PR Newswire's Business Technology Round-up, 12 December 2012

LONDON, December 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

CNET extends video programming options, Mace enters law enforcement market and Microsoft widens Surface availability

Technology news experts CNET have extended the availability of their popular video reviews this week, adding support for Microsoft's Xbox 360 platform, with availability for Samsung Smart TVs arriving before the end of the year. 

Xbox owners will now be able to access CNET's full range of extended TV reviews, as well as live streaming of product launches and other tutorials. In addition to standard content, Xbox Live users will have exclusive access to special reviews, whilst also being able to control their viewing using the voice and gesture capabilities on their Kinect devices. 

CNET General Manager Mark Larkin enthused over his company's developments, whilst also hinting at future innovations, stating, "We're programming for every possible screen - from the smartphone to the television - with video increasingly at the heart of everything we do." Windows Phone users will also have access to Xbox-related content, via the partner app. 

Mace Security International, a US manufacturer of personal electronic safety products, has announced its intention to enter the lucrative law enforcement market this week, with the launch of its Mace XPrint fingerprint scanning device. 

The new device will allow both public and private law enforcement agencies across the US to implement a real-time fingerprint scanning solution, delivering real-time results after cross-checking them against the national database. Recent changes to the law have meant that all agencies are now required to switch from the traditional paper-based print scans, and Mace hope that their revolutionary new device can take advantage of this new opportunity.

Not only will paper/ink scans be made obsolete, the XPrint also removes the need for the involvement of other technology hardware, with storage, scanning and searching all accessed directly through the device. 

Technology giants Microsoft have taken decisive action to counter the criticism aimed at its Surface Tablet marketing efforts this week, by extending its availability to a number of as yet unnamed retailers. 

The device will be available in a variety of retailers across the US and Australia from mid-December, although potential purchasers from the UK and Europe will be forced to use the exclusive online outlet. In addition to the latest product availability announcement, Microsoft has also noted its intention to convert a number of temporary holiday stores into permanent locations, following on from a successful Thanksgiving sales period.

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