Category Archives: Video

Student creates music controller with Arduino & an accelerometer

Music, Technology, Video, , , , ,

Parsons student Ryan Raffa crafted a do-it-yourself music controller with an ADXL 335 accelerometer and an Arduino board that communicates serially with Max MSP.  In simpler terms he created a small device that has five embedded tracks and a sixth button that applies a delay on those tracks; pushing the buttons plays the various tracks and moving the device around slows down and speeds up the beat thanks to the built-in accelerometer.  (An accelerometer is the device installed in iPhones and other gadgets that allows users to swap from vertical to landscape views just by changing the orientation of the device.)  Check out Ryan’s final product in the video above.  I think it’s safe to say he received an “A” for his final class project.

[Via Engadget]

HP’s ‘wall of touch’ prototype does not require touch

Technology, Video, , , , , , , ,

HP recently showed off its “wall of touch” concept to The Wall Street Journal.  HP labels it a “large digital sign” that allows users to interact with it.  Interestingly HP gives the user two options for said interaction: you can touch it as you normally would with, say, a Microsoft Surface table, or you can simply point to specific locations on the wall.  With the aid of integrated cameras and a magnetic strip the wall can detect when a user approaches and intentially interacts with it with hand gestures.  For now HP is selling this technology to companies who plan on using it in large public spaces.  In fact, Continental Airlines has one of the first walls installed in their Houston airport.  HP does leave the door open and hints that it may turn into a “mainstream product” if there’s enough interest and demand for it.  It would cost anywhere from “a couple thousand dollars” to $100,000, depending upon the built-in technologies (HD video cameras, etc.).  Be sure to check out a demo of HP’s “wall of touch” in the video above.

[Via Wall Street Journal; Engadget]

Watch this shot-for-shot modern rendition of the ‘Perfect Strangers’ opening credits

Hilarity, Television, Video, , ,

Here’s random for you… Perfect Strangers was an ABC sitcom that ran for eight seasons from 1986 to 1993.  Today, a bunch of theatre geeks got together to create a shot-for-shot remake of the opening credits introduction from the show.  The remake takes place in Seattle and many of the landmarks are eerily similar to those found in the original introduction, which took place in Chicago.  Can you find all the prominent Seattle landmarks?  Jump after the break for a list of them.  Great job, guys!

[Via Pereira’s Twitter page; SeattlePI]

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Topless bikini is the best invention ever

Fashion, Images, Video, , , ,

Victoria’s Secret topless bikini may just be the best invention ever.  VS wants you to “go as bare as your dare in a sleek and sexy suit” with their latest spandex swimsuit.  It comes with a removable bandeau to cover up, but then what’s the point?  Also, I’m guessing that VS assumes all US women visit the beach with long golden locks of hair.  Watch model Lindsay Ellingson show it off in the video below.

[Via FabSugar]

Break-dancing robot will make you do a double take

Technology, Video, , , ,

Meet Japan’s Maino Go break-dancing robot sent from the future to entertain us.  The scientists who built this robot actually consulted professional dancers to add the realism you see in its moves.  Step aside, Tickle Me Elmo; this break-dancing robot is the new hot robo-toy in town.  Jump after the break for a second video.

[Via Engadget; TechDigestTV]

Continue reading Break-dancing robot will make you do a double take →

The Starbucks Love Project will make you smile

Music, Video, , , , , ,

“On December 7th, 2009 at 1:30pm GMT Starbucks invited musicians from all over the world to sing together at the same time to raise awareness for AIDS in Africa. In that one breathtaking moment, musicians from 156 countries played “All You Need is Love” together. Watch now, as musicians from all around the world come together and share a song.”

That’s right: 156 countries.  1 song.  Same tempo.  Singing/playing The Beatles’ “All You Need is Love.”  This unique wordwide event was organized by Starbucks to raise awareness for the fight against AIDS in Africa.  “In just one year in partnership with (RED), Starbucks has generated money equivalent to more than 7 million days of medicine to help those living with HIV in Africa.”

[Via Gizmodo; YouTube page]

NBC’s Day One is now a two-hour movie, potential series?

News, Television, Video, ,

I’ve been looking forward to NBC’s Day One, a new post-apocalyptic sci-fi series.  What’s it about?  “The aftermath of a global event that devastates the world’s infrastructures, a small band of survivors strives to rebuild society and unravel the mysteries of why the event took place and what the future has in store. Told from the point of view of an eclectic group of neighbors in a Van Nuys, California apartment building, this journey of survival will show us that hope is found in the smallest of victories and heroes are born every day.”  Day One comes from executive producer/writer Jesse Alexander (Heroes, Lost, Alias) and director Alex Graves (Fringe).  It stars David Lyons, Julie Gonzalo, Adam Campbell, and Xander Berkeley (24).  Alexander describes the show: “It is the story of ordinary people working together to save the world from an extraordinary threat.  Though Day One’s prime time adventures are simple and compelling, its mythology is vast and designed to be experienced across multiple media platforms.”  Sounds awesome.

NBC originally planned on airing Day One with the standard 13-episode run after the Winter Olympics.  The latest news confirms that NBC has changed their minds and plans on airing it as a two-hour movie, see how that does, and move on from there.  If the backdoor pilot receives positive feedback and high ratings NBC has the option to turn it into a regular weekly series.  NBC Entertainment President Angela Bromstad: “We’ve always looked at Day Oneas a big event for us and not necessarily a show that would be an ongoing…you know, a returning show for a second season. It would depend on its success. I think just by the nature of the genre, [these genre shows] tend to get a little narrow.”  So why did NBC decide to make the switch from series to TV movie?  Sources are blaming it on the high expensive of computer-generated images required for realism and the ratings drop with similar sci-fi shows like ABC’s FlashForward and V.

Check out the trailer below.  If you are at all interested in it, please give the show a try when it airs after the Olympics.  If the two-hour TV movie is any good, it will deserve a 13-episode order.

[Via EW; Wiki]

HBO’s How to Make It In America is coming soon, get prepped

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How to Make It In America comes from writer Ian Edelman and executive producers Mark Wahlberg (Entourage), Rob Weiss (Entourage), and Stephen Levinson.  It stars Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi (Dean), Bryan Greenberg (Ben), Victor Rasuk (Cam), Luis Guzman (Rene), Lake Bell (Rachel), and Shannyn Sossamon (Gingy).  The premise is as follows:

How to Make It in America follows two enterprising Brooklyn twentysomethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in New York’s competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein (Greenberg) and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon (Rasuk) use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam’s cousin Rene (Guzman), who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo (“Kid Cudi”), the burgeoning entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome.

With HBO’s Entourage likely coming to a close after next season, this show looks like a worthy replacement.  In fact, I feel like it’s Entouage set in New York.  Plus Mark Wahlberg and Rob Weiss are feeding their talent into the production of it.

How To Make It In America premieres February 14  at 10PM on HBO.  It will air in a similar syle to Entourage; every Sunday, half an hour in length, 8-12 episodes per season.  If you missed the teaser trailer look after the break.  The gallery below contains some stills from the first batch of episodes.

[Via DatNewCudi]

Continue reading HBO’s How to Make It In America is coming soon, get prepped →