Tag: Spark

Chevy Sonic, Spark Are First To Get Siri Eyes-Free

One of the highlights of Apple’s WWDC 2012 keynote was the introduction of iOS 6. During the presentation, Apple unveiled a bunch of great new features that would be coming to their mobile operating system when it launches alongside the new iPhone this fall.

Among those awesome new features were improvements to Siri, and the addition of turn-by-turn navigation to the Maps app. As part of that, Apple announced that Siri would be getting an “eyes free” mode. That is, a button on the steering wheel of your car would activate Siri, allowing you to give commands (including navigation requests) without ever taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road.

As part of the announcement, Apple said that they had been working with a number of auto manufacturers who were on board and would be bringing eyes free Siri integration to their vehicles soon. They flashed the logos of nine auto makers on the screen, including GM, BMW, Toyota, and Chrysler. Ford, which already has similar technology in place with its SYNC system, was conspicuously absent from the list.

The question, of course, was which of these auto makers would get Eyes Free-capable vehicles rolling off their assembly lines first. The answer, it seems, is GM. According to GM Authority, GM is prepping two models that will have Eyes Free integration: the Chevy Spark and the Chevy Sonic. The timing of the rollout is unclear, but the report suggests that there will be an announcement sometime within the next year. That suggests that we won’t be seeing Eyes Free in the 2013 models of either vehicle, though the 2014 model seems pretty certain.

It is not yet known when any of the other car makers will be rolling out Eyes Free integration in their vehicles.

June 20, 2012
Google and GroupM Next Launch SPARK Education Series

Yesterday, on Google’s Agency Blog they announced a new partnership with GroupM Next. GoupM Next’s innovation unit is called Spark and Google wants to help them deliver some valuable marketing education specifically geared toward branding.

The duo will deliver a series of events, the first of which started yesterday, to address topics that directly impact brand opportunity and performance in digital spaces. Sparks is a unique opportunity to gain insights and hear examples on topics which are seldom covered elsewhere regarding branding.

The series takes a client-focused approach and is specifically designed “to cultivate education and dialogue for verticals that are under-represented in the broader digital media space in terms of data, research and opportunity“. You already missed the first installment of the series, but take look below to see what you missed out on.

Here’s a quick rundown of discussions from the docket at Spark: CPG in the context of marketing for CPG brands (from last night):

* Making the web work for CPG brands – our take on how the consumer, and world around us, has changed

* The digital enhanced path, exploring the ever-changing connection between consumers and brands and opportunities that exist through understanding new consumer behaviors and the role of technology

* Marketing and messaging innovation across multiple screens

* The power of video and building brands with the power of sight, sound and motion

* Developing ‘content gifts’ in the social world and capturing opportunities by engaging your brand’s super sharers

* How mobile commerce can connect shoppers to the places and CPG products they love

* Fostering fluid innovation across marketing and process to enable agencies and brands to meet the pace of change in consumer dynamics and technology

You will most likely be able to get caught up on what you missed by visiting Google’s Agency Blog, but you should pay close attention to find out about future Google sponsored GroupM Next brand awareness events. If you wish to fully understand digital brand marketing, this should be a partnership you keep a close eye on.

Here’s what Google had to say on their Blog:

“In most cases, Spark will provide brands with insights and education they wouldn’t have access to elsewhere. Additionally, through ongoing collaboration between our companies, GroupM agencies and clients, we’ll identify areas of interest and need for brands across digital media, and foster opportunities as they emerge”

June 8, 2012
Linux Tablet Gets Detailed In Q&A

We reported last week on the new Linux-based tablet named Spark. KDE developer Aaron Seigo revealed more details on the device in a Q&A on his blog.

The most pressing question for those interested in the tablet is finding out when they can buy one. Seigo says that pre-order registration will open up next week. The Spark starts shipping in May 2012. They have to take into account the technical issues like the content add-on store and packaging design before they are ready to ship.

The device will be available worldwide, but they will be focusing on Europe primarily at first. They will be able to ship worldwide from day one, but they are looking for distribution partners outside of Europe to make obtaining one easier.

The device can be customized to suit the user’s needs. The software is completely open allowing the user to alter it to their needs. If people are looking to use a lot of the devices for work, they are even offering to ship them with customizations pre-installed.

We already know the majority of the device’s innards from the initial unveiling, but Seigo offers more details on the hardware. It will have a 1.3 megapixel webcam, 800×480 screen resolution, two USB ports, a microSD slot and a 3.5mm audio jack. It has standard Wi-Fi at 802.11 b/g.

For those wanting 3G and GPS, you’ll have to wait. Those features are not in the first run of the device. They do plan on bringing those features to future Spark models.

For those hoping for high-end hardware, they are already looking at potential components. They will create more powerful versions when market demand catches up.

Users will be able to create add-ons using common Linux development programs. They will also be able to add them to the store to sell.

There is no official Skype support for the device, so video calls will have to be made through Linux alternatives.

There are a few more developer-centric options detailed on the blog for those interested. The Spark is already shaping up to be a Linux user’s dream device.

Lastly, he confirmed that the Spark will indeed blend. That’s at least one area where the Spark can stand on equal footing with other tablets like the iPad.

What do you Linux users think? Will the Spark be a worthwhile investment? Let us know in the comments.

February 6, 2012
Linux Users Finally Getting Their Own Tablet

It seems that Linux users will finally be able to join the ranks of tablet users. Spark is a new tablet from KDE, the free software community behind the Plasma series of Linux frameworks. The tablet’s operating system will be KDE’s Plasma Active Linux framework.

The tablet, which will retail for under $300, sports a solid set of hardware specifications. It includes a 1 GHz ARM processor, 512 MB or RAM, 4 GB of onboard storage, and a 7-inch capacitatie multitouch screen. An SD card slot allows for augmentation of the device’s on-board storage.

The new tablet was announced by KDE programmer Aaron Seigo on his blog. Seigo hailed the Spark tablet as “the start to an even bigger flame.” For the first time, he said, members of the free software community “have a device coming to market on our terms.” He promised the device would be “more than an application bucket that sees [users] as a consumer.” And in a not-very-subtle dig at Apple he said, “best of all: there’s no walled garden to get locked into or which can be taken away.”

There is no information on the Spark tablet’s release date. We’ll let you know when more information is available.

What do you think of Spark? Is it something you’d think about checking out? Let us know in the comments.

January 31, 2012