May 9th, 2008 Posted by: Dave Comments (0)
An Aussie company is gearing up to release a computer headset that allows people to control video games using only the power of their minds.
In short, this cool little device features 16 sensors that measure electrical impulses from the brain, enabling machines to register facial expressions, emotions and even cognitive thoughts by visualising them.
Players will be able to just think about performing actions, such as lifting or pushing objects or making them disappear, and have the game act accordingly without the need to push any keys or buttons.
While the headset will work in a very limited sense with existing titles, Emotiv CEO and co-founder Nam Do said the major game developers and publishers were designing a number of their upcoming titles to take full advantage of the technology.
March 29th, 2008 Posted by: Simon Morgan Comments (2)
Apple filed a patent last week for a “fully fledged digital liefestyle fitness companion” reports Apple Insider (via Zeus Jones). I must admit being a regular(ish) user of Nike Plus I’ve always thought a heart rate monitor would be great (being an old fart and all). I’m not sure what some of the other monitors are about - anyone know? The patent seemed to utilise some of the existing Nike Plus graphics, but apparently is submitted entirely by Apple.
March 27th, 2008 Posted by: Simon Morgan Comments (0)
First the Wii inspired a bunch of folk to get off the couch and get active with gaming. PS2 and Singstar realised this yonks ago. My eight year old desperately wants Guitar Hero… now gaming with GPS enabled phones gets kids outdoors again. UK-based LocoMatrix has developed a number of location-based games kids can play outdoors using their GPS-enabled mobile phones. Judging from some of the feedback on the site this is seriously good fun (the kids target is obviously a psychographic one too).
Tip o’ the hat to Springwise
February 26th, 2008 Posted by: Rhoda Comments (0)
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This is bloody great.
Facebook app + QR code. Sounds like someone playing ‘cool shit mashup’. But here something’s been made that is much greater than the sum of its parts.
It’s really simple. You add the Facebook app. Click ‘make my tshirt’. And you’re pretty much done. A custom QR code t-shirt is generated that you can buy immediately.
(If you’re still not getting it, basically if someone takes a photo of the funny thing on the front of your t-shirt you’ll be added to their friends on Facebook).
Whether you’d actually buy or wear one, that’s not the point. It’s just one of those really simple ideas that’s pretty cool!
February 15th, 2008 Posted by: phil Comments (0)
Sales of home PCs in Japan are declining, in what potentially may be reflected in other key markets in coming years.
Full details from The Age.
In summary:
With phones and games consoles etc becoming ever more converged, backed with more processing grunt, the main leisure functionality of PCs (internet browsing, email, gaming, photo sharing) can be done without the aid of a PC. And as few Japanese take their work home with them (they just stay late at the office!), there is little need for having a device to run spreadsheets etc at home.
The PC market is diminishing in Japan and key makers such as NEC and Sony are considering exiting the consumer market altogether. And in order to achieve sales, the form of PCs has evolved away from the beige box to more closely resemble hi-fi equipment, or a piece of art with custom graphic designs adorning the box.
One of the most popular social networking sites is only accessible through a mobile device.
With Google’s recent announcement of their new mobile platform, Android, the PC-centric future is looking shaky in the West too…
February 5th, 2008 Posted by: Andy Comments (0)
Nintendo have launched a free mixed-reality game “Treasure Quest: Enoshima - Treasure of the Dragon,†where users travel to an island 50km south of Tokyo to begin their quest. The players use their Nintendo DS to search for clues as they travel around the 4km island. Through the DS’s wireless feature the game will know where the users are and adapt the game accordingly.
read more at pinktentacle.com
There seems to be a few real world applications for the DS popping up at the moment. As reported earlier Disney are looking in to using the DS as interactive theme park guides. Read more
