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Scientists create a tiny, flexible lens modeled on insect eyes
Science seems obsessed with creating tiny objects that can do big things. Like a team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison which has created a new microlens with a 170-degree field of vision. Modeled after an insects multi-faceted eye, the flexible lens is roughly the size of a pinhead. Where typical lenses refract light, this one focuses using diffraction, which bends it as it passes over the folded barrier. Each of these bendable structures look like bullseyes because the lens is made up of both light and dark regions. The distance between these concentric circles determines how far the lens can see and the best part is, because they're flexible, the field of vision can be easily altered.
Snapchat Micro will bring disappearing messages to Samsung's Galaxy Gear
There seems little doubt that much of the Galaxy Gear's success or failure will hinge on the selection of apps that arrive on smartwatch. Samsung is making a strong push for third-party software (even in the face of limited device storage), courting a big cross section of developers at places like Path and eBay for its wearable. Popular messaging app Snapchat will also be hitting the device in the form of Snapchat Micro. As you'd expect, the app harnesses the Gear's 1.9-megapixel camera to send self-destructing images. The company's founder told Techcrunch, "Our team is constantly looking at ways to reduce the time between our experience of a moment and our ability to share it." Walking around with a camera on your wrist is certainly one way to go about it.
Daily iPhone App: Slayin is an adorable microRPG
Since the App Store opened its virtual doors, we've seen a lot of "micro" versions of larger genres, including platformers and RPGs. The iPhone lends itself to smaller, quicker experiences, and so a lot of developers have boiled down some very large game styles into much smaller forms. Slayin is essentially a very boiled-down fantasy role-playing game, and it's probably one of the most charming games of this type I've ever seen. The idea is ingenious. You play as a hero who constantly moving back and forth across the screen, facing endless waves of enemies and bosses. There's just one rule: Anything that touches your outstretched sword gets hurt, and anything that touches you hurts you. There are buttons to switch your direction and jump, and that's it. It's up to you to avoid enemies when you can. It's incredibly fun to just cut a swath through the first few waves of blobs, murdering them for gold and XP as you go, but later enemies and bosses get tougher, requiring precise timing and dextrous moves. Fortunately, this is also a full-fledged RPG, in that you level up as you earn XP, and there are occasional pop-up shops that let you buy items and recharge your health. The graphics on this one are simple, but so darn cute, and there's a surprising amount of depth in which weapon you choose to hold out in front of you. There are also missions to beat each playthrough and extra classes to unlock, so there's quite a bit to do here despite the game's simple premise. Slayin is an absolute charm -- I opened it up not knowing what to expect, and it won me over almost immediately. It's available on the App Store this week for just US$0.99.
GoPano Micro brings 360 degree video to iPhone 5, now on pre-order for $69
Not all Kickstarter projects take flight, to say the least, so it's nice to see one like GoPano Micro that not only went somewhere but is continuing to evolve. The company has just put a new version of the 360 degree camera lens adapter on pre-order, this time for the iPhone 5. The tiny lens is mounted to a case for Apple's latest smartphone, and lets you film while panning in any direction by swiping the screen left or right -- as shown in the video for the last model, after the break. It even lets you scroll around the video after its been recorded, since it films the entire circular panorama at once. It'll run you $69 to grab one, including a second case for the iPhone 4/4S, so if you're looking add to your bag of cinematic tricks, click on the source.
Researchers power microbots made of bubbles with lasers
They may not be "robots" as most have come to expect, but these so-called microrobots developed by a team of researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa do have at least one thing in common with many of their mechanical counterparts: lasers. As IEEE Spectrum reports, the bots themselves are actually nothing more than bubbles of air in a saline solution, but they become "microrobots" when the laser is added to the equation, which serves as an engine of sorts and allows the researchers to control both the speed and direction of the bubbles. That, they say, could allow the bots to be used for a variety of tasks, including assembling microstructures and then disappearing without a trace when the bubble is popped. Head on past the break for a video of what they're already capable of.
Tamaggo 360-imager concept hands-on
Why settle for a boring 62-degree view (the field of view of a 35mm lens) when you could be taking in the full 360? Well, we suppose iPhone attachments are needlessly bulky, and throwable camera orbs can easily concuss bad catchers -- but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have options. The Tamaggo 360-imager, for instance, might be a pretty good option. This egg shaped (Tamaggo / Tamago, get it Japanese students?) camera natively snaps 360-degree images -- at least we trust it does, the non-functional unit we saw on the CES show floor mostly just fit our hand well. Snapping 360-degree images seemed like an easy enough task -- a large silver button sits comfortably on the device's top, representing the shutter. On the eggs bottom we found a spot reserved for a 2-inch touchscreen, specifically designed to be viewed while holding the device aloft. The images can be viewed on the PC using an included application, offering you a Google street-view like look at your latest vacation pics. All in all, the Tamaggo seems like a very comfortable camera to use, and promises a fun gimmick -- we're just sad we didn't get to actually use it. Either way, we'll take a crack at the panoramic egg once its ready for prime time. Daniel Cooper contributed to this post.
David Attenborough to produce Galapagos islands documentary for Sky 3D, be really British
A living British treasure makes a 3D documentary that much better. On Thursday, the Sky television network announced that Sir David Attenborough will be embarking on his fourth 3D project with Sky, a three-part natural history series centering on the Galapagos islands. Galapagos 3D, which is set to air on Sky 3D in late 2012, will be written and presented by Attenborough and follows several successful collaborations between Sky and Atlantic Productions, including the BAFTA-winning Flying Monsters 3D, The Bachelor King 3D (which airs on New Year's Eve) and Kingdom of Plants 3D, a series based at Kew Gardens (due to air on Sky 3D next year). The series will include both micro and macro filming on location as well 3D visual effects which discuss both the Galapagos islands and the forces that helped shape them. In other news, David Attenborough really likes hanging around thousands of sea birds, and if there's a windbreaker he can wear while doing it, then he's set.
Sony's 0.7-inch OLED microdisplay packs 720p resolution, has head-mounted displays in mind (update)
Say howdy to Sony's ECX332A! Excited? We'll, if you're into shooting DSLR video using electronic viewfinders, head-mounted displays, you might be. This new OLED microdisplay measures in it a mere 0.7-inches, managing an HD resolution of 1280 x 720. As understood by OLED-Info, it features "the same white OLED and color-filters architecture" as the ECX331A (far left), which is the 0.5-inch, 1024 × 768 XGA variant Sony's implemented inside of the EVFs found on its NEX-5N and A77 cameras, among others. Notably, it'll likely be a pleasure to look through with a brightness level rated at 200 cd/m2 and a peppy response time of 0.01ms. There's no word on what future Sony shooters we can expect to find the ECX332A in, but if you're curious for more details -- and well-versed in kana -- hit that source link below. Update: As it turns out, this isn't exactly a new EVF-purposed display -- it's apparently the microdisplay being used twice over inside of Sony's HMZ-T1 head-mounted 3D visor. You'll find further clarification at the "more coverage" links below. [Thanks, Aaron]
Fusion Micro mod weds PSP and GameCube hardware, but battery won't last the honeymoon
It may not be the first console we've seen modded and squeezed into portable clothing, but we've got to admire the sheer pluck of cramming all the GameCube's goodnesss into PSP hardware. Modder Ashen, also responsible for the stockier GameCube Fusion, has managed just that, with some heavy-duty adjustments and modifications. The Fusion Micro is a fair bit chunkier than the original PSP, mainly due to the fan and heat sink behind all that busy hardware. Other modifications include an extra analog stick on the right to mimic the GameCube controller and two card slots for games and emulation. Despite this impressive engineering, however, it won't stand up to extensive plays; this unholy union of Nintendo and Sony can only squeeze out about two hours of gaming from its 5000mAh battery. Click on after the break to see Zelda in action, alongside a full break-down of the controls and modifications. [Thanks Ashen.]
The Lawbringer: What World of Warcraft can learn from other microtransaction models, part 1
Pop law abounds in The Lawbringer, your weekly dose of WoW, the law, video games and the MMO genre. Mathew McCurley takes you through the world running parallel to the games we love and enjoy, full of rules, regulations, pitfalls and traps. How about you hang out with us as we discuss some of the more esoteric aspects of the games we love to play? Microtransactions are here to stay. We were wary and scared in the beginning -- it was a brave new world, having the gall to ask consumers for a couple of bucks for horse armor. DLC (downloadable content) and microtransactions evolved over time to include better customization, new missions and levels, convenience purchases, and more. The industry began to shape itself around the growing need for better revenue models, as well as conforming to the needs and wants of players while remaining (hopefully) pure in motive. With the huge success of the free-to-play model in the United States and Europe, a feat which many said was not going to go over too well outside of the Asian markets, paying for your game over time instead of up front has become a staple, an afterthought, to gamers. World of Warcraft isn't going true free-to-play any time soon, of course. The subscription model works for WoW in a fairly unique way. The number of global subscriptions for WoW make up such a huge, defined income that removing that income from the table in favor of the "5-percenters," the people who presumably pay for items in-game, would be almost criminal in terms of corporate mismanagement -- unless, of course, you could make more money on those 5-percenters than you do on 11.4 million monthly subscriptions, which seems like a hefty move to make.
GoPano Micro brings 360-degree video recording to the iPhone 4 (video)
We've seen still photos shot in the round, but wouldn't it be nice to snag some panoramic moving pictures every once in a while too? Well, the folks at EyeSee360 certainly think so, which is why they've given the iPhone 4 some 360-degree video recording capability with the GoPano Micro. Comprised of a plastic case for your handset, a detachable 360-degree lens, and a GoPano app, the system lets iPhone fanboys do a circular pan with the swipe of a finger. That put you in the moviemaking mood? Well, you can't get your hands on one just yet, but the venture has already reached its $20,000 funding goal, so those willing to invest $50 can head over to Kickstarter to reserve one of the first GoPano Micros off the production line. Before plunking down your hard-earned cash, however, check out all the full-circumference cinematic fun after the break.
JTT's Chobi Cam One 'micro DSLR' is sure to meet your micro expectations
Japanese retailer JTT has already proven itself to be a fan of tiny cameras, but it's truly outdone itself with its latest offering: the Chobi Cam One. At last you'll be able to carry a DSLR in your pocket, with only some minor trade-offs in things like image quality, features, and usefulness. You can swap in your choice of three different magnetically-attached lenses, though -- and while you won't exactly get great pictures or video from the thing, you can at least store a lot of them thanks to the camera's microSD card slot. Look for the camera itself to set you back ¥9,800 (or about $118), with extra lenses running between $30 and $60 (bundles are also available).
AAXA busts out its bright little XGA M2 projector
AAXA is known in some circles for making bright little pico projectors, and its newest, the M2, is no exception. This latest model packs 110 lumens of brightness, XGA (1024 x 768) resolution -- seemingly a first for the world of tiny projectors. It also has 1GB of built-in storage plus an SD card slot if you need to get serious. The micro projector also boasts VGA, HDMI, and USB ports. Other than that, the M2 has a built-in media player with support for MP4, MP3, AVI, JPG, and other file formats, and optional cables for iPod, PSP and smartphone hookups. AAXA's M2 is available now, and you can grab one for $369.
HyperMac Micro, Mini, and Nano hands-on
They're light, they're colorful, and with the exception of the Mini, HyperMac's new kandy-kolored iPhone / iPod batteries are easily pocketable. It's a shame the new style hasn't found its way to the MacBook-charging lineup -- let's hope that's in the cards -- but on the plus side, given it charges any USB-powered device, we can see this coming in pretty handy on an universal level. Like gazing upon rainbow-colored batteries? We've got you covered in the gallery below. %Gallery-85276%
Get your Kung Fu on in City of Heroes
Do you sometimes wish that when everybody is kung fu fighting they didn't all look so alike? NCsoft seems to feel the same way, because they've now made available the City of Heroes Super Booster IV: Martial Arts for ten bucks. Yes, now when you're fighting foes with malicious martial intent you'll look "spiffy" and whatever other adjective you feel like tossing into the equation. The booster comes with more than costume pieces, however. It also contains ninja-theme costume change animations and a ninja running power. There's also two new emotes for roleplayers, who tend to be the biggest emote fans. This makes the fourth booster pack since the original (or microtransaction bundle, if you like) for City of Heroes and you can bet there will be plenty more as long as these continue to sell. Our guess for the next addition? Mutants would be a safe bet; mutants or zombies.
Thanko Microsports MP3 player is small, really small
Thanko is a brand forever tied to crapgadgets. It can, however, surprise us occasionally as it has with its new Microsports MP3/WMA/WAV player in 2GB (¥4,980 / $55) or 4GB (¥5,980 / $66) models. Measuring 16×25×22mm / 8g, it's about the size and weight of an average Bluetooth headset. And while we've seen similar micro players strung from lanyards, this is the first we can recall with an integrated ear-bud -- the second bud attaches via USB-cable for stereo audio. Looks comfy, eh? %Gallery-73295% [Via Akihabara News]
Microbot controls swarm of bacteria, puts all flea circuses to shame
Sylvain Martel, what hast thou sown? The director of the NanoRobotics Laboratory at the École Polytechnique de Montréal this week is presenting his latest microbot at ICRA in Japan, and it's got a pretty crazy trick. The solar panel-equipped device sizes up to about 300 x 300 microns, and using a sensor to detect nearby pH levels, it's been shown as capable of controlling a swarm of 3,000 bacteria using electromagnetic pulses. Sure, Martel suggests there'll be some eventual medical uses for the technology, but we'd be lying if we said the video demonstration didn't give us the willies. See for yourself in the video linked below. Read - Announcement Read - Video
Paradigm Cinema Gaming speaker systems target double-duty living rooms
Paradigm strikes an uncanny balance with its speakers, covering a wide gamut of price points while maintaining audiophile cred at each one. Recognizing that gaming consoles play an increasing role in HT setups, the company is introducing pre-packaged speaker bundles with its Cinema Gaming systems. Let's see -- a high-end badge, value-conscious pricing and single-SKU convenience? Sounds good to us. First up is the Micro system ($894), consisting of a pair of Paradigm Micro bookshelf speakers and Cinema ADP surrounds, a Cinema 110C center channel and a PDR8 sub. If you need to fill a little more volume with, er, volume, there's the Phantom system ($1474) with a pair of Phantom floorstanding speakers and Cinema ADP surrounds, a Cinema 220C center channel and a PDR10 sub. These 5.1-channel systems are also available in 2.1-channel flavors -- just leave out the surrounds and center channel -- bringing the prices down to $487 and $977 for the Micro and Phantom setups, respectively. Available now from authorized Paradigm dealers, so hop to it! Full press release after the break.
7 great Game Boy games that got the shaft?
Let's face it: we all love the DS, but if it wasn't for the handhelds of yesteryear, we wouldn't be enjoying the dual-screened bliss we do on a regular basis. Instead, our reality would be dark and cold, our fear of what is right in front of us only challenged by our incredible lack of knowing what is right in front of us. It would probably lead us to suicide.But, lo and behold, the passage of time flowed in favor of Nintendo, as the Game Boy lead to the Game Boy Advance and the Game Boy Advance lead to that stupid Game Boy Micro thing the Game Boy Micro and then, finally, to the DS. But what about all of those great Game Boy games that time forgot?Well, now is the time to rustle up those nostalgic memories you have pattering around your noggin. The games are: Rolan's Curse 2 Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters Mole Mania Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge Mega Man V Kirby's Dreamland 2 Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land Personally, we would've liked to see Street Fighter II get some love (kidding!). What do you all think? What games do you like? What does this list need?[Via Go Nintendo]
Micro makes list of worst-selling handhelds
When thinking back to that moment when Reggie pulled the GBA Micro out of his pocket at E3, the only feeling that could come close to what we were feeling then is if we were repeatedly punched in the crotch. And while some find the Micro to be a wonderful little gadget, we think those folks are crazy. Looney Tunes crazy.Numbers don't lie, however, as even with 2.5 million units sold, it's still one of the top ten worst-selling handhelds. It probably has something to do with the fact that squinting at its tiny screen for mere minutes causes incredible headaches in the player (based on our own experience). [Via NintendoRevolution]
