Pre-Release Version of Core Player Being Distributed

Core Code project has announced that they are inviting individuals to participate in a pre-release of the CorePlayer project.

It is a cross platform player which runs on CE, Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, Palm, Symbian, Windows, Vista, UMPC, OS X, and Linux.

Features Include:
- Advanced Skins
- Streaming (http/udp/mms/rtp/rtsp)
- Visualizations 2D and 3D
- Video: H.264, DivX, MKV, MOV, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, OGM, 3GP
- Audio: AAC, MP3, WMA, MID, AC-3, MKA, OGG, FLAC, AMR, WAV
- CorePlayer PMP Mobile
- 'Seek and Share' Social Network Sharing Technology
- CoreTunes Desktop Media Library
- CorePlayerX Web Browser Plug-in
- CoreSync Mobile, Server. Desktop Media Synchronization
- CoreTheque Media Library Database

Wireless Ckeck-In

Marriott International, Inc. a hotel chain has announced that it is trialing a mobile wireless check in system for their custumers. The system is using Microsoft’s Windows Mobile®-powered devices on end-to-end Intel Architecture and is being tested in Redmond Washignton Town Centre.

Source Hospitality.net
In a collaborative effort with Intel® Solution Services and Microsoft®, Marriott is working toward implementing a mobile wireless check-in process that is convenient and easy for guests to use. During testing, guests with Microsoft Windows Mobile-powered Smartphones–running the PocketPC Platform–can simply download and install Marriott’s seamless mobility software from Arrive.Marriott.com. Using the Internet, they can then connect securely to the Redmond Marriott Town Center hotel’s property management system and check in to their room while in transit to the hotel. Guests will also be able to change room types, receive welcome information and reconfirm their room rates. When they arrive at the hotel, guests retrieve their room keys from a conveniently located automated key dispenser in the lobby.

Critical to the test is innovative software developed by Intel Solution Services to Marriott’s requirements that enables guests to check-in while in motion and eliminates the need to restart the check-in process, even if the wireless signal is lost in transit. Information entered by travelers will be automatically restored when the signal is re-established. A future benefit of this project will also enable guests to check in from their office PCs and laptops.

Upon successful completion of the test later this year, Marriott will evaluate requirements for production development and a rollout plan for mobile wireless check-in at its hotels.

All for just US$300k

The release of new designer handsets continues apace, with the announcement of the Black Diamond smartphone. The handset, from Swiss manufacturer VIPN is a limited edition run of 5 devices designed by Jaren Goh. The handset will cost US$300,000. The phone comes with the usual array of features, including a 4 megapixel camera, and runs Windows Mobile 5, a 2Gb SD card, support for SIP and WiFi, and a touch sensitive keypad, and will be delivered to the five purchasers in early 2007.