hands-free
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Mac OS X, Microsoft Kinect create gesture-based MRI demo
A team of researchers from the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Bern in Switzerland has developed a Kinect-based system for the touch-free control of medical imaging software. The group filmed an impressive proof-of-concept video showcasing their hands-free medical imaging system. It uses the Kinect to control OsiriX, OS X image software used to view MRI, CT, PET and other DICOM images generated from medical imaging equipment. The system would let doctors and other medical professional scan through a series of medical images as well as zoom and rotate individual images using only their hands or voice commands. One major advantage to this hands-free system is sterility. Because the system is touch-free, a doctor would not have to worry about contaminating his hands during surgery by tapping on a keyboard. While we have seen the Kinect used in a variety of clever Minority-report style hacks and even one OS X hack, this is one of the first Kinect hacks to have real-world application. Check out the video after the break and let us know what you think of Virtopsy's system.
NOX Audio Scout headset review
Earbuds: love 'em or hate 'em it's hard to argue with their eminent practicality if you're the sort who finds him or herself going from point A to point B on a regular basis. They fit comfortably in a pocket, don't screw up your 'do and, if you get a decent pair, offer some surprisingly good sound. The $80 Scout headset from NOX Audio promises to do all that and act as a hands-free microphone for your phone. Plus it has a cable that looks so much like an al dente piece of linguini we couldn't resist trying it. How does it taste in a white clam sauce and, more importantly, how does it act as a headset? Read on to find out. %Gallery-111577%
MagiTact hands-free phone control makes multitouch seem absolutely passe
Are you sick of your needy cellphone, always asking that you pick it up in order to perform essential tasks? Well, the brain wizards at Deutsche Telekom (pictured above) have just the thing for you: MagiTact is an app that uses your phone's compass (provided your phone has a compass) to track changes in the magnetic field around the device. This creates the possibility of a whole host of gesture-based commands, such as silencing a ringing phone or terminating a call, without having physical contact with the device -- as long as you're wearing magnetic rings on your fingers. Another interesting possibility is a pinch-to-zoom function that takes place behind the phone, so your fingers don't obscure the map as you speed away from that ill-fated bank heist -- but seeing as how the technology still only works about ninety percent of the time, we wouldn't recommend using it to make your getaway. [Warning: source link requires subscription] [Thanks, Ernesto]
Cartel's CT-2000 in-car Bluetooth handset adds music control, can't shake the retro
Cartel's CT-1000 brought about lots of laughs here at Engadget HQ, and frankly, we're shocked and amazed (and glad) these guys are still hanging tough two years later. The newest in-car handset system is the predictably titled CT-2000, which includes a Bluetooth-enabled handset that's meant to be permanently installed within your vehicle and wired to your audio system. Once installed, all of your mobile calls can be routed to this -- because, you know, chatting on a corded phone circa 1992 is entirely more safe than chatting on your mobile or using a handsfree solution. The only difference we can spot between the new guy and the aged sibling is the addition of music control, a "slimmer" (albeit wider) design, room for your phone contacts and one-touch speed dialing. There's no mention of a price, but trust us, you're better off in the dark. [Thanks, Martin]
iBike Rider case for iPhone aims at bikers, people with their arms full
The iBike Rider is a wrist-mounted iPhone case designed to give you easy access to your handset as you cruise around town looking for fights. When paired with its heaphone / mouthpiece, you can listen to tunes or accept calls via the headset. Of course, if you actually wanted to place a phone call it's a simple matter of stopping the bike, removing the phone from its case, removing your gloves, and then dialing away. But once you've done all that, jump back on your "hog," look both ways before entering traffic, and you're an Easy Rider once again! This bad boy is also useful for turn-by-turn GPS instructions -- but if you don't know your way to Bass Lake by now, what kind of a Hell's Angel are you? Available now for £34.10 (about $54).[Via So Easy GPS]%Gallery-75131%
TomTom car kit delayed until October
Since its release in late August, the TomTom for iPhone [iTunes Link] application has received a lot of attention. When the application was first debuted at WWDC, it became one of the first products to combine both hardware and software for the iPhone. The car-kit (which provides a separate GPS module for enhanced positioning, connections for audio and iPhone charging capability) was expected to be released alongside the app. More information was then leaked after TomTom's car kit was seen on the FCC website. It looks like TomTom has decided to delay the release of the car kit until October to "deliver the highest quality innovative product." In a small note on their website's FAQ page, TomTom announced: The TomTom car kit availability was originally planned for this summer. But we have decided to take some extra weeks in order to deliver the highest quality on this innovative product. So, the car kit will become available this October on www.tomtom.com. There are now many GPS apps available for the iPhone, but much of the excitement and anticipation for the TomTom version stems from its inclusion of a bundled accessory. We'll see how sales do when the car kit is released later next month.
TomTom for iPhone now available in US
There's been plenty of hype and mystery surrounding the TomTom GPS navigation app for iPhone. Originally announced back in June, the app created by the popular GPS company promised to be the first of its kind... only to have competing apps from Navigon, Telenav from AT&T, iGO and others hit the store ahead of it. Finally, TomTom for iPhone [iTunes Link] has debuted on iTunes in the US today (already up and reviewed in its New Zealand incarnation) and is now available for purchase. Priced at $99.99, the app is a fully featured turn-by-turn GPS system that includes: landscape and portrait modes & pinch to zoom take full advantage of the iPhone interface voice guided directions integrated with your iPhone address book route options including fastest, most direct, etc. ability to find points of interest and call for reservations TomTom is also offering a bundle including the application and a car cradle kit that offers enhanced GPS performance, a charging port and hands-free calling. Having just hit the app store, details are still coming in about the features of the app and news about the car kit's availability. TomTom's iPhone website doesn't seem to be updated often, but it offers a link to subscribe to news updates as they become available.
Bluetooth headset sales booming after legislation changes in CA and WA
Talking while driving just got a little more expensive on the west coast. Legislation went into effect last month in California and Washington requiring the use a headset of some sort. California's law was passed way back in 2006, yet most would-be good citizens waited until the absolute last minute to comply, with sales of Bluetooth headsets surging to four-times the national average in the months prior according to the NPD Group. Still, 7,182 citations were handed to naughty Californians in July. Up north only 100 were nabbed, as Washingtonian drivers can't be pulled over unless they commit some other violation as well, making headset use there a little more ... optional, so long as you lay off the throttle, Speed Racer.
Headsets.com giving away gear to those nailed by CA's new handsfree legislation
We feel for all of you in California who are dealing with the new hands-free legislation that came down upon you today like an edict from your overlords. If you're one of the unlucky few who get nailed by the 5-0 for talking on your cellphone while driving, though, there's some silver in those dark clouds. Headsets.com is giving away the Plantronics Discovery 925 bluetooth earpiece -- worth $150 clams -- in exchange for proof that you were pulled over. Now, don't go talking on your cellphone in the hope of getting one of these, though -- that $20 fine could get you a decent headset today anyway.
Gaze Interaction interface tweaked for gaming
Remember that Gaze prototype we showed you, oh, not even a week ago? Turns out, a similar setup has received a healthy amount of funding from the EU, and unlike sluggish systems of the past, this one may enable people with severe motor disabilities to engage in 3D gaming. Communication by Gaze Interaction (COGAIN) is designed to speed up the eye-computer interfacing by recognizing when users look off screen; in doing so, the system can switch between modes or perform any number of tasks not easily accomplished by simply peering in a different direction. Reportedly, Stephen Vickers (the creator of this fantastic stuff) is hoping to begin software trials within the next dozen months, though future implementation still remains somewhat fuzzy at the moment.[Thanks, Iddo]
Video: NeoVisus Gaze prototype enables handsfree computer control
If you're tired of worrying about carpal tunnel syndrome setting in and ruining your ability to surf the intarwebz, Martin Tall is cooking up an alternative to the tried-and-true mouse / keyboard control combo. The NeoVisus Gaze prototype, quite simply, enables computer users to control the action on screen with just their eyes. Granted, this setup works entirely better when viewing photos than, say, typing up a thesis -- but there's always voice recognition software for that, right? Check out the demonstration video below.
Hands-on with the Motorola Smart Rider
We're really not so sure we can envision mounting one of these in our own slab, but we'll admit, Motorola's Smart Rider is just about the most fully-featured car kit we've ever seen. The thing's pretty freaking massive and the screen's plenty clear, which we figure is perfect for drivers who want to minimize the amount of time they spend fiddling with controls and maximize the time they spend... oh, you know, driving. In general, the device could stand to be just a little less angular -- we figure a few folks are going to balk at mounting this giant hunk of plastic in their beloved rides -- but then again, the device seems targeted squarely at fleets where aesthetic beauty is far from priority one. Click on to the gallery to get a sense of what we mean.%Gallery-20039%
Now you're playing with ... no hands
Never one to shy away from innovative gaming setups, Nintendo experimented with dozens of unusual peripherals and controllers decades before the Wii remote debuted its motion sensing capabilities. The NES's Hands Free Controller, a 2.5-pound device that strapped over your chest and provided a chin-fitted joystick (or a foam-covered ball) as its directional pad, was definitely one of those unconventional setups. Using an articulation tube, physically-limited gamers with special needs could "sip and puff" with the HFC instead of pushing the A and B buttons on a traditional controller. Sipping and puffing with more force would translate into hitting Select and Start. The button modes and pressure settings were adjustable with several knobs and switches on the device's control panel. Because it was never sold in stores and was only available for purchase through Nintendo's customer service line, the HFC is one of the most rare NES accessories out there. An unused bundle that showed up on eBay recently commanded a Buy It Now price of $379.99! Head past the post break for some old magazine scans advertising Nintendo's Hands Free Controller.
JVC releases its KV-PX70 nav unit in Europe
A 4.3-inch touchscreen, live traffic updates, Bluetooth for hands-free calls and an SD card slot for photos and video -- nothing groundbreaking, but a solid offering all the same. JVC's KV-PX70 portable GPS unit is bringing its complete lack of surprises but overall sex appeal to Europe today, for roughly €575 -- spendy indeed, so hopefully you Europeans get what you pay for with this one, the specs are promising.[Via NaviGadget]
Mvox Duo Bluetooth headset and speakerphone
It's hard to believe this is a first (you listening China, Korea?) but Mvox is calling their Mvox Duo the "world's first all-in-one wearable smart communicator." Surely, it's not the fact that this Bluetooth headset can be used with your cellphone, hands-free car kit, or favorite VoIP application (yes, it works with Skype), so it has to be the fact that it does all that and contains a speakerphone. The speakerphone with "patent-pending small array microphone technology" is said to allow the device to offer near 100% voice recognition. In other words, it's designed to "grab the speaker's voice" while blocking-out the background noise. It can also be attached to the PC via USB cable which hopefully doubles-up as a charger. Available Q4 which could mean next week, for $199, list.
California to go hands-free in the car
Banning phone use while driving is all the rage these days -- despite evidence suggesting it doesn't help -- and now California's the latest to join the bandwagon. The law, which goes into effect January 1, 2008, requires the use of a hands-free device when chatting behind the wheel, lest some Erik Estrada type pulls you over and slaps you with a $20 fine. Repeat offenders get their fine upped to $50, but apparently has no adverse effect on the driver's insurance premium; we suspect a sizable number of Californians are going to view an occasional $50 chat with a CHiP as more of a price of doing business than a deterrent (but then again, maybe that's the idea). And no, being parked in LA traffic won't count as an exemption.[Via Autoblog]
Logitec's LAN-WSPH01WH Skype phone
Logitec, the h-free variety, has revealed the existence of a new and delightfully named LAN-WSPH01WH Skype handset with a particularly Sony Ericsson-esque design. The candybar handset is rocking a 1.8-inch screen along with WPA2 capable WiFi: for added convenience, Logitec has also made it so the phone will charge over your computer's USB port. Pricing is at ¥25,100 (which is around $214 US) and according to the official site the phone should be hitting Japanese shores sometime around late September. Judging by Logitec's track record, don't be shocked if this remains Japan-exclusive for a while.
Audex's Bluetooth Headset for landlines
It's okay, we didn't know people were still using landlines either. For the last few holdouts, though, Audex (not to be confused with the Burton jacket of the same name) presents its Desk-Free Bluetooth Headset for telephones, which attaches to your fixed line phone and gives you that same great 10-feet of wireless freedom that you've come to love from your current cellphone-headset combo. We've no idea where you can pick one of these up nor how much it'll set you back, but if you're really in need of such a product, we're confident that you'll do what it takes to track one down.[Via Slashphone]
Nokia CK-20W Car Kit promises to bundle talk, tunes, and nav
In what seems to be a brilliant marketing maneuver, Nokia is hyping its new CK-20W Car Kit as the "first integrated hands-free solution to combine high-quality communication, music, navigation and push-to-talk in the car," when all you're really getting is a dash-mounted dock and a remote. According to Nokia, you need to supply your own GPS Bluetooth receiver if you want navigation functionality (they suggest the forthcoming Nokia LD-2 Navigation Pack), although music streaming and hands-free chatting are achievable right out of the box. The kit is compatible with most Nokia phones and even standalone MP3 players if all you want are some tunes, but adding the nav pack requires you to own a S60-powered device to run the Route 66 mapping software. Prices have not been announced yet, but both the car kit and GPS receiver are expected to be available next quarter.[Via Wired Blogs]
