Tag Archives: gadget

Jan 21 2013

Real-Time Audience Participation

By Interactive Environments

Trashtalk theater, a performative system by digital artist Jason Ponce, allows moviegoers and presentation patrons to text multiple comments in realtime which are overlayed onto the visuals, often to hilarious effect. A voting option in the software also allows the audience to control the presentation and ‘rewind’ to favorite spots.
trashtalktheater


Jan 17 2013

Welcome To Tron : Gymnasium Edition

A basketball court straight out of Tron!


For those of you looking to re-create the Tron gaming experience, this new flooring technology from Germany’s ASB Systembau GMBH may be the thing for you. Billed as “the most advanced flooring system in the world,” the ASB GlassFloor system utilizes reinforced glass panels which are set on an aluminum substructure embedded with lighting elements. Let the games begin!



The surface is designed to emulate hardwood courts and it still meets European guidelines for a variety of sports, including squash, badminton, and volleyball. Its adjustable lane lines and markings allow organizers to literally change the kind of sport that can be played on it on the fly. It can also display video and be converted into a gigantic video screen.



The floor is made from tempered security glass and can withstand enormous impact. The panels are made from two specially-treated glass plates held together by a 2mm PVB safety layer. The glass panels can be produced to a size larger than 2×2 metres and make the floor longer lasting than any conventional floor. This is why in 2007 we have been able to install the first open air squash court on a cruise ship, withstanding the impact of sea water and perpetual movement over years.



ASB has supplied more than 15 major squash tournaments with the floor. Its biggest project yet is a 500m2 sports floor in use daily at a German school. The technology has also withstood long term outdoor tests without any signs of aging.



The surface of the glass undergoes several special treatments to achieve ideal elasticity, friction and reflection of light. After years of extensive testing we have reached a result where the floor does not reflect too much to be a distraction but still gives a slight reflection which compares to the effect marble has on the eye. Also deflection and friction of the floor achieve equal or better results than conventional sport floors. The floor is ISO and EN certified. The same treatment that ensures the dim reflection also causes scratches to remain invisible. The surface can be in almost any colour you like. The colour of the floor is determined by special foil coat applied to the bottom of the floor and can be changed even after years.

Jan 15 2013

RAZER’S EDGE GAMING TABLET HANDS ON, THE UNGAMER’S PERSPECTIVE


I have to be candid and tell you that I’m not a hard-core gamer. I have to also tell you that if I do game it’s on a console, not a PC or a handheld. But with that in mind, you might be surprised to hear that I found Razer’s Edge gaming tablet a very compelling experience, even thought the battery life is good for a mere 2 or so hours before requiring a recharge.

The Razer Edge is a full-blown Windows 8 tablet. Unlike other tablets, the Edge is a relatively chunky piece of kit that weighs well north of 1lb (I’m waiting on the official weight to be sent over) and is easily twice the thickness of Apple’s iPad. So that said, the Edge is about power, versatility, and most importantly gaming. There are a host of accessories that can be purchased separately or in a bundle, but the one you’ll want to know about is the Mobile Console (or Joysticks), which is drawn from the Fiona concept that we saw last year.

In addition to two analog sticks that offer an exceptional amount of sensitivity (better than a PS3 controller), there is a backlit d-pad, triggers and two shoulder buttons on each joystick. I was told by the rep that there is an extended battery pack, but I’m not sure if that will be built-in to this particular accessory, though you can purchase 40Wh individual ones at $69. It’s arguable just how portable the Mobile Console accessory is since it doesn’t fold up or offer individually detachable controllers, but there is no disputing the amount of usability it adds to the Razer Edge. If one so wanted to, they could plug one of Razer’s game controllers into the tablet, but since this Mobile Console accessory allows you to hold the tablet with relative easy, it’s far more ideal for playing games on a plane, train, or a bus.

If the console like controller isn’t your thing, or your simply looking for more versatility, there is a Keyboard that has been optimized for PC games and needless to say can be used for wordprocessing. I didn’t make time to use it, but by all accounts it looks like a viable option for those seeking to ditch their laptop. An optional dock is also available for charging the Razer Edge, which also includes 3x USB ports, as well as an HDMI and stereo output for connecting it to your big screen TV.

Configuration will start at $999 and top out at $1,299, though for a few hundred more one can score the bundle, which packs in the i7 tablet and a the controller module (bought separately the total price would be $50 more). Other features include a 10.1-inch 1,366 x 768 display, NVIDIA GT640M LE GPU, 64GB to 256GB SSD storage, and 4 to 8GB of DDR3 RAM.

For more, check out 6 Things That Brought the Fiona to the Edge

In use, the Razer Edge remarkably straight forward, even for a non-hardcore gamer like me. The controllers, as well as sensitivity, we’re analogous if not better than any console on the market today. The weight of the Razer Edge is both comforting (it feels sturdy) and some what disconcerting (holding it up right for more than a minutes might result arm fatigue). That said, it’s viable to rest the edge of the tablet on your lap and continue to play games. Nevertheless, those are acceptable caveats, especially seeing as it can be jacked directly into a large screen display and controlled via a wired joystick. So imagine yourself traveling, playing a few hours of gaming on the road, checking into your hotel, and continuing that very same mission on your room’s large screen LCD TV. Again, I’m not a hardcore gamer, but the Razer Edge, while much larger than any portable gaming console, is exceptionally awesome given its power and diminutive size.


Nov 26 2012

Track 8 – Visually Appealing Music

Track 8 iPad music app now universal, brings Metro-styling to iPhone


Last month, Ender Labs gave iPad users a Metro-styled music player with Track 8, and while it doesn’t offer much functionality over the stock iOS music app, it is an aesthetically pleasing and inexpensive alternative. Now a universal app, the iPhone and iPod Touch version has the same features found on the iPad, including iTunes library and playlist syncing, as well as recently added Airplay support. Track 8 can be downloaded now for $1.99 from the App Store, and those who already have the iPad version can get it for their iPhone at no extra charge.