1.) From the USB Implementer’s Forum:

http://www.usb.org/developers/ssusb

2.) What’s new from ComputerWorld:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9162399/USB_3.0_The_new_speed_limit

Pittsburgh is full of knowledge thirsty students, pioneering, technology focused companies, and endless possibilities for the future. Google Fiber will help to entice students to stay, increase the viability of Pittsburgh, encourage companies to connect and innovate, and whatever else Pittsburgh can dream up. A 1 gigabit/second (100x faster than what Pittsburgh has now!) internet connection will not go to waste in Pittsburgh.

Go tell Google we want Google Fiber!

www.pittsburghgoesgoogle.com

http://www.metissecure.com/news/files/Metis_press_release_031710.pdf

We celebrated in the office with cake and champagne earlier this week.

Flexible Tripods (2 sizes: STV-BPL and STV-BPS) – these lightweight tripods have bendable, foam textured legs to wrap around any surface. Securely attach your camera to take a shot from a unique vantage point.

Ultimate HD Video Light (SL-10HD) – with flicker-free, color balanced 10 high-efficiency LED lights, this light is an affordable addition to your camera bag!

Single Cable Car Outlet (STP-100c) - convert your cigarette adapter or power point into an additional outlet for anyone in the car, including the backseat!

Video Bracket (SLB-M) – an upgrade to a fan favorite, Sima’s new bracket is made of high tech composite materials and is stronger but 4x lighter than the original!

Ultimate Battery Charger (UFC-12) - this is the last battery charger you’ll ever need! It’s compatible with all rechargeable and removeable batteries to help you travel light.

Read more about all of Sima’s new products at http://www.simaproducts.com/news/press.php or on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/simaproducts.

Help us reach our goal of 300 Facebook fans by March 5, 2010 and you’ll be entered to win an XL screen!

Entries will be judged by the staff at Sima and narrowed down to the final 3. Those 3 will be placed on Sima’s Facebook page and YouTube channel for a public vote. The film with the most votes will be declared the winner on April 30, 2010.

We look forward to seeing your videos! Good luck!

Please send entries to:
Sima Products

Attn: Short Film Contest

120 Pennsylvania Ave.

Oakmont, PA 15139

Here are the major enhancements introduced in the HDMI 1.4 specification:

• HDMI Ethernet Channel – Adds high-speed networking to an HDMI link, allowing users to take full advantage of their IP-enabled devices without a separate Ethernet cable.
• Audio Return Channel – Allows an HDMI-connected TV with a built-in tuner to send audio data “upstream” to a surround audio system, eliminating the need for a separate audio cable.
• 3D – Defines input/output protocols for major 3D video formats, paving the way for true 3D gaming and 3D home theater applications.
• 4K Support – Enables video resolutions far beyond 1080p, supporting next-generation displays that will rival the Digital Cinema systems used in many commercial movie theatres.
• Content Type – Real-time signaling of content types between display and source devices, enabling a TV to optimize picture settings based on content type.
• Additional Color Spaces – Adds support for additional color models used in digital photography and computer graphics.
• HDMI Micro Connector – A new, smaller connector for phones and other portable devices, supporting video resolutions up to 1080p.
• Automotive Connection System – New cables and connectors for automotive video systems, designed to meet the unique demands of the motoring environment while delivering true HD quality.

You can check out their website for the full scoop at the link below:

http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdmi_1_4/index.aspx

(OAKMONT, PA & HUNTSVILLE, AL) January 25, 2010 – In the next four months, 50,000 First Alert® Public Alert Radios will be delivered door-to-door to residents and businesses in Calhoun County, AL. The radios mark the second phase of a FEMA-funded Emergency Alert Radio (EAR) distribution project, designed to protect those in Calhoun County’s Pink Zone and Immediate Response Zone (IRZ). The radios warn against severe weather and various other emergencies.

The Cleburne & Calhoun County Joint Technical Specifications Committee, a group of county EMA civil servants, reviewed over a dozen emergency radio models before choosing the First Alert® WX-150 for the project. After selecting the radio, the Cleburne County Commission awarded the contract to Warning Systems, Inc. (WSI), an Alabama-based provider of public alert and notification products. WSI will distribute the radios through a door-to-door delivery program beginning in January and running through April 2010.  All units will be pre-programmed to receive National Weather Service Alerts for Calhoun County, AL and will include directions from First Alert® manufacturer, Sima Products.

According to Steve Swafford, Cleburne County Executive Officer and Project Manager of the Emergency Alert Radio Distribution Program, “The combination of Sima’s reliable First Alert radio, tailored for use in Calhoun County, and WSI’s experience with personal distribution of alert receivers is enabling the EAR Phase 2 program to better meet the needs of the local citizens.”

The First Alert® Public Alert Radios are designed to protect residents in over 80 various emergencies, including severe weather, Amber alerts (for missing children), and hazardous material spills.

To learn more about the Emergency Alert Radio program, visit: www.earready.com

To learn more about Warning Systems, Inc., visit: www.warningsystems.com

To learn more about First Alert® and Sima Products, visit: www.simaproducts.com

-ABOUT SIMA PRODUCTS-

Founded in 1973, Sima Products Corporation is celebrating over 35 years as a leading innovator of consumer electronic accessories. Sima manufactures accessories in the categories of Digital Imaging, Video, Home Theater, Power, and Home Safety. Today, nearly one hundred Sima products are sold in more than 20 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit www.simaproducts.com.

-ABOUT WARNING SYSTEMS-

Warning Systems, Inc. (WSI) provides public alert and notification products that leverage the power of Internet standards to enable faster, smarter, and more secure emergency management.  Since 1991, government agencies, military installations, broadcasters, chemical manufacturers, emergency managers and communities have relied on WSI to meet their critical communications challenges.  WSI’s OnAlert® and AdaptAlert™ radio frequency activation systems are compliant with the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) standard and have been tested by FEMA for use with the national Emergency Alert System.  WSI’s Tone Alert Receivers were engineered to meet the rugged requirements of the US Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP).  For more information, please visit www.warningsystems.com.

Despite the snow, most of us have made it into the office this week and we expect to continue normal operations the rest of the week. If anything changes, we’ll be sure to let you know on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/simaproducts) or on our Twitter page (@simaproducts).

We hope you’re keeping warm (or dry, if you’re out West!) and have a great week.

Sima Products & Digital Green Partner to Teach Sustainable Farming Techniques in India 

(OAKMONT, PA) February 3, 2010 – Sima Products, an Oakmont-based consumer electronics company announced a new partnership with Digital Green, a Microsoft Research spinoff, to teach better, sustainable agricultural practices to rural farmers in India. Sustainable farming techniques provide stability to villages that desperately need it by reducing input costs, saving dying crops, creating consistent harvests and supplying more food to villagers.

            Digital Green works to teach improved practices to rural farmers such as seed treatment, system of rice intensification, and vermicomposting. A major challenge to the project is reaching villages in remote locations that have little or no electricity and poor road connectivity. Digital Green’s CEO Rikin Gandhi turned to Sima Products for technical help. Sima provided lightweight, battery-operated projectors, which allowed Digital Green team members to reach many more farmers and villages. In 2009, nearly 2500 farmers participated in video screenings across 196 villages.

            “Sima is a global consumer electronics company interested in partnering with companies and non-profits from all over the world. Our partnership with Digital Green is just one example of Sima being a global citizen,” says Ilana Diamond, CEO of Sima Products. For more information about Sima Products, please visit www.simaproducts.com. For more information about Digital Green, please visit www.digitalgreen.org.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_663244.html