Adobe Goes Open Source With Two Media Tools

Adobe has announced that is has taken another two of its products targeted specifically at the media and publishing industries and gone open source with them.

Open Source Media Framework (OSMF), which was originally launched as Strobe last April, gives developers the ability to easily assemble pluggable components to develop better media players at lower costs and quicker turnaround.

Text Layout Framework (TLF) gives developers and designers support for complex languages, bidirectional text and other advanced typographical features.

Adobe says its went open source with OSMF because open source will facilitate cheaper and less complex development histories for video players, while in the case of TLF it doesn’t appear to have said anything at all and gone open source just because…
http://www.cmswire.com/cms/web-development/adobe-goes-open-source-with-two-media-tools-005091.php

EU Calls For More Privacy On Social Networks

The European Commission is reminding teenagers to "Think before you post!" on social networking sites as Europe marks Safer Internet Day.

The Commission said 50 percent of European teenagers give out personal information on the web, which can remain online forever and be seen by anybody.

At last year's Safer Internet Day, 20 companies signed the Safer Social Networking Principles, including YouTube and Facebook, but a report from the Commission says more measures need to be put in place to protect children's privacy online.

"If we want children to think before they post, social networking companies should post the right information using the right language. Last year the European Commission urged companies to act, and I am glad that many have heeded this call," said EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding.

"However I expect all companies to do more. Minors' profiles need to be set to private by default and questions or abuse reports have to receive quick and appropriate responses. The internet is now vital to our children, and it is the responsibility of all to make it safe."

Highlights from the report include:

* Only a third of social networking sites responded to user reports asking for help
* 40% of social networking sites assessed make minors' personal information visible only by their friends by default
* Only 11 out of 22 make it impossible for the private profiles of minors to be found through search engines

Washable Electronics from Seal Shield

How would you like to wash your keyboard? Although it sounds a bit absurd, it is possible, thanks to Seal Shield. The company produces a line of dishwasher safe products consisting of keyboards, mice, and remote controls.

The company came from the medical industry and wanted to create a product line that would prevent the spread of bacteria and infections. According to Seal Shield, around 90,000 people die every year in the U.S. as a result of transmitted bacteria and infections.

With Seal Shield’s products, consumers are able to put the devices in the dishwasher, soapy water, and more to ensure that they are disinfected often. Most of the company’s products include its Silver Seal protection, which is an antimicrobial protection that helps prevent microbial growth and other bacteria.

With the one exception of the ability to be submerged in water, the keyboards, mice, and remote controls look and feel just like normal ones would. Incidentally, the company also revealed a Seal Cell waterproof cell phone at CES that is yet to be available.

Polaroid Brings Back Instant Film

Many of you probably remember when Polaroid ended its line of Instant Film cameras back in 2008. Fortunately, the company has decided to bring back its legendary Polaroid OneStep camera but with a modern twist.

Jon Pollock, Polaroid’s Chief Marketing Officer, spoke with WebProNews at CES 2010 and explained how so many people expressed remorse for the Instant Film products. Specifically, artists and photographers reached out to Polaroid and asked them to bring it back.

In November, the company made its official announcement that it was bringing back its classic film. Polaroid will be offering a redesigned, modernized version of its OneStep camera that Pollock proudly showed off at CES. He said this camera “really represents Polaroid.”

The PIC 1000 will be available just in time for the holidays this year. Incidentally, Polaroid’s new Creative Director, Lady Gaga, pointed out in this WPN report that she was excited to help Polaroid take its Instant Film into the digital age.

http://videos.webpronews.com/2010/02/08/polaroid-brings-back-instant-film/