Microsoft Research shows off the life after touch

By now we all experienced kinect one way or another and I personally really enjoy my kinect at home.

Kinect has been talked and hacked a lot and most people can see much more in it than just a game controller.

Looks like MS Research is thinking the same thing and in the video below they are showing off some cool things, like head tracking, glasses free 3D, gesture based interfaces and more.

As we all know from past experiences, these may or may not happen, but right now they are pretty cool.

thanks engadget

@maniac13

Here is the reason why BlackBerry bought TAT

 

I was stoked when I read the news a few month back and a few days ago the first TAT apps on the playbook were shown off and they are beautiful and show off what the playbook is capable off.

to note is that the weather app is written in HTML5 and the hardware does all the physics and accelerometer movements – sweet

here they are in action:

 

here is a nice long one for you

Can’t wait for some more stuff from TAT and playbook

@maniac13

Ultimate list of Cool Touch and Gesture Based Video Walls

So who has the best interactive walls? Here’s some of our picks below. As we move into a world which is transitioning to devices using the NUI (Natural User Interface) there’s a lot to keep an eye on. If you know any more please post them in the comments.

1.University of Groningen:
Pros: Looks awesome, very responsive. Multi-user capable.
Cons: You can’t go out and buy one off the shelf. Touch based only?

2. Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect AND Windows Phone 7, working together!
Pros: Kinect SDK on the way for PC (fingers crossed) so a very affordable way to develop. Multi user. Facial recognition. Supports second screen in this video.
Cons: None. Seriously! SDK pending, this will be the easiest entry point to start building your first video wall.

3. Toyota Vision Multi Touch Wall:
Pros: Massive 82 inch screens at high res. Very responsive.
Cons: Expensive setup.

4. HD 18 Screen 20 ft Paint Wall with iPad integration.
Pros: Very cool. Huge. HD. Responsive. Works with a second screen (iPad)
Cons: Looks a bit like a one off application for now. Can’t go out and buy one.

5.Yahoo’s Gesture based Video Wall. http://vimeo.com/19177169
Pros: Looks good, hi-resolution and seems responsive.
Cons: Tiled screens. Looks like only one user at a time?

6. Microsoft LightSpace
Pros: It’s a true 3D interface for an entire toom. It projects working interfaces onto your arm/ hand.
Cons: Early days. Long way to go here (but still very cool).

7. Hard Rock Cafe Vegas:
Pros: Multi user. Smooth and responsive. Great content.
Cons: Looks expensive?

8. Ring Wall http://vimeo.com/6648869
Pros: It’s a massive 425 square metres in size. Enough room for everyone to play.
Cons: With 15 HD projectors we’re betting the ongoing running costs might stack up? 

9. The Schematic TouchWall with RFID
Pros: It recognises RFID cards allowing you access to personal info. Social integration.
Cons: Nothing obvious. This wall is pretty cool.

10. The BendDesk.
Pros: It’s horizontal AND vertical.
Cons: Not quite wall sized! It’s a prototype so a little rough round the edges.

 

11. Canon’s big wall – Expo 2010
Pros: It’s looks big and multi user.
Cons: We can’t quite tell if this is a ‘smoke and mirrors’ job. This video is more about the camera than the wall itself.

12. HP’s video wall of touch (link):
Pros: Nice tight looking tiled screens. Cons Already looking a bit dated compered to the others. Touch only. Touch looks a little laggy.
 

13. The Giant iPhone – Table Connect
Pros: Pretty simple concept. Just plug in your iphone and mount it on a wall!
Cons: Do they make a wall sized one yet?

We’re pretty sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of these soon. Please send us any good ones we might have missed!

Iain McDonald “Secures” a Spot on The Morning Show

Yeah, sorry about the title. Blame Paul Cotton for that.

Our own Iain Mac stopped by The Morning Show earlier this week to talk about password security on the internets.

http://au.tv.yahoo.com/the-morning-show/video/-/watch/24191474/combating-computer-hackers/

Emerging tech expert in Mumpreneur shocker!

Not content with showing off Amnesia Connect to nearly half a million people online, our lovely Stephan Lange has been caught sharing his passion with Australia’s growing army of ‘Mumpreneurs’. And yes, that is a word.

Check out Stephan’s article in full.

[Thanks to @eunmac for the tip].

@bdecastella

Kinect, Xbox Live and Windows Phone 7 – the future

this is a little video how Microsoft is envisioning Kincet working with Windows Phone 7.

Looks to me like my wife will have a lot of fun with that one

@maniac13

Circus Ad Festival is coming to town… Feb23-25

It’s crept up on us but it’s little more than a week away… and for anyone in digital The Circus Festival is shaping up to be a stellar event with a lot of interesting speakers (on Wed 23) from Nike, Google, W+K, Contagious, and the brilliant Jeff Cole (Centre for Future Digital) etc …then Battle of the Big Thinkers, Pencil Case Workshops followed by AWARD award winners event on Friday.

There’s some FREE parts anyone can attend (so sign up soon) like the ‘images from adland’ exhibition. Overall pricing for an event pass and individual parts can be booked from here.

 

Read more about full speaker line up here: http://www.communicationscouncil.org.au/public/content/ViewCategory.aspx?id=924