The Tempest “Magic Projection” uses a laptop, a projector, a PS3 Eye Toy, LED tracking markers, and propriety software to create magic and illusions like you’ve never seen before.
Like what you see? Head over to the magician’s website to see what else he has up his digital sleeve.
[Via Gizmodo]
Publisher Time Inc. thinks it sees the future of print media. In essence, publishers will have the option to create digital versions of their magazines and newspapers and offer this format to various device manufacturers. For example, in the demo above Time Inc. has teamed up with the designers at The Wonder Factory to display a digital version of Sports Illustrated. And when Apple releases its purported tablet device Time Inc. and other publishers will have the option to flock to that device to share its content. This is the F-U-T-U-R-E. Or so they think.
Some features in the demo include multitouch to flick through pages and pinch to zoom, live sports scores, sharing abilities with Facebook and Twitter, and cover pages that really come to life.
[Via Engadget; AllThingsD]
Nokia, Nokia, Nokia. My first phone was a Nokia. Granted, it was what they now call a “dumbphone.” It made calls and sent texts on a colorless screen. Ever since then I haven’t been a big supporter of the cell phone manufacturer. Though their modern devices are very sleek and quite beautiful, their user interface is very clunky and not very intuitive. Think of it as anti-iPhone OS, if you will. It takes many clicks to get to a simple destination, etc.
This past week Nokia surprised us with a peek into their future user interface that promises to be three times faster than current Nokia Symbian OS devices and much more user friendly. In fact, Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo calls the new experience “magical.” Nokia just might be able to pull this off because they finally understand that their problem lies in the user interface, not the Symbian OS. Skeptics might advise Nokia to start from scratch but this would be wasteful; the Symbian OS structure has good intentions, it’s just been the way it relays information via the complicated no good user interface that has had users frustrated.
In addition to this major software upgrade coming sometime next year, Nokia also promises new devices with multitouch support on “large capacitive displays.”
Check out the gallery below for some screenshots of the new UI and be sure to look after the break for a video of the announcement and a simulated guided tour.
[Via Engadget]
Continue reading Nokia unveils a revamped Symbian user interface
Last we heard in this AT&T vs. Verizon Wireless “There’s a Map for That” commercials debacle, AT&T had lost in court against VZ when they tried to force VZ to pull all of their Map-related advertisements from the air. The judge had marked a date later this month where the two companies would battle again over this silly issue.
Now, however, AT&T has decided to drop all its lawsuits against Verizon. Finally.
Instead of putting their money towards upgrading their 3G network, AT&T has decided to spew anti-Verizon ads featuring the quirky Luke Wilson. Let’s take a step back for a moment. This whole thing started when Verizon aired a commercial comparing their widespread US 3G coverage (on a map) to AT&T’s dismal coverage. AT&T sued them because they stipulated that mass audiences would read their sad 3G coverage for their vastly more widespread voice coverage. (AT&T, I doubt anyone made this blunder in the first place.) After losing in court they’ve decided to create these Luke Wilson ads that fight back against Verizon in a nonsensical way; these ads don’t focus on AT&T’s 3G coverage, they are all about 3G speed. Hey AT&T–Verizon’s got the SPEED, too; plus, they cover much more of the US than you do. I’ve said this twice now, and I’ll say it one more time–AT&T, stop the lawsuits and advertisements and start actually expanding your 3G coverage!
Oh, and not only do Verizon’s ads make sense they are far superior than yours. See for yourself. Look after the break for the latest “headless Luke Wilson” AT&T and Verizon “misfit toys” spots. (True this ad and other recent VZ ads have poked at the iPhone, but what they are really hitting hard is AT&T’s dismal 3G coverage. Let ’em have it.)
This little ditty marks the fourth annual Christmas song The Killers have recorded for (RED) charity. The song features Wild Light and Mariachi El Bronx; the video features Luke Perry (of 90210 fame). It’s available to purchase on iTunes and all proceeds go to the Global Fund.
[Via EW Music Mix]
Watch what happens when IE decides to attend a Knicks game with pal “Rob” who cannot seem to find his seat. Hilarity ensues.
[Via BoingBoing]
If you’re a fan of director/producer/writer/artist Tim Burton be sure to check out this video of Mr. Burton behind-the-scenes at his gallery exhibit at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Exhibit details are below.
“Opening [11/22] and running through till April 26 next year, Tim Burton is exhibiting a host of drawings, paintings and sketches all of which have been collated throughout his illustrious career. The exhibition takes place at New York’s Museum of Modern Art where further Burton works will be available to purchase. This video gives a fairly in depth behind-the-scenes insight to the way in which the exhibition came about, and what it means to Mr. Burton. If you’re in New York over the period, get down to this one and see how many pieces you can spot that inspired or are inspired by the films of the celebrated director.”
[Via KanyeBlog]
[Via Gizmodo]
Family Guy has already parodied Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope with “Blue Harvest.” MacFarland and company are back at it again, this time spoofing Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back with “Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side.” It releases on DVD and Blu-Ray on December 22 on FOX.
DESCRIPTION: “The saga continues as Luke (Chris), Leia (Lois), Han Solo (Peter) and Chewbacca (Brian) have evaded the dreaded Imperial Starfleet led by the cunning, conniving and curiously short evil lord Darth Vader (Stewie), setting up a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth. With the rebellion in trouble, young Skywalker must take the advice of his late, and rather lascivious, mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Herbert) and learn the ways of the farce under Jedi Master Yoda (Carl) to save the galaxy once and for all.”
A Halo-inspired Lego short film is six years in the making! Creator Alex Kobbs has been hard at work shooting the Legos frame-by-frame to create what will be nothing short of a masterpiece. The 25 minute film will take place in the Zanzibar map and will feature Red vs. Blue Halo bricks fighting it out. The Battle of the Brick is expected to make its long-awaited round on the Internet sometime in early 2010.
[Via Gizmodo]
Fring, a popular VoIP application in the Apple App Store, now allows its users to put their cameras to work by enabling video calls with other cell phone/computer users. But alas, the iPhone lacks a front-facing camera and so Fring is forced to limit the video calling to a one-way show. Fring developers are ready to incorporate two-way video conferencing once “a front camera is placed on these.” The one-way video calls work over Wi-Fi, between Fring-Fring and Fring-Skype callers. Remember, though, you must have the iPhone 3GS in order for the video calling to work. (I mistakingly tested it out on iPhone 3G and was quickly disappointed.) Anyway, this is cool stuff. Granted, video conferencing capability has been around for some time with Nokia devices, but now it’ll start hitting the mainstream folk with iPhones and iPods touch.
Be sure to look after the break to find a Fring commercial that shows all this in action.
[Via Engadget; Gizmodo; Fring Blog]
Continue reading Fring brings video calling to iPhone and iPod touch
The Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building and most brilliant architectural feat, still stands tall after getting hit by severe lightning strikes every now and then. Check out some more images below and look after the break for some lightning striking the building in real time and in slo-mo.
[Via Gizmodo]
Continue reading The Burj Dubai struck by lightning provides a spectacular gallery of photos, video