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The latest news from The Force Field!

New PC Software Restores Audio Recording Capabilities to Windows Vista for Free

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Applian Technologies has just released a free, audio recorder that works incredibly well with Windows Vista and XP. This recorder uses revolutionary new recording technology which is sound card independent. It can capture audio as MP3 files from virtually any application or internet stream.

San Anselmo, CA (PRWEB) August 21, 2007 — Applian Technologies has just released the Freecorder Toolbar Sound Recorder, a free audio capture program for Windows Vista which restores the audio recording functionality previously available in prior versions of Windows. Using a new driverless recording process developed by Applian, the software allows customers to capture audio as MP3 files from virtually any application or internet stream. Freecorder Toolbar is free, and available today from www.freecorder.com.

HNews Imageistorically, all PC's had sound card drivers with an easily accessible recording line, and also allowed recording applications to install custom sound card drivers. Today, the sound card drivers that ship with Windows Vista rarely make a recording line available, or if a sound card does have a recording line, that capability is buried. And the new driver signing requirement of Windows Vista has permanently disabled sound capture technologies that relied on custom drivers. Before Freecorder Toolbar, it has been difficult or impossible to capture audio in Windows Vista.

Internet audio or application-generated sound can now be saved by everyone. And our convenient browser-based interface offers enhanced search capabilities and other cool tools, all for free. Everyone should have this great little recorder on their browser.

Freecorder Toolbar works inside both Internet Explorer and Firefox, and offers simple one-button recording that saves everything you hear from your PC speakers as either an MP3 or WAV file. It will also record from the microphone or line-in inputs on your PC. Additionally, Freecorder Toolbar includes a powerful Google-based search, and optional browser enhancements like a radio tuner, weather bug, pop-up blocker, search highlighter and more.

"We are thrilled to be able to give consumers an easy-to-use universal audio recorder that works great with Windows Vista and XP" said Applian CEO Bill Dettering, "Internet audio or application-generated sound can now be saved by everyone. And our convenient browser-based interface offers enhanced search capabilities and other cool tools, all for free. Everyone should have this great little recorder on their browser."

Freecorder Toolbar was developed in partnership with Conduit, the leading platform for building online communities via community toolbars. "Our vision at Conduit is to provide website publishers with the most powerful components and content for their community toolbar, and ultimately to deliver a superior end-user experience," said Ronen Shilo, CEO of Conduit. "Applian is a clear leader managing streaming media and we are delighted to provide their highly useful tools via our platform." Freecorder Toolbar contains no advertising, and is available for free from Freecorder.com. It requires a PC running Windows 2000 or later.

iPhone Interface Experience Now Available on Java Phones

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New York, NY (PRWEB) August 27, 2007 — A new milestone has been reached in the mobile industry with the release of a new technology called "CM3" that allows publishers to easily produce iPhone style rich media mobile applications for everyday Java cell phones. While menus swish and slide across the screen of the smaller java phones, it's hard not to be blown away by the the smoothness of the experience and the fact we're talking about any 99 dollar cell phone that can run basic java.

With the Uber successful launch of Apples iPhone, companies, design houses and indie developers have been scrambling to find a way to keep up with the direction Apple iPhone has pushed the mobile industry, which is towards rich media end-user experiences. Till now, mobile applications were good if they had some graphics and a midi player. Even phones like the blackberry and the treo have survived without giving very much in terms of bells and whistles for the in-hand experience. Now with the over the top response to iPhone, mobile publishers are looking to offer some fun on the handset making the simple use of the application an activity to enjoy along with the experience of the actual service.

"This reality of giving the small business and sub prime consumer the ability to have what is now so often even called an "iPhone Experience" to use, sell, market and promote themselves is a triumph for small business in America. The idea is to be innovative enough to make it more and more difficult for 800 pound gorillas like Apple, Adobe and Many others to control the timeline of innovation and commerce in America. Demystifying the "iPhone Experience" this quickly and placing the technology within reach of hungry developers and in the hands of everyday people (end-users), is our way of aggressively pushing innovation forward. and maybe faster than some big wigs would like." Says Moses Johnson, Lead Architect and Creator of CM3. "I think that's what is making CM3 so successful."

What is CM3?
CM3 is an affordable way to create animated rich media mobile applications for Java Mobile Phones. It is the fastest way to get to market with a mobile application that harnesses the design-driven user experience that makes the iPhone so popular: Swooshing Menus, attractive motion graphics: A sense of style for your custom Java Applications.

CM3 hosts a developer community for CM3 users where members can share code, ideas and resources in a "Closed Source" environment. Create your own original program from CM3 source code such as mobile storefronts, mobile media manager, mobile TV, video on demand, media search applications, chat, etc. Then get resources, development assistance, hints and hook-ups from the CM3 Developer network. The CM3 Developer Group promotes an environment where innovation can flourish and companies and independent developers can safely participate and develop applications together while keeping all intellectual property proprietary.

Key features include:

    

  • Data-enabled channels of engaging content

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  • Multi-platform support across open and closed operating system platforms

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  • On-device catalog for easy discovery and management of content and services

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  • Support for rich media, including inline video, and native codecs

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  • Over-the-air updates of branded user interfaces

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  • Powerful mobile authoring capabilities

CornerSpace is a growing New York and Philadelphia based technology company specializing in advanced software engineering and design.

Contact: 1-484-461-8389
Business Development: bd @ cornerspace.com
Videos and Pictures Available: http://cornerspace.com/press.html

HP, Microsoft and OnForce partner for certification training

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Hewlett Packard and Onforce joined with software giant Microsoft this month to create a partnership to offer training and certification to over 10,000 OnForce Service Providers. The program, officially launched today, will provide a one-stop resource for Microsoft certifications at half the normal cost to Providers. According to a recent Microsoft press release, the goal is to encourage certifications in specific tracks to help OnForce and its Providers enhance their level of services to Buyers on the platform. Two of these certifications, Microsoft Windows Vista and Small Business Specialist, will be heavily promoted.

The three-way partnership is a big step for OnForce, according to Lauren Macleod, writing in the OnForce blog. "With the launch of Microsoft Vista, the impending Longhorn introduction, and buyers’ increasing focus on their small business customers, we wanted to be able to help providers get smart on those technologies fast", Macleod wrote. "And at a price that they could get nowhere else."

The online training will be provided by HP and accessible from their web site. 

Acer to buy Gateway for $710M

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Acer announced today that it plans to purchase Gateway, Inc. in a move that could make it the third largest PC maker in the world. According to a press release on Acer's web site both companies have agreed to the acquisition in which Acer will pay $1.90 per outstanding share. Gateway is the fourth largest US PC builder and a major computer retailer. According to Acer, the agreement will create a multi-branded computer company with annual revenue of more then $15 billion.

 “The acquisition of Gateway and its strong brand immediately completes Acer’s global footprint, by strengthening our US presence" said J.T. Wang, Chairman of Acer. "This will be an excellent addition to Acer’s already strong positions in Europe and Asia. Upon acquiring Gateway, we will further solidify our position as number three PC vendor globally.”

Ed Coleman, CEO of Gateway said  “Joining with Acer will enable us to bring even more value to the consumer segments we serve and capitalize on Acer’s highly regarded supply chain operations and global reach to expand the scope of the Gateway and eMachines brands around the world.  Acer has made impressive strides in the global PC market and the board and I welcome this merger.”

If approved outside the US, the acquisiton by Acer of Gateway should be completed by December of 2007. 

Vista Ready

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As Microsoft’s new operating system, Vista, grows closer to shipping we are changing the configuration of our PC’s.  We are now building PC’s which Microsoft terms “Vista Ready”.  This simply means that if you buy a Vista Ready PC you can be assured that PC will have the horsepower to run Vista- whenever it finally ships.  Keep in mind, however, if you want to upgrade to Vista later you will still need to buy Vista.  Microsoft is not giving away free upgrades from XP to Vista.

 

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Welcome to TheForceField.net!

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After weeks of planning theforcefield.net is now online! What began as an idea for a simple blog for a podcast became something more – much more. This is the beta of what will become the official web site for The Force Field, a podcast originally created and produced for the Service Providers of OnForce, a web based IT service company that bills itself as a marketplace for service professionals and buyers.

The show covers the “news, views, reviews and interviews for and about the IT industry and the OnForce community”. The web site was launched to showcase The Force Field and add value to the show. However, the topic of each episode can only be summarized in a 30 minute podcast. The purpose of theforcefield.net is to cover each topic in greater detail and offer viable concepts, ideas and solutions to make the podcast much more dynamic and enjoyable.

If you are one of over ten thousand Service Providers who are members of OnForce this is your home away from home, a portal to news and information of all things related to running a small IT service company.

If you are not a member of OnForce and are either an IT professional who is an independent contractor or you want start your own business in the IT service industry, this is for you. If you are a vendor attempting to reach IT companies to market, sell and maintain your products and services with affiiate, associate or partner programs either directly or indirectly through the channel, you’ve come to the right place. Feel free to look around, listen to The Force Field, and join in.

Membership to theforcefield.net is not required, but it has advantages. As a member you can submit ideas for upcoming shows and participate in the call-in segments. You can enter contests and giveways, get inside information on vendor programs and shows, subscribe to other IT related podcasts and network with other professionals in your field. Where the The Force Field ends, theforcefield.net begins.

Dare to enter The Force Field. Once inside you will experience more than a podcast. You will experience the world of the IT professional.

 Welcome to The Force Field!

 Rick Savoia