Head Tracking Software Provides the iPad 2 with Glasses-Free 3-D
Researchers transformed the iPad 2 into a 3-D display using its front-facing camera
Turns out you don’t need a special display to get 3-D images and effects on a tablet like Apple’s iPad 2.
Thanks to the new iPad’s front-facing camera, researchers at France’s Engineering Human-Computer Interaction Research Group have been able to deliver real-time glasses-free 3-D using some clever head-tracking software.
The system is named “Head-Coupled Perspective” and works by following your head movements to provide a 3-D image that extends into the screen rather than towards your face, somewhat like looking through a window. It could also be applied to other Apple devices that sport a front-facing camera, like the iPhone 4.
In the past, there have been applications that use the iPad as a tool for 3-D modeling, as well as iPhone apps and gaming accessories that provide 3-D effects, with varying degrees of success. Johnny Chung Lee also created a similar, albeit more hardware intensive head-tracking system that used a Wiimote and IR-outfitted safety glasses.
Head-Coupled Perspective exists only as a tech demo for now, but may get turned into a full-fledged iOS app at some point.
iPad 2 Gets Glasses-free 3D Display [TUAW]
Posted: April 11th, 2011
at 9:42pm by Christina Bonnington
Topics: 3-D, Apple, R&D and Inventions, concept, front facing camera, glasses free, head tracking, iPad 2, tech demo
Apple Peripherals Don’t Have to Look “Apple”
The Kanto Morph speakers were originally designed by Alp Germaner for a competition but he missed the fine print about it being a “skin design” only and so it was relegated to languish in the dark corners of his hard drive – that is, until we got our hands on it. Look, for once it’s a design not about nostalgia. It’s not ostensibly minimalistic and it’s contemporary. Yes it’s an iPhone/iPod dock but who says all Apple peripherals have to look like Cupertino designed them? I applaud his aberrant design choices.
Designer:
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Posted: April 4th, 2011
at 7:34am by Long Tran
Topics: Alp-Germaner, Kanto, Product Design, Technology, concept, ipod, speakers
Gadget Lab Notes: A Wireless Router That Looks Like a Wind Turbine
The Logitech LAN-WH450N/GR wireless router is designed for 450 Mbps speeds
Gadget Lab Notes is an eclectic roundup of gadget news briefs and intriguing products that catch our eye.
Is That a Mini Wind Turbine? Nope, It’s a Logitech Wireless Router
Logitech’s LAN-WH450N/GR wireless router definitely wins the title of “most uniquely designed router” in my book (at least for the moment). The turbine or fan looking contraption at the top does not in fact have anything to do with wind; it’s a tri-tenna that is supposed to help the router access speeds up to 450 Mbps, with compatible devices. Other than that, it’s basically your average wireless router. It’ll be available in Japan in mid-April.
Logitech Introduces 5 GHz 450 Mbps Wireless Router in Japan [Akihabara News via Oh Gizmo]
GFI Labs Admits Responsibility for False Positive Samsung Keylogger Incident
Samsung notebooks have not shipped with the Starlogger keylogger program installed and active. GFI Labs, an anti-spyware developer, confirmed in a blog post that their VIPRE software used a rare and very aggressive anti-spyware method that wrongly flagged the Slovenian language directionr, C:\WINDOWS\SL as Starlogger. That directory is the same one that Starlogger actually uses.
Samsung Laptops Do Not Have Keylogger [GFI Labs Blog via Crunchgear]
Google Cracking Down on “Willy-Nilly” Software Customization
Google is stepping in and beginning to regulate the user experience of Android devices more closel, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. They haven’t changed the game, but they have begun enforcing some Android distribution agreement rules so Google has the “final say” with regards to the way carriers and manufacturers adjust their code. This should help prevent fragmentation and assure a positive experience for the user.
Do Not Anger the Alpha Android [Businessweek via Android Guys]
NO Sign Puts Your Vice On Display
Trying to cut back? Slide your vice of choice—a bottle of whiskey, your iPod, a candy bar—under the elastic strap of the NO Sign and give yourself a constant reminder that it’s not allowed. I’m more of the “out of sight, out of mind” opinion, but perhaps for some, this could be a constant reminder that you have successfully abstained from that off-limits thing. Or you really need to.
NO Sign [Animica USA via Book of Joe]
Samsung Transparent Display Concept Becoming a Reality
Samsung has begun mass-producing transparent black-and-white and color LCDs, which have previously been shown off in prototype form. Calling it a “world’s first”, the 1,680 x 1,050 resolution 22-inch displays feature a 500:1 contrast ratio and use 90% less power than regular backlit LCD panels. The black-and-white models are over 20% see-through, while the color ones have a slightly lower 15% transparency. Transparent displays have “endless possibilities” for advertising, so we can look forward to seeing these guys plastered in malls and billboards in the future.
Samsung Electronics Becomes the World’s First in Mass Production of the Transparent LCD Panel [Samsung via Crunchgear]
Posted: March 31st, 2011
at 11:47pm by Christina Bonnington
Topics: GFI labs, Miscellaneous, Starlogger, concept, google, keylogger, lcd, logitech, router, samsung, sign, software, transparent LCD
Gadget Lab Notes: Apple Wasn’t The Only One Making News Today
The TOUGH TG-810 is the first camera crushproof up to 100kg
Gadget Lab Notes is an eclectic roundup of gadget news briefs and intriguing products that catch our eye.
Olympus TOUGH TG-810 Claims to be the First 100kg Crushproof Camera
Accidentally step on the Olympus TOUGH TG-810? Not a problem, as long as you weigh less than 100kg (about 220lbs). The 14 MP TG-810 is shockproof, waterproof up to 10m, and freezeproof up to -10 C. It features a 3-D shooting mode, 720p HD recording, underwater scene modes, and a variety of other modes and filters to enhance stills and video.
Tough TG-810 [Olympus via TechRadar]
Thermaltake Level 10 Super Gaming Modular Case, an Epic Home For Your Gaming Rig
For $280, you can get the Thermaltake Level 10 Super Gaming Modular Case, whose design was inspired by the work of BMW Group Designworks. The case will prevent overheating through the use of 4 cooling fans and optional water cooling, and sports a hinged side panel, 6 USB ports (two USB 3.0, four USB 2.0) and a variety of other ports. It’s got 5 hot-swappable hard drive bays and also features improved cable management for hiding extra cords at the back.
Thermaltake Level 10 Super Gaming Modular Case [Thermaltake USA via Uncrate]
GoPro Battery BacPac Ensures Over 5 Hours of Video Recording Adventures
GoPro, purveyor of wearable, mountable HD cameras, has outed the BacPac, a clip for the HD Hero camera that provides over 5 hours of recording capability. That’s right, for $49.99, you can keep snowboarding, skateboarding, backflipping, or doing whatever other extreme activity you want to document with first person video, for over 5 hours.
Battery BacPac [GoPro via Crunchgear]
Grown-Up Battleship: You May Pass Out Before You Finish the Game
Honestly, I’m surprised this wasn’t created sooner: a Battleship Drinking Game, with shotglasses perched on each “ship”. So now cries of “You sunk my battleship!” are accompanied by a chug of your favorite poison.
Battleship Drinking Game [Core77]
Bing’s Global Searches Outnumber Yahoo’s For the First Time
In February, Bing searches accounted for 4.37% of the global market, while Yahoo held only 3.93% of the global search market. Neither search engines are making Google sweat though—the search engine giant maintained 89.94% of the global search market. In the US, the proportions played out a bit differently: Google leads with 79.63%, followed by Yahoo and Bing with 9.74% and 9.03%, respectively.
Global Stats [Statcounter via Slashgear]
Floor Plan Light Switch Makes it Easy to Light the Right Room
If you’ve ever fumbled around with a light panel of 3 plus switches as you enter a dark house, you know it can be a pain to try to illuminate the right area. The Floor Plan Light switch would display a glowing layout of the floor; just press the room you want to light, and voila! Hopefully it could also scale to a single room that has multiple light areas, like kitchens and bathrooms often do.
Floor Plan Light Switch [Yanko Design]
Posted: March 2nd, 2011
at 11:55pm by Christina Bonnington
Topics: Gadget Lab Notes, Gaming, Miscellaneous, Olympus, Search engines, Yahoo, battleship, bing, concept, crushproof camera, google, gopro, light switch, thermaltake, tough tg-810
LG Triptych concept phone should have 3 faces ideally
Strange to see a concept device not living up to its namesake – we’re talking about the LG Triptych, which denotes the number 3, although it has just two faces. Still, this is one convergence device that would attract the attention of many since it lets you carry both a phone and a tablet in a single form factor – especially when you can open it up to have both displays synchronize to end up as a tablet, albeit with a potentially distracting bezel in the middle. Who are we to say that such a crazy idea won’t happen in the future, but from the form factor itself, we’re guessing they’ve also figured out potential battery woes involved in something so small and yet having so many power guzzling parts.
LG Triptych concept phone should have 3 faces ideally, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : LG Optimus 2X Review, Nexus S Review,
Posted: February 11th, 2011
at 4:20am by Edwin Kee
Topics: CellPhones, Concepts, concept, lg, lg triptych, triptych
