Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/620703
C o n s u m e r E l e c t r o n i c s D a i l y N e w s T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 7 , 2 0 1 6 7 6 many others. Standards such as these are the building blocks upon which applica- tions and programs run on the Web, and because of these standards, programs can interoperate across multiple devices, from smartphones and TVs to connected homes, sensors and vehicles, as well as industrial manufacturing environments. In an interview prior to CES 2016, Dr. Jaffe explained why he hopes other senior executives will embrace his enthu- siasm for the future of the Web and its potential impact on their industries. He also encourages executives to engage with him at CES about their expectations of the Web for their organizations. "Just as the invention of the Web changed how we communicate, educate, entertain, conduct business and govern our political and social systems over the past 25 years, the next five years will see a tremendous acceleration of change," Dr. Jaffe said. "For example, today W3C is work- ing on Web standards in automotive, digital publishing, entertainment, mar- keting, Web payments and the Web of Things. We were not focused on these application markets a few years ago. That's what I mean by the rapid acceler- ation and why I believe it's so important for CEOs and CTOs to be working with W3C today to design the standards that support their vision of the next genera- tion Web. For example, our work in Web payments will substantially streamline the online checkout process and make it more secure." W3C (Cont'd. from p. 1) According to Dr. Jaffe, developing Web standards takes equal parts industry understanding and vision, technical expertise, a dedicated work ethic and a willingness to collaborate to achieve con- sensus. He believes the best and brightest technologists and business strategists appreciate the challenges inherent in developing Web standards at W3C. One example Dr. Jaffe cited is the coming together of the entertainment industry. "W3C hosted a series of work- shops with Web and television technolo- gy experts to learn what needs were miss- ing from the Web from their perspectives. Today, the HTML5 standard enables audio, video and data, has multi-chan- nels, streaming media, captioning capa- bilities and more because companies in the broadcast, cable television, entertain- ment and Web browsing industries deemed it a priority for their future suc- cess." Dr. Jaffe sees big opportunities for companies in the automotive and Internet of Things sectors to create new business models and offer new services based on the standardization of data APIs. "Consumers are going to expect the same level of services and interoperability from all of the devices they purchase, whether it's connected cars, homes or work environments.," he said. "W3C looks forward to working with key indus- try players to make this vision a reality through its role in defining standards for the Web." For more information, go to www.w3.org or stop by suite #310. VOKE experiences are enabled through a powerful, modular, end-to-end, real-time platform that spans from cap- ture to consumer. VOKE's non-fish-eye, true stereoscopic capture system pro- vides high-resolution immersive content without a bubble feel. The feed can be streamed to the consumer both as a live 180 degree to 360 degree stereoscopic VR stream, consumable on major VR headsets with full depth perception, and also as a user-controllable 2D immersive feed for mobile phones and tablets. In addition, VOKE's proprietary solution enables fans to individually and easily switch between multiple time-synced vantage points, each providing a panoramic view. Add in both shareable social media and instant replay capabili- ties and the VOKE platform becomes the most versatile and usable VR solution available for real-time, live-event action on the market that goes beyond simple "looking around." "Virtual reality is the future of sports and entertainment media," said S. Jay Jayaram, VOKE's Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. "It's a new paradigm and it will greatly enhance the experience that sports and music fans already love. VOKE provides an outstanding experi- ence across a spectrum of devices by allowing the viewer to be immersed in the action and actively engaged, versus simply being a passive observer." VOKE has recently announced multi-faceted strategic alliances with two professional sports franchises. The com- pany's partnership with the NBA's Sacramento Kings (who also have made VOKE (Cont'd. from p. 1) an equity investment in VOKE) started in style with a live virtual reality stream of the Kings' home opener this season to a school in India and to a local children's hospital in the Sacramento area. "By partnering with VOKE, we can share the in-arena excitement in an unprecedented way," said Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadive. "Through technology, we'll connect with emerging fans, find new ones and pro- vide a truly unique experience." Similarly, VOKE and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars have completed a wide-ranging partnership, which includes real-time VR feeds to end-user headsets in special fan areas at EverBank Field, live immersive 2D virtual reality experiences (including virtual reality instant replay in the Jags Gameday app for smartphones and tablets) and proprietary VR technolo- gy for coaching and operations. "The Jaguars are using innovative technology to provide our fans with a first-rate experience," said Jaguars' Senior Vice President Hussain Naqi. "We chose to partner with VOKE because they are leaders in live-event VR tech- nology." VOKE's adaptable, open and device-agnostic VR platform allows the company's partners to create a myriad of applications and experiences. VOKE's offerings in sports and concerts can be effectively and efficiently monetized. Have a VOKE experience today at CES. Stop by booth #26430 in the VR/AR section. For more information, visit www.vokevr.com, call 408.654.9696, email info@vokevr.com or stop by booth #26430. invention is an historic moment that promises to change the way we connect with the skies. Why the World Needs Aerial Vehicles Of course, PFVs are more than a cool idea. They present an innovative solu- tion to the problems inherent in tradi- tional transportation infrastructure. "Traffic congestion and accidents in highly populated urban areas demand disruption," explained Huazhi Hu, Chief Executive Officer of EHang. "Human freedom is limited by keeping daily commuting on the ground. The time it takes and the harm to the envi- ronment caused by traditional methods of transportation simply aren't sustain- able for the future." Hu has the answer that promises to make roads – and people – safer. 184, which stands for one passenger, eight propellers and four arms, runs purely on electric power, creates no emissions and reduces the possibility of accidents caused by engine failure to zero. "Backups for all components of the air- craft, including the power system, mean that the 184 can perform normally with only 50 perfect power left. Even when only one propeller is functioning, it is still safe to fly," Hu said. Perhaps most exciting is the vehi- cle's foundational software, which enables the autonomous nature of its flight and presents opportunities for developers to work in tandem with the 184's API in the future. Even so, safety remains paramount to 184. "If any com- ponents have issues or lose connection, EHang (Cont'd. from p. 1) the aircraft will land at the nearest area, to ensure the safety of both passengers and aircraft." When conceptualizing 184, safety was Hu's top priority and was actually the impetus behind its creation. A long- time flight enthusiast, he experienced tragedy twice when both his airplane and helicopter instructors were killed while flying. Hu wanted to find a way around the limitations and dangers imposed by fly- ing traditional small aircraft. "When a fixed-wing airplane's landing gear gets damaged or a helicopter's belt breaks, it can cause severe and fatal accidents," he explained, noting the dangers inherent in today's mainstream flight technology. "What's more, helicopters and airplanes only can operate in certain conditions. The 184, on the other hand, can function safely under any circumstances." That's due to multiple internal flight control systems that work on a voting mechanism. As each control system has two GPS systems, a barometer, accelerometer and gyroscope, the whole system is able to accurately obtain flight data at all times. According to Hu, these advanced systems remove the possibility of human error. EHang sees a huge array of applica- tions for this revolutionary invention, including commercial partnerships with major transportation and service providers. For more information, stop by booth #25208, LVCC South Hall 2. Learn more at www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2884317 and www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009- 07/22/content_8456517.htm. THE ONE SMART PIANO HAS NEW U.S. SALES DISTRIBUTION IN MAJOR RETAILERS The ONE Smart Piano and The ONE Light keyboard have made their debut at select online and brick-and-mortar retail- ers. Recently named a CES 2016 Innovation Awards Honoree in the Smart Home product category by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™, The ONE Smart Piano is the first and only Apple MFi-certified smart piano that works with an app to teach users to play. The ONE Smart Piano's wooden body comes in two colors – Matte Black or Classic White – and is equipped with 88 hammer-weighted keys and three foot pedals. The ONE Light is a portable key- board that offers the same features as the smart piano, but with 61 backlit keys and the option to be battery powered. Available in two colors – Onyx Black and White Gold – The ONE Light is ideal for the mobile musician or people who don't want to invest in a full-sized piano. Created for people of all ages and levels, The ONE Smart Piano and The ONE Light connect with the Smart Piano app on any smartphone or tablet to pro- vide three different ways to learn: video lessons, LED-guided sheet music and piano games. With a regularly-updated collection of more than 2,000 sheet music pieces, The ONE comes with access to thousands of classical pieces for free, as well as the latest pop hits for purchase. "The ONE Smart Piano gives hope to people who have always dreamed of learning to play," said Sandy Diao, Head of Growth at The ONE Smart Piano. "By making our piano available offline, we are providing customers an opportunity to test it before buying. We are confident that anyone who sits in front of The ONE Smart Piano will immediately fall in love with it." The devices are currently available at several piano stores across America, such as Bananas at Large, Music Village, Cooper Piano, Haight & Ashbury Music Center and Hilton Piano. Diao adds, "Retailers are finding that The ONE is not just an instrument, but part of the Smart Home ecosystem, an educational toy, furniture for a traditional home, a tool for music students and teach- ers and a home entertainment system."