a display module support services agreement with MicroVision’s Fortune Global 100 customer.

In addition to increasing shipments of components, MicroVision continued to engage in cooperative business development activities with its Fortune Global 100 customer. Also during the second quarter, the company continued to make solid progress developing product opportunities for pico projection and other applications.

The following financial results are for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to the same periods one year earlier.

Revenue was $4.0 million for the second quarter 2015 compared to $611,000 for the second quarter a year ago. Revenue for the first half of 2015 was $4.9 million, compared to $1.8 million for the first half of 2014.

Operating loss for the second quarter of 2015 was $2.8 million, compared to $3.4 million for the second quarter a year ago. Operating loss was $6.7 million for the first half of 2015, compared to $6.5 million for the first half of 2014.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2015 was $2.8 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to $3.4 million, or $0.08 per share, for the same quarter a year ago. Net loss was $6.7 million, or $0.15 per share, for the first half of 2015 compared to $11.4 million, or$0.29 per share, for the first half of 2014. The first half 2014 net loss includes a $5.0 million non-cash loss recognized on the fair value adjustment of MicroVision’s warrant liability.

For the second quarter of 2015, cash used in operations was $3.6 million compared to $3.7 million for the same period in 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, cash flow provided by operations was $1.5 million compared to cash used in operations of$6.7 million for the same period in 2014.

As of June 30, 2015, backlog was $15.0 million. The company expects to fulfill this backlog in the second half of 2015 and into 2016. Cash and cash equivalents were $15.1 million. In the second quarter 2015, MicroVision received $900,000 in proceeds from the exercise of warrants and gross proceeds of $1.8 million from the sale of stock through an At-the-Market (ATM) equity facility established in May 2015. Net proceeds from these activities are included in the cash and cash equivalents.

LINK TO 8K

Monday, July 27, 2015

Verizon "No cord Required" Go90

The ecosystem for PicoP is improving. For a long time now, we've been watching content offerings improve for mobile devices.

That there are some details that were released too soon is interesting. Also, the AOL acquisition is for advertising. -- and that the AOL addition helps them advertise with online content -- which could allow free or very inexpensive video entertainment through cell networks.

Traditional TV is what you build your living room around. When PicoP is widespread, it will change our indoor landscapes. Not everyone will abandon the television, but a lot of people will. (I expect it will be like the change in computers when tablets became widespread -- there are a lot of PCs, but not nearly as many as their used to be.

Inquisitr

"Some exclusive content will reportedly be available to Go90 users, similar to Netflix Originals. By offering exclusive content to its users, Verizon hopes that it can attract more cellphone customers.

Verizon has recently been working with several partners like Viacom, ESPN, DreamWorks, and others. The companies Verizon has been working with lately will most likely provide some content for Verizon’s new service."

Verizon’s Go90 service will launch by the end of summer, according to reports.

From MediaPost

While Verizon had spoken publicly about a pending video offering, a mistakenly posted pre-launch beta test site (now inaccessible) leaked details of Go90. Variety reports that the site describes the service as “live music, exclusive events, best of web content, sports, prime time and more.” Partners previously declared and listed on the now-missing site include Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, DreamWorks, Vice, ESPN, CBS Sports, Scripps and AwesomenessTV

In an interesting characterization of old media, the site calls traditional TV “an appliance you rearrange your living room around.” Go90 will be designed from the ground up as a mobile-first experience: “no cord required.” The service will include the ability to share clips from longer-form video, which the app dubs “Moments.”

Sunday, July 26, 2015

SONY MPCL1

This is pretty interesting. The author of this article from GizNoise, claims that they have reached out to SONY and that SONY has confirmed that the projector is real and that it will be available in October 2015. It also highlights the article from the SONY corporate communications that describes the MicroVision/Sony PicoP module.

So -- I'll call it completely confirmed that SONY has at least one product that will be released for the holiday season of 2015. [Thanks Bart]

-- We don't have an "official" confirmation yet, but I expect it soon.

From GizNoise

We’ve reached out to Sony and have had official word that the Sony MPCL1 HD pico projector is real and will be available in October 2015.

You can project onto any surface and there is no need to fiddle with a focus wheel. This is a great feature for ad-hoc viewing. You can throw an image up a wall or on the floor/ceiling and your image is instantly in focus.

You can learn more about the laser display technology that Sony have employed here.

Battery life hasn’t been disclosed yet by Sony but it does come with a 3000mAh Li-Ion Polymer battery which utilizes gel technology. I’m unsure how this plays out with viewing hours but a nice feature is that the Sony pico projector can charge your phone as well. So if you have your MPCL1 with you and you phone battery gets low, you can just top it off. A very nice additional feature!

So, it seems that Sony have entered the market into what I personally feel is going to the next big thing – Hi Definition portable pico projectors.

Link to Announcement of PicoP with SONY (2/20/14)

Giznoise2

Best PicoProjector technology From Giznoise

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Xperia _5 "Made for Bond" Phone

It was a couple of months ago. There were some things written about James Bond using a SONY phone in the upcoming James Bond movie.

It would be an amazing way to jump-start the marketing of a new technology. (Spectre release has been featured on the catalysts page since then)

Other than thinking it's what I would do, I have no reason to assume that MicroVision will be found here.

It is fun to think what a splash it would be, and I'll keep watching.

Sony to "supersize" it's screen Tech Radar

That being said, earlier this year thanks to the leaked Sony emails, it was revealed that Sony had offered the current James Bond actor Daniel Craig a whopping $5 million fee to use a Sony smartphone in the next Bond movie, but at that time it was suggested that both Craig and director Sam Mendes turned the offer down. However if these images are the real deal, maybe they did come to an agreement after all.
Phone Arena
Uber Gizmo
TechTimes
CelebCafe
Softpedia
IrishExaminer

Thursday, July 23, 2015

SONY Focus-free HD PicoProjector --UPDATED with Video Ad from SONY. **** UPDATED AGAIN

I'll be looking for more information about this, but found this at VIBE. I have a hunch this is a case of someone jumping the gun on an official announcement.

This is all I have so far, take it with a grain of salt, but this looks like our product.

UPDATE: Now, with the Video I have 99% confidence this is MicroVision, the product is real and will be a SONY announcement soon.

Thanks Joe for this link to NCC

From WIRED

But the coolest trait is that this pocketable laser projector focuses itself unlike traditional DLP, LED, and LCoS models. Sony says that even if you project an image on an uneven or curved surface, all parts of the picture will be in focus. That’s due to the nature of lasers and the PicoP laser-beam scanning system, developed by a company called MicroVision, being used in the MPCL1. The projector uses red, green, and blue lasers as light sources for the image, and those lasers hit a constantly moving MEMS mirror to reflect images toward your wall or another projection surface.

As small as it is, the upcoming laser projector—which will go on sale on Amazon in October—is still another thing you’ll have to carry around in addition to your phone. But it’s also a glimpse at the near-term future, when mobile devices are likely to have their own built-in projectors. Sony wouldn’t divulge just how big the current laser-projector module is, but shrinking it down small enough to fit into a phone seems like a logical next step. And like its image sensors, which are used in the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, it could be another profitable branch for Sony’s component business.

I also expect this video will likely disappear from the source quickly, so look fast.

UPDATE: If you're interested in investing in this technology, remember that to the rest of the public, this still looks like the pico projectors they have seen before -- which are quite disappointing. One that is bright, always in focus (even on uneven surfaces) runs silently and sips energy is something new, and something the rest of the public (investing and consumers) won't believe until they see it.

Sony Pico: Portable Projector Overview Video from Carlucci Design on Vimeo.
This was a product launch video to support Sony's new handheld, HD digital projector. Our task was to create a short, engaging overview of the product under a tight deadline - but we had few assets to work with initially. To fix this issue, we organized product and lifestyle photo shoots, developed 3D models and expanded the literature about the product features and specifications. Once we built the assets we required, we wrote the video script, supervised the voiceover recording, animated and edited the video, and rendered it for use in-store and online.

This is from the end of the video which essentially offers proof that it is indeed MicroVision's PicoP technology:

Vibe link

Sony Pico Projector

Why You Want This: This sweet little device can project your favorite Netflix shows and basketball games on any surface. The projector provides beautiful, crisp HD images and focus free projection. You can even plug in your smartphone or PS3/PS4 for more screen-grabbing fun.

For More Info: sony.com

Norway

Recently, traffic to this blog from Norway has gone from almost none, to quite significant.

Can anyone from Norway shed some light on this?

Thanks!

When MicroVision starts rolling, I intend to visit your beautiful country.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Nokia + Immersive imaging / VR

MicroVision offers an "immersive experience."

There's a lot going on here! This isn't a statement that I think Nokia will be using MicroVision -- it's just another in a long list of places to watch for the first mainstream sighting.

Read it all at Re/Code

Nokia is set to unveil its first major virtual reality project next week at a VIP event in Los Angeles, according to sources familiar with the company’s plans.

The bulk of Nokia’s business these days is making networking equipment, and the company is in the process of acquiring rival Alcatel-Lucent. The company also has a large mapping unit, known as Here, though the company is reportedly on the verge of selling that business to a consortium of German carmakers.

As for next week’s event, Nokia has said little about its virtual reality plans. At a shareholder meeting, Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri talked about “immersive imaging” as among the areas the company was pursuing.

Monday, July 20, 2015

HUDs -- DLP now, LBS later

From Auto Connected Car news

According to Frost & Sullivan’s Augmented Reality in Cars the three most distinct HUD types are pure windshield HUDs, combiner HUD for limited space and lower costs, and augmented reality (AR)-based HUD for exhibiting sensor-fused safety data.

Apart from larger and brighter display, the next generation of HUDs will consume less power, have a smaller footprint, and support 3D AR. Due to their outstanding features, these technologies will find eager adopters in European luxury OEMs such as BMW, Mercedes Benz and Audi.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Windows 10 Logo created with projectors and lasers

From Pocket Lint

Thanks Bart!

Saturday, July 18, 2015

iPad Air Pro -- UPDATED

This is a rumor, so far, based on leaks. Please take this with that grain of salt.

It is however the kind of rumor and the kind of leak we've been waiting for. If this is a SONY PicoP component going into the iPad, that would be fantastic. If not it will still get us significant attention if this rumor gets legs, and especially if it pans out.

Again, this is a small bit of information in a large sea of it. It will be interesting if it pans out, but there are no guarantees. The wording of this leads me to give it reasonable credibility... November is a long way off.

UPDATE (7-23-15)
Further support for the existence of this iPad (but perhaps not support for the projector.) IT does give this further credibility.
From Business Insider
From Wall Street Journal

From GeekSnack -- there's a lot more to the article than the paragraphs I've pulled below -- go check out the original article

The iPad Air Pro release date coincides with that of the iPad Mini 4 and another mysterious device, which might be a new iPad Pro or a new Mac. The third device is a mystery, as there are only a few unofficial statements from people saying they’re “insiders” or “close to the matter” stating that three big launches are to be expected this Fall. The iPad Air Pro release date is tipped for November, although that does refer to the public release rather than the launch event itself. The iPad Air 3 as some might call it will most likely be launched in October, after the iPhone 6S or iPhone 7 release concludes.
There will be improved camera setups on the iPad Air Pro, and the projector the company will be using will be even better than those used by Lenovo in their Yoga line-up, and those are pretty darn good indeed. Besides having a projector, the iPad Air Pro will also come with a magnetic keyboard and stylus, to make the device a true multitasking beast, especially fit for office work and editing work. Specifications will be over the roof, but there’s no word on whether Apple plans to innovate in the battery life department as well. Adding a projector to the mix will surely bring up power consumption in the iPad Air Pro, which might be a challenge to resolve.

Our sources tell us not to expect the iPad Air Pro price to be below $1500, which is quite a lot to pay for a tablet. But it’s a reasonable price for a convertible, which is why we’re leaning towards the belief that Apple is going to approach a new type

Friday, July 17, 2015

Institutions add to Holdings

Institutions are adding to their positions in MicroVision & institutional holdings are significant.

Nasdaq

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Magic Leap Augmented Reality -- UPDATED

Retinal Scan Display?

In last month's MIT Technology Review's EmTech Digital conference held in San Francisco, Abovitz said Magic Leap will build a 300,000-square-foot pilot manufacturing facility in Florida for its "photonic lightfield chip," Miami Herald wrote. The chip functions by having its augmented reality headset shoot light directly into the user's eyes, instead of projecting a screen in front of it, Tech Crunch explained.

Abovitz revealed that their team is already "out of the R&D phase and into the transition to real product introduction," Tech Crunch reported. When asked why the company needs to build its very own manufacturing facility, the exec said that "there is no off the shelf stuff that does what we're describing," the news outlet noted.

Rachel Metz, who tried an early prototype of Magic Leap's tech, explained how the device works in an article published in the MIT Technology Review. As quoted by Miami Herald, she wrote: "It's safe to say Magic Leap has a tiny projector that shines light onto a transparent lens, which deflects the light onto the retina."

Metz continued, "That pattern of light blends in so well with the light you're receiving from the real world that to your visual cortex, artificial objects are nearly indistinguishable from actual objects."

Hyunsun Chung -- a connection

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Verizon Eyeing Millennial Media? & A Motley Fool lesson

So, the Motley Fool is all over delivering video and advertising through mobile networks -- with a focus on Verizon.

This should be very interesting to holders of $MVIS. Motley Fool often makes good calls about large trends. It's also very influential in getting people into stocks (CHECK MM since article below was released) And they're VERY close to discovering MicroVision -- it won't take much.

What this says about the ecosystem for PicoP is also amazing. Verizon is into Mobile video for advertising -- and they're clearly working hard on it. They purchased AOL for its ability to deliver video advertising.

Verizon is also the SONY carrier in the US.

If video advertising is a strong suit for Verizon, Verizon will be able to subsidize the cost of PicoP (the delivery) and the content to consumers. Making mobile video consumption that much more popular.

When the Fax machine arrived on the market it was a hard sell. The idea was interesting, but your Fax machine wasn't any good unless someone else had one too. This is a further illustration that PicoP will arrive into an ecosystem that is already demanding it. PicoP will help sell the other services Verizon wants to sell -- like subscriptions to watch NFL football, and advertising as well.

We're almost there.

Millennial Media Website

From Fortune

While AOL may be most known for its dial-up services and growing content empire —which includes The Huffington Post, Engadget and TechCrunch—it also has put together a sophisticated suite of advertising technologies for online and traditional media that no other company (aside from Google and Facebook) can match. AOL’s platform is particularly strong in video advertising—which CommScore says reaches more than 50% of the U.S. population. The Internet company’s successful digital platform will also coincidentally assist Verizon’s plans to launch its own Internet TV service, which it announced this year after buying Intel’s media assets in 2014 and video delivery network EdgeCast in 2013.

From MotleyFool

Why would Verizon buy Millennial?
To understand why Verizon might buy Millennial, we should discuss its growing interest in advertising.

...upcoming streaming TV service. Verizon already has experience delivering video -- its FiOS TV service reaches over five million U.S. households, and it partnered with the NFL to let users stream games to their mobile devices.

What Millennial brings to the table
In a nutshell, Verizon now owns several small advertising businesses which aren't fully integrated with each other. That's where Millennial Media comes in -- its network reaches over 670 million unique users monthly, and it has the potential to deliver ads to over 65,000 apps.

... but it's Millennial's ability to deliver ads into apps through an automated, real-time exchange which makes it a tempting purchase. If Verizon can bundle AOL One and Millennial's programmatic platforms together, it can offer advertisers all-in-one plans for advertising across mobile apps, PC screens, and TVs. If Verizon then blends data from its wireless customers, AOL, and Millennial into a single database, it could craft powerful targeted ads like Facebook and Google.

Xiaomi Releasing new product - tomorrow?

There are apparently two events, coming up soon. I'm paying attention to "mystery handset" language. Especially when it's an innovative company like Xiaomi.

Phone Arena

There is now some rumble about a July 16th event, during which the company will be revealing a mystery handset. Some speculate that it may, in fact, be the new Mi 5 flagship. It still may turn out that this is not the case, but a new rumor will have use on our toes yet – according to Chinese tech blog Mobile Dad, the Mi 5 may be announced on the 5th of August – just 3 weeks from now.

Silicon India
Chinese Smartphone maker, Xiaomi, is rumored to launch its Mi5 tomorrow. The company posted teasers across social media about their upcoming product. However, they did not mention anything about what the product actually is, reports BGR India.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

PCMAG - Top Ten Projectors of 2015

PCMAG

Celluon PicoPro listed first.

The Celluon PicoPro ($379.99) is one of the most portable projectors on the planet. It weighs just 7 ounces complete with batteries, and it's small enough to fit comfortably in a shirt pocket. It lacks some features that are common for pico projectors, like the ability to show images stored in memory. However, it more than makes up for that by letting you easily project images from a cell phone or tablet, and it offers some neat tricks of its own, including eliminating the need to focus. Most important, it offers enough to make it our Editors' Choice pico projector.