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Google Chrome Labs experiment is Etch A Sketch for your browser
Google allowing its developers to do their own thing for Chrome Labs can lead to cool experiments the rest of us can play with. One of those developers, for instance, has created a virtual Etch A Sketch for your browser. And, yes, it works even on browsers other than Chrome, including Firefox and Opera. Aptly called Web A Skeb, the experiment works just like the drawing toy and is even as tough to draw on -- it took me a few tries to draw a semi-decent "e," but then again, I haven't had practice in decades.
The Etch A Sketch gets an LCD makeover but retains its magic
We've all labored over an Etch A Sketch at some point in our lives, painstakingly turning the two knobs to create a single-line black drawing on the gray screen. It's a classic toy that hasn't changed much over its sixty years of existence, because it hasn't needed to. Regardless, Spin Master's decided to mix things up a bit, replacing the aluminum powder mechanism with a black LCD screen. Now, you can use a handheld stylus to create drawings in rainbow colors. But at least you still erase it the same way.
Etcher iPad case works like a real Etch A Sketch
We get to see all sorts of Kickstarter projects here at TUAW. There are the incredibly successful and "why didn't I think of that" projects like the Pebble e-paper watch (now at well above US$10 million in funding) or the Une Bobine iPhone cable (fully-funded, as discussed on TUAW TV Live). And then there are projects like the Etcher iPad case that might be technologically cool, but impractical as hell. The Etcher is an iPad case that looks and works like an Etch A Sketch. Sure, there are other Etch A Sketch cases for iPad, but how many of them work just like an Etch A Sketch? You can turn the knobs, which cause a line to be drawn on an app on the iPad. You can save and share your works of art, and then erase the Etcher app screen with a shake of the case. The Etcher iPad case has been developed by a crack team of tech wizards -- Ari Krupnik, who has developed a number of successful iPhone and iPad peripherals; Maarten Dinger, who was on the design team for the Flip camcorder; and Lee Felsenstein, one of the original members of the Homebrew Computer Club in the 1970s and designer of the original Osborne 1. Now, to get to the main point of my post. Yes, this is very cool. Yes, it's officially licensed by Ohio Art, the folks who make the "real" Etch A Sketch. But is it really practical? The Etcher will apparently sell for about US$45 provided it gets funded. For that amount, you can buy three original Etch A Sketch toys from Amazon and probably have enough change left over to buy a latte. Drop the original on the floor and break it (unlikely, since they seem indestructible), and you just have a mess to clean up -- not a broken iPad. At this early date, the Etcher has about $10,000 of a planned $75,000 goal, with almost a month left to go. And no, I am not going to back this project. How about you?
Insert Coin: Etcher, the fully functional Etch A Sketch iPad case
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Visions of the iPad as a modern-day Etch A Sketch have so far been primarily decorative: they've been more about remembering youth than recreating it. That's why Ari Krupnik & Associates' officially-sanctioned Etcher iPad case project on Kickstarter stands out. Those knobs? They work, and they're Made for iPad certified. And, as the Etcher is a product of the digital era, your creations in the custom-written app can be saved and shared to Facebook, Flickr or even YouTube as a time lapse video. Shaking the Etcher will still erase your image -- it just doesn't have to disappear forever this time. Your pledge level determines not only what variety of Etcher case you get, but how much control you get over the project. Committing $45 is all it takes for the nostalgic red, but if you spend $60, $75 or $100, you'll have the additional options for blue or a special backer-only color. Those at the $100 level get to vote on what color they and the $75 pledge-makers will see. A $175 outlay will provide early access to the software development kit as well as a say in what open-source license the code will use. Moving up to $210 or $360 will give you that control as well as an accordant five or 10 Etcher cases. If you like what you see, you have just over a month to contribute and make the iPad drawing add-on a reality.
Arduino hacker conjures NES and Etch-a-sketch wonderment (video)
You never know when that creative spark will ignite in your brain and compel you to sketch out some ideas. But when that genius moment finally arrives, you might consider grabbing your original Nintendo controller, quickly wiring it up to an Arduino board, connecting that to some motors and then using those to drive the dials on an Etch-a-Sketch. Modder Alpinedelta32 tries it in the video after the break and it turns out to be a breeze -- and so much more tactile than other idea-capturing devices.
iPad Etch A Sketch case: can you handle more magic?
If there's one sure way to get consumers to part with their hard-earned cash it's nostalgia. So check this, the official Magic Etch A Sketch iPad case licensed from Ohio Art. Made from ABS plastic, the case features rubber feet, felt backing, and retractable kickstands for laying the iPad flat or angling it for on-screen keyboard use. And those knobs? Decoration only son, they don't actually do anything. And while it promises to make you the "coolest kid in the conference room," it's more likely to confirm your boss' suspicion that he hired an overgrown baby -- such is the price for wistful affection. Oh, and the $39 required to take this home.%Gallery-102844%
Etch A Sketch clock automatically draws, redraws time
Automating Etch A Sketch units to pull off all sorts of mesmerizing tricks is certainly not new, but angelabuilds' beautifully created Etch A Sketch clock truly is a notch above the rest. Reportedly, it was built upon the Arduino platform and obviously references a few other EAS masterpieces, but we really can't think of a better wall clock for the true geek. Click on through to check out a video of the unit drawing 11:41 and moving on to 11:42 -- seriously, watching the seconds tick away has never been more riveting.[Via MAKE, thanks Nick]
By golly, it's a Etch A Sketched Big Daddy
Only rarely does one stumble upon great artwork that touches them to their core and pulls out emotions that are so deeply embedded. The kind of art that truly inspires greatness and makes one want to scream out loud "I love etched BioShock artwork!" And the picture you see above, made us say just that.The mysterious and ever so talented Etch A Sketchist created the masterpiece above using his Etch A Sketch, sketching what looks to be the cover art of BioShock, but re-mastered and completed with two white knobs. We must say that his work on the Gears of War scene that we saw a while back was pretty spot on, but this BioShock masterpiece takes the cake. We've never felt the urge to hug an Etch A Sketch as much as we do right now ... we love our BioShock, oh yes we do.[Via The Cult of Rapture]
Etch A Sketch will sketch its way onto the XBLA
In what has to be arguably one of the oddest XBLA game ideas to ever come to fruition, Indian developer Game Shastra announced that they will be working on an XBLA version of ... Etch A Sketch. Yup, Etch A Sketch. It's the same red bordered, white knobbed, shaky-shake artistic device you played with as a kid, but now on your TV and coming to the Arcade. We aren't sure when or how Etch A Sketch will land on the Arcade, but we're almost certain that the game will not require shaking your HD television back and forth to erase the screen. Because that "feature" would so result in HD TV pieces scattered all over the floor. Anyway, full and completely interesting Etch A Sketch press release is viewable after the break.[Via Xbox 360 Rally]
Street Fighter II, Etch-A-Sketch-style
Recently posted on The Etch-A-Sketchist, a site dedicated to art created on our favorite drawing canvas of frustration: a detailed rendering of a Street Fighter II battle between Ryu and Sagat. Even more astounding is the artist created the scene on a travel Etch-A-Sketch which is approximately the size of a bacterium. Great patience and a steady hand went in to the making of this piece of art. Be jealous.Also take a peek at Sonic the Hedgehog, Mr. Spock, and the classic Optimus Prime.
Turn your Nintendo DS into an Etch A Sketch
Haven't you ever wanted an Etch A Sketch right there, on your DS? (We hadn't considered the possibility until today.) For $25, and some familiarity with homebrew apps, you can get a DS motion card, which includes a 3-axis accelerometer and a single-axis gyroscope. Apparently some folks have already cooked up some apps that will work with this card, including an Etch A Sketch-style application and two games. You can plunk down the cash for the pre-order, but if you want something a little more immediate, you could just buy a regular Etch A Sketch for far less, and not have to worry about all that homebrew stuff. Your call, though. [Via DS Fanboy]
World's largest Etch A Sketch unveiled
In an apparent offering to the retro gadget gods, the world's largest Etch A Sketch was unveiled at the SIGGRAPH conference this week in Boston. And, as if a giant Etch A Sketch wasn't cool enough, it actually works. At the conference, some 3,000 people in the audience were able to control the monolith simultaneously by using two-sided paddles that signaled sensor cameras, letting one side of the audience control the right knob and the other side control the left knob. Things took a tragic turn, however, when the audience tried to shake the Etch A Sketch to erase their drawing, causing the entire structure to come crashing down on top of them, injuring dozens. Ok, just kidding about that last part, but the audience could actually shake the Etch A Sketch.
