- Created on 26 April 2013
Sumit Dagar Developing World's First Braille Smartphone
(CNN) -- For all of their advantages, smartphones still fall a little short for some --- specifically, for those living with visual impairment.
While apps like Siri and SayText do offer a good deal of assistance, 2011 TED Fellow Sumit Dagar had an idea for a more effective solution: a smartphone that's specifically designed for people who have trouble seeing.
The phone, which has yet to be officially named, has a screen comprised of a grid of pins, which move up and down to form into Braille shapes and characters whenever an SMS message or email is received. It uses what's called Shape Memory Alloy technology, so as each pin expands, it remembers and contracts back to its original flat shape.
In an interview with the Times of India, Dagar describes the phone as "[the] world's first Braille smartphone ... a companion more than a phone."
Dagar, an interaction design graduate of the National Institute of Design (NID), came up with the idea for the phone three years ago. He's collaborating with IIT Delhi on the prototype, which is being tested at the LV Prasad Eye Institute. The team hopes to release the phone by the end of 2013, for a about $185.
- Created on 26 April 2013
Tyler Perry Sued For Allegedly Stealing Temptation Script
Tyler Perry has been known for pushing the limits with his films. Some say he hates Black women, others say he hates Blacks in general, but now someone is saying he just hates writing his own scripts.
According to TMZ, Gary, Indiana screenwriter William James claims the once homeless film producer stole the idea for his recently released film, "Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor" from his 2009 script, "Lovers Kill." But while “the lawsuit is light on details … it just says both films center on a married couple … the wife is tempted by another man, and the affair ruins the marriage,” says TMZ.
It turns out James can’t say whether or not Perry has ever actually seen his screenplay.
“In the suit, he claims he gave a copy to ‘an associate’ of Oprah Winfrey, hoping it would make it to Perry.”
TMZ states that representatives from both Tyler Perry’s team and Lions Gate have no comment regarding the lawsuit at this time.
Read more http://www.blackenterprise.com/lifestyle/tyler-perry-sued-stealing-temptations-script/
- Created on 25 April 2013
The End of an Era? Vibe Magazine Sold, Likely to Become Online Only
Today readers everywhere learned that SpinMedia, the group behind music and pop culture websites including Spin Magazine, has bought Vibe magazine for an undisclosed price.
SpinMedia announced the sale on Thursday, saying it had bought the rights to Vibe’s print magazine as well as to its related sites, Vibe.com and Vibevixen.com from Vibe Media, according to the New York Times.
Vibe was founded in 1992 by Quincy Jones and Time Warner, and focused on hip-hop and R&B music and the culture surrounding it, and quickly became one of the most influential publications of its kind. Vibe had an average print circulation of 301,000 for the first six months of 2012, according to the Alliance for Audited Media, and SpinMedia said that each month Vibe’s sites have “1.4 million visitors and serve 1.6 million video streams..”
Steve Hansen, SpinMedia’s chief executive, called Vibe an “industry leader in the urban and hip-hop catergory for decades.” SpinMedia, which shut down print publication of Spin Magazine and laid off a third of its staff in order to concentrate on the website, said it would probably shut down Vibe’s print magazine later this year.
“We are still trying to find a print model that makes economic sense in the digital age,” he said.
- Created on 26 April 2013
NY MTA’s New Opportunities for Minority, Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Business
During the past 18 months, New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has created and implemented small business development programs which have led to a total of $353 million in contracts awarded to New York State certified Minority, Women-owned and MTA certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. (MWDBEs)
ENR New York (http://newyork.construction.com/) will explore the MTA’s upcoming billions of dollars in business opportunities in its fourth annual MTA MWDBE conference, to be held Thursday, May 9 from 8:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at The McGraw-Hill Companies headquarters, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, in Manhattan.
This event will showcase the MTA’s special programs designed for MWDBEs while enabling attendees to make valuable connections with other small businesses that seek to establish stable, long-term business relationships with the MTA. Panelists representing all aspects of MTA will be on hand to introduce attendees to their upcoming business opportunities. William C. Thompson Jr. , Chair, New York State MWBE Task Force and former New York City Comptroller, will deliver the keynote address.
Sponsors of the event include Platinum sponsor, Skanska and Gold sponsor, TDX. Silver sponsors, Citnalta, EE Cruz, Northeast Remsco, and WDF. Bronze sponsor, International Safety Group. Exhibitors include Armand, Fox Industries Ltd., Fritch Construction, McKissack & McKissack, Railworks, STV, Tully Construction Co., and Tutor Perini Corporation. Supporting sponsors include Associated General Contractors of New York State, New York Building Congress, and Society for Marketing Professional Services New York.
The event’s complete agenda, speaker bios and registration information are available at http://www.construction.com/events/2013/mta.
Read more http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/mta-opportunities-for-mwdbes/
- Created on 25 April 2013
No Longer Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton to Cash in, Earning $200,000 Per Speech
With Hillary Clinton slated to give her first paid speech in Texas Wednesday, the media has been abuzz with the news that she will command $200,000 for each speech she gives — by far the most lucrative venture of her career in public service.
From NBC:
On Wednesday, Hillary Clinton begins what will likely be the most lucrative part of her life – so far – as she gives her first paid speech in Dallas, Texas. She’s expected, like her ex-president husband, to command a whopping $200,000-plus for each appearance.
To put that in perspective, Clinton’s salary as secretary of state, where she logged more frequent-flyer miles than any American envoy ever, was a paltry-by-comparison $186,600.
That means if she gives just 10 speeches this year, she’ll take home a cool $2 million — before she pays taxes to Uncle Sam, of course.
The speech, to the National Multi Housing Council, will be given at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Dallas, near where the George W. Bush Presidential Library will open Thursday, NBC notes.
Read more at NBC News.
