Alpay Kasal of LIT Studios has created the Interactive Mirror, using an LCD projector, and you guessed it – a mirror.
This mirror gives a user the ability to draw, interact with animations, play games, view photos, or even show how a custom t-shirt would look if you were wearing it. The device operates via touch technology; however it does lack a multi-touch feature. Besides having a little fun when you’re bored, the device has little purpose other than to impress your friends.
Check out the video below to see The Interactive Mirror in action.
PS3 System update 2.5 was released for the console earlier today. The update offers new support for the official Sony Bluetooth headset, such as an on screen indicator showing volume, battery charge, and mute functions. A High Quality mode has also been developed, which enables wide band voice communication with the PS3.
The update also adds in-game screenshot capability, which is a feature I have been anxiously awaiting for. Game developers will have to implement this feature when creating the game. In terms of existing games, hopefully patches will be released that add this feature.
The PlayStation trophy system has also been enhanced as a result of the update. Now when you earn a trophy, the in game message will include a specific trophy icon created by the game developer. Trophy comparing with friends has also been expanded, including an icon representing the trophy level. The trophy system is a new concept for Sony, and is something we can expect to see developed further in future updates.
Video playback has also been improved with the update; users now have the option to search scenes with corresponding thumbnails.
The information board now contains direct links to the PlayStation Store, making it easier to download content.
Another one of my favourite improvements is the redesign of account management. You no longer have to leave the XMB to load that incredibly slow PlayStation account management page. Now when you click Account Management in the XMB, four new options come up – Account Information, Redeem Codes, Transaction Management, System Activation. All of these options can be changed right in the XMB, making things much cleaner.
Lastly, the update adds an auto shutoff feature, allowing users to turn off their system or controller after a selected time.
We all know about the famous iBeer app for the iPhone - the one that makes our iPhone/iTouch look like a glass of beer that empties when we tip it into our mouth. This useless, although oddly neat gimmick, sold for $3 in the Apple Store. Recently Coors came up with a free knockoff, called the iPint, which is basically the same application except with the Coors logo imprinted in the glass. The result, developer of iBeer, Hottrix, is suing Coors for $12.5 million – over a beer app.
I feel for Hottrix, however I have to admit, I would not dish out $3 for such a pointless app, especially when theres an exact replica available for free. We shall see how the beer brewing giant fares in court.
YouTube has just announced that it is going to start offering full-length TV episodes on its site.
Many internet users already watch shows online with sites such as Ninjavideo and Joox, while nervously awaiting them to get shut down for copyright infringement. YouTube has made deals with TV companies including CBS, which will allow you to ‘legally’ watch shows such as ‘Dexter,’ ‘Beverly Hills, 90210,’ and ‘Star Trek’ on their site.
For those of you who are unaware, YouTube is owned by dot com giant Google. Google intends to run advertisements in longer videos, before and after each episode. YouTube owners prevented this from being implemented on shorter videos as it would deter viewers. They are probably right, who wants to watch a 15 second commercial before a 30 second video clip? Instead, for the short videos they have come up with in-video overlays, which are basically banner ads that will appear frequently over the bottom of videos.
Hopefully YouTube continues to sign deals with TV companies and is able to provide us with a decent selection of shows.
Twenty-three year old Michael Calce aka ‘Mafiaboy,’ the famous internet hacker from Montreal, has just written his own memoir. Mafiaboy is known for his feat of temporarily shutting down some of the biggest sites on the web and leading the FBI and RCMP on a manhunt when he was fifteen years old.
The book is titled ‘Mafiaboy: How I cracked the Internet and Why It’s Still Broken.’ It is said to be a ‘cautionary tale’ about how the teen learned to hack from other online rebels. Michael also wants it to be used to help businesses and people protect themselves online.
Mafiaboy’s took down sites for several hours, including CNN, Yahoo, Amazon, eBay, E-trade Financial, and many others using his denial-of-service attacks. Calce ending up pleading guilty to over fifty charges.
Ironically, the book can be purchased at Amazon, for just over $20.
For those of you who purchase this book, I would not recommend following in his footsteps. I would also appreciate it if you do not experiment with his hacking methods on my site – as if you are successful I will no longer be able to provide you with all of this fantastic tech news.
Sony has recently unveiled its sexy new OLED prototypes. This OLED TV is absolutely gorgeous, measuring in at a mere 0.3mm thick (that’s about the thickness of a playing card). The prototype also has a curve shape to it – so long to flat screen LCD’s. Not only is it thin, it looks great, boasting sharp images and unbelievable contrast. Check out some of the pictures below.
We all know that walking down the busy city streets while listening to our iPod is not the safest thing to do. However, the long walk to work in the morning requires some uplifting music to get you going. The solution - Audio Bone headphones.
As media players continue to advance in technology, headphones are often just ‘there’ to accompany the device. Not only do headphones prevent you from hearing the outside world, they can also be a pain to keep snug in your ear. The Audio Bone headphones do not sit in your ear like traditional style ear buds. Instead, they sit outside your ear and pass the audio signal through your skull to your inner ear, bypassing the eardrum. This keeps your ears completely open, allowing you to hear the busy traffic or your talkative buddy beside you.
The technology behind the device is rather neat, however, as you would expect, the sound quality is not the greatest. You will have to turn the volume up much louder than you would with traditional headphones. On the bright side, you do not have to worry about the Audio Bones not fitting your ear. Since the device rests on your head, its one size fits all. Also, as the headphones are not actually in your ear collecting wax, it is completely sanitary to share them with your friends.
For those of you who enjoy music in the shower, the Audio Phones are waterproof as well. As long as you have a waterproof MP3 player (or case), you’re all set for vocal practice.
The creators of the Audio Bones also claim that the technology is less likely to damage your hearing.
The Audio Bones come in Orange, Blue, Black, or White and sell for $190, if you want to go all out you can chip in another $30 bucks and get a pink, purple, or lime pair.
The dreaded incident of losing your cell phone has graced many of us – forcing us to cancel our plan and purchase a new phone. Maverick Mobile Solutions, an Indian company that creates mobile applications, has come up with an ‘ET Phone Home’ method of protecting your cell phone.
Should your phone be lost or stolen, Mavericks application - called Maverick Secure Mobile – encrypts your data and sends you a text message with the location of the phone. It also plays a loud siren sound to agonize the punk that stole your phone.
Now, I am sure many of you are wondering, how is it possible for your lost cell phone send you a text message if you don’t have a phone? Upon installing the Maverick software on your cell phone, you provide the company with a second cell phone number (your friend, girlfriend, spouse etc). The software is completely hidden on the phone, ensuring the thief will not be able to tell you have installed it. If the thief replaces your SIM card, the phone encrypts all of your data (phone book, pictures, and texts) and sends it to your second phone number.
The features do not end here – how about playing tricks on the thief? You can send text message commands that allow you to view what the thief is doing with your phone (such as who he has called or text messaged). One feature, called SpyCall, allows you to listen in on the thief’s calls without them knowing. You can even make the phone play an excruciating siren sound on command. After annoying them to the point they have realize they have stolen the wrong phone, you can send them a text with your name and location (as well as a reward should you feel generous) for returning the phone.
The software is still currently in its beta phase; however Maverick does have a deal with Nokia to begin implementing it in their phones.
Rockbox 3.0 is now here, and in great fashion. For those of you who do not know about Rockbox, it is an open source software application that replaces the firmware on your portable media players, including Sansa, iRiver, Archos, and the almighty iPod.
Roxbox 3.0 has the ability to perform sound decoding through the actual software on the media players, expanding the support of different file formats tremendously. The new Rockbox also includes a revamped installation tool and support for SWCODEC targets.
Unfortunately, excitement over this release is negligible. MP3 owners do not realize that they could give their devices a facelift rather than tossing them out and buying new ones. Hopefully the hype will increase, as the software does seem pretty neat – and best of all, its free!
I understand that you probably do not want to wipe the firmware off your iPhone for this open source version, but if your repping an ancient mp3 player or iPod give it a shot.
A new and very different BlackBerry is on the way; one which discards the classic view of a business executive typing out emails and announcements.
RIM now brings you, the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220.
The Flip uses SureType technology to create the typical BlackBerry style keyboard. Instead of 26 buttons, the Flip assigns multiple letters to each key, similar to that of the Pearl. The keypad also has row dividers, such as the ones used in the Bold, in order to make typing more accurate. A predictive spelling checker also ensures you’re not typing gibberish.
The Flip can also download email messages and connect to instant messaging services. It comes equipped with a 2-megapixel camera and can also play music and videos. It includes a 256MB microSD card, but can be upgraded to 16GB. An external microphone and speaker allow you to make phone calls without opening the phone. Last but not least, the device has RIM’s classic scroll ball.
The phone will be offered by T-Mobile this fall; however a price has yet to be released.
I really like the look of this new BlackBerry; however, the Bold still has my heart.
PS3 System update 2.5 was released for the console earlier today. The update offers new support for the official Sony Bluetooth headset, such as an on screen indicator showing volume, battery charge, and mute functions. A High Quality mode has also been developed, which enables wide band voice communication with the PS3. 
