All posts by Scott Meisner

3D is coming to PS3 this summer

News, Technology, , , , , , , ,

We knew it was coming but now it’s getting official.  SCEA’s John Koller spills the beans: This summer, two firmware updates will transform the PlayStation 3 into a 3D Blu-ray and 3D gaming machine:

3D is a major part of our initiatives in 2010 and we’re currently developing 3D stereoscopic games to come in conjunction with the launch of Sony’s 3D compatible BRAVIA LCD TV in summer 2010. The amazing thing about the PS3’s technology is that all PS3 units that exist in homes and markets will be able to play 3D stereoscopic games as well as 3D BD movies through separate firmware upgrades – something that other platforms are unable to do. We’ll be announcing actual game titles separately later, but we think that 3D stereoscopic gaming has a ton of potential, particularly in placing consumers within the actual experience.

[Image and info via Gizmodo; Pocket-lint]

‘Experience the void’ at the Guggenheim: come happy, leave injured

Architecture, Design, Images, , ,

JDS Architects have come up with a wild n’ wacky idea to fill up the void at the Guggenheim Museum, that is, the wide open space inside the building.  JDS invites you to “experience the void” by bouncing your way from the top to the bottom of the museum via a trampoline net.  Design Boom points out that “this idea plays on Frank Lloyd Wright’s original scenography for the Guggenheim in which he envisioned patrons visiting the exhibition from the top, downwards.”  Problem is, this method of transportation in the building would likely result in one too many tragic body traumas.  Take a deep breath, it’s only a concept; and due to such safety concerns, it will likely remain just that.  But it’s a fun idea, is it not?

[Via DesignBoom; Gizmodo]

Meet Anchiornis huxleyi, the first colorized dinosaur

Images, science, Technology, , ,

Paleontologists discovered 29 melanosome samples from the body of the 155-million-year-old Anchiornis huxleyi.  By comparing the samples to the feathers and colors of modern birds they were able to map out the dino’s colors, making Anchiornis the first true-color picture of a dinosaur.  Sure, we’ve seen recreations of dinosaurs in color in textbooks, stories, and film.  Difference here is that this is for realz.  Neat, huh?

[Via NatGeo; Gizmodo]

Locus OS is slick, intuitive, sadly just a concept

Design, Technology, Video, , ,

Barton Smith, a talented industrial designer, has come up with an operating system of his own called Locus OS.  Besides the OS being visually stunning and welcoming, its menu system and user interface are highly intuitive and are ahead of its time.  Smith describes his concept OS with the following points: “Location-based operating system; multiple widget desktops designed around a location or activity (ie. kitchen, office, car);automatically switches between desktops with GPS and wi-fi mapping; and simplified collections menu allows browsing via function rather than application.”  Simply put, it’s an OS that prominentlyfeatures Mac OS X-like “spaces” or panels that distinguish and organize work and play on a PC.  The menu system is very reminiscent of Zune HD and Windows Media Center.  Smith conceptualized Locus OS back in 2008, well before the design of iPhone 3.0, WebOS, and Android fully surfaced, he notes.  Why the Microsoft branding? “It was originally going to be for the Microsoft next Gen computer comp from 2008.”  In other words, it remains a concept to this day.  Can we get a wealthy venture capitalist on this, STAT?!

[Via Engadget; Vimeo]

Our future, augmented reality’d

Design, Technology, Video, , ,

Designer Keiichi Matsudafor, who is about to receive his Masters in Architecture, shares his vision of a future that includes virtual overlays that may one day help us with everyday tasks.

The latter half of the 20th century saw the built environment merged with media space, and architecture taking on new roles related to branding, image and consumerism. Augmented reality may recontextualise the functions of consumerism and architecture, and change in the way in which we operate within it.

Scary, is it not?

[Via Likecool; Vimeo]

Touchy Remix brings style to the multitouch surface

Design, Images, Technology, Video, , , , , ,

We’ve seen multitouch surface tables before, but never have we seen them quite as stylish and visually attractive as the Touchy Remix from Intactlab.  Being heralded as “the marriage of precision engineering and quality design” the Touchy Remix was designed to support and enhance collaboration with surface computing.  Its minimalistic and curvy shape attracts people to sit around it, unlike the boxy Microsoft Surface-esque tables that come off as uninviting.  It’s made from a fiberglass shell built around an aluminum chassis.  Though its design is most prominent, I’ll share some internal notes with you: it features a 40″ WXGA (720p HD) internal projection screen and runs custom software from Intactlab that comes preloaded onto an integrated Mac mini; there’s four USB ports and a dock for an iPod.  See additional pictures below and a demo video of it in use after the break.

[Via Engadget; Intactlab]

Continue reading Touchy Remix brings style to the multitouch surface →

This year’s Super Bowl is now the most-watched show in U.S. history

News, Television, , , , , , ,

 

On Sunday Super Bowl XLIV was crowned the most-watched show in U.S. history.  Averaging 106.5 million viewers, this year’s Super Bowl dethrones M*A*S*H, the previous record holder that garnered 106 million viewers during its two-hour series finale in 1983.  M*A*S*H star Alan Alda has this to say about the loss of such a coveted record: “I’m happy for New Orleans. I want to see that city come out first in every way that it can, even if it means giving up a record that M*A*S*H held for a long time.”  With M*A*S*H out of the way, TV viewers and analysts now have Super Bowl XLVI as a new comparison to look at when discussing most-watched television programs.

In related Super Bowl news…want to know which ad people liked most?  According to the USA TODAY ad meter, Snickers’ ad with Betty White and Abe Vigoda getting pushed around in the mud playing football earned the top spot.  The ad meter panel gave the Snickers commercial a rating of 8.68 out of 10.  Lesson learned?  People like watching old people playing rough sports.  Missed out on the commercials?  Check out a bunch of ’em here.

[Via NYT; AC]

Super Bowl XLIV commercials

Sports, Television, Video, , , , ,

Overall I found this year’s collection of Super Bowl commercials to be stale.  Super Bowl commercials are supposed to be top notch, big budget, and make you fall over laughing by surprise.  In fact, there are some people out there who watch the Bowl just for the commercials.  The smorgasbord of reusable ads from GoDaddy and the beer companies simply didn’t cut it this year.  Anyhow, I’ve collected this year’s favorite ads and pasted them below.  At least Megan Fox was featured in one of them!

Motorola, featuring the Motorola Devour with MOTOBLUR w/ Megan Fox

Bud Light, autotune with T-Pain

Look after the break for more Super Bowl commercials, including those from Vizio, Bud Light, Snickers, Doritos, Audi, Coke, FLO TV, Cars.com, Intel, and Google. Continue reading Super Bowl XLIV commercials →

Common Projects Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

Fashion, Images, , ,

Common Projects is a collaboration between designers Flavio Girolami and Prathan Poopat.  Inspired by the lines and shapes of everyday objects, they design their pieces with tailored approach, using the finest materials and techniques.

Common Projects sneakers will be available this spring in a number of styles and colorways.  Pricing details have not been disclosed.  Check ’em all out in the gallery below.

2/22: UPDATE after the break.

[Via KanyeBlog; TheCorner]

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Continue reading Common Projects Spring/Summer 2010 Collection →