NEW PRODUCTS
Qualcomm is offering an augmented reality SDK for Android devices. The SDK uses computer vision technology to align graphics tightly with underlying objects, and the company describes it as an evolution from current AR techniques that use a phone’s GPS and compass for mapping applications. The SDK allows for augmentation of everyday images on printed media, as well as simple 3D objects such as boxes used for product packaging. Additionally, it supports the ability for users to interact with AR applications by simply touching real-world surfaces.

Unit-testing solution Isolator++, from Typemock, lets developers isolate and test any C/C++ code. The software can “mock” any portion of the code, eliminating the need for modifications in order to test to it, and reducing the number of lines of code needed when tests are written. Isolator ++ works with testing frameworks such as Google Test and UnitTest++.

Urbancode is offering a new Deployment Pack that works with the company’s AnthillPro Agile software. The pack helps organizations extend their AnthillPro Agile processes to deployments, and allows them to introduce emerging agile practices, such as continuous deployment, while maintaining the necessary control and governance. The pack integrates with Apache Tomcat, IBM’s WebSphere, Microsoft’s IIS/MSDeploy and Oracle’s WebLogic platforms.

UPDATES
RhoHub, a mobile Development-as-a-Service platform, now allows enterprise developers to create native iPhone and iPad apps from PCs running Linux, Mac OS X or Windows. The RhoHub hosted service, from Rhomobile, lets iPhone developers write applications in HTML, JavaScript and Ruby (instead of in Objective C) using the open-source Rhodes framework. Previously, the service targeted Android, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile phones. Pricing is on a subscription basis, ranging from US$49 per month for one app and 10 devices, up to $499 per month for three apps and 1,000 devices.

The new version of eXo’s Java IDE, eXo Platform 3.0, leverages GateIn, the portal framework that the company co-develops with Red Hat, to build portal-based applications with features like access control and single sign-on. It also adds an integrated Web content management system. eXo Portal uses REST services, Groovy, JavaScript, mashups and gadget-based development to build user-centric Java applications.

Data Access Worldwide has updated its rapid application development framework for Windows and Web applications. Visual DataFlex 2010/16.0 offers new data-aware and non-data-aware grids for better-looking Windows applications, new grid features, and improved performance. In addition, this release also includes AJAX Library 2.2 for Visual DataFlex, and the latest Codejock Xtreme ReportControl, version 13.4.0.

Centerprise Data Integrator version 5.0, a data integration and ETL platform from Astera Software, has a revamped user interface, lending itself to non-technical users while still maintaining more advanced capabilities aimed at data integration specialists. The software also adds data visualization, quick profiling and modular-flow design capabilities.

Pro Fortran 11.1 for Mac OS X, from Absoft, advances parallel code development, analysis and performance on Mac OS X, and it is compatible with Snow Leopard and Xcode 3.2. It is focused on generating fast code for parallel systems; according to Absoft, the new –O5 optimization level in version 11.1 consistently demonstrates a significant performance increase in HPC and SMP environments. Other new features include a graphical SMP code and vector analyzer to assist in code tuning; OpenMP 3.0 support in the compiler, debugger and IDE; CUDA GPU support; IDE improvements (Apple C/C++ is supported as a plug-in); Fortran 2003 ISO C bindings; and upgraded documentation.

Accusoft Pegasus has released ImageGear for Silverlight 18. Built with Silverlight 4, the product update adds complete printing functionality, TWAIN scanning controls, new annotations types, enhanced mouse handling, and display optimizations for improved image storage. Users can now print images directly from Silverlight applications, with complete control over the print layout, and can acquire images from TWAIN scanners when running locally.

ModelRight 3.6, a software modeling system from ModelRight Inc., focuses on improvements to diagramming, model subsets, its model explorer interface, and search/find capabilities. It also adds the ability to maintain a list of revision notes on any object—to document the changes to the object over time.  ModelRight 3.6 also provides the ability to automatically add a revision note whenever an object changes. In addition, UML class diagram notation has been added as one of the model notation options. The software costs between US$295 and $895 per seat, depending on features needed.

PEOPLE
Andreas Kuehlmann has joined Coverity as VP of research and development. He most recently served as a Cadence Fellow and the director of Cadence Research Laboratories. In addition, Kuehlmann is an adjunct professor at UC Berkeley, an IEEE Fellow, and president of the IEEE Council on Electronic Design Automation.