visualization
Lumino
by sam on May.23, 2010, under Good Idea, Interfaces, Sensors, Video, hardware, visualization
Lumino is an concept for interacting with touch screen computer in 3D. With a system of glass-fiber-filled objects, Lumino is able to discern the particular block, or stack of blocks and modify the output accordingly. So it not only knows what’s sitting on it surface, it knows what’s sitting on top of that. Check it out.
Kindle Hidden Message?
by sam on Mar.03, 2010, under Kindle, hardware, visualization
I was playing around with my black light the other day, and when I put my Kindle under it’s light, I saw this:
I’ve asked a few people and they can’t seem to make anything of the pattern of florescent (or non-florescent) keys. One suggestion was the first character (if that’s indeed what it is) is an ‘a’ presumably for amazon, but it’s less clear what the second thing is.
I suppose one explanation could just be a coincidental mixture of florescent and non-florescent keys were used to make my particular Kindle (perhaps they’ve changed the formula for the plastic in the keys, who knows?) This explanation is easy enough to test. I just need some other people with Kindles to check their keyboards under a black light and get back to me. Does Kindle 1 have the same pattern, or any pattern?
If however, everyone sees the same pattern of lighted keys, then what does that mean? Does anyone see some significance in this pattern? Or perhaps with the individual letters themselves? Something I didn’t think of?
NeatTools Media
by sam on Jan.31, 2010, under How to, Sensors, Video, software, visualization
NeatTools (an open-source project I work on) is finally (thanks to me) getting some documentation and media, out there on the web. It’s early days yet, but there is a new wiki and a YouTube Channel both with growing amounts of information. Here’s the first video to get you started:
Kindle Development Kit
by sam on Jan.31, 2010, under Interfaces, Kindle, hardware, software, visualization
In February, Amazon is having a limited beta for the Kindle Development Kit, which will allow development of third-party applications for the kindle. There is very little information about it at the moment, but they do say this
Voice over IP functionality, advertising, offensive materials, collection of customer information without express customer knowledge and consent, or usage of the Amazon or Kindle brand in any way are not allowed. In addition, active content must meet all Amazon technical requirements, not be a generic reader, and not contain malicious code.
I can think of a few dozen useful things I’d like to see right off the bat, although I’m sure if you thought about it you could think of a few of your own.
Kindle DX
by sam on May.07, 2009, under Interfaces, Kindle, Video, hardware, visualization
I take it back. I want one of these instead.
Kindle DX from AlleyInsider on Vimeo.
From Amazon:
Display: 9.7″ diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 1200 x 824 pixel resolution at 150 ppi, 16-level gray scale.
Size (in inches): 10.4″ x 7.2″ x 0.38″.
Weight: 18.9 ounces.
System requirements: None, because it doesn’t require a computer.
Storage: 4GB internal (approximately 3.3GB available for user content).
Battery Life: Read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.
Charge Time: Fully charges in approximately 4 hours and supports charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable.
Connectivity: EVDO modem with fallback to 1xRTT; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint’s 3G high-speed data network (check wireless coverage). See Wireless Terms and Conditions.
USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro-USB connector) for connection to the Kindle DX power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer.
Audio: 3.5mm stereo audio jack, built-in stereo speakers.
Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), PDF, TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.
Included Accessories: Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, battery. Leather book cover sold separately.
LED Hard Drive Clock
by sam on May.03, 2009, under Arts and Crafts, Good Idea, Interfaces, hardware, visualization
I’d be interested to see how successful a similar version built using a box fan would be. But very cool.
Yet another two handed interface
by sam on Feb.23, 2009, under Good Idea, Interfaces, Sensors, Video, hardware, software, visualization
Sharing more in common with the Microsoft Surface than the Minority Report-style waving your hands around in the air, I think this is much closer to the ideal of human computer interaction, baring any kind of neural uplink. Direct manipulation with very little effort. The keyboard is the only thing that troubles me. This is 21st century technology being controlled, in part, by a 19th century data input device. Sure, the materials used to make it are different, but the action of tying in words one letter at a time, one finger at a time is the same, with a pattern of letters layout out in order to slow the user down so the striking hammers won’t stick together seems silly to say the least.
3D Webcam
by sam on Feb.20, 2009, under Camera, Video, hardware, visualization
I had a lazy eye as a child and refused to do the exercises that were supposed to train my eyes to work as a team again. Because of my eyes inability to work together, my brain lost the ability to process both images at once. I predominantly use my left eye to view the world. My right eye is functional, if you call 20/200 vision functional, but I don’t look through it generally speaking. About the only downside of all this is most 3D related techniques don’t work for me. Anything that requires the normal processing of images from the left and the right eye is most likely lost on me. Magic eye is still a mystery to me. As is the following technology.
In fact, the only 3D technology I’ve encountered that actually does work for me are the glasses which flicker the left and right eye alternatively transparent and opaque. By ‘forcing’ my eyes to work alone, one after the other, I get the effect that everyone else does.
Microsoft Surface
by sam on Feb.11, 2009, under Interfaces, Sensors, Video, hardware, software, visualization
Industry leaders are seldom innovators. Innovation is often at odds with their financial stability. Microsoft employs some very smart people that develop some great stuff. The problem is their money-grubbing executives. Yes, their policies make them money, but ultimately their products will and have stagnated. Other smaller entities are able to provide truely innovate items and further errode MS market share. I honestly think Microsoft getting taken down a few pegs is the best thing that could happen to it, as far as the quality of its products are conscerned.
Rant over. Which brings me to Microsoft Surface. An under-the-table-mounted display/interface for a modified version of Windows. It has a direct multi-touch interface, allowing for a natural interaction of content, including pictures, music, maps, menus, contacts, etc. One of the neatest features, I think is the seamless integration with wireless devices. Put a phone/camera/credit card down on the table and it recognises it, and provides appropriate options. There’s nothing in this that is really new, but it’s all nicely packaged in a very usable form. A few videos after the jump
Kindle Hacks
by sam on Feb.03, 2009, under Future Invention, Interfaces, Kindle, hardware, software, visualization
Since the new Kindle will soon take the place of the current model, I thought I’d give a nod to Igor Skochinsky, who notoriously hacked the Kindle over a year ago. In an interview, he described the Kindle as a closed system, but not that closed. He also said the Sony Reader and iPhone were much more closed. Easy or not, here are the three entries from his blog, detailing the steps taken to gain access to the console, and mess about inside. (continue reading…)
Zombies Ahead
by sam on Jan.30, 2009, under Arts and Crafts, visualization
Remind me to start carrying a shotgun in my car. Or maybe an umbrella. Get it? Umbrella?… nevermind.
Two electronic road signs near the University of Texas were hacked to read Caution, Zombies Ahead. The authorities were not amused. Also, they weren’t killed by zombies, so bright side, yeah? Apparently, they consider it a crime to tamper with safety warning signs. They don’t actually care that no one reads them, or follows their advice, just so long as their message isn’t perverted in any way.
We Can Make Beautiful Music Together
by sam on Jan.28, 2009, under Interfaces, Sensors, software, visualization
I love to play the guitar. I’m good enough that I can find the chords or tab of most songs that I like to listen to, sit down and play it. Well enough so that it’s enjoyable to me. And really, that’s all I want. I can’t, however, translate my love of songs and my, I think, astute appreciation of good music (would I like any other kind) into any kind of a music writing ability, lyrical or otherwise. My chord progressions are uninspired, dull affairs, and my lyrics, maudlin effusions of love and death with the occasional scatological reference. In a word, bad. (continue reading…)
