Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sony brings the Holodeck to life, throws in giant sea monsters for free (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/03/sony-brings-the-holodeck-to-life-throws-in-giant-sea-monsters-f/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/03/sony-brings-the-holodeck-to-life-throws-in-giant-sea-monsters-f/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/03/sony-brings-the-holodeck-to-life-throws-in-giant-sea-monsters-f/#commentsThe Holodeck is real and there's no Lt. Barclay to make things awkward. Using a combination of a Steadicam, multiple EyeToy cameras, PlayStation Move controllers, projection mapping, motion tracking, spandex-clad actors and giant rubber sea monster tentacles, Sony Europe, Studio Output and Marshmallow Laser Feast shot three web videos to highlight the immersiveness of movies rented or purchased from the PlayStation Store. Impressively, the shots rely exclusively on visual tricks, with zero editing or postproduction work. Is this the future? See for yourself after the break and relive the joy of the Holodeck without having to interrupt Worf from one of his weird workout routines.

Continue reading Sony brings the Holodeck to life, throws in giant sea monsters for free (video)

Sony brings the Holodeck to life, throws in giant sea monsters for free (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DactorcontrollerEuropeEyeToyimmersiveLt. BarclayLt.BarclayMarshmallow Laser FeastMarshmallowLaserFeastMovemoviePlayStationPlayStation StorePlaystationStoreprojectionpropsrentalsea monsterSeaMonsterSonySony EuropeSonyEuropeStoreStudio OutputStudioOutputvideoSat, 03 Dec 2011 04:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Creepy, laughter-tracking PS3 patent has us rethinking Sony's whole PlayStation Eye strategy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/15/creepy-laughter-tracking-ps3-patent-has-us-rethinking-sonys-wh/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/15/creepy-laughter-tracking-ps3-patent-has-us-rethinking-sonys-wh/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/15/creepy-laughter-tracking-ps3-patent-has-us-rethinking-sonys-wh/#comments Don't they know people look at these things? A recently awarded PS3 patent includes this harrowing "FIG. 2," which portrays a fictional idiot laughing at some "Crazy Inventors" programming, while the PS3 tracks Mr. Laugh's every movement and sound through the PlayStation Eye. The brooding, spiteful console could theoretically pick up on different moods like sadness, excitement, joy and boredom -- before presumably changing up action onscreen to quell that pesky uprising of "emotion" in the subject.

[Via Joystiq]

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Creepy, laughter-tracking PS3 patent has us rethinking Sony's whole PlayStation Eye strategy originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emotionemotion detectionemotion trackingEmotionDetectionEmotionTrackingeye toyEyeToyplaystation eyePlaystationEyeps eyeps3PsEyesonySat, 15 Aug 2009 21:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's EyePet beta hands-on: it's probably the most adorable thing ever]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/28/sonys-eyepet-beta-hands-on-its-probably-the-most-adorable-thi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/28/sonys-eyepet-beta-hands-on-its-probably-the-most-adorable-thi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/28/sonys-eyepet-beta-hands-on-its-probably-the-most-adorable-thi/#comments
We just got a brief glimpse at the new PlayStation Eye-based augmented reality EyePet game from Sony, which is on track for a holiday release on the PS3. It's no Project Natal, but what the game lacks in gesture-based interaction (though we were able to pet and play with the little guy pretty intuitively) it makes up for in extensive adorability. You can naturally play, feed, groom and customize your pet -- even teach the thing to draw shapes and bring them to life in a sense -- but it's surprisingly fun to just watch the little dude scamper around in seemingly real space. The title will be available both as a standalone game and as a bundle with the PlayStation Eye. Check out a video of the game in an early beta state after the break, and you can find Joystiq's E3 impressions of the game here.

Continue reading Sony's EyePet beta hands-on: it's probably the most adorable thing ever

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Sony's EyePet beta hands-on: it's probably the most adorable thing ever originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmented realityAugmentedRealityengadget videoEngadgetVideoeye toyeyepetEyeToyfeaturedvideofeatureshands-onplaystation eyePlaystationEyeps3sonyvideoTue, 28 Jul 2009 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Eye gets utility boost, hacked to work as webcam]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/playstation-eye-gets-utility-boost-hacked-to-work-as-webcam/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/playstation-eye-gets-utility-boost-hacked-to-work-as-webcam/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/playstation-eye-gets-utility-boost-hacked-to-work-as-webcam/#comments
Remember that PlayStation Eye you purchased way back when? You know, that PS peripheral you used for all of 12 minutes before shelving indefinitely? It's time to break that bad boy back out, as a detailed hack from the NUI Group shows how to convert it into a working webcam within Windows. Make no mistake, this isn't the simplest hack in the whole wide world, but the long-winded instructions ought to guide you right through. What are you waiting for? Head on down and get to work!

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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PlayStation Eye gets utility boost, hacked to work as webcam originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eyeeye toyEyeToyhackmodplaystation 3playstation eyePlaystation3PlaystationEyePS Eyeps3PsEyesonywebcamWed, 01 Oct 2008 03:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba's Cambridge Research Lab shows off gesture-controlled TVs, image recognition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/29/toshibas-cambridge-research-lab-shows-off-gesture-controlled-tv/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/29/toshibas-cambridge-research-lab-shows-off-gesture-controlled-tv/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/29/toshibas-cambridge-research-lab-shows-off-gesture-controlled-tv/#comments
Toshiba is pulling an EyeToy, minus a diabolical plan to actually sell the thing and make a killing off of collectable elemental decks. The company's Cambridge-based Research Lab has some new video camera-based feature they're prototyping for possible eventual TV implementation. The real highlight is a fist-based cursor control -- just stick out your hand, make a fist, and control a cursor on-screen for navigating the TV's functions. You can also put up your palm to stop the madness, and even rotate 3D images on-screen, but it's all a little shaky for now. Another thing we saw was picture recognition: hold up a cue card to the TV with an image on it and the TV recognizes it and performs a pre-assigned function. Tosh is also working on speech recognition and some other things; not really changing the world, but some fun stuff all the same.

Gallery: Toshiba's Cambridge Research Lab shows off gesture-controlled TVs, image recognition

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Toshiba's Cambridge Research Lab shows off gesture-controlled TVs, image recognition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eyetoyfeaturesgesturegesture controlGestureControlhands-onifaifa 2008Ifa2008prototyperesearchtoshibaFri, 29 Aug 2008 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony brewing up 1:1 motion tracking sword game for PS2 and EyeToy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/14/sony-brewing-up-1-1-motion-tracking-sword-game-for-ps2-and-eyeto/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/14/sony-brewing-up-1-1-motion-tracking-sword-game-for-ps2-and-eyeto/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/14/sony-brewing-up-1-1-motion-tracking-sword-game-for-ps2-and-eyeto/#comments
This makes sense on very many levels, but at the same time we've gotta think those long-suffering PS3 owners will be a bit "hacked off" by Sony's announcement of a motion-tracking sword game headed for... the PS2. The PS2's market saturation (every man, woman and child on earth has at least two), and the EyeToy's general success (10.5 million units sold) make the combo the perfect trojan horse for fighting the good fight against Wii world domination. Sony's using new (sort of) color tracking technology to beef up the EyeToy's motion tracking that will let it detect and track brightly colored objects, instead of just motion, for two new EyeToy: Play games due for the holidays this year. The one we've really got our eye on is the kiddie-oriented Hero which is a first person perspective sword fighting game that comes complete with a fluorescent toy sword for battling kinda-almost-evil antagonists. Of course, none of this would be disappointing in the slightest if Sony would just work PS2 backwards compatibility into its fully capable PS3, and hey, maybe they'll surprise us. Nudge, comma, nudge. Wink. Wink.

[Thanks, Seth B]

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Sony brewing up 1:1 motion tracking sword game for PS2 and EyeToy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eyetoyheromotion trackingMotionTrackingps2sonyThu, 14 Aug 2008 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Cam-Trax is "coolest thing since ice," can provide Wii-like controls with any webcam]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/27/cam-trax-is-coolest-thing-since-ice-can-provide-wii-like-cont/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/27/cam-trax-is-coolest-thing-since-ice-can-provide-wii-like-cont/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/27/cam-trax-is-coolest-thing-since-ice-can-provide-wii-like-cont/#comments
Hey, we've seen quite a few gimmicky game control schemes in our day. We thought we were jaded, believed that we could no longer be moved emotionally by a few dorks in a lab, promising to revolutionize video games with their insanity. Until we saw Cam-Trax. You'll get it in a moment by peeping the video after the break, but the basic gist is this: Cam-Trax offers highly accurate and responsive tracking of random colorful objects you hold in front of your webcam and tell it to track. Gameplay can be EyeToy-esque, but it can also be so much more, since the unit can track many objects in a full three dimensions. The video shows everything from a glorified game of pong to a FPS, and promises to control "any game" with "any webcam." Show us more, Cam-Trax.

[Thanks, Chen D.]

Continue reading Cam-Trax is "coolest thing since ice," can provide Wii-like controls with any webcam

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Cam-Trax is "coolest thing since ice," can provide Wii-like controls with any webcam originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 May 2008 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cam traxcam-traxCamTraxeyetoygame controllerGameControllerwebcamTue, 27 May 2008 21:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony announces PlayStation Eye webcam for PS3]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/sony-announces-playstation-eye-webcam-for-ps3/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/sony-announces-playstation-eye-webcam-for-ps3/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/sony-announces-playstation-eye-webcam-for-ps3/#comments

Well it may not be the high-definition EyeToy HD IP webcam that gamers had been hoping for, but Sony has finally announced the (first?) official EyeToy for PS3, called simply the PlayStation Eye. With an array of four microphones, two zoom levels, and capture rate as high as 120fps, the Eye promises to deliver unprecedented cam-enhanced gameplay, although the VGA video resolution (and that's at 'only' 60fps) will probably nonetheless be a disappointment to some. Bundled in with the not-yet-priced package will be EyeCreate editing software, which allows users to add different effects to their content as well as record footage using time-lapse and slow-mo settings, among others. No word yet on other specs (still shot res?) or compatible games, either, but we imagine that a lot more info will trickle out as the Eye's planned summer release date grows nearer.

Update: Well what do you know, Sony and Hasbro also announced Eye of Judgment, the visual, interactive-card driven game they demoed at E3 last year. Good luck keeping people from printing out their own cards from the internet, guys. Should be out in Europe this summer, and the rest of the world this fall.

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Sony announces PlayStation Eye webcam for PS3 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewseyetoyplaystation 3playstation eyePlaystation3PlaystationEyeps3sonyThu, 26 Apr 2007 09:55:00 EST