Lifelog
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Sony's unorthodox take on AI is now open source
When it comes to AI, Sony isn't mentioned in the conversation like Google, Amazon and Apple are. However, let's remember that it was on the forefront of deep learning with products like the Aibo robot dog, and has used it recently in the Echo-like Xperia Agent (above) and Xperia Ear. Sony is finally ready to share its AI technology with developers and engineers to incorporate them into their products and services, it has revealed.
Swarm turns your check-in history into a detailed lifelog
By bringing back mayorships, leaderboards and other features that make every day a new level in one big game, Swarm is now more or less what Foursquare once was. But with the release of Swarm 4.0 today, the check-in app is expanding further beyond the immediate gratification of coins and titles. The update places a greater emphasis on the lifelogging aspects of Swarm, using check-in data to build a richer history of what you and your friends have been up to. This starts with a redesigned profile tab highlighting check-ins, streaks and any photos posted while out and about.
GoPro's new Fetch mount lets your pooch capture video in comfort
It's easy to get a dog's-eye view of the world by strapping an action camera to your canine, but making it stable and comfortable is another matter -- you don't want Rover shaking off that costly video gear. That's where GoPro's new Fetch mount should come in handy. The padded harness lets your dog carry up to two cameras (back and belly) in comfort, whether it's a tiny French Bulldog or a bigger Golden Retriever. The add-on includes a camera tether and water resistance, too, so your companion can play rough without losing any equipment. You'll have to spend a significant $60 to make Fetch happen, but it might be worth the outlay if you're eager to record the adventures of a four-legged friend.
Sony SmartBand review: a fitness tracker that goes beyond fitness
When you hear the word "wearable," there's a good chance you think of a wristband, probably one that tracks your activity. Ever since Nike launched the FuelBand, your lower arm has become the main focus for fitness tech. Already the rot is setting in, though. Nike is rumored to be leaving the game completely (even if recent events suggest otherwise). Everyone else is still trying to decide what exactly a wrist-worn gadget should do. No one device appears to have figured out the magic formula. Most bands stop at counting steps and logging sleep. But Sony decided to try something different with its $100 SmartBand wearable. It still does the step-tracking thing, just along with other stuff -- like, y'know, logging your entire life. As much as it can with a motion sensor and mobile phone, anyway. So how is it? I strapped one on to find out.
Sony's Core-equipped SmartBand and Lifelog app arrive in March (video)
We caught a glimpse of Sony's Core activity sensor back at CES, and it seems the masses will be able to outfit their wrists with one this spring. At Mobile World Congress, Sony announced that the SmartBand (SWR10) that houses the Core and its accompanying Lifelog app will be available in March. If you're in need of a refresher, the Bluetooth and NFC-compatible activity tracker is waterproof with a micro-USB port and will arrive in only in Black... initially. Color options are set to arrive after launch with a 2014 FIFA World Cup model as part of the group. The Lifelog app is the control center for the Core, collecting your daily stats, tracking sleep, logging places and storing other activity on an Android device. Similar to other activity tracking software, Lifelog allows you to set goals and monitor progress right from your mobile device. When you're heading out of range or when you need to get out of bed, the SmartBand will alert you to keep things in check. Tweets, emails, calls and other messages will prompt the SmartBand to vibrate as well. When used alongside Sony's Walkman app, the wearable can be used to play, pause, and skip tracks. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing, but we're sure to get more info on that when the exact release date is announced. Update: We've just been informed that when the Core launches in Europe it'll do so for a price of 99 Euros, with the dollar price likely around the same.
This wearable Sony concept will let you document your life with photos
Back at CES, Sony unveiled a curious wearable: the Core, a miniscule activity tracker made to slot into accessories, like its SmartBand. At the time, details surrounding this waterproof sensor were scarce, but here at Mobile World Congress, we've gotten more insight into how the tiny tracker fits within the One Sony world. And as you can see above, Sony's exploring ways to pair it with a camera you wear around your neck, so it's always ready to document your day. But, first, here's a little background on the Lifelog app that makes it tick. The Core is effectively useless without Sony's Lifelog, a lifestyle-tracking app for Android the company demoed onstage at its presser and is planning to release to Google Play in March. Think of Lifelog as a curated Facebook feed for your life, but without much effort on your part. It records your locations, communications, physical activity and photos taken and places them in a graphed format, in addition to coaching you with set goals. From what little we've been told about the Lifelog camera concept, it seems users would be able to pair it to a smartphone and then set specific triggers for photo capture, like times of the day or activities. So say you want to record the moments of your daily jog, this concept would handle that automatically and upload the shots to your personal feed. It's the sort of the stuff quantified selfers get all hot and bothered over -- you know, those ardent lifebloggers. But just because Sony's showing off this Lifelog camera concept, that doesn't mean we'll ever see it become a commercial reality. Sony may just be testing the consumer waters or simply showing off its idea of the possible road ahead.
Sony demonstrates eye-tracking glasses designed for 'lifelogging'
You are "lifelogging," aren't you? Well, it looks like Sony could one day make the process a whole lot easier if an actual product ever results from these prototype glasses, which combine eye-tracking technology with an outward-facing camera. That, Sony says, allows the camera to detect and record objects (or people, for that matter) that you're looking at, and even recognize and copy text that you're reading. Sony apparently isn't quite done with the idea just yet, however, and says that it also plans to add some GPS capabilities and, of course, embed the device in the frame of the glasses. Despite appearances, Sony says that should be relatively easy -- the real problem is how to handle the power supply for the glasses.
