electro^plankton: techness: February 2006 Archives

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February 19, 2006

I REALLY Miss Aibo!

February 18, 2006

A Robot Shark For You

Robotic Shark

Got a 100 bucks to blow? Why not get yourself a remote controlled robotic shark?

A full 2 feet long, the robotic shark has a full range of motion to replicate the smooth, sleek swimming of one of nature's most impressive predators.

It's able to gracefully maneuver up, down, left, right and even backwards through water in depths up to 9 feet. The shark can swim up to 40 feet from its remote unit which is also submersible allowing you to swim with your shark.

Now for the negatives. The internal rechargeable battery pack is only good for 15 minutes before it needs to go back for some more juice. It'll take one hour to fully recharge. Fortunately for those who are impatient, you can buy a separate battery back to keep your shark going for a full half hour!

I foresee lots of mean jokes being played on people with this thing. I can't wait for the first round of those videos to appear on google or you tube. :) CHEERS!

Bubo

It's a crazy lookin' owl that has magic powers. It can cast spells to take over any electronic device that has a remote. Bought a new electronic device? No problem. In time Bubo will learn to control it too.

Who's it for? It's for little boys and men who want to prove themselves masters of their world.

I didn't write all this. This came straight from the company's website. I kid you not. If you're totally confused, it's just an electronic owl that looks for IR signals around your home. By constantly trying different codes, it will eventually figure out which one controls which device, kind of like a universal remote. The fun part comes in when you get more than one. A battle can ensue to see who's owl is more "IR powerful".

Cat Paws

Bandai Catclaw

MAN, the Japanese are WEIRD! Smart cookies they are but this new toy... er umm, device, is a cat paw with a switch on the handle. When pressed the paw bends. What's its purpose you ask? Well, just take a look at the diagrams and you decide, would you buy one? I know I would. :) Maybe the Japanese just know how to get to that sick and twisted dark side we are all suppressing.

diagrams after the jump

Bandai Catpaw Diagrams-1

February 16, 2006

DLP Rear Projection Who?

Mitsu Laser Rearprojection

While Samsung, Panasonic, and LG are busing trying to best each other with the largest plasmas they can make, Mitsubishi sneaks in and shows off the worlds first xvYCC rear projection tv. So what makes this different from current DLP rear projection systems?

Instead of being lit by a bulb, this tv uses lasers; three to be exact - red, cyan, and green. Lasers are far more accurate than bulbs and do not shift in brightness over time. That means a consistent crisp image with lots of contrast finally putting rear projection tv's on par with the best plasmas and LCDs.

The other major advantages are it's still less expensive to manufacture, more energy efficient, and possibly a longer life span.

I don't know what advances plasmas are going thru (other than size) but with the imminent coming of larger OLEDs (supposed replacement of LCDs), the tv battles are going to get very interesting.

Nintendo DS TV and Browser

Dslite Tvandbrowser

So yesterday Nintendo put together a little press conference to announce a digital TV turner AND an internet browser based off the very powerful Opera browser.

With both these products being directly supported by Nintendo, this officially pushes the DS into the realm of multimedia. Although its function is and will always be primarily gaming, it's nice that consumers now have options to expand their system.

The TV turner will only work in Japan (DOH!) not because Nintendo doesn't want to release it in Europe and America, it's because we aren't as fast as the Japanese. In Japan they have digital signals transmitting from the ground, hence the system's name, "ground tv". The interface is simple. The lower touch screen gives you all the controls schemas while the top screen shows the channel you're watching.

On the other hand, the browser will be released world wide and works in conjunction with Nintendo's free Wifi service. The Opera browser has been specially designed to take advantage of the system's unique specs. The bottom screen provides you with your controls, tabs, and multiple page views while the top screens shows content scaled or magnified.

Now obviously comparison with the PSP is inevitable and even tho the PSP comes with a built in browser (not fully web compliant like Opera is), it's still cumbersome to input text without a touch screen or keyboard attachment (the DS owns the PSP in that respect). Also, the PSP doesn't have enough built in cache memory so you are often faced with page rendering errors. The DS has even less memory so how will it overcome that challenge?

Although Nintendo hasn't confirmed this but I believe the answer lies in the little Gameboy cartridge slot. Nintendo has confirmed the browser application will be purchased separately and comes in a Gameboy cartridge. A cartridge has MORE than enough memory for caching and since there is no latency time for information to pass from cartridge to system bus (about the only advantage a cartridge has over optical media), I can see the DS using the cartridge as the "cache". Take it a step further and the cartridge could also remember recent visits, tabs, and even allow full stream of multimedia such as quicktime, WMV's, and maybe even flash? The possibilities are there.

So now I'm totally excited and more than willing to get a new (another DS). I now have to go spend some time with my original DS so he doesn't feel lonely and outdated.

February 11, 2006

Next Step In Interface Design

Multitouch Interface

Jefferson Y. Han demonstrates what I believe to be the next step in interface design before we move into three-dimensional immersion. Multi-Touch Interaction Research is a flat screen that can sense simultaneous points of touch and allow real time manipulation of objects and sounds. By eliminating the keyboard and mouse, we remove the "middle man" making it easier to directly access content. We are tactile beings and the action of touching, manipulating, and accessing with our hands comes naturally. Simple gestures such as dragging and scaling objects are easily understood by everyone and opens the doors to truly accessing and creating information more quickly and efficiently.

Make sure you check out this video to appreciate the possibilities.

February 10, 2006

Bear Does MP3

Mp3 Bear-1

Its just a basic MP3 player that looks like a bear. Hey, I think it's cute. Hits store shelves on March 30th.

February 9, 2006

The Intel Fender Telecaster Guitar

Intelguitar

This internet-enabled super guitar has a built-in 1.25 ghz Hewlett packard TC1100 laptop with an echo Indigo soundcard for maximum fidelity. It uses Intel's Centrino mobile technology to access wireless networks. The Guitar is routed straight into the tablet PC for direct recording! Im not sure how Rock-N-Roll this thing is but it's for sure a powerful tool, always being able to sample your momentary inspiration.

more pictures after the jump

Intelguitar 02

February 8, 2006

True 3D Image Projection

3D Laser 1

Scientists and researchers at Japan's National Institute of Advance Industrial Science have developed a device that uses lasers to project real three-dimensional images.

Until now, projected 3D imagery was an artificial optical illusion due to the parallax difference between the eyes. That's why prolonged viewing of them causes discomfort.

The new device uses lasers to focus light at points in space thru a lens. The light ignites nitrogen and oxygen in the air to create focus. Currently the device can only project single points of white light 2-3 meters in the air, but their movement is infinite and is only limited to how fast light can travel.

As laser technology improves, the scientists hope to create color images and eventually displays of video media.

via pink tentacle

another picture after the jump

3D Laser 2

Fool That Baby!

Pacifier Thermometer

This thing is so cool, even I friggin' want one. It's a baby pacifier with a built-in thermometer. Poor babies. Sounds easy to use too. It beeps when the reading is done. Good luck trying to get it out of the baby's mouth tho.

On a side note a friend, who shall remain nameless, pointed out how "cool" of an accessory this would be for ravers. Now I understand some ravers take "enhancing treats" to elevate their experience use pacifiers to prevent from grinding their teeth, but I find the idea a little disturbing.

Of course to my friend's comment I replied;

"People still rave?"

Dog Biters!

biter (adj.) - copier, follower
i.e., "He is such a biter, he copied my outfit."

Psp Dogsim

Well lookie lookie. It seems a developer is working on a new game for the Sony PSP called "The Happy Dog Life". You can choose your dog, take photos of him/her, decorate your home, play with your dog, and download new accessories. Sound familiar?

Now I'm not saying this is a crappy cheap copy of Nintendogs because other than this one screenshot, I know nothing about the game. Certainly a dog simulator on the more powerful PSP could be interesting.

What I will say is many wrote off Nintendo when it announced Nintendogs. If competitors are now coming up with similar games, then it proves Nintendo's point; create fun innovative games and you can bring in people who normally don't play video games. Being the best game doesn't mean hyper realistic graphics. It means gameplay mechanics. My PSP is itchin' for a good game so lets hope this one's it.

via british gaming

Osawar Tantei Ozawa Rina

Rina Ds-1

Whoa! Try saying that 10x fast. It's a new adventure game for the Nintendo DS. The concept is intriguing and is more evidence the DS is home to innovative fun games. This one's a point and click game and it puts you in the shoes of a young girl name Ozawa Rina whom sets out to investigate dreams and their paths.

Obviously a Japanese release but here's hoping Nintendo brings this beautifully styled game over to the west.

via 4 color rebellion

February 6, 2006

Ugobe Pleo

Still coping with Sony's decision to kill off Aibo, I see a light at the end of that tunnel and it's from a start up called Ugobe.

Ugobe develops revolutionary robotic technology that transforms inanimate objects into lifelike creatures (Aibo did that), exhibiting stunning, organic movement and dynamic behaviors (Aibo did that too).

Although they are a start up, they've recently announced their first product - a robotic baby dino called "Pleo". How cute is that! He's a Camarasuaurus, runs on Ugobes "Life Form OS" and receives sensory touch by way of 38 motion and light sensors (Aibo did that as well). Pleo moves with 14 servos and acts like a baby dino (assuming we know what baby dinos acted like). Pleo twitches, sneezes, sniffs, yawns, chomps, coughs, blinks, and interacts with people and his environment. And just like Aibo, he has an SD memory slot; perhaps for upgrades? Maybe hacks to make this Little Foot into a T-Rex.

Comes to market this fall for under $200.

Orikasa Fold Flat Bowl

Orikaso Foldflat Bowl

Great for dogs and humans alike, the Orikaso Bowl is for those that just want a fold flat bowl for 1 purpose - to eat from (although it does make a mean frisbee). You can get a 2 pack for £3.

February 5, 2006

Hot surf Shower!

Surfshower

How many times have you during the winter gotten out of that water after a session of some good surf and wished you could take a HOT shower to wash that salt and sand off!? Most beaches here in California have one or a few showers on the strand but they are usually ice cold and far away. Here is your portable "surf shower" that will make you warm right as you get out of that cold water. Charged by the vehicle cigarette lighter / mobile phone charger thingy.

VW Google Navigation System

Googlevw

Volkswagen AG's American unit said it is working on a prototype vehicle which features Google Inc's satellite mapping software to give drivers a bird's eye view of the road ahead.

The two companies are working with graphics chipmaker Nvidia Corp. to build an in-car navigation map system that can display a three dimensional representation of surrounding landmarks giving drivers an additional visual cue to where they're at.

This is how I've always imagined navigation systems. Sooner or later somebody had to realize that many people on the roads rely on visual markers to get them where they're going.

via Reuters

Sfera

Sfera 01

Sfera is a radio alarm clock which hangs above your bed and wakes you in the morning by forcing you to physically get out of bed.

When you set the alarm, the glowing sphere gradually dims and the music gently fades out as you enter la-la land. When the alarm chimes in the morning, the only way to silence it is to reach up and gently tap the Sfera. This action initiates the SNOOZE function but it also means Sfera retracts itself up higher. With each chime, you have to reach up to shake it and eventually, you won't be able to reach it unless you get out of bed.

I love this thing for its multifunction personality. With added benefits such as lighting and a radio, it reinvents what a normal radio alarm clock does. Still, it's not as cool as the Blowfly Blow - an alarm clock that launches a beeping mechanical fly around the room that won't shut up unless you catch it and place it back on its base. See, that's an alarm clock and morning workout all in one.

February 3, 2006

Possible Black DSlite

Blkdslite

Barely a week after Nintendo announced a slimmer and lighter white DS, images of a rumored black version are making the rounds. Christ, I can't decide which one I want!

Just to recap, the new DSlite is 40% smaller in volume than the current DS while still maintaining all the same features. Ergonomics and industrial design have greatly improved. The new design also mimics the Nintendo's current design philosophy seen first on the Gameboy Micro and the upcoming revolution. For years, people have criticized

February 2, 2006

Room Defender

plankton here, jackin' electro's blog account again.

Ever since we first had our own bedrooms, it's been imperative to ensure no one got in and started snooping around. KEEP OUT signs were the trademark signs of yesteryear, but they don't do much in deterring irritating and noisy brothers and sisters.

What's needed is some serious armament and the Room Defender is it. Mounted on three gun-turret style legs, the Room Defender will protect your privacy from any prying invaders. It has a motion sensor alarm, so when someone enters your room it'll give a verbal warning to the intruder, then fire a warning shot off their bow. You can also program it to shoot in "warning shot mode" where it will fire off a fourth of its payload. In "ambush mode", it will fire off half a magazine and in "assault mode", it will totally empty its breach.

Oh and don't worry, the ammo is made of foam. If I only had one of these . . .

electro^plankton

A blog about tech, gadgets, music, fashion and hot science.