Technology
World’s First 3-D Camera
Fuji’s got something cooking for all you photogs in the very near future. Apparently this camera will house two lenses that sit about the same distance apart as the human eyes. It’ll be able to capture the same scene from both perspectives and somehow combine them to show the seemingly 3d image. Claims of special printing processes and frames especially made to display these sort of photos are in the works, and with good reason — that means no 3d glasses or other accessories + there isn’t anything available to the general consumer today that could properly display this sort of work. Fuji, which hasn’t necessarily been on the top of the photo realm in recent years, hopes to use this new endeavor to bring attention back. Look for it sometime in 2010
via: Time Magazine
Read more of: World’s First 3-D Camera »
NYC Restaurant Week is back again
Dining out is a major industry in almost any big city. Saving money on dining out is even more major! Make sure you participate in the summer NYC restaurant week starting on July 12 and get some great food for less. It’s a good time to taste a type of food you’ve never eaten or visit a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try. Hit the NYC Restaurant Week site for a list of participating restaurants.
Read more of: NYC Restaurant Week is back again »
E3, Black Wii, and Mario goes to jail
This week the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo(E3) was held in California. At first I wasn’t gonna talk about ti because it’s way too much to cover here, but the little artist rendering of a Mario Mugshot inspired me to go ahead and say a little bit. Essentially Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony gave keynotes that addressed what they’d be doing in the coming year — each having pros and cons. Sony won hands down in my opinion, in terms of whats to come on both the hardware and software fronts. You can see full coverage at Gamespot’s E3 site.
Read more of: E3, Black Wii, and Mario goes to jail »
Twitter goes gaming… with Spymaster
I guess the inevitable day has come where people begin to incorporate games into twitter. Just the other day one of my friends and followers invited me to become a ’spy’ in their organization or something of the like. Of course I automatically thought it was BS spam, but after taking a closer look, it’s a full fledged mini-game, where groups are formed, crimes are wedged out, and revenue streams begin to flow. It’s a little Goodfellas and Sopranos, mixed with 007. It’s a little different, but has the potential to be insanely addictive. Peep it
Read more of: Twitter goes gaming… with Spymaster »
Random Thoughts at 4am
1. Is it me or is Wale doing a good job remaining relevant right about now despite the fact that most of the world is jockin’ Drake?
2. Why is it that there are no young black girls in Hollywood that are REALLY doing their thing. I’m talking 20 somethings, that can legitimately compete with say… a Megan Fox type. In terms of exposure and it-factor nobody’s really coming at “shorty from Transformers”. On top of that… why is it that there’s a double standard for black actresses? As a community we tend to shun the vixen role and consider it “whoring”. Is Megan Fox not somewhat a white Meagan Goode? The sassy, sexy demeanor that tends to brand Megan Fox for the better, garnering tons of exposure and magazine covers, is the same one that makes Megan Goode appear less professional – sometimes lowering her chance to be taken seriously. Howcome?
3. Who wears Jordans? Not the retro’d, packaged, or otherwise re-released ones. The actual NEW ones that keep coming out in Foot Locker? Why?
4. Am I the only one boosted that The Sims 3 is out? LOL
5. Does anybody else feel bad for Ciara and her career, or the lack thereof? And am I alone in being extremely thrown off by that album cover? What was going on in that concept meeting???
6. And while we’re talking about urban ladies in music, is Christina Milian’s next album sure to be a banger now that she’s all chummy with the ‘radio killer’?
7. Do people really always try to pronounce URLS? I mean granted at first, perhaps,… but after you realize it’s NOT a word, why would you harp on it? Despite the big fat, M&N in the header, people insist on saying ‘MANDIMENT‘? LOLOL. It’s alright tho folks, we got ya’ll and will be changing it soon… maybe.
Read more of: Random Thoughts at 4am »
DJ Hero
update: video added 1/4/09
DJ Hero Turntable Controller First Look from Gizmodo on Vimeo.
In the footsteps of the enormous success of games like Guitar Hero and Rockband, comes DJ Hero an interesting spin on a different type of ‘live’ music playing. This was announced quite some time ago but I didn’t want to talk about it before they at least had some game play screenshots. The music is said to still be diverse but be catered more to the urban market so expect to have a higher percentage of songs on the roster that you’re familiar with. As of this week, Jay-Z and Eminem have signed on as consultants for Activision and the game so there will likely be songs from the two bundled with the game. It’s got an expected release of October so there’s surely more and more info to be released as that times gets nearer.
Read more of: DJ Hero »
Proper Cloth – Premium Custom Button Ups
Custom clothing pretty much epitomizes individuality. To the man interested in having a shirt all his own, or maybe just getting a normal shirt that he could never quite find in his size, Proper Cloth is the way to go. By offering a service with tons of options from thread count, pattern, fabric, color and many more, the options seem pretty endless. You can even add accents like monogramming, and colored patterns for the inside of your collar and cuff. Then there’s size,which at least for me, is one of the greatest options since I have long arms. I like how you could either enter your own dimensions or get Brand-Similar fits — did you ever wish you could have your favorite Banana Republic shirt that fits perfectly in a never before seen color and pattern? — well now you can. They have a list of designers and their size listings so that you can customize a shirt that you already know fits well on you. In other words… it doesn’t get much better than this, and now it’s all just a few clicks away.
Read more of: Proper Cloth – Premium Custom Button Ups »
Futuristic design concepts that should exist
Web Designer Depot wrote an article that listed a bunch of futuristic designs that people created in 3D some were pretty innovative.
Torch Lamp — lifts from stand when u need to walk around
iPhone with video chat
Clear Toaster
e-Rope power strip
Cloud pillow — magnetic levitation with a foamish plexiglass ‘cloud’ material
These were a few of my favorites, but check out the entire list here
Read more of: Futuristic design concepts that should exist »
This Twitter thing…
As you read this, someone is twittering. Actually, thousands if not millions of people are twittering. They are listening to the little voice inside that convinces them that the world will find interest in whatever it is they decide to use their precious 140 characters to share. It’s obviously the latest internet vortex that most all of us are now consumed in. However, It’s not really something that can be explained. Has anyone ever asked you exactly what Twitter was and you found yourself unable to really give a complete answer? One that at least justifies its existence? One that would then make it seem appealing enough for they themselves to join? If so, you aren’t alone. Most of the novelty of Twitter is only discovered after you’ve used it awhile. After you sign up having no idea why, you begin to type little things, while still having no idea why. Next you’ll probably go ahead and begin to add people you know in real life, and start to see what they write and etc. As times goes on you may notice more relevant tweets from folks, you may begin to tag your posts with categories, participate in follow friday, and really start to enjoy the thing. But the question is still unanswered. Why am I doing this? The core of Twitter is essentially vacant. It’s technology becoming utility, instead of technology created FOR utility. People made cars to get around faster, or elevators to not have to walk up stairs. Cell phones to speak wirelessly. Washing machines to save elbow grease… Do you see a pattern? Twitter doesn’t fit in that realm. It wasn’t meant as a “With Twitter you’ll now be able to _______!” sort of thing. Because it’s not. Nor do I think anyone ever sat in McDonalds and went “Dag, I wish there was a way to instantly tell the entire world that I just bit into this Big Mac, and it’s REALLY GOOD!” because it just isn’t necessary. There was no vacancy or void to fill. Any purpose or soul it has now or will have later is entirely up to what those that use it make it become. All this jazz about ‘networking’ and passing information quickly or whatever the laundry list of “what you think you’re using twitter for” is, in my opinion, just a secondary brain function. Pure human nature — the part that says if we spend THIS much time doing something, it should at least yield a benefit. The fact that it debuted in early 2006 and is only NOW household enough for my grandmother to know about, is a testament to that idea. That’s how long it took for it to really become something aside from randomly talking about the McDonalds you just ate. But naturally, that aspect is what makes it so popular. The most fun ensues when there isn’t a rulebook. Couple that idea with the nosiness aspect of truly being interested in what someone’s doing at any given second and you’ve clearly got a hit! I guess when it all boils down it’s all just a game that, despite the lack of a clear goal, tons of people, myself included, have joined in to play.
Read more of: This Twitter thing… »
World’s First Faceless Watch
This is fly as hell. Created by Tokyo-based designer Hiranao Tsubi, this watch just looks like a plain wrist-band when left idle. But with the touch of a button it illuminates to reveal digital numbers telling the time. Impressive, and also one of those things that seem so simple, it’s a wonder it hadn’t already been around. No release date yet. More of Hiranao Tsubi’s creations after the jump…
Via: City of Skies and D&AD
Read more of: World’s First Faceless Watch »
What did buttons ever do to us?! Concept Chrysler yet another product obliterating the button.
With the auto-show in town, car buzz is at a relative high. Has anyone gone? I haven’t managed to yet. Either way I’ve heard some news of a Chrysler concept. Apparently it seems they want to do away with buttons altogether, on the exterior and throughout the interior of the car. In an iPhone like fashion, users will control everything in the car via touch interfaces. Sounds great… as a concept, and in my opinion should remain one. My only gripe with touch screens in general is that it requires your sense of sight. Everyone knows I LOVE my iPhone, but meaningful interaction without looking at the screen is almost non-existent. There’s no way to feel your way around things, since nothing is tangible. I’m really wondering how they plan to make this work in a vehicle.There’d be no more groping to turn on the heat or A/C as you whiz thru traffic or thumbing through stations if a song you don’t like comes on. Everything would require you to actually stop and take a look, since there is no way to feel what it is you are doing — something I thought would be an obvious problem for a feature meant to be used while driving. But then again since the possible release is so far off, an estimated 2012 at best, the jury’s out on how they plan to market this. Perhaps the car is aimed at suicidal folk, lol. There’s also no word on whether this touch screen will be a luxury like when “power windows and locks” first arrived, with the option to take the regular (button operated) interface if the buyer chooses. Nonetheless for me it raises an even greater issue — the direction of technology in general. I need to talk to an expert, a technology weatherman of sorts, lol. What’s the forecast for the next decade or so? Is this touchscreen thing really meant to take over the world? Are buttons REALLY that bad? Sure the touch screen works in some instances, but must it transcend into every possible nook and cranny especially when practicality comes into question, like with this car? Hit me with your thoughts folks.
Here’s a little video example of the how the interface might work in the vehicle:
Read more of: What did buttons ever do to us?! Concept Chrysler yet another product obliterating the button. »
Wii Spray
I could only imagine how much fun professional artists and aspirers alike could have with something like this. Currently only in the experimental phases by some tech guys in Germany, no word on whether Nintendo plans to pick it up or if it will be even become mass produced for consumer purchase. Peep the vid below and check the Wii Spray Experimental Blog for more info.
WiiSpray Teaser from Martin Lihs on Vimeo.
Read more of: Wii Spray »
