GeekSugar

2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony: A High Tech Masterpiece

GeekSugar — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 06:00:27 -0700

Did you happen to catch NBC's broadcast of the opening ceremonies from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing on Friday eve? What a sight it was! Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were installed across the entire stadium (even the roof!) and a LED screen, measuring 147 meters long and 22 meters wide was placed in the center of the stadium. And for the full futuristic effect, around 44,000 tiny LED beads, all different colors, were embedded within the LED screen as well as in the costumes of the performers. "We have combined creativity with the most complicated technologies in Olympic history to maximize the visual and sensory impact on the audience," said Yu Jianping, technical team leader for the opening. To see just how magnificent the show was, check out my slideshow. And be sure to catch all the highlights and video footage from the games online! Source

View Slideshow ›

The First Microsoft Retail Store Finally Opens

GeekSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:44:52 -0700

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced their plan to open a retail store, and yesterday was the day! The Scottsdale, AZ store drew an initial crowd of around 500 people who waited in line for the opening, including some die-hard fans who spent the night. Just before opening, employees handed out gift bags to the first customers in line, including a $25 gift certificate and tickets to an Ashley Tisdale concert at the store later in the day. The store opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m.

The new store is outfitted with Microsoft's high-tech Surface Tables to help customers find what they're looking for. Giant screens decorate the walls in "gaming zones" where customers can test out their favorite video games, including Rock Band and Halo. The store sells several brands of Windows-compatible laptop in addition to Microsoft software (including the just-released Windows 7 operating system), and Xbox consoles and games.

The next store is scheduled to open on Oct. 29 in Southern California.

To see more store photos, just read more.

View 7 Photos ›

The 2008 Doodle 4 Google Awards Extravaganza!

GeekSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 02:00:51 -0700

As you already know, I'm completely addicted to all-things Google. So when I was invited to the Doodle 4 Google awards ceremony held at the Googleplex yesterday, I was beyond excited to take part in the events! In February, Google kicked off a contest entitled "Doodle 4 Google," a competition open to K-12 students in the U.S., asking students to design a Google logo inspired by the question, "What If...?" Forty regional winners gathered around yesterday to find out if their creative Google doodle designs made the final four. Not only did I get to check out a Doodle class taught by Google's Webmaster, Dennis Hwang, and eat some yummy food, but I got to see which lucky student got to take home the Google Doodle grand prize! Check out the slideshow to check out the fun festivities and the winning design!

View Slideshow ›

Welcome to 2007, Where's Your Robot?

GeekSugar — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 12:44:14 -0800

After months of playing coy with the press, EveR-2 Muse, the world's first entertainer-robot, has finally shown her many, creepy faces. Designed by KITEC (Korea Institute of Industrial Technology), EveR-2 Muse was first introduced to the world last October at the Robot World 2006 at COEX in Seoul, and is apparently quite the singer.

According to the Korea Times, EveR2-Muse has the "appearance of a typical Korean woman in her 20s, can talk and sing, thanks to an embedded dialogue engine." She sang the new Korean ballad "I Will Close My Eyes For You" during the opening ceremony of the robot festival. For more about EveR2-Muse - and a full body shot, just read more

Korea Times says: EveR2-Muse, which received enthusiastic applause, will see her singing career flourish; she is scheduled to appear on television and star in music videos.

The robot has motor functions, enabling her to walk, stand up and sit down. Her predecessor, EveR-1, was stationary and couldn’t move. Also, EveR-2 is larger than EveR-1 - 165 centimeters and 60 kilograms versus 160 centimeters and 55 kilograms.

You all know I love a geeky girl, but this may be too much!