Project Natal
(Credit: Microsoft)While last year's CES didn't blow us away in terms of gaming, we've got high hopes for 2010. Both Sony and Microsoft have new technologies right around the corner and we're hoping to get to see a taste of each at the big show.
Microsoft announced Project Natal at E3 2009, and it would make sense for the company to showcase some of the technology's applications at CES. Could we get an official release date and price for Natal?
Sony has a new motion controller that is almost ready for release so we're anxious to see if it'll be on display. The company has been mostly tight-lipped up until now, so what better venue to unveil it?
Another big theme at CES will undoubtedly be 3D gaming. We got to see a sneak peek last year with the Nvidia Geforce 3D Vision, but now we look to the home consoles to start offering a similar experience. Sony has teased the notion before, so don'
... Read more
(Credit:
Kotaku)
If you find many of Wii remote's attachments (such as fishing rods and tennis rackets) unconventional, wait till you check out what Sony Computer Entertainment has detailed in its latest patent. The application documents an "expandable control device via hardware attachment" with the unmistakable square, triangle, circle, and cross buttons unique to all PlayStation game consoles. What makes this wand-like controller special, though, is its modular design for various configurations illustrated above.
These include side-by-side piggybacks in figure 7A and 7B, plus possibly a sponge ball add-on for figure 7C. Other options range from a baseball bat to end-to-end connection to form a longer stick in figure 6B.
Lastly, there's a diagram that illustrates vibration capability, with further mention of wireless connectivity, accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer included in the lengthy write-up. I guess Sony is still game for a physical controller, while Microsoft goes high-tech with its "Project Natal" motion-gesturing technology.
If you're patient enough to read the details, head here to see the online U.S. patent filing.
(Source: ... Read more
The Vestax Spin gets spun.
(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET)There's never been a better time to get into DJing. Gone are the days when DJs had to break their backs hauling turntables, record crates, and heavy analog mixes. Today, just combine a laptop, a USB DJ control surface, and a hard drive full of MP3s, and get ready to set the roof ablaze.
That said, professional DJ control surfaces aren't exactly cheap. Two of my personal favorites, the Vestax VCI-300 and the Numark NS7, hover around the $1,000 mark.
For those looking to dip their feet into digital DJing, but not quite $1,000 deep, the Vestax Spin ($249) offers a ton of bang for the buck. A stripped-down version of the Vestax VCI-300, the Spin delivers on the DJ dream of two (virtual) turntables and a microphone, powered by Algoriddim's Mac-only DJay software.
Beyond the requisite smattering of knobs and faders, the heart of the Vestax Spin are the twin, weighted platters used to control song playback. ... Read more
On Sale Now: $249.95
View the latest prices for Vestax Spin
(Credit:
Tech On)
Don't you hate it when your TV remote runs out of juice? Or when your clicker gets totaled by a battery leak? NEC and Soundpower Corporations' new battery-less remote control may be the solution. This technology is based on three key components:
- Vibration power generation that harnesses energy created by clicking a remote button
- A microprocessor that transmits and receives data in varying bandwidths
- A power supply controller that drives the electronics with minimal electricity
It will probably take some time for this technology to mature, but both companies are planning to promote its adoption in the consumer electronics market as early as 2011. That said, do we have to click such remotes furiously just to get them running fresh out-of-the-box?
(Source: Crave Asia via Tech On)
(Credit:
900Global)
I suck at bowling, and the only time I'll play this game is on the Wii in the comfort of my home without the guy in the next lane snickering at me. But it seems I can soon conquer my local bowling joint with this remote-controlled bowling ball from 900 Global.
The RC900 has an adjustable weight mechanism built within and it can shift around to swing the ball back to the right direction, and in my case, away from the gutter. But make sure you color the ball with some opaque paint, or else everyone will know what your magic is.
Does $1,500 justify the price? Well, if your dignity hangs on the last strike, go for it, champ. Just don't get caught with the controller in your hand.
(Source: Crave Asia via Newlaunches)
The new Rocket 622 and Rocket 620 SATA 3.0 controller cards from HighPoint.
(Credit: HighPoint)In September, Seagate made the first 6Gbps SATA hard drive available. The new Seagate Barracuda XT hard drive offers twice the throughput speed of existing popular 3Gbps SATA hard drives. Now you're about to get the chance to take advantage of the new drive's performance with your current PC.
HighPoint, which makes controllers for storage devices, announced Monday the availability of the first SATA 6Gbps (or SATA 3.0) host adapters, the Rocket 600 series, which are based on PCI-Express 2.0 technology.
SATA 3.0 is the next generation of the SATA storage standard. Currently most computers use the second generation of this standard, the 3Gbps SATA (or SATA 2.0). At its full potential, the SATA 3.0 standard could theoretically transfer entire contents of a CD (about 800MB) in just one second. According to HighPoint, its new controller cards, however, offer the sustained speed of up to 500MBps.
HighPoint's new series of controller ... Read more
(Credit:
Rakuten)
Hang on. You're coughing and sneezing your lungs out, and you want ME to come inside Ground Zero to pass you a tissue? No thanks. Four little letters and numbers: H1N1.
Fortunately, we have Rakuten's Running Tissue Box to come to the rescue. Using a standard remote-control chassis, you put a tissue box on top and drive the absorbent paper to its destination at a maximum of 26 feet away. Think of it as a bomb disposal robot that enters dangerous contaminated territory where no man should tread.
The only thing that makes us scratch our heads is how long it took for someone to bring this idea to fruition. The Running Tissue Box comes in white, red, and black and costs around $25. It's available from online stores such as Japan Trend Shop.
(Credit:
Japan Trend Shop)
(Source: Crave Asia via CrunchGear)
(Credit:
Imregun Erturk)
How many cameras can float in the air and take pictures of you automatically? None, and there probably won't be any for some time to come. This is how skeptical I am of the Wagabond conceptualized by Turkish designer Imregun Erturk.
According to Erturk, the Wagabond can float in the air (the floating mechanism wasn't explained) and users can employ a remote control to adjust the height and shooting angles. This gizmo is targeted at lone travelers who don't want to bother people around them to help take their pictures.
All that is required for the user is to place the Wagabond on the floor and then use the remote control to activate it. The snapper will then float to the designated position and start taking shots.
I'm not placing too much hope for the Wagabond to go into commercial production. For now, I'll just use my Gorillapod.
(Source: Crave Asia via Trendhunter)
At today's Apple event, the company devoted a generous amount of time to various charts and numbers declaring that the iPhone and the iPod Touch offer much more in terms of gaming than the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS.
iPhone and iPod Touch games have a lot going for them. The titles are cheaper, they offer tilt functionality, and the graphics are better than what the Nintendo DS can display. All that aside, it's tough to consider the iPhone as a legitimate gaming platform until Apple can offer some sort of tactile button functionality.
But how do you plan to accurately deke?
(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET)First, let's get a few things straight. In terms of casual gaming, you cannot beat what Apple has to offer. There are countless quick and easy games that fit well on the Apple platform. No one is booting up a PSP game for the 15 minutes you'd sit in a waiting room or the time standing in line at the deli counter. So while
... Read more
(Credit:
CellControl)
If you can't keep your hands off your cell phone while driving, a new blocking device can help you keep them on the wheel.
CellControl plugs into the computer terminals of cars made in 1996 and later (terminals are located under the steering column). It then links to your cell via Bluetooth and a downloadable application. When the vehicle is in motion, the device blocks all incoming and outgoing calls, plus texts and e-mails. But it always allows you to call emergency numbers.
CellControl does not depend on cell phone tower triangulation or GPS; as long as a car is moving at more than 1 mph, it will sense the motion and block calling. Incoming calls and messages are stored.
The device can be programmed, though, to allow only calls or text messages. Once the car is stopped, calls automatically come through. Passenger cell phones are not affected.
Driving while distracted (DWD) is becoming an increasingly important public safety issue.
Louisiana-based developer Obdedge says texting was related to about 500,000 road ... Read more
