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How to build better UX for IoT devices
May 17, 2021
Smartphones have created an interesting challenge for internet of things (IoT) development teams as consumers, industrial workers, medical professionals, and more desire a sophisticated mobile experience across all their devices. This article explains what to consider when building a modern embedded GUI for IoT devices.
Rapid GUI development for sustainable transportation
May 3, 2021
To get its solar-powered electric vehicle (sEV) to market in less than a year, Aptera turned to Crank Software and their Storyboard platform to develop a human-machine interface (HMI).
Techniques to improve UX for success in embedded markets
April 16, 2021
Creating a meaningful and relevant user experience (UX) for IoT devices is much harder than building a SaaS application, website, or smartphone app. Let’s address the four biggest challenges and solutions embedded UX designers and developers have in delivering successful products to market.
Today in acquisitions: Symbi Medical, eStruxture, Eddyfi/NDT, Pinmo, Crank Software, Plurilock
April 1, 2021
Over the last few weeks, six Canadian tech companies have recently made acquisitions or have been acquired. Here’s the latest on Canada’s movers and shakers.
Ottawa's Crank Software acquired by publicly traded U.S. giant AMETEK
March 29, 2021
The fast-growing Ottawa software firm announced it’s been acquired by global electronics manufacturer AMETEK, a publicly traded powerhouse with more than 17,000 employees and annual revenues of nearly US$5 billion. Read more about this exciting acquisition here.
Embedded computing and GUI firms in $1.6bn AMETEK acquisition spree
March 29, 2021
As part of a US$1.62 billion acquisition spree, electronic instruments manufacturer AMETEK, Inc, is buying four companies, including mission critical embedded computing firm Abaco Systems, and embedded GUI software firm Crank Software.
AMETEK buying spree continues with 3 deals totaling $270M
March 29, 2021
The Berwyn-based electronics manufacturer (NYSE: AME) acquired Magnetrol International, Crank Software, and EGS Automation to boost its electronic instruments and electromechanical sectors.
Empowering a good user experience in SMART HMIs
March 16, 2021
The value of an HMI largely depends on a user-friendly and interactive design emphasizing best practices for optimum user experience (UX). This article defines what a good user experience is and how iWave Systems and Crank Storyboard partner to provide rich UX.
Crank continues to grow with launch of rapid design iteration technology
March 10, 2021
Storyboard's latest Rapid Design Import and Iteration Technology addresses mobile makers' needs searching for creative ways to offer rich interfaces on high performance and power-efficient platforms, with the number of IoT devices estimated to grow to 43 billion worldwide by 2023.
Development platform delivers smartphone-like UX on low-power hardware
March 3, 2021
Crank Software continues to innovate with the launch of Storyboard 7.0, a development platform built to deliver smartphone-like user experiences (UX) on low-power, tightly-resourced hardware.
Embedded GUI tool adds iteration without affecting backend code
February 26, 2021
Expectation of smartphone-style user experiences on all types of devices puts a focus on tools for embedded GUI (graphical user-interface) development. To address this need, Crank Software has launched the latest version of its embedded GUI development platform, Storyboard 7.0.
Top 5 medtech UX predictions for 2021
February 1, 2021
As a partner in the development of many embedded GUIs for medtech, Jason Clarke, V.P. Sales at Crank Software, offers his top medical device UX trends for MedTech Outlook magazine.
Crank Software gears up for big 2021 as Kanata firm lands deal with California automaker
December 15, 2020
A Kanata firm that designs graphical user interfaces for internet-connected devices such as wearables and appliances is making a splash in the automotive space after its technology was chosen for a groundbreaking new solar-powered vehicle.
We learned A LOT about the Aptera today
December 9, 2020
Today, Aptera hosted an online Q&A session, covering a variety of topics about the vehicle, including grid charging, performance, and details on its infotainment system powered by Crank Software.
Crank Software teamed with Ventec Life Systems to rapidly improve interface control designs to the VOCSN critical care ventilator that it made with General Motors to fill critical COVID-19 needs.
October 13, 2020
A5-in-1 portable device, Ventec Life Systems’ VOCSN ventilator can perform five therapies for patients who have lost lung function – ventilator, portable oxygen concentrator, cough stimulator, suction, and nebulizer. As a portable critical care ventilator, VOCSN is ideal for COVID-19 treatment, and as a result the company received a large federal contract in April 2020 to make 30,000 units with manufacturing partner General Motors.
Ten million parts went into the 30,000 ventilators that General Motors [GM -0.7%], in partnership with Ventec Life Systems, delivered to the national stockpile earlier this year. Thousands of employees at 90 companies helped make the parts.
October 13, 2020
From the moment in mid-March that GM and Ventec first discussed their alliance to ramp up production of Ventec's VOCSN critical care ventilators, the project moved quickly, as the severity of the coronavirus – and of equipment shortages – became more apparent with each passing day. Right away, the joint venture hit a hurdle: factories in India that manufactured crucial VOCSN parts were shut down because of the pandemic.
iWave Systems collaborated with Crank Software to provide 3D touch screen interfaces on iWave HMI solutions.
October 13, 2020
The partnership enables iWave's customers across the Medical, Industrial, and Automotive domains to leverage application ready HMI modules with suitable 3D GUI and accelerate the development of secure and reliable end applications.
Crank Software recently helped Ventec Life Systems make design improvements to the VOCSN critical care ventilator
August 28, 2020
In an effort to increase production of respiratory care products in the fight against COVID-19, Crank Software teamed with Ventec LifeSystems to enable rapid design improvements to the VOCSN critical care ventilator. Crank Software’s Storyboard embedded graphical user interface (GUI) development platform made it easy for Ventec to add additional functionality to the ventilator’s touchscreen and support a partnership with General Motors to deliver 30,000 critical care ventilators to the U.S. National Stockpile.
Crank Software recently helped Ventec Life Systems make design improvements to the VOCSN critical care ventilator
August 7, 2020
Employing Crank Software’s Storyboard embedded graphical user interface (GUI) development platform, Ventec added additional functionality to the ventilator’s touchscreen. The project supported a partnership with General Motors to deliver 30,000 critical care ventilators to the U.S. National Stockpile. Ventec has been a Crank customer since 2013, using its Storyboard GUI design platform for its advanced respiratory systems.
User Interface Development Tools Speed Time to Market for More Intuitive Products
August 1, 2020
Over the years, technological innovation has allowed the medical equipment sector to become a mission-critical part of the healthcare industry, delivering such benefits as lower operating costs and improved patient outcomes. But competitive pressures are driving the need for device developers to provide a richer experience for users, incorporating broader capabilities and features and more options.
Interview with EE Journal on Storyboard: A Revolution in User Interfaces
May 22, 2020
Jason Clarke joins EE Journal to discuss user interface design, what our unique Storyboard platform is all about, and how you can get an embedded app running in minutes.
Award Winning Canadian Tool: Storyboard
May 6, 2020
Crank Software's software development tool Storyboard was awarded the Embedded World fair in February. It was named the fair's "most innovative software".
Crank Software and NXP Build UIs for Embedded Devices with Latest MCUXpresso SDK Release
February 4, 2020
Crank Software and NXP remove the barriers associated with UI design and development by integrating Storyboard within the MCUXpresso SDK.
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Crank Software and NXP deliver UIs for embedded devices
January 31, 2020
The latest release of the NXP MCUXpresso SDK includes Crank Storyboard, providing NXP customers access to UI development resources for faster time to market.
Crank Software and NXP Make it Easier to Build Exceptional UIs for Embedded Devices with Latest MCUXpresso SDK Release
January 30, 2020
Delivering on the promise to make the development of embedded graphical user interfaces (GUI) easier for customers, Crank Software, an innovator in embedded GUI design and development software (Storyboard), has collaborated with NXP® Semiconductors to offer quick convenient access to reference example applications.
Embedded Executives: Jason Clarke, Founder, VP, Crank Software
January 29, 2020
Like the case with many software products, there are a host of free design tools available for things like GUI development. Crank Software is one vendor that sells such tools. So the obvious question for me was, why should I pay for tools if I can get them for free?
Accelerated UI development maximises UI flexibility
January 29, 2020
Crank Software’s Storyboard, a UI design and development tool, reduces the frustrations, delays, and costs associated with traditional graphical UI development. It provides designers and developers with a streamlined, parallel workflow enabling them to collaboratively work together when creating user interfaces.
Kanta-based Crank Software's founders find success in talking shop on the bike trails.
January 10, 2020
Ask the founders of Crank Software why they work so well as a team, and you’ll likely hear a story about the rapport built while standing in a swamp together at four in the morning.
ISIT signs distribution agreement with HMI design specialist Crank Software
January 6, 2020
The value-added distributor ISIT , specializing in real-time and security, now offers the technologies of the Canadian company Crank Software in France , which publishes Storyboard software, a tool for designing advanced user interfaces designed specifically for embedded systems.
Crank releases Storyboard 6.1 update focused on internationalization of embedded GUIs
November 5, 2019
Crank Software is pleased to announce their commitment to helping organizations deliver a brilliant touch screen experience to their global customers with the release of its latest version of Storyboard.
Why Your Touchscreen UIs Should Support Multi-Modal Inputs
July 16, 2019
Audio feedback (and input) and tactile surfaces are two additional UI technologies that can make your product really stand out.
STMicroelectronics Launches STM32MP1 Microprocessor Series with Linux Distribution to Speed IoT and Smart Industry Innovation
March 11, 2019
LSTMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, is applying its Arm Cortex expertise to expand the capabilities of its industry-leading STM32 MCU portfolio to applications requiring even more performance, resources and large open-source software..
ST Spins Up Linux-Powered Cortex-A SoC
February 21, 2019
STMicroelectronics has announced a new Cortex-A SoC and Linux- and Android-driven processor. The STM32MP1 SoC intends to ease the transition for developers moving from its STM32 microprocessor unit (MCU) family to more complex embedded systems.
Workplace culture key to 2018 Employees’ Choice Award winners
December 7, 2018
Ten of Ottawa’s best employers were honoured at the 12th annual Employees’ Choice Awards Dec. 6 at The Marshes Golf Club.
Here are the winners of the 2018 Employees’ Choice Awards
November 22, 2018
Ten deserving Ottawa companies, across sectors from high tech to retail, will be recognized this December as outstanding workplaces and employers.
25 Top UI Design Software Tools for User Interface Engineers
November 20, 2018
While most engineers concern themselves only with the behavior of materials, machines, and the environment as they are affected by physical laws, user interface engineers also must consider the behavior of humans as they interact with materials, machines, and the environment.
Nitrogen8M Featuring Crank Software Demo
July 26, 2018
With the recent wide release of our i.MX 8M based SBC, Nitrogen8M, we wanted to release another demonstration of the board running a different UI.
Crank Software to double Ottawa footprint with new Kanata office
May 18, 2018
Manufacturers’ increasing interest in products with embedded displays is one of the major demands driving growth at Ottawa’s Crank Software.
Crank Software earns recognition as a John Deere Supplier Innovation award winner
May 10, 2018
Crank Software, an innovator in embedded user interface (UI) software and solutions, announced today it has been selected as a recipient of the John Deere Supplier Innovation Award for 2017 for the Electronic Solutions division.
XIP with Linux: A New Spin on Embedded Architecture
November 16, 2017
Execute-in-Place (XIP) Linux with AXFS enables embedded systems to run Linux within a memory-constrained system by executing most of the code in-place from flash memory like an MCU.
Renesas RZ/G and Crank Software Demo
February 7, 2017
Renesas has partnered with GUI tool developer, Crank Software, for both the RZ/A and RZ/G Series of MPUs.
Apple Reportedly Hires Blackberry Software Guru for Car Project
July 28, 2016
As Apple continues work on its secret car project, the company has hired Dan Dodge, one of the top real-time software programmers, according to a new report.
QNX unveils concept Bentley Continental GT alongside Car Platform 2.0
August 1, 2013
STMicroelectronics has announced a new Cortex-A SoC and Linux- and Android-driven processor. The STM32MP1 SoC intends to ease the transition for developers moving from its STM32 microprocessor unit (MCU) family to more complex embedded systems.
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