TAnDI beta – Android Distributed Information for T-Online Mediencenter users

Researchers of the Portuguese Fraunhofer Research center AICOS (Assistive Information and Communication Solutions) have published today a new application to share and distribute user generated multimedia content (Photos, later also videos) on the Android Market for testing. The application has been specifically designed to be used on the T-Mobile G1 mobile phone in combination with the T-Online Mediacenter an online storage solution from Deutsche Telekom for residential customers.

By pressing just one button photos that have been taken with the G1 phone can be transferred automatically to the T-Online Mediacenter and other platforms like Flicker, or Picasa. In addition meta-data related to the Photo, like location and tags to manage larger quantities of content can be included.

Another highlight: An additional connected service (TAnDI Server) in the Internet allows access to the content stored at the T-Online Mediacenter not only by using a PC: Individual RSS feeds generated by the TAnDI server allow to connect additional devices, like networked digital picture frames or media players at home in order to display the content. A Photo just taken with the G1 and without any additional user interaction will be displayed on one or many devices shortly after. Fun not only for the younger generations and specifically for families and friends!

The researchers at AICOS want to contribute with TAnDI to the simplified use of ICT in the daily connected life and to stimulate service providers to address the potential of integrated communication solutions by providing documented access to service interfaces, e.g. the T-Online Mediacenter and the application of open standards to their infrastructure. The director of AICOS, Dirk Elias commented: „ We would like to remind telecommunication providers, that using open source solutions like Android have a bidirectional aspect and they also are supposed to contribute to the community“. Instead of proprietary closed shop developments that at the end limit the choice of the users it would be much more effective to provide the necessary information in order for creative developers to provide a broad range of useful applications that will also lead to an increased growth of their market.

Note: The first beta version for testing purpose is ready for download from the Android Market place. Have a look for TAnDI and try. More information and a user manual is available at http://andi.projects.fraunhofer.pt/ . Using TAnDI beta is free but might generate costs related to the use of the mobile phone network. The TAnDI Server is dimensioned for approximately 10.000 users and the service at the time of writing will be available until 31.12.2009. Using TAnDI beta does not imply any service guarantees and includes a risk of malfunction. No warranty against the loss or misuse of data can be given according to the applicable EU-laws. The TAnDI server is located in Europe. We are strongly interested in your feed back and will try to include it in later versions of TAnDI and related developments. Please send your comments to tandi@fraunhofer.pt. Enjoy!

Fraunhofer Portugal – AICOS

The Fraunhofer Portugal Research Centre for Assistive Information and Communication Solutions (AICOS) started on the 5th of May 2008 as a joint project between Fraunhofer Gesellschaft and the University of Porto.

The centre will work in the area of applied research and development for assistive information and communication solutions. AICOS is developing solutions for manufacturers and service providers.


These solutions will primarily focus on providing new products and services for consumers that today have little or no contact with the information and knowledge society, whether for economic reasons or simple reluctance in using complex/user unfriendly technical devices/solutions.

AICOS wishes to bridge those barriers, and contribute in closing the digital divide. Accordingly, it will closely cooperate with the Fraunhofer research institutes in Germany as well as with Portuguese universities. The results of applied research and developments will be transferred through intensive cooperation with the relevant industries/companies into viable commercial products, increasing the international competitiveness of Portuguese companies.

Besides the technology transfer role, AICOS also wants to assume a knowledge transfer role through intensive cooperation with local universities and students, offering the opportunity for students to carry out their master or PhD studies at its labs practicing their skills in a “real-world” environment.

Extending the reach of IKS by lowering technical and financial barriers:

* Development of assistive systems for the primary demands of the addressed target groups
* Provision of content adaptation services and development of new content formats
* Development of (public) end-systems, intuitive user-interfaces & front-end applications
* Development of access solutions for low cost broadband access (alternative technical solutions and business models)
* Development of front-end aligned back-end systems
* Transfer and commercialization of results
* Set-Up and/or backing of field-tests

Joao Coelho
Fraunhofer Research Center AICOS
Rua Campo Alegre 1021/1055
4169-007 Porto
Portugal

Phone: +351 22 0408 300
Fax: +351 22 600 5029
Email: info@fraunhofer.pt
WWW: www.fraunhofer.pt

This release was published on openPR.