ecobee, an energy management company, teamed with Macadamian, a global software consultancy, to design the first WiFi enabled full-color, touch screen home thermostat, and was recognized this week with two IDA awards. For its simple and intuitive design, ecobee received the Gold award for Energy Conservation Equipment and the Silver award for Residential Sustainable Design.



ecobee sought expert help from Macadamian to ensure that its development efforts would match the needs of its users. Completed in 2009, ecobee's WiFi-enabled Smart Thermostat features simple touch-screen programming and access to a personalized web portal allowing homeowners to control their thermostat settings from their smart phones or anywhere that they have an Internet connection. "ecobee truly cares about great design, simplicity, and usability, which is why they stand out in a field of products that are notoriously hard to use," said Matthew Hately, vice president and general manager at Macadamian. "We're delighted that they've been recognized by the design community and Macadamian is honored to have played a part in their success."

"We are honored to receive the Gold and Silver award for Energy Conservation Sustainable Design from the IDA. This international recognition of the ecobee Smart Thermostat reflects the successful working partnership between ecobee and Macadamian," said Stuart Lombard, president and CEO at ecobee. "Having a world class user experience for all of our products is a challenge we focus on each and every day."
ecobee is in good company at the IDA this year with 2011 International Design Awards also granted to products by Herman Miller, GE, Microsoft, and Jawbone.

Despite the fact that a programmable thermostat conserves energy and saves money, only 22% of people actually program their thermostat, while 85% of ecobee users program theirs. Visit the ecobee website at www.ecobee.com to see the Smart Thermostat in action.



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Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. announced that a new "PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) Remaster" title series, PSP titles customized and developed specifically for the PS3 computer entertainment system, will become available as Blu-ray Disc™ games starting in the Japanese market.



"PSP Remaster" titles will deliver rich and immersive gaming experience on the PS3 system through stunning high-definition graphics as well as through additional new features for these titles, such as operability on the PS3 Wireless Controller (SIXAXIS® and DUALSHOCK®3), new add-on content or stereoscopic 3D support*(1).  Users will also be able to utilize the same save data from the original PSP game for the "PSP Remaster" version and enjoy the game on the go with the PSP system and continue the game at home on a large TV screen using PS3.  Ad-hoc mode gameplay will also be supported through "adhoc party for PlayStation Portable" application on the PS3 system*(2).

For Japan, the first "PSP Remaster" title to be introduced will be Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver. from Capcom Co., Ltd.  Monster Hunter Portable 3rd for the PSP system is the latest installment of the blockbuster Monster Hunter franchise, which has alone shipped over 4.5 million units in Japan since its release in December 2010.  The graphics of the PS3 version, including monsters, fields, equipment, as well as Felyne Comrades, are more gorgeous and vibrant than ever, and will deliver dynamic gameplay when played on the large TV screens.  SCE, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will deploy various measures to enhance the software title line-up for the PS3 system.

SCE will continue to further expand the PS3 platform and create a new world of computer entertainment with innovative and exciting new titles.
*1 What content will be supported will depend by titles.
*2. Not all titles will be supported.  Some software title will not function properly depending on the user's network status and or the software feature.  The application is not supported on 20GB model (CECHB00) which does not support Wi-Fi feature.

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Given that its release we haven’t heard a terrific deal in regards to the ViewSonic gTablet, having said that a new update has been released and it really should make the gTablet even more desirable than it already is. The update in fact went live four days ago; on the other hand it slipped beneath our radar.



The installation process of this gTablet is straightforward. As it is being rolled-out over-the-air, only reboot or power on the GTablet and also you will need to see a notification, then you just comply with the on-screen directions and quickly you’ll be updated. If for some cause you do not get a notification simply pick updates from the system launcher. As soon as you have installed the update you ought to discover some impressive alterations like energy saving screen lock, Adobe Flash support, French and Spanish language help, assistance for keyboards, mice and docking stations and international cities offered in climate.




You’ll find almost certainly plenty of unmentioned adjustments which will improve the tablet for instance minor bug fixes and interface tweaks; nonetheless ViewSonic has not provided us a total breakdown of all of the refinements. So, we would enjoy to hear from you when you nevertheless feel that ViewSonic will need to add or boost a lot of the gTablet’s functionality and features. Let us know any of one’s tips inside the comments section below.

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