GeekSugar

James Cameron Gets Creative With Tech to Promote Avatar

GeekSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:05:30 PST

Augmented reality seems to be the next big thing on the tech horizon - already new apps and even umbrellas are using the technology - and it doesn't seem to be in short supply either. Just after we learned that Esquire will be using augmented reality in their upcoming issue, I realized that James Cameron has also harnessed the feature to promote his next big blockbuster. Every time you buy an Avatar product - whether it be an action figure or a branded can of Coke - you can use your webcam to have some fun with 3D right in your home. Just hold the product up to your webcam, and you'll see a interactive 3D character on your screen. Sure, you can't do much with a 3D character, but it might make me pick up a can of soda next time I hit the convenience store!

In addition, the latest three minute Avatar trailer was released over the weekend to the "world's largest trailer-viewing audience", proving that Mr. Cameron is willing to use a pretty big bag of tech tricks to get our butts in the theater next month!

Horse Riding Simulator Is Amazing (Not in a Good Way)

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:00:23 PDT

You can find me any day of the week pretending to be in a hot rock and roll band with my geeky friends, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. But if I were pretending to be riding my own show horse in the confines of my own home that would make me feel kinda icky. Granted, this horse riding simulator called the Ridemaster Pro is meant to be used in gyms, horse riding schools and whatnot, but the question begs to be asked: If you're in a horse riding school, wouldn't you want to ride a real horse? Just asking. . .

Caught on Gizmodo, this interactive game lets you ride your (fake) horse around a virtual ring. Learn how to ride, jump, and work those muscles you need to grip on to a real horse all for a cool ten grand. Actually, this totally reminds me of the mechanical ponies I used to ride outside the drugstore for a quarter - minus the LCD flat screen. Now those were good times. Check out a demo of how this baby works (complete with awesome old school Japanese country music) when you

The Aperture Interactive Display

GeekSugar — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:10:52 PST

If you were impressed with the high-tech Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar in Vegas, you may enjoy this Aperture Interactive Display which uses thousands of individual mechanical irises to create various images.

Created by Berlin interactive artists Gunnar Green and Frederic Eyl, this dynamic concept project reacts to light in front of it, therefore, the darker the object the wider the aperture will open (as you can see in the video below). Each of the apertures in the array can be used to represent a pixel of an image. This functioning prototype which I saw on Bornrich is currently being used to get a feel for what a large-scale aperture could look like.

Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar Provides the Full Geek Experience

GeekSugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:33:08 PST

I am so glad I discovered this fantastic new bar on Bornrich, considering I'll be heading to Vegas next week for CES! The Eyecandy Sound Lounge and Bar, located in the center of Mandalay Bay’s casino floor, is exactly that -100 percent eyecandy.

Opened in October 2007, Eyecandy features interactive touch tables that allow guests to create visuals and messages as well as project images onto screens above the dance floor. These tables also include stationary and motorized cameras to check out the action elsewhere in the lounge and bar area. And if you have a favorite song you want to hear, just plug your iPod into a sound station so the DJ can mix your tunes into the song line-up. This bar puts Twentyfour in London to shame, as Eyecandy's high-tech nightclub experience also boasts a fiber-optic channel running through the bar for a shimmering light effect as well as a LED tiled dance floor-allowing dancers to change images and graphics! To check out a video about it

Elle MacPherson Launches Interactive Storefront

GeekSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 09:00:16 PDT

During New York Fashion Week, Elle MacPherson Intimates launched a new high tech interactive storefront that allows passersby to revel in the video footage of models through the window with their movements.

Featured on Trendhunter, this storefront operates by using humanlocator technology - a visual advertising system developed by Freeset. Humanlocator tracks full body movement in real time, allowing consumers to participate in and interact with advertising.

It kinda reminds me of when I was little and could see myself on TV from the video cameras in an electronic store. Walking back and forth in front of the TV was always so entertaining! Next time you are in New York, I recommend you check it out. As you can see in the video below, it literally does play off your actions - if that doesn't make you want to go buy a bra, I don't know what will!

Source

New London Bar Includes Fully-Interactive Interior

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:00:09 PDT

Welcome to 24, one of the most technologically-advanced bars located in London, England. Said to be the first fully-interactive bar in the world, 24 will feature computer controlled projections that can transform images and video on a blank canvas wall with the click of a switch. There will also be hundreds of LED lights installed that will give the venue over 1,000 different color combinations. What is really unique are the interactive projections that will react to your movements when you attempt to touch them. For instance, say you are at the bar with a glass, the projections will send light beams across the base of the drink. Or touch the bar with your hand and a light will shoot out towards you and alert the bartender that you need another beverage! Talk about high-tech service with a smile! via Tech Digest

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A Tour of the Latest Instagram Update v2.1

Kristy Korcz — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:09:56 PST

Instagram issued an update to its popular photography app, and with version 2.1 comes a streamlined look, easier interaction, a new filter, and an easy way to jazz up your pics without filters.

First up, the fun stuff - Instagram added a new filter (above) called Sierra. This adds a nice, soft vintage feel to images and looks great in almost any light. Also new is Lux, a feature that allows you to brighten your pics without using a single filter. Activated by tapping the sunlight icon in the lower left-hand corner, Lux brings out detail and adds light to your images. Easy peasy.

Find out what else is new in Instagram 2.1 after the break.

Watch Out For Fraud When Trying to Score a Date Online

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:12:16 PST

There are lots of ways to find your geeky love match online, but as they say on The Bachelor, not all online daters are there for the right reasons. According to a new report, online dating fraud rose 150 percent in 2011, making Internet dating sites a hotbed for fraudulent links and phishing scams.

With over three percent of interactions being of fraudulent nature - including those misrepresenting themselves to get personal information via links or spamming - how are you supposed to tell who is genuine and who isn't? I mean, you're there to meet new people, right? Some red flags to consider are the use of the word "love" early on in correspondence, someone urging you to take messaging off-site to email or Facebook (where hackers have easier access to your personal information), and weird syntax and language discrepancies. Basically, if their message sounds like one you might find in your spam folder, keep your guard up.

Of course, the only way you'll really be able to tell if someone is really into you, or if you're flirting with disaster, is to trust your gut instincts. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

Our "Roadway to My Heart" Downloadable Valentine Is Perfect For School!

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:32:24 PST

Who needs hearts, kisses, and all that pink? If your home is filled with lil ones who'd rather play with cars, trucks, and things that go than add some glitter to a valentine he'll hand out at school, we've got just the card for you! We were challenged by the editors at Martha Stewart's Living in the Family Room blog to create a boy-friendly valentine that would get tots excited about more than the candy associated with Feb. 14.

The result: "Roadway to My Heart," an interactive card that combines a downloadable valentine and Matchbox cars.

Keep reading for the free download and step-by-step instructions for creating the card at home.

Earn More Money By Changing Up Your Office Space

LearnVest — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:15:07 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Most of us spend about 40 hours per week at work - in other words, the majority of our waking hours.

And nearly all of those hours are spent sitting at our desks. It’s a definite problem - and not just because we’re missing happy hour or quality couch time at home.

There’s no shortage of discouraging research pointing out the evils of a sedentary lifestyle and claiming that sitting will actually shorten our lives.

But, conversely, making a few tweaks to the way you sit - and the space you sit in - all day has been proven to make you a happier, healthier worker, busy earning your killer salary.

And, scientists say, the happier you are, the more you tend to earn.

In an effort to make the time spent at our desks as productive (and as profitable) as possible, we’ve combed the research for the easiest, most effective tips to soothe your mind and body when trapped in a cubicle . . . or corner office.

Just follow these four steps.

1. Make It Comfy

When we say “comfy,” we mean “ergonomic.” It’s an unfriendly word for a friendly concept: basically it means “intended to provide optimum comfort and to avoid stress or injury.” Friendly, right? Besides, an awkward workspace can lead to major health issues, including disorders in your joints or tendons, so a little tweaking of your cubicle can go a long way for your well-being. Line up your body correctly by following these two principles:

Your feet should be flat on the floor and your elbows should be even with your desk. This can be achieved either through adjustable chairs or - if chairs are a hot commodity at your office - a combination of step stools and pillows.

Read on for more tips.