Researchers from Georgia Tech in US have built a prototype app for touch-screen mobile devices that is vying to be a complete solution for texting without the need to look at a mobile gadget’s screen.
“Research has shown that chorded, or gesture-based, texting is a viable solution for eyes-free written communication in the future, making obsolete the need for users to look at their devices while inputting text on them,” said Mario Romero, Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Interactive Computing (IC) and the project’s principal investigator. The free open-source app, called BrailleTouch, incorporates the Braille writing system used by the visually impaired. It has been conceived as a texting tool for any of the millions of smartphone phone users worldwide.
Early studies with visually impaired participants proficient in Braille typing have demonstrated that users can input at least six times the number of words per minute when compared to other research prototypes for eyes-free texting on a touch screen. Users reach up to 32 words per minute with 92 percent accuracy with the prototype app for the iPhone.
“We are currently designing a study to formally evaluate BrailleTouch through both quantitative and qualitative methods,” said Caleb Southern, an IC graduate student. “We will measure the typing speed and accuracy of visually impaired users and capture the feedback from study participants in areas such as comfort, ease of use and perceived value.”
For sighted users, the research team is exploring how BrailleTouch could be a universal eyes-free mobile texting app that replaces soft QWERTY keyboards and other texting technologies.
“BrailleTouch is an out-of-the-box solution that will work with smartphones and tablets and allow users to start learning the Braille alphabet in a few minutes,” said Romero. “It also reduces the need for expensive proprietary Braille keyboard devices, which typically cost thousands of dollars.”
The researchers have designed BrailleTouch to address the limitations of soft keyboards, which do not provide tactile feedback, as well as physical keyboards, which often use small and numerous fixed buttons. BrailleTouch is the only iPhone app in existence that uses a six-finger chording process that replicates the traditional Braille keyboard.
The app uses a gesture-based solution by turning the iPhone’s touchscreen into a soft-touch keyboard programmed for Braille and requiring only six keys, making it a practical solution for the limited screen real estate on smartphones. The key feature of the BrailleTouch technology is the use of the six-key configuration so that the keyboard fits on the screen and users keep their fingers in a relatively fixed position while texting. This design allows users to hold their device with the screen facing away from them – cradling the device with their palms or pinkies and thumbs – and to type with a majority of their fingers, identical to typing Braille on a standard keyboard.
Carrera, the international fashion eyewear brand rooted in the world of sports, launches this seasons' campaign images, dedicated to young people who enjoy good, clean entertainment, and know how to live life to its fullest. Conceived and developed by the D'Adda, Lorenzini, Vigorelli, BBDO agency, the new campaign maintains its direct and forthright "After All, No Regrets" headline, showcasing new amusing and thrilling situations, where Carrera glasses are the sole protagonists.
The new pictures, which are based on web, blog and social network feedback, depict the online Carrera generation's wish list, a new list of things to do to live life with no regrets. The young people of the "Carrera generation" know there are no pipe dreams, just unfulfilled dreams. They're confident young people who love life and don't conform, standing out from the crowd and setting trends rather than following them.
Alongside the advertising campaign, Carrera's "After All, No Regrets" spirit will also be shared through a video in which the Carrera generation, for the first time ever, will have their say: they will tell us how they live their lives "with no regrets", how they seize the moment and don't miss any opportunity that comes along, for a life without regrets.
This worldwide advertising campaign, which will kick off in March, will appear in newspapers, magazines and online; it will naturally and rapidly spread across the Internet thanks to the use of social media networks, a targeted banner campaign, web presence on search engines and the brand's official website www.carreraworld.com.
Vision Eye Institute's revenue increased to $56.5m for the last half year which is up 5.2% from the previous year. The increase in operating revenues during the period came from an increase in consulting, surgical and theatre revenue, which was partially offset by a decline in discretionary refractive revenue. EBITDA was $13.9m up 31.1%. The increase in EBITDA is primarily attributable to a solid increase in organic revenue, improved earnings in the day surgeries, lower share based payments expense, and lower advisory fees and litigation related legal fees. Doctor Partner costs increased in line with the EBIT based remuneration equivalent model. Indirect labour costs also increased as a consequence of strengthening the management capability.
The Directors of Vision Eye Institute have taken into account the results for the half year to 31 December 2011, the operating result for the month of January 2012 and the forecast for the period February to June 2012. As a consequence, the company revises its guidance upwards for the full year with projected revenue of $112m, EBITDA of $27m, and an EBITDA margin of 24%.
The Health Care Complaints Commission in Australia recently prosecuted optometrist Mr David Ford before the Optometry Tribunal of NSW. The prosecution related to Mr Ford failing to observe proper professional boundaries with a female patient when he engaged in an inappropriate personal and sexual relationship while working at the Eyecare Plus Clinic in Grafton.
In its decision of 6 February 2012, the Tribunal found Mr Ford guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct. The Tribunal reprimanded Mr Ford and suspended him for a period of two months, during which he is prohibited from providing any health services.
In addition, the Tribunal ordered that Mr Ford must successfully complete a course in ethics and see a psychiatrist or psychologist for minimum period of nine months or until such time and the Optometry Council of NSW deems necessary.
Luxottica has announced it would boost its investments in its OPSM brand – the Australia and New Zealand leading optical retail chain – in a bold strategy that will significantly enhance Luxottica's market-leading position in optical retail in the region, and provide a solid platform for future growth.
Over the next 24 months, more than 50 stores will be added to the OPSM network, moving from 368 to 419 and, by the end of 2015, the OPSM retail footprint will expand to more than 470 stores in Australia and New Zealand. OPSM, one of Australia’s oldest and most trusted retail brands, will also see an additional $5 million marketing spend invested in the brand and the store upgrade and refurbishment capex program will double to almost $40 million in the period.
In line with this plan, Luxottica intends to transition Budget Eyewear and Just Spectacles stores into OPSM stores, subject to working through commercial and legal processes. The group's 100-yearold Laubman & Pank brand will focus on growth in its traditional home markets – South Australia, West Australia and Queensland – where it has a long history, strong brand equity and loyal customers. In NSW and Victoria, Laubman & Pank stores will also be rebranded as OPSM. Some lower-performing stores will relocate or close.
Luxottica's Chief Executive Officer of Asia Pacific, Chris Beer, said: "OPSM finished the December quarter well, with comparable store sales for OPSM growing by more than 10%. This is a result of the changes implemented in OPSM during the past year and we are now confident to accelerate our investment in OPSM. Given the strong position of the business, we believe this is the right time to make the changes, which will strengthen the organisation even further.
"OPSM is the leader in optical retailing in Australia and New Zealand and our strategic objective is to continue to raise the standard of eye care in the region. In order to lift the bar, we are recalibrating our business with a more focused approach that will allow us to play to our strengths. This will ensure our market-leading OPSM brand is able to reach its full potential," he said. "Over the past few years, OPSM has been a world leader in driving innovation in eye care. We are leading the way with numerous initiatives, including the introduction of our award-winning superstore, OPSM eye hub, which has set a new standard in optometry care and personalised customer service. We've also launched mobile stores and intensified our investment in optometrist training. In addition, over the next 24 months, we have committed $20 million on leading edge eye disease detection equipment exclusive to OPSM in the Australian and New Zealand markets, ensuring OPSM customers continue to receive the most up-to-date eye care," said Mr Beer."Luxottica is clearly differentiated in the optical market by offering world-class optometry services together with our renowned personal customer care in Australia and New Zealand, along with international designer fashion brands at a range of prices from luxury to budget," Mr Beer said.
Researchers from Georgia Tech in US have built a prototype app for touch-screen mobile devices that is vying to be a complete solution for texting without the need to look at a mobile gadget’s screen.
Vision Eye Institute's revenue increased to $56.5m for the last half year which is up 5.2% from the previous year. The increase in operating revenues during the period came from an increase in consulting, surgical and theatre revenue, which was partially offset by a decline in discretionary refractive revenue. EBITDA was $13.9m up 31.1%. The increase in EBITDA is primarily attributable to a solid increase in organic revenue, improved earnings in the day surgeries, lower share based payments expense, and lower advisory fees and litigation related legal fees. Doctor Partner costs increased in line with the EBIT based remuneration equivalent model. Indirect labour costs also increased as a consequence of strengthening the management capability.
Luxottica has announced it would boost its investments in its OPSM brand – the Australia and New Zealand leading optical retail chain – in a bold strategy that will significantly enhance Luxottica's market-leading position in optical retail in the region, and provide a solid platform for future growth.