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Minority Report comes to life
November 15th, 2008
I want one. The most incredible part of this to me is that it only took 6 years to go from a sci-fi movie concept to an actual product. Development of “impossible” gadgets is becoming so fast, at some point the word impossible will just drop it’s prefix. Where will we be in 20 years? In 1988 I was two, the internet didn’t exist, TVs still had picture tubes, and a video watch was the “impossible” device. It turns out that a video watch isn’t very useful, but we’ve done even better: the iPhone or Android not only provide video (and the time), but music, internet, and a platform with limitless possibilities.
It’s hard to imagine the “impossible” gadgets from 2028. My best guess is that most of them will be robotics. Right now, our idea of an impossible robot is WALL-E. We may not be able to cram all of his features into a robot (it’s a cartoon after all), but I think we will have artificial intelligence that is convincing enough that we will have robotic friends, or pets. We will love them, and they will love us.
What impossible gadgets would you like to see in 2028?
Via Fubiz.net
Update: if you want more information about G-Speak visit Oblong
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I Love Sketch
October 14th, 2008
ILoveSketch from Seok-Hyung Bae on Vimeo .This is the kind of user interface that I would like to see more of. Intuitive, simple design. Notice that there are no tools in the application, just gestures of the pen. Via Mant
Here, an additional input device that is entirely visual. I’ve heard rumors about Apple using a mirror, or second built-in camera in their MacBook line to provide similar functionality by looking at finger position (but we didn’t see that in today’s MacBook refresh). This is also the kind of thing you could easily recreate for cheap, if someone would just provide the software.
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iPhone 3G
August 29th, 2008
I recently purchased an iPhone 3G and so far it’s been a pleasure. As you all know it’s a phone/iPod/internet/email device so I won’t dwell on those features. I would like to point out a couple of Apps that have incredibly useful functionality.
Simplify Media is a free app for the iPhone that allows you to stream your entire iTunes library over WiFi, 3G, or even EDGE. You need an account with Simplify and the desktop version of the software (both of which are free) and you’re ready to take your full music catalog almost anywhere you get cell phone coverage. So far I’ve only used it over WiFi and 3G but it was quite quick even while in a moving car!
AirMe is another free app that uses the iPhones built-in 2 MegaPixel camera to snap a photo, geo-tag it, and upload it immediately to flickr or Facebook. I’ve been using this quite a bit and it works flawlessly. It’s really great for capturing the moment when I don’t want to lug my Rebel around.
Things is a productivity app for keeping track of, well, things. It allows you to put objectives into Projects, ongoing Areas, or just a general ToDo list. I won’t go into all the features (too many to explain here) as their website provides an ample description. Available for the desktop as well and has a nice WiFi sync capability.
I hadn’t heard about any of these apps before I got my iPhone a week ago and it was a pleasant surprise to get all this additional functionality for free. I’d love to hear about the apps that you’ve found useful.
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Canon Rebel XSi
August 20th, 2008
I mentioned in a previous post that I upgraded from my Rebel XT to the new Rebel XSi but besides the pictures I posted didn’t really say much about the camera. So far I’ve been very happy with the results.
Even though there is only a few years and a slightly different name separating these cameras the actual experience is very much improved. The three things that stand out are:
1. The Screen
On the XT camera information was shown on a small black and white LCD display that was often difficult to read and the preview of the photograph was shown on a color display directly beneath it. The XSi does away with the dual display and gives you one fat 3” screen for both camera information and preview. The display is very bright and works well even in full sunlight. When you put your eye up to camera a light sensor detects you and turns the display off.
2. IS Lens
I got the XSi at Best Buy where it comes standard with a Canon IS (Optical Image Stabilizer) lens. IS works much better than expected. It effectively stops the shake from my hand pushing the shutter-release button even at low shutter speeds.
3. 12.2 MegaPixels
That’s more than a 50 percent increase from the XT. It’s nice to have that extra information for larger prints or tighter crops.
Best Buy has a deal that comes with a nice bag, extra battery, and a UV filter for an extra $50. Highly recommended.
Sidearm
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About
Sidearm is the work of Karl Peterson, a designer and musician living in Bellingham, WA.
Contact: kbpeterson(at)gmail.com
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