The rumors were true! At CES, Valve confirmed they are making their own videogame console — well, sort of. The as-of-yet unnamed “Steam Box” (codenamed “Piston”) will run their already-existing Steam game delivery system, which is by far the market leader when it comes to PC gaming due to solid service, simple DRM, and ridiculously cheap sales and vast bundle deals. Valve has recently introduced “Big Picture” mode, a menu system designed to be viewed on HDTVs instead of PC monitors, so it made sense that Valve was eyeing the couch gaming market. Read more…
CES is running right now, and Nvidia just revealed a new handheld device they’re calling Project Shield, at least for now. With a 5 inch touchscreen, the device runs Android on Nvidia’s newly announced Tegra 4 mobile chip and features an actual controller in the clamshell about the size of an Xbox 360 controller. Read more…
With how hard Microsoft has been pushing the multimedia content for Xbox 360, perhaps this should come as no surprise to you all: The Verge is reporting they have multiple sources saying that Microsoft is creating a set-top TV box branded with the Xbox name. The concept is to be similar to the Apple TV or Roku, supporting videos and music, as well as apps and games. Granted, it wouldn’t play full-fledged console games (that would still be the next Xbox’s job) but for consumers who use their Xbox mostly for Netflix (you know who you are) this is an excellent move. Will it succeed though? I wonder if the Xbox name is too entrenched in “gaming” but perhaps that’s an unfounded concern. Will this hook people? 2013 will be an exciting year! Read more…
Posted by Bob Muir on Oct 9, 2012 in Science, Tech
You know all those people who swear they saw a flying saucer or UFOs in the middle of the 20th century? Well, they could have actually been onto something, as the US government has just declassified documents that show that the Air Force was developing a flying saucer in 1956. “Project 1974” was intended to hover through the air at supersonic speeds. Wow! Read more…
If you’re like me, you like to work and move around with music on your iPod, but hate when your headphone cables get tangled in your arms or on a stray bush. The Turtle Shell by Outdoor Tech seems to target this exact problem, and it solves it by simply getting rid of the cord. It wirelessly connects via Bluetooth to your phone or iPod, and can be attached to your bike handle, clipped onto your waistband, or connect to a stroller. ‘Hands-free’ is the buzzword here, and it looks to be a solid piece of equipment, although perhaps a one-trick pony. If you like it, you can help Kickstart it here! Read more…
Posted by Ben Huber on Sep 17, 2012 in Design, Tech
Those memorable moving panels from Portal 2 always seemed really clever to me. Reshaping and repairing the room as needed, all while looking cool! Now, as part of a promotion for Hyundai, a Korean artist called JônPaSang has created an art exhibit that reminds me a lot of those panels. It’s a complex matrix of styofoam cubes coordinated by machinery behind them moving them in and out as needed, like a gigantic piece of pixel art. The end result is Hyundai mindshare, but it’s a really cool exhibit nonetheless. Check out a video of the matrix below! Read more…
As a videogame input device, Kinect leaves a lot to be desired. Part of that are the concessions made to produce an affordable device, and part of that is conceptual (though that’s a discussion for another time). But as a piece of tech to be hacked and used in non-videogame applications? Kinect is pretty awesome! Hell, with some creativity, it can even be used to help those with stroke complications to communicate. Read more…
One of the most intriguing things to come out E3 2012 was Square Enix’s realtime tech demo Agni’s Philosophy. (You may take that as a sign of how comparatively tame E3 was this year, but I’m still legitimately impressed by the footage.) Square Enix has never been a slouch when it comes to graphics; say what you will about Final Fantasy XIII, but it pumped out some really impressive visuals on the PS3, blurring the line between prerendered cutscenes and in-game cutscenes. Now the company is showing off what else the tech running the demo can do. Read more…
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Aug 1, 2012 in Animation, Tech
Like many of you, I’m always looking for new reasons to dust off my iPad or Kindle. To be fair, I use them for everything from casual gaming, to streaming films, and reading books, but being the creative type that I am, I’m never really satisfied. I’m constantly looking for new outlets for my creativity, and with their touch-based interface, you’d think visual art would be a natural fit for such a device. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve come across some fantastic applications, and I’ve managed to create some impressive works — at least, by my own standards — with just my fingers, but sometimes you just want to have a tool you’re more accustomed to. Introducing the Sensu Brush.
I know what you’re thinking, Vans made an iPhone case? I realize its 2012, and while I don’t personally endorse their line of skater-friendly kicks, it’s nice to see the brand is still branching out. Thanks to the good Doctor, I’m much more of a Converse man these days, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a clever idea when I see one. So, what makes their case so special? Read more…
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jul 26, 2012 in Tech, Videogames
Another Kickstarter, I know. I’m getting sick of seeing them posted everywhere too, but I still stumble across a cool one every now and then. For example, here’s a neat little project that’s almost fully funded. The GameDock is a device designed to take the iOS platform to the next level by offering a classic console experience. It claims to be compatible with iCade titles, so there should already be a handful of games supported. The dock itself will be able to connect to your HD displays via HDMI out with a crisp 1080p resolution. Some of the games will even have support for two players. Just note that in order for them to send you an actual unit, you’ll need to “donate” at least $125 at this point, and you’ve gotta ask yourself, do you really need an iOS console? Really? Read more…
It’s been awhile since we’ve touched on Apple’s on-going legal dispute with rival Samsung over alleged patent infringement. We last left off with Apple having lost its request for a preliminary injunction against Samsung’s sale of the Galaxy 10.1 Tablets here in the US, however it now seems as though Samsung simply delayed the inevitable. Just today, Judge Lucy Koh — the same Judge who initially denied the preliminary injunction — ruled in favor of Apple to halt the sales of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 for violating the design patent after all.
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jun 25, 2012 in Tech, Videogames
As a rule, I usually avoid game-oriented Kickstarter projects, but seeing as this is for an tangible product with some rather impressive applications, I figured it’d be worth mentioning. Introducing the Ringbow Controller — an attachable d-pad designed to interface with tablets and other touch-based devices. The Ringbow was designed specifically to give players accurate control without compromising the ability to touch the interface with your fingers. It just so happens that the controller would also enable developers to map the controls to whatever they way, be it an action, cursor, or event within their game or application. The only draw back being that developers would have to design their games specifically to interface with the device, or at least support it on some level for it to work. The project has a stated goal of $100,000, and is nearly half way there with a full 27 days to go. If you’re still interested in supporting it, a donation of $45 will snag you one of your own when they begin mass production.
Okay, so you’ve got yourself a shiny new MacBook, complete with its nifty retina display. If you’re like me, though, you’re probably the kind of person who would cherish it way too much to take it anywhere. I know, ironic considering it’s a laptop, and made specifically for its portability, but let’s be honest — it’s an expensive piece of hardware. So, that being the case, why wouldn’t you want to take extra special care of it? I know I would. One of my chief concerns — especially during these hot summer months — is heat. True, the MacBook is built with asymmetrical, low-noise fans that will kick on to help cool things off, but there’s no reason you can’t give those fans some room to breathe. That’s where the AirSlab comes in.
There’s a really sad article by George Colony which assumes that with the death of Steve Jobs that Apple will follow the fate of companies like Sony and Disney and fade out into oblivion. While I agree that nothing lasts forever, it’s also important to note that nothing is certain: And thus I give the example of the company that Steve Jobs hated in his youth — IBM. Read more…
Forget trying to stitch together the perfect panorama using Microsoft’s Photosynth — in theory, it’s a neat idea but in practice, not really. Instead, try something new. Introducing Dot, the first panoramic video lens for your iPhone 4 and 4s. So, how does it work exactly? You just snap it on over your phone’s camera, download the app and begin shooting 360° videos on the spot. Not only that, but the app also allows you to control the direction of the camera yourself or swap over to a panoramic widescreen mode. Read more…
Posted by Michael Pinto on Apr 26, 2012 in Tech, Videogames
So what you’re looking at above is the Sony PSP — right? Wrong! It’s the JXD V5200 which is of course powered by Android, the preferred OS of uninspired industrial designers. Although I have to admit that there is something cool about ripping off poor ignored Sony, and I can only hope that duo screen faux Nintendo DS comes next. Although if you’re an old school Nintendo fanboy check out the JDX 100 which reminds me slightly of a Game Boy from back in the day: Read more…
Shown below is an amazing commercial from the 70s for the Xerox Alto: This amazing computer was first released in 1973 and featured all the cool features we associate with the PC today like a graphic user interface, a mouse and desktop publishing. While the the computer was a commercial failure, it went on to inspire the Macintosh in the the 80s and Windows in the 90s. Read more…
Remember these? Last May we posted a video for Nuerowear’s mind-controlled fashion accessory “necomimi” — or cat ears. That right, they’re a pair of car ears you can control with a thought. Until now, they haven’t been made available for sale. The first batch will go on sale at the Nico Nico Super Conference being held in Chiba later this month for just 7,900 yen — that’s about $100 a pair. Of course, that’s a special price just for the event. They’ll actually retail for about $112 after that. I still can’t imagine anyone wanting to sport a pair of these on a daily basis, but once again, I’m sure they’d make for a fantastic addition to any cat-girl cosplay. Read more…
I try not to share too many Kickstarters, if only for the fact that most are pie-in-the-sky dream ideas with poor planning or bad concepts. There are still plenty of good ones (ie, Double Fine) that have had success, but as always, remember: you are donating. Anyway, enough from me – instead, here’s a solid-looking Kickstarter called Pebble. It’s an e-paper watch with bluetooth support to hook up to your smartphone, and thus can run useful apps and display notifications (it vibrates, too). Another neat fact: the battery lasts roughly 7 days – not bad! Read more…
This morning, there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding Facebook’s impending billion dollar purchase of the popular photo app Instagram. With its built-in social networking features and easy-to-use interface, such a sale would seem like a no-brainer, but it wasn’t long before my twitter-feed lit up with complaints and negativity in response. Many of them were quick to brag about how they’ve never used the app, claiming that the Facebook acquisition only strengthens their resolve. Perhaps the most annoying tweet I’ve seen on the subject insists Facebook’s purchase proves there’s a market for “pretentious hipster bullshit.”
Sometimes you’re laying in bed, relaxing, and think to yourself: I want a tour of the White House. But you can’t, because you’re in bed, and the White House isn’t very close at the moment. Kind of inconvenient, right? Why can’t you have the entire White House at your fingertips? Thankfully, Google has teamed up with the White House, the President, and the First Lady to create a virtual tour of the White House. Secret bunker rooms not included. Click here to try it out, or watch the video above to get a taste!
There are so many awesome gadgets out there, many of which I can’t afford. The latest to catch my eye is a portable, projection-based Bluetooth keyboard for iOS and Android devices. The Elecom TK-PBL042BK — catchy name, I know — is a self-contained, rechargeable unit that projects a red wire-frame keyboard onto the surface of your choice. The keyboard itself comes with adjustable brightness settings to save battery life, and features up three levels of sensitivity, clocked up to 350 characters per minute. There’s even a mouse-mode built-in. Impressive, isn’t it?
