Type of Article: MacNews Web Site

The looming battle for the TV OS

Andrew Eisner, Retrevo.com’s director of Community and Content, predicts the next platform for apps will be connected TVs. Retrevo sees a living room where TV viewers click on a weather app or sports app instead of watching the local news.

A home where families play a board game together on the TV using the Monopoly app, or stay in touch with their friends with a FaceBook app, all from the comfort of the living room couch. Following are some of Eisner’s thoughts on the looming battler for the TV OS.

Microsoft unlikely to win this battle

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LaCie spawns the MosKeyto USB key

LaCie (http://www.lacie.com) has spawned a new breed of USB key: the LaCie MosKeyto, a small flash drive that measures less than 20mm and weighs 10 grams. It comes in capacities up to 16GB with pricing starting at US$17.99 for a 4GB model.



The MosKeyto is so small it can even travel with the computer in a protective sleeve or briefcase, according to Alexis Kobassian, accessories product manager, LaCie. Because it lies flush against your device, there’s no risk of damage to the port, computer or key if the drive is knocked or bumped, he adds.



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SoniVox unveils Vocalizer, a vocal production synthesizer

SoniVox (http://www.SoniVoxmi.com) is offering a pre-release preview complete with MP3 and video examples of the first instrument from their new Nemesyth Audio Research Group, Vocalizer. It’s a vocal production synthesizer.

Vocalizer couples a new technology synthesis engine with an open input based architecture. It’s one part effect plug-in and one part virtual instrument, according to the folks at SoniVox. Vocalists, non-vocalists, and producers feed Vocalizer any audio source, and it re-pitches, effects, and re-synthesizes the original source into a whole new sound.

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Native Instruments releases five new instruments and effects

Native Instruments (http://www.native-instruments.com) has released five products that further extend its versatile Komplete Instruments and Effects range.

The new products include the modal synthesizer Reaktor Prism (US$79), the studio reverb Reflektor ($119), the organ emulation Vintage Organs ($119), the effect suite Traktor’s 12 ($79) and the amp emulation Rammfire ($59). All products are based on the technology of Kontakt, Reaktor and Guitar Rig, and can be used both within the full versions and the free Player versions of these instruments.

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