A new lip-reading app for the iPhone will help deaf people communicate. The app, "iSee uTalk" will allow deaf people who are able to lip read see the mouth and lips of a caller as they speak. A development version of iSee uTalk, expected to be released later this year, will also include mouth-to-text technology to render text for deaf people who are unable to lip-read on their own.

The new lip-to-text technology is intended to replace aging TTY technology on cell phones, which gives the deaf and hard of hearing a text-based system for communicating over phone lines among themselves or with hearing individuals. "The problem is that TTY systems are expensive and bulky. Our App aims to solve both problems," said Derrick Crawford, head developer for iSee uTalk.

Currently, the TTY unit resembles a laptop computer with a keyboard, a display screen and a modem. The user types his message, and the letters are converted into electrical signals that travel over the phone line. The new lip-reading technology utilizes the touch screen itself, eliminating the bulk that TTY systems currently require. The caller merely needs to mash their iPhone against their face while speaking, and the touch sensitive screen will interpret the movements and render an image or text for the deaf person to see. The entire system will be available as an app available for download from the Apple app store.

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No disrespect at all intended towards deaf individuals. This is merely a rip at the iPad and the cult-like following for any Apple product no matter how absurd. Some information directly taken from: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/hearing-impaired-telephones2.htm

Search Warrants Uncover Two Illegal CDs and an iPod

FLORIDA, June 5, 2008 -- The U.S. Secret Service, assisted by the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) Florida Anti-Piracy Unit, executed two search and seizure warrants in Orlando and Gainesville in the break up of a massive counterfeit music operation. Approximately 2 recorded CD-Rs and an iPod containing "dozens" of songs were seized from both the Orlando and Gainesvill locations. The actions were taken on May 29, 2008.

Equipment seized from the Orlando location included a single 32-speed CD-R burner, one computer monitor, one computer, one inkjet printer, two trash cans, and a pen. The music genre seized was primarily Urban Contemporary, and included artists such as Santana and the Beatles.

"On behalf of our member companies and the artists they represent, I’d like to thank the U.S. Secret Service for the tremendous efforts they put forth to address this highly egregious operation," said Frank Creighton, Senior Vice President, RIAA Anti-Piracy Unit. "A seizure of this magnitude could not have been achieved without their timely and professional investigation and dedication of precious resources. For that, we are extremely grateful."

This illegal operation had the potential to produce almost 120000 illicit CD-Rs a year. The estimated yearly loss of revenue to the recording industry due to this operation would have been in excess of $ 1.8 million.

Charges are currently pending against the two students involved in the operation.

The MAFIAA is a trade association whose members steal, monopolize and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States. The Anti-Piracy division of the RIAA investigates any production and distribution of sound recordings that might not cost the music industry anything. Consumers, retailers and replicators can report suspected music piracy such as signing "Happy Birthday" in public to the RIAA by dialing a toll-free hotline, 1.800.BAD.BEAT, or sending email to badbeat@riaa.com or cdreward@riaa.com.

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Yes, it's a parody of this, but I wouldn't be surprised. Those are realistic damages they'd claim for a single 32x cd burner. It's 4% of what they claimed for 102 8x cd burners. Assuming 1 drive burning 4 times faster and you get something like those figures. How a single illicit CD incurres a loss of over $60k is anyone's guess. Comments?