Daily Marauder

TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft is releasing “Touchless,” multitouch software from Microsoft Office Labs that uses a regular Web camera and everyday objects as input. You can think of this as a low-end version of its Touchwall technology, which uses more precise lasers to detect movement and objects. The software developer kit is available now under an open-source Microsoft Public License. The SDK only works on Windows. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/10/08/microsoft-office-labs-releases-touchless-multi-touch-as-an-open-source-sdk 10/8)

In this video the map graphic is stretched and minimized using the color markets (i.e. toys found in this Microsoft employee’s office).  Pretty cool and should inspire some really interesting innovation as the SDK is free and the only equipment involved is a relatively inexpensive web cam.

Disney forecasts sales of high-definition Blu-ray discs in the United States will overtake DVDs within two years. Consumers will adopt the new technology “much sooner than we think,” says Disney VP David Jessen. “It’s right on the verge of becoming really big.” (Iwantmedia 10/8, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=aFpgM3IsfqKc 10/7)

Americans still love their digital electronic gadgets, recession or no recession, the CEA said, citing figures that show retail sales for consumer electronics grew 1.2% in August compared with a year ago. CEA economist Shawn DuBravac, who pointed to especially strong results for sales of flat-panel TVs, GPS systems and video game consoles, predicts a solid holiday season for home-entertainment gear. The Boston Globe (10/8) , Google/Agence France-Presse (10/7)

Analysts tell The Wall Street Journal that TiVo’s new business model will build value through licensing deals, while the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear Dish Network’s appeal of a patent-infringement case gives TiVo a break. TiVo has new digital-recording distribution deals through Comcast and DirecTV and a growing customer base in Australia and Asia. The Wall Street Journal (10/8)

Comcast Media Center will acquire California-based Radiance Technologies for $5 million in a deal announced this week. Among the benefits to CMC is an expected boost to its software-development and content-management capabilities. CED Magazine (10/2008)