Microsoft developing passive voice activation for Cortana

Looks like Microsoft is keen on bringing Cortana up to par with Google’s and Apple’s own digital personal assistants with the new features they are throwing in. Marcus Ash, the group program manager for Cortana on Windows Phone, tweeted that their team is currently working on passive voice activation for their service. This would mean you no longer have to hold the search button or tap on the live tile to activate Cortana. You would just need a voice command like when you say “Ok, Google” for Google Now or "Hey Siri," for iOS 8.

Something to think about as we design voice activation for #Cortana. Don't want Jesse sending texts on your behalf. http://t.co/Vq4uXB0P6q

— Marcus Ash (@marcusash) June 17, 2014

Source: Ubergizmo

Sharp introduces new AQUOS BOARD interactive displays

If you work in the creative field or need more tools for collaboration, Sharp has introduced at new line of interactive displays for boardrooms and even video conferences. The AQUOS BOARD allows for up to 10 points of contact and up to four people writing simultaneously on the screen using either their fingers or the Sharp touch pens. It can push content directly to connected mobile devices and a faster touch response rate of up to 200 times per second for nearly zero delay as possible. There is also an anti-glare film that helps reduce reflections and glare and minimize fingerprint marks on the board.

The AQUOS BOARD is available in 70-inch and 60-inch and has to two configurations users can choose depending on their requirements. The PN-L703B and PN-L603B are open-platform models that need an external PC. This will allow users to run any Microsoft Windows-based applications on the AQUOS BOARD. Meanwhile, the PN-L703A and PN-L603A come equipped with Sharp Pen Software and Touch Display Link 2 functionality so users will no longer need an external PC to operate the device. The PN-L703B and PN-L603B are currently available at authorized Sharp distributors and dealers, while the PN-L703A and PN-L603A will be available in the summer of 2014.

Next Samsung Galaxy Note will reportedly get a QHD display

If you're an avid Samsung Galaxy Note fan, you might want to watch for what's next in the pipeline. The South Korean tech company has just posted a web profile for an unannounced and unidentified SM-N910A device that features a 2560x1440 display with the same screen size as the Note 3. This is supposedly the next Note device because the Note 3 for AT&T is the SM-N900A.

If this truly is the next Note device, then it will have visuals that can take on the G3. And we know how Samsung is doing in the display department for its devices.

Source: Engadget

Android keyboard SwiftKey is now free for all users

Before SwiftKey makes its official iOS debut, the third-party keyboard is taking care of its original customers—Android users. The US$4 app is now free to download on the Android platform. Legacy users will get a $5 theme ten-pack for free for their loyalty. This refresh will introduce the SwiftKey store which will have 30 themes by the time of the launch, over 800 emojis, and a number row.

Source: Engadget