Swype released the latest version of its popular software keyboard exclusively for Sprint Nexus S 4G users on Tuesday. Swype now supports new app gesture features, shortcuts, dictionary management, automatic noun capitalization and more. Users, for example, can now move from the Swype Key to “t” and then “w” to automatically launch Twitter. The shortcuts feature allows you to select all by moving from the Swype Key to “a,” and cut, copy or paste using similar gestures. We tested all the new additions on a demo Nexus S 4G with the Swype preloaded, and we liked the new features but we still can’t get the hang of typing quickly with it just yet. It’s unclear when the latest Swype iteration will be available for other Android handsets, but Nexus S 4G owners can update immediately. Hit the jump for a quick video of the new features in action.

Today Microsoft’s Larry Hyrb, also known as Major Nelson, announced that Microsoft has added Netflix support to the Xbox 360 Kinect accessory. Using Kinect, you’ll be able to browse your Netflix queue by waving your hands or speaking out loud, which means you won’t have to go searching for your Xbox 360 controller just to watch a movie. Controls include the ability browse, play, pause, fast forward and rewind, and you can perform any of those actions using your voice or gestures. Hyrb said the update is available now and that Kinect users should expect to be prompted to apply the patch the next time they launch Netflix.

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Today at Mobile World Congress, mobile processor juggernaut Texas Instrument held a press event to offer some additional details about its OMAP 4 and 5 processor lines. Greg Delagi, the company’s senior vice president and general manager, gave the keynote — which took place right on the showroom floor. He emphatically talked about the need to push the capabilities of “smart devices” forward while being mindful of the constraints battery technology puts on the industry. Both RIM and LG were brought on stage — the PlayBook and Optimus 3D both use the OMAP 4 platform — and they too heralded the headway TI is making with its system on a chip (SoC) OMAP processors. The company even has technology in place that will bring cost effective, power efficient gesture recognition and Pico DLP technology to a wider array of smartphones and smart devices; it works just like the Kinect. We have some video of the motion-based gesture recognition, in action running on prototype hardware after the break, along with some of Mr. Delagi’s thoughts on why OMAP is such an effective mobile processor.

Delagi was kind enough to give us 10 minutes of his time to talk about the OMAP platform and, more specifically, how it works in the mobile device arena. Mr. Delagi explained that his company’s chip is superior not because of raw processor clock speed — a common myth — but because of exactly how the chip is designed. OMAP 4 and OMAP 5 processors have six separate engines at their disposal. There is the general purpose processor, which is used for most tasks; the graphics processor, used for image display; a programmable DSP processor, which allows manufactures to keep a phone’s core processing capabilities up to the latest codecs (say H.265 came out, this codec could be flashed to the DSP); a display processor for handling the screen’s needs; an imaging and video accelerator, for doing exactly what its name suggests; and the ABE, or audio back-end.

TI uses some extremely advanced system management to power these systems up and down as your phone demands, to try and efficiently utilize every last bit of juice from your battery. For example, the IVA uses 273 milliwatts when running at full throttle. Delagi also noted that the motion-based gesture recognition technology — which you’ll see in the video below — could be added to LG’s Optimus 3D handset with almost zero impact on battery life and/or added cost to the manufacturer. Mobile processor technology is extremely complex, so it was great to hear someone talk so passionately and eloquently about his company’s solution.

A note about this gesture recognition technology: it has a range of 0-8 meters; it can be included in TVs, mobile phones, gaming systems, etc.; it uses no special sensors, just a camera; it has facial recognition capabilities (the example given was if you were trying to change the channel of your TV using gestures but were on the couch with others); and any device with an OMAP 4 or 5 processor can harness this built-in feature.

He’s a witch! Stone him! Ok, ok… Put your pitchforks and torches down. Thai developer Sittiphol Phanvilai, creator of Mobitubia, is not a witch (or a warlock). He is however, a talented developer and engineer. Phanvilai’s latest research project is a doozy; he essentially transforms a Nokia N95 into a smart board with multitouch support. “Multitouch” may not be entirely accurate of course, since use of the N95′s camera means he doesn’t actually need to touch anything. Multigesture? This guy is basically a digital MacGyver as he uses LED light pens, film negatives, tape and a tripod to create what he has dubbed NeuScreen. The only thing that isn’t absolutely awesome about this demonstration is the choice of music. Sittiphol, buddy, give us a shout next time you’re going to whip up a showcase video and we’ll hook you up with something a bit more “Neu”.

[Via AAS]

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