Category Archives: Technology

Nintendo DSi uses camera & motion tracking to produce a 3D image

Technology, Video, , , , , ,

Finally, the Nintendo DSi’s camera is being put to exciting use.  An upcoming Japanese-only game called Rittai Kakushi e Attakoreda will utilize the DSi’s (inner) camera and motion tracking software to follow your eyes and create a 3D illusion that you are looking behind or in front of certain objects in the virtual world.  The tech being used here is not so different from Johnny Chung Lee’s Wii head-tracking experiments.  Watch the demo above and it’ll all make sense.  Magical, isn’t it?

[Via BoingBoing; Gizmodo; Nintendo Japan]

Early demonstration of Samsung’s 3D TVs

Technology, Video, , , , , , , , , ,

Yeah it’s around seven minutes long, but if you are even slightly interested in 3D TVs and the forthcoming slew of them entering the market this year it’s worth a viewing.  In the video preview a Samsung rep details the Samsung C7000 LED TV, giving us an early peek into the brand new 3D tech that’s embedded inside.  There’s SD/HD modes, a 3D mode (duh), a 2D to 3D converter, a sleek remote, and the sporty 3D shades.  Man I wish I had a British accent.

[Via Which?; Engadget]

Customize your home page with Fav4

News, Technology, , , , ,

The concept is simple, really, but the value is great.  Fav4 was created to give you the ability to customize your browser’s home page with the top four websites you visit most often.  The default is Facebook, Flickr, Gmail, and Twitter, but you can easily pick from a long list of other sites.  The setup and interface couldn’t be simpler.  Head over to Fav4.org, choose your top four sites and arrange their order, and click save.  Once that’s done, go to your Internet options and make Fav4.org your start-up home page.  Now every time you open your browser your top four Internet destinations will be waiting for you as large, visually snazzy icons.  You’re welcome.

[Via NYTimes Bits Twitter; Gizmodo]

Robot sculptures

Art, Design, Images, Technology,

These impressive robot sculptures are designed by artist Michael Rivamonte.  The majority of them stand three feet tall, are made from materials like steel, clay, and wood, and much detail is given to each body structure.  Rivamonte is a collector of antique and vintage objects and he uses them to create his robots.  As you can see from the gallery of photos, they are composed of random mechanical parts like old movie cameras, tube radios, hair dryers, binoculars, staplers, and drive-in movie speaker boxes.  Exposed wiring adds to the mechanical aesthetic.

[Via Gizmodo; DinosaursandRobots]

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Crayola Rockets

Design, DIY, Images, Technology, ,

Houston, we have a colorful lift off.  Over and out.

John Coker, a DIY rocket enthusiast, built and successfully launched a pack of Crayola Crayons rockets in the Nevada Desert.  This launch event was six years in the making.  Though only four of the eight rockets launched, those that did soared 2,928 feet into the air!  If you’re interested in how he did it, check out his site.  More photos from the liftoff event and the design process in the gallery below.

[Via Huffington Post; JCrocket]

The germaphobe’s keyboard

Images, Technology, , ,

This here is the Cleankeys touch sensitive wireless keyboard, made for germaphobes, likely by germaphobes.  According to the manufacturer, when you clean a standard keyboard with a disinfecting wipe about 5% of bacteria is wiped away.  When you wipe down the Cleankeys keyboard, about 95% of bacteria is removed since it’s much easier to completely wipe down a flat surface slab.  All keys on it are touch sensitive, so when you go to press a key it doesn’t press down as you’d expect on a regular keyboard.  It’s tap, not press; get it?  It comes included with patent-pending technology that recognizes when you’re simply resting your hands on it so it won’t type out random letters and numbers.  There’s also a build-in trackpad on it.

Who is going to purchase the Cleankeys keyboard?  The manufacturer is marketing it to doctors as it provides a germ-free zone for inputting a patient’s information into a computer.  It’s very easy to clean and keep clean.  And I like it.   There are molded and glass models available to purchase today; they cost $399 and $449 respectively.

[Via Cleankeys; Gizmodo]

Steve Jobs receives best birthday gift ever: 10 billion iTunes songs sold all-time

Music, News, Technology, , , , ,

Apple CEO Steve Jobs celebrated his 55th birthday yesterday.  What also happened that day?  iTunes sold its 10 billionth song.  Greatest birthday gift ever?  Yeah I think so.  Congratulations, Apple.  This is quite the achievement and deserves a top spot among the rest of them.

Fun fact #1: The 10 billionth song download was Johnny Cash’s “Guess Things Happen That Way.”  It was downloaded by Louie Sulcer of Woodstock, Georgia who was granted a $10,000 iTunes gift card for being the one to hit the milestone number.  Also tomorrow (2/26) is Cash’s birthday; he would have been 78 years old.

Fun fact #2: Click here to see the top 20 most downloaded songs on iTunes since its inception.  They include songs from Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Kary Perry, and Miley Cyrus.  Scary, I know.

[Via Apple]

Nintendo DSi XL coming March 28; plus 100 Classic Book Collection

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We’ve heard about the specs and now we’ve got the launch info.  Nintendo DSi XL, the next iteration of the Nintendo DS, will be made available for purchase on March 28 for $189.99.  That’s $20 more than the current Nintendo DSi that’s been out for some time now.  Initially the XL will sell in two color varients, burgundy and bronze.  The handheld will come preloaded with two DSiWare Brain Age games, Photo Clock, the DSi Browser, and Flipnote Studio.  If you already own a Nintendo DSi I cannot come up with a valid reason for wanting to make the jump to this new device.  Remember, the added value comes in an increase in screen real estate screen (from 3.5 inches to 4.2 inches), it comes with a larger stylus, and the screen is a bit brighter.  Besides that, it is nearly identical (internals and ports/switches-wise) to the DSi.  If you’ve got the original DS or the DS Lite and you’ve been wanting to get in on the dual camera gameplay, maybe it’s something to think about.  Look after the break to see the XL in action, Nintendo style.

In related DS news, Nintendo has teamed up with book publisher Harper Collins to create 100 Classic Book Collection, an eReader app of sorts that will be made available in the US on June 14.  For $19.99 Americans will have the opportunity to purchase the same 100 classic books Europeans have had access to on their DS’ for over a year now.  Joystiq makes a good point: “Why did it take Nintendo a year and a half to localize a bunch of books that were already in English?”  Anyway, the collection includes works from Shakespeare, Dickens, Twain, and a whole lot more.  Look after the break for the full breakdown.  Though Nintendo promises specialized scrolling and zooming options, I just can’t see the Nintendo DS (even with a larger 4.2 inch screen) becoming a viable eReader.  Unless of course getting maigrains is a hobby for you.

[Via Joystiq, here, here & here; Engadget]

Continue reading Nintendo DSi XL coming March 28; plus 100 Classic Book Collection →

Couple ties the knot inside their local Apple Store

Technology, Video, , ,

Apple fanboy Josh Li and fangirl Ting Li said their iDo’s last week at New York’s Fifth Avenue Apple Store.  The couple first met at an Apple Store; Josh courted his fair lady like this: “We got to know each other because Ting was looking to buy an iPod…and I managed to strike up a conversation that way… I used to joke that the Apple Store is my church because I am not religious, and I loved everything Apple.”  And the rest is history, encapsuled in the short but sweet video above.  (Hope you picked up on this–the priest is dressed as Steve Jobs, black turtleneck and all!)

[Via Mashable]

Professor is a luddite, smashingly proves his point

Technology, Video, ,

Meet Kieran Mullen, a physics professor at the University of Oklahoma.  He is not a fan of technology.  A student captured on video (video? blasphemy!) what happens to your laptop (or any electronic device) if you bring it to class.  These “distractions” are dealt with in a not so traditional manner.  It involves liquid nitrogen.  ‘Nuff said.  Man would I like to see a showdown between Professor Mullen and this guy.

[Via Engadget]