"The power and simplicity of voice integration as part of a TV interface is clear the moment you sit back and speak to your TV, " said Michael Thompson, senior vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile.

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Methuselah-like battery life, bright viewability, clear audibility, and interface custom crafted to fit any human ability or desire: you can point, wave, gesticulate, speak, tap, swipe, make Bushman vocal clicks work with your endpoint using any type of interaction.

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The generally clear and colorful Zing interface, which makes use of translucent overlays for volume and internet access and brings down album art on the fly, resorts to almost comically tiny text for its menus activated by two buttons that sit between the wheel and the screen.

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The interface is simple, clear and the software sophisticated in the way it utilizes iPhone sounds, GPS and push notifications.

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And once it was revealed that the Live Tile user interface would be coming to Windows 8, it became clear that Live Tiles had to be a great fit for the larger displays that are more often running Microsoft software.

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The introduction of a radical and game-like form of navigation would be a clear signal that Apple is still in the leadership role when it comes to interface design.

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While the exact factors at work aren't clear, IDC blames it on a mix of customers spooked by Windows 8's unfamiliar interface, the continued rise of mobile devices, and the decline of the netbook.

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