I finally got around to testing my first of Aviary‘s web-based applications, codenamed Phoenix. I really like what I see. Built intuitively with an interface similar to Photoshop or GIMP, Phoenix is a niftly flash based Image Editor.

I was impressed by their teaser back in July, and must admit this first tool alone was somewhat worth the wait.

The tools in Phoenix work well. Although  my Photoshop shortcus are rather useless I enjoyed playing around with my above picture online. The blur filter did not work exactly as I wanted it to. But I think that with a little more getting used to I could use Phoenix for main basic Image editing needs.

Now I will have to soon try out Adobe’s own online solution.

For years I have been listening to internet radio stations across the globe to fit my personal listening preferances, and escape all the commercials on my local FM radio. I bumped into Last.fm a couple of months ago and I have not turned back since.

Last.fm – the social music revolution (Last.fm About Us). You type in an arist or genre you like and Last.fm will play you music you should like. Based on your previous playlist, as well as playlists of people who have listened to the same song as you it finds your tracks. Last.fm is nicely intergrated into iTunes and other mediaplayers and will register the music you play there and feed that information into Last.fm – Scrobbling.

Screenshot of player window.

As I read of Wi-Fi radio slowly making its way into the consumer world, I do hope that Last.fm will jump on that bandwagon and find some way for me to listen to Last.fm on the fly. (A cellphone/mobile java-app would work – especially when wi-fi telephones become more affordable.)
Partially what I would be looking for, although a heavy workaround: Streaming Last.fm to Reciva internet radios (Logik IR100)

Another of NRK’s employees’ “inventions” is the multi-camera server recorder.
Normally when capturing video material you can just capture one camera’s stream to the computer/hard disk at a time. So previously when I wanted to capture two cameras live I had to route each camera to a different computer, and then synchronize with TC (timecode). It works, but is a hassle and well for every camera you need a computer with TC and video capture capabilities. (This setup is part of the racks and network we have available at the University, nothing easy to take with you.)

(Video-mixer – for mixing the show live. From POTW 02 2007)

With this invenstion, instead of backing up each video-camera’s content to its own tape, they backup all of the cameras (up to eight – from what I understand) directly to their servers. This way they can see “on-the-fly” whether the backups are being saved as they should. This solution saves them a lot of time and even a whole position while out “in the field” (transportable?). Previously they always needed a person responsible to check that all camera’s were being correctly recorded to the tape decks, the VB position. See the original post at NRKbeta.

Basicly creative use of hard-disk video recorders/servers (EVS?).

According to NRKbeta, the Norwegian Broadcasting Channel NRK has a company-internal award for innovation each year. Personally after studying tv and multimediaproduction I can relate to the need of several of these inventions. I will point out one of the nominated inventions that I found especially interesting based on a recent lecture.

When it comes to recording sound, especially dialogue for documentaries and film, the rule of closeness applies. You want to place the microphones as close to the source as possible. You therefore often put the microphone on a boom, a metallic rod, which the boom-operator can hold and direct towards the source. However this several meter long boom becomes heavier by the minute, and lecturers as well as guest speakers warn of the physiological risk. That is why I like the idea that this sound-guy developed together with a physiotherapist. See the original post and pictures here (NRKbeta).

Basically from what I understand they add a weight to create a balance and take the strain off ones shoulders with customized braces. The see-saw effect.

Benjamin Kuhn‘s Newsware is an interesting concept that does look interesting. In todays world of citizen journalism, being mobile is one of the most important features. One reporter is supposed to write an article and record both usable video and audio. Therefore the less hassle the equipment is the easier it will be to get the job done as quickly as your editor needs the story. So inspiring designs and concepts are always welcome.

(Pictures copied from YankDesign.)

Kuhn’s Newsware having so many individual parts I find a little of a minus. Nevertheless you can read more at TechEBlog and YankoDesign if you are interested.

This software uses algorithms to resize images intelligently. It allows extraction of unimportant picture information either guessed or user specified.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This PDF describes Seam Carving for Content-Aware Image Resizing. Original movie.

(Via CDM)

TechCrunch reports that a project called Aviary has an ambitious goal of providing graphical online application to create multimedia artwork.

The online application range from Photoshop and Illustrator resembling applications 2d and vector graphics as well as a 3d application for editing and rendering. Some of their creative applications are code-named Phoenix, Raven and Hummingbird.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The complete list of their birds/tools here. Information will most likely be updated on their website: creationonthefly.com.

Recently Google added some more translation functionality to Google Translate. It lets you translate a single word, and gives possible meanings that word might have.

I also recently discovered that you can Get Translation Browser Buttons which I will give a try soon.

(Via LifeHacker)

YouTube launched its own video-editing tool last week YouTube Remixer. It allows you to edit and “remix” your already uploaded YouTube videos. “Remixer allows you to edit your videos with text, audio, graphics, overlays, effects, and transitions” – YouTube Blog

YouTube Remixer, also dubbed Adobe Remixer, is obviously a Flash-application.

(Via LifeHacker)

DesktopTwo is another good online desktop solution, if you are considering cutting down on your stationary desktop use. Personally I have enjoyed using YourMinis (Your Minis Your Online Desktop) for the past five months.
Although YourMinis offers more of a widget type interface for each application, DesktopTwo is a more tradtitional style desktop.

In addition the applications are also more versatile, allowing your more customization and control. The most impressive applications are an online version of Open Office and Adobe Acrobat.
The portability of Open Office gives Desktop Two a slight advantage of Peepel Online Office.
Among other applications included I can mention email, an address book, RSS feed reader, MP3 players, live chat and an instant messenger.

(Via LifeHacker)