innovations
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Having already received an IF Design Award, the
BlackBerry Passport has now been honoured with a
Red Dot: Best of the Best Product Design Award 2015.
The passport-shaped device features a 4.5in square
display that is claimed to be the ideal shape for everyday
tasks such as reading and writing email, reviewing and
editing documents, web browsing and map navigation.
According to BlackBerry, the square aspect ratio and
size provides a near optimal text line length, similar to
that of books.
In addition, the BlackBerry Passport includes the
industry’s first touch-enabled keyboard with gestures,
which makes typing, editing and navigation more efficient
and accurate.
Monitoring indoor air
quality remotely
As concern over the UK’s
air quality grows, air
purification company
Blueair has launched a fully
integrated air monitoring
and purification system that
gives users greater insight
into air quality in their
home or office.
It comprises an internet-
enabled Aware sensor that
monitors air quality; an ‘Aware’
app that enables users to
view and instantly respond
to real-time indoor air quality
updates on a tablet or smartphone; and a
WiFi-enabled air purifier that can be operated
remotely.
The first model to support the Aware
sensor is BlueAir’s new Sense+WiFi-enabled
air purifier, which removes 99.97% of dust,
allergens, chemicals, viruses, odours and
other indoor air pollutants from rooms at
home and work.
Offering true flexibility, the Sense+ can
be controlled remotely via the ‘Aware’ app,
with aWiFi remote control and through the
device’s own swipe-screen interface.
Six star performer
Grundig’s new Digta SonicMic 3 and Digta
SonicMic 3 Classic USB microphones with
push-button controls are optimised for
stationery dictation and speech recognition.
They interface with DigtaSoft Voice,
Dragon NaturallySpeaking and Dragon Medical
360 I Direct speech recognition applications
and have already received Nuance’s highest
six star rating for recognition precision.
For ease of use, the microphones feature
programmable function buttons and an optical
trackpad for navigation on-screen.
Stay protected with inToro Glass
In a recent survey by PC Advisor, 57% of smartphone owners
said they had broken, smashed or cracked a screen, with 41%
continuing to use a damaged screen in order to avoid the delays
and cost of replacement.
To meet their needs, inToro Glass has introduced four-layer
tempered glass, scratch-resistant protectors that won’t jeopardise
screen sensitivity or clarity but are still so tough that you could chop
carrots on them, or so the manufacturer claims.
The protectors are 0.2mm thick, so they won’t compromise
smartphone aesthetics, and, thanks to an oil resistant oleophobic
nano-coating, stay clear and smudge-free.
In addition, they filter out 98% of the UV emitted by smartphones
and gadgets and 90% of blue light, which has been blamed for raising
melatonin production, weakening vision, compromising sleep and
slowing one’s metabolism.
All inToro Glass screen protectors have a no-fuss Lifetime
Replacement Warranty.
Philips
updates
mobile digital
dictation solutions
Speech Processing Solutions has launched
a new voice recorder and a completely
redesigned iOS smartphone dictation app.
The durable stainless steel Philips Pocket
Memo 7800 and 7820 digital voice recorders
feature two high-end microphones for
superior sound pick up and an ergonomically
shaped slide switch for efficient single-
handed use.
Both devices come with Philips
SpeechExec Pro Dictate software, which
streamlines the flow of work between authors
and transcriptionists and enables users to
monitor the progress of dictation jobs.
Also new is the Philips dictation recorder
iPhone app 3.6 for recording and securely
sending memos, email, reports and other
documents using an iOS smartphone.
Enhancements include a completely redesigned
user interface, a quick start guide and a new
‘set editing mode’ that allows users to pre-
define overwrite, insert and append modes.
Recordings can be processed by a
transcriptionist, speech recognition software
or Philips dictation workflow solutions such
as SpeechExec and SpeechLive. The latter is a
new cloud dictation solution that gives users
full control over their dictation workflow, with
the option of transcription by professional
typists.
Room for two
With more and more of us carrying two
smartphones – either for travel or or to
keep our work and personal lives separate
– PearPeel has introduced the first luxury
leather case designed to hold more than
one phone.
Available in 18 versions and a range of
styles, PearPeel is made from top quality Eco
Verde leather and has the option of a credit
card and money holder that can be attached
to the case in place of one of the handsets.
The protective separator between
smartphones doubles as a stand that lets
you watch media or make a hands-free video
call with the phone still in the case.
Prices start at £45.
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com
Design award for
Passport
