The silver unibrow that is Google Glass made an appearance at this year's South by Southwest (SXSW), where Google developer evangelist Timothy Jordan spoke to the crowd in Austin about what exactly Google Glass is capable of.
Google's futuristic wearable tech may be too geeky or gaudy for most people, but the company's SXSW demo, which showed how some of the most popular apps fit into the Google Glass world, demonstrated that functionality may trump form after all.
Earlier this month, Google accepted applications for Project Glass from nondevelopers for the first time — and while the #ifihadglass contest is now closed, the latest submission from JetBlue is impossible to ignore.
The low-cost airline posted how it would implement the smart spectacles to a Google+ album titled If JetBlue Had Glass. JetBlue puts the hands-free augmented-reality device to work in its nirvana-inducing vision of stress-free air travel.
In JetBlue's Google Glass mockups, travelers would never waste time looking for parking, plane tickets, power outlets, or baggage claim again. The airline put a practical lens on this high-tech eyewear of the future — and now it's up to Google to make it a reality. Experience stress-free travel via Google Glass, and let us know if you could see yourself using Google's wearable tech.
Get excited, futurists: Leap Motion's motion-controlled computing technology is Minority Report come true. The company's small flash-drive-size accessory puts full computer control into users' hands, no keyboard or mouse necessary.
Leap Motion is no concept gadget — the controller, which ships on May 13, is available for preorder now ($80) and for purchase at Best Buy retail stores on May 19.
The Leap Motion technology recognizes hand motions, like waving, pinching, and swiping, with touch-free, 3D sensors that can track finger movements to 1/100th of a millimeter. Precise gesture recognition opens technological opportunities for graphic artists (goodbye, stylus!) and gamers (so long, controller!).
Plug Leap Motion into a USB port, load the Leap Motion software, calibrate your gestures, and that's it — the future is right in front of you.
It's no surprise that the controller's creators were inspired by Star Trek holosuites and the graphics in Minority Report as a vision for the future of computing. Leap Motion's game-changing technology could completely transform the way we interact with our computers — but only if it catches on.
Are you interested in controlling your tech with your hands, Yoda-style? Will you preorder Leap Motion?
In his new series Air Drive, photographer Renaud Marion reimagines the future of flying cars. We stumbled upon the futuristic images on Renaud's Tumblr and were immediately taken with the gauzy, retro-modern photos.
We asked what inspired the Paris-based artist to produce the ongoing series, and he cited sci-fi film, as well as French comic artist Jean Giraud (aka Moebius), who was known for his surreal, fantastical drawings. "I wished to create the flying cars which I imagined when I was a child," said Renaud.
Our flying-car fantasies are certainly fulfilled. Hovercraft technology isn't too far off these days, and here's hoping that future automakers look to Renaud's images for inspiration.
I know we're inching closer to a future resembling a Star Trek episode when concept gadgets like this Cryoscope weather cube are dreamed up. The haptic weather forecasting device works by the user touching its exterior aluminum cube to physically feel how the temperature will be outside.
Connected to the Internet, the cube translates web reports of the weather by pumping heat either in or out of the cube. Watch the Cryoscope's creator Robb Godshaw explain the inner workings of this magic weather cube in the video above. Do you think it's too early to add to my Christmas wish list?
There are plenty of options when it comes to iPhone chargers, but two inventors from Taiwan are hoping that you'll invest in this multicolored one instead. Called the Black Diamond, this iPhone dock costs just $45 to buy, and doesn't just charge your phone. In conjunction with a special app, you can create a multicolored lighting effect that changes with music you play via iTunes, and the Black Diamond even comes with voice controls, alarm, sleep/wake controls, and can hook up to your desktop via USB so you can share the joy of color with your workmates. Check out more pics in the gallery — it's really pretty!
I confess: I did not make it to a midnight screening of Tron: Legacy last month like many did, or even watch it at all. But even as a nonfan, I must say, this movie has spawned some seriously covetable accessories.
The Ring Lamp is one such product. Its trademark Tron light, designed from bioluminescent polymers, dims or brightens by rotating the light disc, and its streamlined and beautiful design would look at home in many modern pads. And even without knowing anything about the movie, I wouldn't mind waking up to it at all.
Unfortunately, this lamp is still only a concept, but if you are mesmerized by its serene glow, check out a few more pics in the gallery below!
This gadget may look familiar, but it has a very weighty purpose. Can you guess what it is?
