HD Camera That Fits In Your Pocket And Doesn’t Rob Your Wallet June 28, 2008
By Jonathan Kimak
DXG has come up with the DXG-567V, a High Definition digital video camera that is just over 4 inches long and comes in four different colors (red, blue, black and pink). It records 720p using H.264 Video Compression (using the MOV format) and also has a built-in retractable USB cord and a web-upload feature that makes it easy to upload your videos to sites like YouTube.
The price is fairly good too, just $179 US. But of course with the low price comes some serious sacrifices, like no optical zoom. Instead it has a measly 2X digital zoom, along with the extra-low flash memory of 32MB (it can take SD cards) and a 2 inch display on the back.
It seems rather crazy to have a High Definition Camera with 2X digital zoom. But hey, you’ll have the best looking blurry home movies on the block.
[ DXG USA ] VIA [ Electronista ]
Update On I’m Talkathon: Going Strong, Kind Of Interesting
By David Ponce
So yeah, I know, this concerns a paid campaign by Microsoft. But, you guys should know I was not specifically asked to talk about it here at all. It’s not part of the deal. It just happens that this campaign is a little different, and really sort of interesting. If you visit the I’m Talkathon page, you’ll notice the blog is getting some traction, with some articles getting over 70 comments. The reason (IMHO), is that it actually has some solid production values. The videos the guys are making are really funny, and the entire thing is playing out like some sort of bloggy soap.
It turns out that the business behind it is as follows: if you IM with Windows Live Messenger (”IM”… “I’M”… get it?) or Windows Live Hotmail in a specific fashion (more here [link to video]), Microsoft will be giving to the charities we mentioned in our previous article. The more you use them, the more they give. What with Bill Gates leaving the company today and seemingly moving into full time philanthropy… this campaign sort of makes sense. Sure, in the end they’re trying to get you to use Microsoft products, but at least they’re giving back in the process.
Next up, I’m going to try and hunt down that Parker’s hair stylist. That ‘do is rockin…
Only For The Lonely June 27, 2008
By Jonathan Kimak
Designer Haishu Zhang has created a good listener, a little device called “Sweety” that will listen to you, no matter what you say and shows you calming graphic patterns while you do it. There’s not a lot of info out there on exactly how the thing works, what purpose it serves other than listening to you or even why someone thought this was worth creating.
The only thing I can think of for it’s use is that it’s essentially an advanced stress ball that you can squeeze to relieve stress and talk to when you’re feeling lonely. So unlike the crazy people that talk and sing to their plants you could go one step further and talk to an inanimate object. Of course talking to Sweety because you are lonely seems like it would just alienate you further from humanity.
Of course there is a cheaper alternative to talking to an ounce of rubber, namely talking to real people, even if it’s over the internet and contains a lot of frownicons.
Bigfoot Action Figure… Maybe
By Andrew Liszewski
Perpetual Kid is supposedly now selling a 7 1/4 inch Bigfoot action figure with “intricate articulation” that lets you pose it just like frame 352 of the famous Patterson-Gimlin film. While I’m a bit skeptical, I don’t think I’m in a position to conclude whether the Bigfoot figure is real or not. But I have heard the locals claim that it also features stamps on the bottom of its feet, and comes with an ink pad so you can leave mysterious footprints all over your desk.
You can get it here for just $11.99, but to be perfectly honest I’m starting to think the Bigfoot Action Figure is really just a G.I. Joe figure in a miniature gorilla suit.
[ Bigfoot Action Figure… Possibly ]
New Interactive Holographic Display Could Help Us Finally Destroy The Death Star
By Andrew Liszewski
Researchers at the University of Southern California’s ICT Graphics Lab have created a new type of holographic display that can generate simultaneous 3D views for multiple observers without the need for special glasses. The setup also happens to be relatively inexpensive since it’s built around a specially modified off-the-shelf DLP projector that works with a spinning mirror.
The system works by projecting high-speed video onto a rapidly spinning mirror. As the mirror turns, it reflects a different and accurate image to each potential viewer. Our rendering algorithm can recreate both virtual and real scenes with correct occlusion, horizontal and vertical perspective, and shading.
What that means is that the projected hologram is updated about 200 times a second to adjust for the height and distance of the viewers so that the object being displayed always appears to stay in one place, no matter where you move. And besides all the hardware and software innovation that went into this holographic display, I have to give the researchers at the ITC Graphics Lab credit for going with the 1980’s wireframe TIE Fighter model which ensures their research and website will get plenty of free publicity. I’ve also included a video of the display in action after the jump.
[ ICT Graphics Lab - Rendering for an Interactive 360º Light Field Display ] VIA [ Wired Gadget Lab ]
The Fastest Clock In The World Tells Time To A Millionth Of A Second
By Andrew Liszewski
It seems the guy responsible for the highest popping toaster in the world has a preoccupation with the world’s blankiest blank. He also created what he claims to be the fastest clock in the world because it displays the time down to a millionth of a second. But if you check out the video I’ve included below, I’m not sure if ‘display’ is the best term to use since the last few digits on the clock are nothing but a blur.
Thankfully Freddie thought to include a button that will freeze the display at the current time (the current time as of when you push the button) if you need to set your considerably less accurate watch or VCR. While it’s just a prototype at this point, as a freelancer who occasionally charges by the hour, I’m hoping that one day I’ll be able to pick one up and provide my clients with a ridiculously accurate invoice.
[ The Fastest Clock In The World ] VIA [ Coolest Gadgets ]
Big Daddy Driver Makes Getting Out Of The Rough A Bit Easier
By Luke Anderson
I don’t exactly do much golfing (unless you count putt-putt that is), though when I do happen to wander out on a course, I tend to find my ball in the rough. Those things are hard enough to hit when they’re sitting on perfectly trimmed grass, let alone in the thick wild parts of the course. I know that the rules say that you hit it where it lies, but I don’t recall hearing anything about altering the area around the ball.
This cool Big Daddy Driver is actually a weed whacker disguised as a golf club. This allows you to neatly trim the area around your ball, and thus have a better chance at a decent shot. It will set you back $50 and runs on six AA batteries. I just want to see the look on people’s faces both when you use it, and when they happen upon a strange patch of neatly trimmed grass.
[ Big Daddy Driver ] VIA [ Dvice ]
Live Luggage Scoots Around On Motorized Wheels
By Luke Anderson
Have you ever been rushing through the airport trying to catch your flight whilst dragging your luggage behind you? Despite how much easier rolling luggage has made our lives, it’s still no fun to lug around, which is why someone has designed a motorized bag that will help ease the hassle.
This piece of luggage is rather simple to operate. Simply tilt the handle so the bag is at between a 15 and 35% angle, and the wheels will start turning, however, if you let go, they will stop. A combination of pancake wheel technology and an Anti-Gravity handle places most of the weight on the wheels, rather than at the handle.
The motors are powered by 12V NiMH batteries which promise a good mile and a half of trekking before they need recharging. If you’re constantly finding yourself in an airport, this might be worth looking into. Then again the $1,365 price tag might be a bit of a deterrent.
[ Live Luggage ] VIA [ SlipperyBrick ]
Remote Buddy Stylish Finds Your Lost Remotes
By Luke Anderson
How many remotes do you have in your living room? Personally, I have three: one for the TV/cable box, one for my home theater system and one for my Xbox 360. At any given time, at least two of these are missing. Generally I’ve found that either I wandered off into another room and set one down, or the couch at it. Still, I spend more time searching for them than I’d like. That’s why something like this Remote Buddy Stylish could come in handy.
First, I would like to point out that despite its name, this thing doesn’t actually look all that stylish. It is useful in the respect that it not only provides a good place to set your remotes, but it will also locate them for you at the push of a button. It also provides a drink holder, so you don’t lose that too. You can get yours for right around $60.
[ Taylor Gifts ] VIA [ Crave ]
Sensear SP1 Noise Canceling Ear Plugs June 26, 2008
By Andrew Liszewski
I’m sure these noise canceling ear plugs from Sensear would provide plenty of peace and quiet on your next flight, particularly if you get stuck next to this kid. But they seem to be geared towards people who are stuck in even noisier environments, like say the ground crew working outside the plane. And instead of simply eliminating all the noises around you, they actually just reduce them to the point where they won’t damage your hearing. That way you can still hear the jet engine revving up even while having a conversation with someone.
The microphones are embedded in the ear plugs themselves, and feature binaural functionality which basically lets you tell which direction a particular sound is coming from. The ruggedized device also features large buttons that can even be used while wearing gloves, as well as inputs for an MP3 player or a two-way radio. The only downside is that it will set you back $445. So if you’re just looking to get a little shut eye while traveling, there are far more affordable solutions. But if you’re worried about wandering into the path of a jet engine, they just might be worth the investment.
[ Sensear SP1 ] VIA [ DVICE ]
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