A “Touching” Experience
February 9th, 2011 § 2 Comments
I realize it has been awhile since my last blog post. Had to catch up on Glee.
At any rate, I wanted to update everybody on an as yet unpublicized feature of the upcoming MemoryKick Vision. Internally we are referring to it as multi-touch projection. What does that mean you ask? Imagine this scenario if you will:
You are projecting your content from your MemoryKick Vision onto a wall for all to see – maybe a presentation or one of those amazing 3D Imageammo photo productions – and you need to interact with the Android operating system. Go to the touchscreen on the device right? No. Walk up to the wall and start manipulating the software! No need to handle the device and risk shaking your presentation. This is multi-touch technology that allows the user to interact with the device software via the projected image. It’s revolutionary and it is just another feature you can expect from the MemoryKick Vision.
Have a lovely day everyone! More to come this week – unless there is a Cheers marathon scheduled I don’t yet know about!
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The Future of Blogging: With your MemoryKick Vision of Course
February 1st, 2011 § 1 Comment
The Blogosphere. So 2001. But it is a reality that is clearly here to stay. I for one, think its great. But blogging on the go can be troublesome and doing it from my phone is entirely out of the question. However, if I had a small handheld device that could store my entire computer hard drive, read all of my office docs, store all of my photos and videos, take spur of the moment pics and videos, connect to a larger more convenient keyboard via USB or bluetooth, and project my blog draft onto any surface for preview, you can sign me up right now.
Of course I am talking about the latest product from MemoryKick – the MemoryKick Vision. I won’t detail the spec’s here. Rather, I will paint a picture of the ultimate mobile blogger/ videographer / presenter solution.
You are on the scene at MacWorld 2011 (say hello to our friends at Microvision – always the coolest booth at the show). You are shooting video of all the new products, taking photos, and recording interviews for your blog. When you finally get a minute, you decide it is a good time to review your raw content. With your Vision by your side, all you need is a wall – for large screen viewing that is easy on the eyes, and a USB or bluetooth keyboard for easy data entry. And with all of your precious media stored safely on the Vision’s sata hard drive, you can still make a redundant backup of any of your data for safekeeping – without a PC! Just insert a USB flash drive into the USB host slot and backup any of your media / data.
With your Vision setup, the keyboard connected and a wifi signal, you are ready to go! No need to haul your laptop around because you have everything you need with just the MemoryKick Vision and a portable keyboard! Write, edit, and add media to your blog, post and you are all set. You even have a safe backup of all your photos, videos, and interviews on a USB flash drive keychain.
Now, find a strategic place at the show to literally post your blog. What’s that? That’s right. Find the right wall, setup your Vision, open your browser to your blog page and project on the wall for all to see! Now…you have an audience.
That’s all for now everybody. Just an interesting scenario I wanted to discuss today.
Steelers 24 Packers 17
Bloggingly yours,
James
Related articles
- Some Things to Think About (memorykickonline.com)
- Nioncom announces Android-based, pico projector-equipped MemoryKick Vision (engadget.com)
- Imageammo software makes your photos come alive! (memorykickonline.com)
Some Things to Think About
January 27th, 2011 § 1 Comment
So the new MemoryKick Vision has you all excited. Who can blame you? Here are some things to think about in terms of the extreme versatility of our latest product.
Second Monitor:
So we all know about the projector feature. Clearly, that’s no secret. However, do you realize you can use it as a second monitor as well? That’s right. Because of the HDMI In & Out connections, you can connect the MemoryKick Vision to your computer’s HDMI port, select the extended option for the projector, and now you have just doubled your computer’s desktop size! You can project this onto the wall in front of your or onto a projector screen. It’s up to you. You can even project it onto the back of someone’s shirt…you know…if that’s appropriate.
Instant Gratification:
First of all…not what you think. I use this term because it truly defines the amazing versatility of the MemoryKick Vision and its embedded software components. You have been taking pictures all day with the built-in 5mp camera while at the beach with your friends. Later that evening, after dinner, you invite them out onto the porch for a “little slideshow”. Little do they know, you are about to display a 50″ (up to 100″ but you get the idea) always in focus, 3-D modeled version of the photos from the days activities! How you ask? Simple. You loaded the pictures into the Imageammo player software, selected your model of choice, and you were ready to go. You even added a little background music to the show. Why? Because you could. That’s why. Oh yea, that music, is playing out of 2 bluetooth connected speakers! Too much? I know. But this simple, yet memorable moment, will be yours in short time.
File Sharing & Transfer:
So you have up to 1TB of built in storage with your new MemoryKick Vision. Aside from being able to easily transport a multitude of HD movies, your ENTIRE Grateful Dead collection from college, and the social currency that is the pictures from your friends bachelor party, you can also easily share that media while on the go. By simply inserting a USB flash drive, SD card, or micro SD card, you can copy files to and from the MemoryKick Vision utilizing the built in file management software. No need to find a computer and connect all of your peripherals. Simply insert your friend or colleagues storage media of choice into the MemoryKick Vision, copy the files, and your all set. That’s not all. While flipping through the contents of the attached media you see a copy of Justin Bieber’s latest album? What do you do? You delete it. Because that’s just wrong and you tell your former friend to rethink some of his life choices. However, he does appear to have a live Allman Brothers album you just might want to listen to on the way home. Just take a minute and copy that from his USB flash drive and you are all set. Simple, but very effective.
Alright. That’s all I got for today. Could I go on? Of course I could. But remember, I’ve got to keep some of this in the tank over the next month or so. Enjoy the journey, it makes the destination that much more special.
Till next time when we will be discussing the economic impact of recycling on 3rd world nations. Be Good!
James
Imageammo software makes your photos come alive!
January 26th, 2011 § 1 Comment
- Image via CrunchBase
We at MemoryKick just wanted to take a minute and recognize the amazing work by the people over at imageammo. Please take a look at their comment to our previous post for all of the amazing features of their imageammo software. Below are my personal impressions from using the software on my PC as well as my android handset. Additionally, MemoryKick is proud to offer the imageammo software on its latest product, the MemoryKick Vision. This particular piece of software opens up a whole new world of photo presentations with extensive 3-D modeling of your photos. With the picoP laser projection built in to the MemoryKick Vision, your slide shows will now take on a life of their own with imageammo’s 3-D display models and the ability to project those models onto nearly any surface, up to 100″ in size!
Rendering of MemoryKick Vision projecting 3-D imageammo model
MemoryKick has been involved in testing the imageammo software in the past months and I can tell you it is nothing short of amazing. Having products on the market geared towards the photo-centric consumer, this was something that caught our attention as a unique offering to our customers on future products. In years past, it would have cost the average consumer a great deal of money and time to be able to display images in such a stunning and vibrant way. Now, with imageammo, you are just a few clicks away from breathtaking photo presentations. These are not just slide shows but rather, a revolutionary way to truly make an impression on your viewers. Within minutes of installing the software, you are able to view any set of photos in your library through the imageammo software. There are over a dozen different “models” from which to choose how you display your photos; all of which can be previewed by a simple click of the mouse. I encourage anyone who wants to experience the next generation of photo display technology to check out the imageammo software @ www.imageammo.com. There are several different sample videos that you can preview which I assure you will impress even the harshest critic.
By incorporating the imageammo software into the MemoryKick Vision, you will be able to amaze friends, coleagues, and clients with a touch of a button on nearly any surface with stunning clarity through the embedded picoP laser projection provided exclusively by Microvision.
For those interested in keeping up to date on the status of the MemoryKick Vision, go to our Facebook page here. Or you can visit our website at www.memorykickusa.com and send us an email from the link at the bottom of the home page.
Thanks to all of you who have emailed us already. We are very excited and look forward to serving you in the future.
Regards,
The Vision Team by MemoryKick
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- Nioncom Unveils MemoryKick Vision Pico Projector With Google Android (inquisitr.com)
- Nioncom announces Android-based, pico projector-equipped MemoryKick Vision (engadget.com)
NionCom Launches NEW memoryKICK Vision: PicoP Projection and a whole lot more
January 25th, 2011 § 1 Comment
The New MemoryKick Vision from Nioncom
Below is the official release as seen yesterday over at picopros.com
Today, NionCom announces the official introduction of the MemoryKick™ Vision™ tablet, a device for media management, business productivity, and gaming applications. The Vision™ tablet is an extension of the MicroVision Arrow™ mini-tablet shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early-January. They both share many components and features. We have discussed the Arrow™ mini-tablet on a few occasions on Picopros.com.
The MemoryKick™ Vision™ is designed to be the ultimate productivity tool. A user can load all their business documents (PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ImageAMMO™), photos, and videos on one device for use anywhere. Files can be rapidly transferred between several storage locations. The Vision™ has the capacity to store hundreds of hours of video due to the fact that it has a 500GB to 1TB hard drive, depending on the configuration. In either case, this is remarkably more storage than can be found on devices such as the iPad and the like. These competing devices use very costly flash memory, limiting them to about 64GB of storage or less - barely enough to store a couple HD-quality movies.
The MemoryKick™ Vision™ allows easy connectivity to a television via its HDMI port. Not only can a user watch stored video and photos, but the entire operating system. This means that surfing the internet, gaming, and any apps can all be experienced on a large screen. This is a feature unique to the Vision™ tablet. Other tablets and mobile phones simply can’t do this.
A generous 4.3″ capacitive touch screen allows for easy management of files, browsing the internet, gaming, and access to many unique applications. The Vision™ tablet also includes applications for streaming live television content through Wi-Fi connectivity. Even VOIP-based phone calls can be made on the device. In addition, an embedded laser projector provides the flexibility for viewing content anywhere – with no need to focus. Whatever is being displayed on the screen can be projected for a large, immersive experience. The Vision™ tablet packs all the functionality of a laptop – and more - into a small, ultra-portable device.
High Level Specs
Android 2.2 operating system
5MP Camera / 720p Video Record (Shoot & Project Anytime, Anywhere!)
Embedded laser pico projector (with PicoP® technology by MicroVision)
HDMI Out: 1080p (play all your digital movies and videos)
HDMI In 720p (connect and project from a computer, iPod, or Android device)
Bluetooth to connect Bluetooth speakers, keyboard, and mouse
Wi-Fi
VOIP
Accelerometer
HDD with capacities of up to 1TB
Multi-Memory Transfer capability between the HDD, Micro-SD, SD, and USB)
Interactive Touch Projection
Dimensions: Length: 142mm; Width 78mm; Height 27mm
Difference between Arrow™ mini-tablet and the Vision™
Arrow™: 3.5 inch 800 x 480 Full View Angle Screen, 4GB Internal Flash Memory; with Micro-SD Card, USB with multi-transfer capability
Vision™: 4.3 inch 800 x 480 Full View Angle Screen, 500GB 2.5 inch HDD; with Micro-SD, SD, and USB insert and multi-transfer capabilities.
Anthony Link, CEO of NionCom states that the inspiration for the Vision™ tablet came as the result of a discussion he had with a customer. The customer suggested that it would be nice to have a built-in projector to view content in a larger format. Immediately seeing the potential of the concept, NionCom surveyed the various technologies for projecting from a small device. After familiarizing themselves with the available options, they decided on MicroVision’s PicoP® technology, where a single mirror and three lasers create the images by “painting” each pixel in a raster-scan pattern. In his own words, Anthony states that “MicroVision has the best technology” for what they are trying to accomplish – projecting beautiful images from a compact device with no need to focus. In addition, he stresses the scalability of the PicoP® platform.
The ability to move to 720p resolution and beyond while also shrinking the display engine is a critical need for future products. None of the competing technologies can achieve higher performance without sacrificing size and power consumption.
As opposed to simply adding a projector to their existing MemoryKick™ Si product, NionCom realized the importance of having unique applications that would take full advantage of a highly-flexible device with capacity for storing lots of data. By partnering with ImageAMMO™ and ThinkFree, for example, NionCom has ensured they could deliver on this goal.
We’ve discussed ImageAMMO™ on Picopros before. Essentially, it allows users to easily organize, share, and present photos and presentations in a virtual three-dimensional environment. Taking advantage of the embedded projector, users can display their content in a large format and manipulate the sets of images by rotating and interacting with the various shapes. Users can also create their own photo sets (called ‘WRAPPERS’) with ImageAMMO™ and share with others. Anyone can then read the wrappers using the actual ImageAMMO™ app for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch) or the free ImageAMMO™ ‘PLAYER’, available on their site.
Trey Ratcliff, the HDR photographer of StuckInCustoms.com and developer of the very impressive 100 CAMERAS IN 1 (his new app for iOS devices on iTunes) has provided ImageAMMO™ with photos that are WRAPPED for your enjoyment. His images have been seen more than 50 million times, ImageAMMO™ is available in a home version for Mac and PC, as well as an Apple iOS app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch HERE. ImageAMMO™ will be available for other Android devices as well.
ThinkFree is an office productivity tool that allows users to view and share MS Office files with colleagues. To take it one step further, NionCom worked with ThinkFree to customize the application to enhance the user experience when using an embedded projector. One example of this is allowing users the ability to quickly reverse the color palette on presentations, making text easier to read on the projected slides.
It is unique applications such as these that further differentiates the Vision™ from all other devices on the market.
NionCom didn’t stop there. By working with high-end game developers, the MemoryKick™ Vision™ tablet will have a rich multimedia gaming experience, with high-quality graphics. Even better, these games can be played on a large television or projected up to 100″ for the ultimate immersive experience.
The MemoryKick™ Vision™ tablet is expected to be available in Q2 2011, priced in the mid-$500 range, available worldwide and at prominent retailers in the United States. The Vision™ tablet offers a multitude of unique features that we will describe in follow-up artilces. So, stay tuned for more details and photos of the device, coming soon!
Paul Marganski – picopros.com
Disclosure: as of this writing, the author was long shares of Microvision (NASDAQ: MVIS)
MemoryKick Si – Photo Review Australia
March 5th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
MemoryKick Si receives Editor’s Choice Award from PhotoReview Australia. Check the link for the full review.
http://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/storage/memorykick-si-media-centre.aspx
Enjoy!
Using the MemoryKick Si with an External Hard Drive
March 5th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Many people have been inquiring about using an external hard drive with the new MemoryKick Si. Hopefully this will be useful to those who want to have additional backup for their photos, movies, music, and files.
The Concept: Secondary Portable Backup Solution
You backup your photos to the MemoryKick Si directly from your memory card. All of your photos are safe on the Si but you want to have a secondary backup of your data. You have decided to use a USB external hard drive like a Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba, etc. Most of these drives are SATA 5400 RPM drives and range in sizes from 160GB – 750GB and in the last year have become increasingly affordable. In terms of “Price per GB” of storage these drives are a great all around solution for primary or secondary backups.
The secondary backup solution is very simple with the MemoryKick Si. Essentially the setup only requires a USB cable to connect the external HDD to the USB Host connection on the MemoryKick Si. For optimal performance, and as recommended by the manufacturer, the MemoryKick Si should also have its 5V power supply plugged in as well.
FAT32 Formatting
Those of you who use external hard drives with both Mac and PC (and Linux…not to leave anyone out) know that you have to have your external drive formatted FAT32. However, those of you who use all PC based machines, may not be as familiar with the FAT32 formatting process. Windows does not make FAT32 formatting as easy as MAC as Windows does not have its own utility to do so. Unless you want to attempt to work within the MS-DOS framework which most people are not willing or capable of doing.
The point here is that your external hard drive will need to be formatted to FAT32 in order to cooperate with your MemoryKick Si (or 1st Generation MediaCenter). If you are on windows there is a very simple program called GUIFormat that will format your external drive to FAT32 by default. It is a free download from Ridgecrop Consultants Limited and can be downloaded from their website: Ridgecrop Consultants GUIFormat page. Click on the image to download GUI Format for Windows.
Once formatted to FAT32 you are ready to go! Now you can backup files and folders from the Si, create new folders on your external drive and even copy & paste files back and forth between your external hard drive and the MemoryKick Si.
External Hard Drive Specifications & Considerations
At this time the most compatible solution is to use a commercial type of external hard drive that does not exceed a rating of 5400 RPM. Sata drives work just fine and at this point are the most common available at major retailers like Best Buy, B&H Photo, Newegg, Adorama Camera, Ritz Camera, etc. Advanced drives rated at 7200 RPM, even with their own power supply, can prove problematic. Additionally, they are also more expensive.
Streamlined Secondary Backup
The nice thing about the MemoryKick Si secondary backup solution is that when you purchase the Si, which is across the board more affordable than its competitors with more features and faster transfer speeds, you DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS to have a secondary backup solution with an external hard drive. Most competitors don’t have built-in USB Host capability or they require an expensive “Add on” to achieve this level of functionality.
Hope this helps to clear things up for those interested in this type of solution.
MemoryKick Si featured in Popular Photography Magazine
December 19th, 2009 § 1 Comment
The MemoryKick Si was recently featured in the January 2010 issue of Popular Photography. Pick up one today & check it out!
Early Reviews of the MemoryKick Si
December 14th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
Check out the link below for a thorough review of the MemoryKick Si provided by a customer of B&H Photo
MemoryKick Si now available at Adorama Camera
November 24th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
MemoryKick is proud to announce that Adorama Camera is now carrying the MemoryKick Si in all available capacities: 160GB, 320GB, & 500GB. Check out the link below:
Adorama Camera and the 500GB MemoryKick Si
