GeekSugar

NVISION 08: Touchscreen Magic With Jeff Han

GeekSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:00:02 -0700

If you don't know who Jeff Han is by now, then listen up! Named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2008, Jeff is on a mission to change your relationship with your computer - in a very good way. Jeff was one of the guest speakers at this year's keynote address at the NVISION 08 Conference in San Jose, CA, and spent some time showing off his uber-cool touch screen technology to the audience.

Originally unveiling his work back in 2007, Jeff is the founder of Perceptive Pixel and has been a trailblazer in multi-touch technology with clients ranging from the CIA to CNN. His work with touch technology has produced something totally reminiscent of that scene in Minority Report where Tom Cruise is fiddling around in midair on his holographic computer screen! Check out the video above. It's about three minutes long, but totally worth it!

Would You Buy a Microsoft Surface?

GeekSugar — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:00:15 -0700

I'm definitely excited to play with the Microsoft Surface, and I think it's a great idea that AT&T is using it to feature phones. I remember when they announced the Surface and everyone kind of balked about the price (10,000 bones), especially considering the ads and videos on the website that depict regular people using it for pictures and art.

Otherwise, the price and functionality make sense as a commercial product for AT&T and the Starwood Hotel chain, but are any regular people going to buy this thing for personal use when a consumer version is released in 2010? Even rich people? Tell me, if money weren't an object, would you buy a Microsoft Surface?

Microsoft Surface Coming to AT&T April 17th

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:36:07 -0700

Looks like Microsoft's high-tech interactive touch table won't be making its debut in Starwood hotels this Spring, but it will be available for the public to play with on April 17 in AT&T stores. According to Engadget, these $10,000 tables will initially be installed in NYC, San Francisco, Atlanta, and San Antonio AT&T stores.

AT&T is hoping that the tables will educate customers about all the handsets for sale (info about the phone is displayed when set on the table), and they'll also be able to purchase ringtones, graphics and videos directly from the table and drag them on their phones. Now that is something I can't wait to test out!

The Microsoft Surface Gets Celeb Attention and First Game

GeekSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:45:05 -0800

One of the most popular exhibits at CES this year was definitely the Microsoft Surface- a multi-touch interactive surface computer that is full of amazing features. Crave reports that the Surface was making its rounds at Caesars Pure Nightclub, with celebs like Jason Alexander and Shannon Elizabeth checking out its high tech functionality.

Set to be released by commercial partners like Starwood hotels this Spring, the Surface is already gaining lots of momentum. Not only is it receiving celebrity attention, but Firefly, the first game for Microsoft Surface has just been announced. By utilizing multi-touch, up to four players can collect colorful insects and put them into glass jars. The object is to be the first player to collect three fireflies of each color, while preventing opponents from doing the same.

To see players having some Firefly fun on the Microsoft Surface, as well as see a funny Surface video, read more

The Sarcastic Gamer shows us just how neat Firefly really is:

Thanks for sharing TeamSugar user CoralAmber!

And a funny Microsoft Surface parody I just had to include:

Source

How To Make Your Own Multi-Touch Pad for $2

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:00:18 -0700

Thanks to Amadeo for sharing today's fun, humorous and innovative "How To" video with me. If you've ever drooled over an amazing Multi-Touch device and felt a little pain when you realized they aren't easily accessible, cheer up! You can create your own multi-touch pad with just a plastic bag, some dyed water and a camera (plus a computer of course). I'd say this one is a cross between our usual "How To" guides and a more involved Do It Yourself project, but it's fun nonetheless. Microsoft Surface watch out!

The dyeSight $2 Multi-Touch Pad was created by the people from Medallia.

World’s Largest Multi-Touch Screen

GeekSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:00:11 -0700

I should have guessed that the unveiling of Microsoft's interactive Surface table would launch a techie showdown of all the touch-screens out there. Particularly considering the iPhone, which comes out June 29, is also a touch screen and has been the talk of geek town since before it was even announced. According to Technabob, HP wowed crowds with their multi-touch display wall at the recent Wall Street Journal D5 Conference. The screen is 16 by 8-feet and allows multiple visitors to simultaneously control audio, video, photos and other multimedia content using their hands to navigate. Just for reference, the Microsoft Surface table has a 30 inch table top. Not that it's a fair competition.

To check out the video of the giant screen, read more

This Week On Geeksugar - World’s Largest Multi-Touch Screen

GeekSugar — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:00:40 -0700

I should have guessed that the unveiling of Microsoft's interactive Surface table would launch a techie showdown of all the touch-screens out there. I didn't know it would be this big. World’s Largest Multi-Touch Screen
You only have one more day to find your dad or father figure a delightful Father's Day treat. Of course, the good news is most dads are geeks. Father's Day Gift Guide: Part 2 (Reader's Choice)
If you're a Google user, you can now go ballistic and pimp your Google Calendar with Google's Calendar gallery. The new gallery will allow anyone with a Google account to add various events and reminders to their calendars. Geek Tip: Using Google Calendar Gallery
We already know that everyone and their mother ends up putting their new albums on their computer and MP3 player after purchasing them, so why not buy them on a pretty USB drive you can use later instead of a CD that will likely get scratched? Get White Stripes Album Via USB Device
There are some accessories that really do make me feel sexy - new cute heels, a sleek clutch, even new gadgets - but the Sexy Underwear Cell Phone Strap from Strapyaworld are a little more than I can handle. Totally Geeky or Geek Chic? Sexy Cell Phone Charm
A recent AT&T study found that women are catching up with men when it comes to cell phone usage, but men still spend more time on their cell phones than women. Who Talks More On Cell Phones: Men Or Women?
Apparently, Japan is faced with a rapidly aging and shrinking population right now and in an effort to combat the alarming rates, employers are offering workers "baby bonuses" in the form of cash and cell phones. Cells And Cash Offered In Exchange For Parenthood

Microsoft's New Surface: Interactive Multi-Touch Table

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 12:10:41 -0700

Last night at midnight Microsoft announced a new product, the Microsoft Surface, which is a multi-touch table that aims to change the way we interact with digital content. The table uses cameras to sense objects, hand gestures and touch. The user input is then processed and the result is displayed on the surface using rear projection. This gives the user complete control over the content - such as photos, music, and maps.

By the looks of it, the device combines all the elements of digital life into a snazzy, futuristic table that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie.

To see more images and to watch a video of how it works, read more

Surface will be available in restaurants, hotels, retail establishments and public entertainment venues. The Surface will be available to the market in winter of 2007 and will reportedly cost $10,000.

View 11 Photos ›

Source

All Fingers Pointing To an Apple Tablet Coming Next Year

GeekSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:45:03 -0700

With Amazon's success with the Kindle and Barnes & Noble recently announcing their partnership with Plastic Logic to develop an eReader by early next year, Apple has decided to dive into the wireless reading device market by creating their own tablet.

Set to make an early 2010 launch, the multi-touch, 10-inch, 3G enabled tablet will closely resemble a jumbo iPod Touch and no doubt offer the convenience of downloading books via iTunes. It's also rumored that Apple could work with Verizon to subsidize the tablet and therefore make it more affordable for students.

I'm curious to know if those who haven't splurged for the Kindle would consider purchasing an Apple tablet? And if you're already an iPhone owner, do you think the tablet would be worth owning in addition to your iPhone?

Source

Daily Tech: Classic Gadgets You Can Still Buy

GeekSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:00:59 -0800

Sure, there's a new hot gadget every month, but there's nothing like a classic gizmo to celebrate geekiness. - Switched
We better be careful. The Wii hospitalized 10 people this week already. - Gizmodo
Is Apple preparing a new multi-touch Mighty Mouse? - Unpluggd
The iPhone has quickly risen to prominence on Flickr, rivaling most SLRs in popularity. - Crave
VHS distribution is grinding to a halt. - Engadget
Linux has entered the operating system ad battle and is looking for you! - Wired