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ASUS' Eee handwriting pad evokes the Dreamcast, flannel shirts
Apparently ASUS thinks that people will want a tiny computer which they can delicately slip into their back pocket, but would also be interested in carrying around a slew of cabled peripherals. Hence the creation of this USB "handwriting pad" for the Eee -- not to be confused with a steam-rolled Dreamcast controller (VMU included, of course). Honestly, when the plastic takes up more space than the screen, things might not be as "handy" as you suspect. Guys, Sega and 1998 called, they want their design back.[Via Pocket-lint]
Control WoW with your eyes
Adding one to the list of things I've never thought of that are actually pretty cool, scientists at De Montfort University in the UK have developed a way to control WoW with your eyes. The system uses existing LED eye-tracking devices, and essentially the cursor just goes where you look. Looking offscreen in various directions can trigger different modes (for combat or travel, for instance). The intention behind this project is to help people with disabilities that prevent them from using traditional input devices. So far, judging by the video, the interface is not up to par with clicking or key-pressing, but I think it does have potential for situations where it's required. The research team hopes to begin trials next year.[via Wonderland]
DIY hand-based 3D input
If you've ever felt the burning desire to give your index finger a little more prominence in your day-to-day computing exercises, here's your chance. A DIY'er has combined an IR-based, homemade tracking system with a piece of software that he's coded which can translate the IR data into 3D navigation. So far, the system can track the movement of two hands using six individual points (we assume one per axis, per hand). Details are scarce on the project right now, but the prospect of manipulating onscreen images or spaces in three dimensions with a cheap and simple solution is definitely enticing. Check the video after the break to see a finger in action.
Samsung patent application reveals touchscreen ruler interface
Samsung looks to have found a solution to the small problem of adding some dedicated input buttons to a device that fills up its face with a touchscreen although, as you can see above, it's still on the drawing board. Samsung's answer, according to a recent patent application, is to use a sliding ruler that hovers over the screen and provides a touch pad for the most often used functions. That also has the added benefit of being able to divide the screen into two separate areas, which could apparently be adjusted at will depending on the application. Of course, there's no indication as to when such a device might become a reality but, as Unwired View points out, it's certainly possible we could be seeing one sooner rather than later.[Via Unwired View]
Videogames and the iPhone SDK
Now this is what I like to see-- Wil Shipley's mind is already working overtime dreaming up fun stuff to do with the iPhone's SDK when it drops in February ("times nicely," he says, "with my being done with Delicious Library 2 and looking for something to do before I start on v3"). As good as a game like Battlefleet is (and it is good-- I finally got my iPhone last weekend, and I've been playing Battlefleet quite a bit), browser games aren't going to cut it. We need games that take advantage of that multitouch screen to track dynamic input, games that take advantage of the fact that we're carrying little computers capable of great graphics around in our pockets, and games that take advantage of the fact that these phones can network like no other.A platform like the iPhone was made for casual, persistent gaming. I want a little virtual pet in my iPhone, ready for me to take care of and level him up at a moment's notice, polished with quality and creativity. I want awesome little pick-up-and-play games that save my progress and track my stats. Shipley's idea of a virtual collectible card game, or the networking game in which "pets" on iPhones close to each other start fighting is perfect.I like what the iPhone devs have done so far-- the NES emulator was one of the first iPhone apps that really "caught on," and as soon as it can be done "legally," it probably will be. But this is a system that, if given the right software, could compete with the most popular handheld systems. Even the DS doesn't have multitouch. If the right folks have the right ideas and implement them the right way on the iPhone (and why wouldn't they?), this little gadget is going to become one of the best handheld software platforms (for gaming or anything else) ever made.
Today's newest input device video: Slide Adventure
The nearly released (in Japan) DS game, Slide Adventure: Mag Kid must be seen in video to be appreciated. The DS mounts inside a baby-walker-style cradle and rolls around on a table, dictating in-game action. It basically turns the DS into a mouse. It's hard to tell if the game will be fun, but as always, we tip our hat to games that try new things.See the Japanese commercial after the break.
Text-o-possum: low tech, bad art
From the amazing "artist" who created the Compubeaver (a case mod involving a dead beaver meant as social commentary), comes this latest thought-provoking piece: the Text-o-possum. Delivered as a conceptual composition, the taxidermized opossum is supposed to represent our "disconnect from nature." Undoubtedly thrilling stuff if you just got out of art school, but seriously, this is just one of those laser keyboards wedged under the leg of a dead animal. We get the impression that, Damien Hirst excepted, no one's very interested.[Via Wired]
Microsoft to unveil 'PlayTable' gesture-based interface at D?
If ZDnet staple Mary Jo Foley (or more specifically, her source) is right, we may be seeing Microsoft take the next big step in device interaction at tomorrow's D: All Things Digital Conference, with the perennial Redmond watcher predicting an official unveiling of the company's PlayTable / Project Milan multi-touch, gesture-based input technology. PlayTable, which combines elements we've seen in the iPhone, from NYU's Jeff Han, in various prototype devices, and from Microsoft's own, recently-demo'ed DigiDesk, is envisioned as a multi-purpose interface that can be employed in anything from a DAP (Zune) to a cellphone (WinMo handsets) to a gaming console (Xbox) -- so it's no coincidence that the project is being developed by the same Mobile and Entertainment division that's also in charge of these categories. All in all, tomorrow promises to be a big day: not only is Palm making a potentially breakthrough announcement, and the faces of Apple and Microsoft scheduled to appear together on the same stage, but we may also get to witness computing history to boot; man, if we had real jobs, we'd be calling in sick in a heartbeat. [Via Scobleizer]
SandioTech 3DGame O' laser gaming mouse reviewed
It might be difficult to hold back your astonishment, but it looks like yet another input peripheral maker is offering up a "gaming mouse" to hopefully hook buyers who'll try (and buy) anything to gain an edge. Incredibly, SandioTech's iteration somehow manages to differentiate itself from the hordes of alternatives already out, but this somewhat positive attribute was also its biggest pitfall according to DragonSteelMods. Reviewers tested the 2,000dpi laser mouse out in a variety of circumstances, and immediately noted how unique the "six degrees of freedom movement" system was, but also felt that it catered more towards RTS gamers and macro-lovers than your average FPS guru. Swamped with programmable joysticks and buttons, the relatively large mouse was deemed versatile and full of potential, but the high learning curve and somewhat specialized layout could be a turnoff for the casual fan. Still, the mouse garnered a four out of five rating overall, but unless you spend the majority of your life tackling pixelated monsters in an MMO, we'd suggest looking elsewhere.
TUAW Tip: Use ambient noise reduction for chats and sound recording
I do a decent amount of audio recording and chatting, but I don't ever remember seeing this option in System Preferences until last night. Turning on the "Use ambient noise reduction" feature under the Input tab of the Sound pane can help cut out the TV or dogs barking in the background, though it obviously isn't an end-all solution. A quiet, sound proofed setup is still ideal, but this setting should help for those times when 'ideal' just isn't possible. The setting should work with your Mac's built-in microphone, as well as any external mics you plug in.[Update: From the comments, it sounds like this might only be an option on Apple's Intel-based notebooks. Readers are reporting that PowerBooks, iBooks, G5 iMacs and even Core Duo Mac minis (an Intel non-portable) don't have the feature. This is very interesting, and suggests that it could be due to an actual update to the microphone hardware in the MacBook/Pros since, as far as I know, noise cancellation typically involves a dedicated chip for this kind of functionality. Only certain mobile phones, for example, actually have noise cancellation, and I believe that is also due to the presence of a specific chip.]
Wiimote meets enterprise, unproductivity ensues
Oh the suits, how we love 'em. Spreadsheets, meetings, PowerPoint -- doesn't get much more exciting than that. Or does it? A few enterprise types at Colgate-Palmolive gathered after-hours and managed to get a Wiimote up and running with a custom Ruby on Rails / Script.aculo.us / database-thingy, allowing for much more immersive data manipulation. Unfortunately, all that's really going on is the Wiimote is interfacing with the computer as a substitute mouse, pushing around some oversized buttons. Not quite the beautiful melding of gaming and office work we had envisioned, but we congratulate these guys for trying -- now back to work, we need new cover sheets on those TPS reports!
QinetiQ develops mouse-less mousepad
U.K. defense and security firm QinetiQ -- you may remember them from such fun-filled gadgets as exploding ink and the Millimeter Wave see-it-all-o-vision -- have turned their attention to slightly more mundane endeavors, developing what is effectively a mouse-less mousepad. Dubbed for patenting purposes the "non contact human-computer interface," the system consists of an array of infrared emitters and sensors that work in conjunction to detect the position of a hand moving above them (as artfully illustrated above). While it can be used to control simple cursor movement, the device one-ups the venerable mouse in at least one area, boasting the ability to recognize various gestures to perform more complex tasks -- for instance, moving your hand in a circle to shut down your computer, or flashing a gang sign to open up your favorite website (we're hoping). While there's no word when it might actually be available, QinetiQ says it should be fairly inexpensive, as it relies on the same infrared diodes commonly used in television remotes, and we all know there's no shortages of those.[Via New Scientist Tech]
Nintendo confirms Wii Wavebird support
Back when Nintendo first announced that the Wii would accept standard Gamecube controllers as a form of input device, there was the question of Wavebird compatibility. The Wavebird, the first truly effective wireless controller, requires a block "receiver" be plugged into the Gamecube, and since the ports on the Wii appear to be recessed into the system, many wondered if they would properly fit. Wonder no more! Nintendojo had Nintendo representatives confirm Wavebird support, o' glorious day! You'll still need the receiver, however. Also mentioned was that the Gamecube controller can be used with "select Wii games" ... Super Smash Bros. Brawl sounds like a prime example, assuming we won't need to buy the classic controller to play it. Thanks, Nintendo.[Thanks, Ritz and Nushio!]
Brando's Mini Bluetooth Keyboard eases phone typing
Predictive text and alternative keypad arrangements (some bizarre) ease the painstaking procedure of hammering out the occasional email or note on the old mobile, but at the end of the day, nothing beats good, old-fashioned QWERTY (or Das Keyboard, if that's how you roll) for text entry. Brando's new $56 Mini Bluetooth Keyboard takes the old, tried-and-true formula of the foldable keyboard and scales it down a smidge, giving users a device that they can realistically carry pretty much everywhere they're taking their phone. Usability is an open question -- those keys do look mighty small -- but we're figuring a crappy keyboard is better than none at the end of the day.
Control your laptop by hitting it
They say that you only hurt the ones you love, which may be why even the savviest computer users still resort to physically striking their laptops out of frustration or in futile attempts to fix a problem. Well a recently-posted article at IBM Devworks shows you how to take those punishing blows and channel them into something more productive, by allowing you to input commands on select ThinkPad notebooks through rapping your knuckles on the case in specific sequences. Using a script called knockAge, owners of post-2003, Linux-powered ThinkPads with the Hard Drive Active Protection System can leverage the sensitivity of their machines' built-in accelerometers to perform almost any task imaginable simply by whacking the side of the LCD screen. Once the software is properly configured, you can program your lappy to accept a specific knock sequence for unlocking the screensaver, for instance, or to change tracks in your music player; and if you set up a command for initiating remote troubleshooting, why, for the first time you'll have a way to actually fix your computer by landing a few well-placed blows.[Via Slashdot]
Next-gen Nokia 770 could sport webcam, WiMax
Those of you who were disappointed to learn that Nokia eschewed that rumored QWERTY thumb board for a less functional on-screen keyboard in the recent 770 software bump will be pleased to hear that a new interface method is just one of several changes the company is looking at for its next-generation of Internet tablets. In discussing the future of the 770 line with Cnet, Nokia's VP of convergence Ari Virtanen also mentioned that a webcam could be part of the equation, as one of the company's goals with this lineup is to duplicate the fixed Internet experience on a mobile device. And although cellphone radios are still not expected to find their way into these new products-- Virtanen said that Nokia wants to keep some of its offerings out of the "cellular value chain" -- their absence may not be actually be missed that much if the company goes ahead and includes WiMax as it's also said to be considering.
Zi announces advanced Chinese text messaging input system
Calgary-based Zi Corporation has announced an updated version of its eZiText predictive text input system that they say is the most advanced predictive text solution for China to date, making it even easier for users to break China's questionable texting laws. Zi's new system offers full phrase-level input for both phonetic and stroke modes and promises new levels of error toleration, as well as Cangjie support for users in Hong Kong and Taiwan. More details on how well all this actually works should start coming out when the system is unveiled at CommunicAsia in Singapore next week.
PS3 pad loses DualShock name and vibration but picks up Wii-esque motion detection and wireless connectivity
In a shocking turn of events, the PS3 controller has gone from banamerang to wireless DualShock 3, except without the DualShock name and vibration.If you take a good look at the back of the new control pad (see the close-up above), you'll notice that the DualShock 2 brand name imprinted on the old controller has now been supplanted by a row of LED lights to show which input has been set, either wirelessly or via the wired USB recharge port. Sony's now the only name in-line for PS3 controllers either on the pad or in the press releases (see "the new PS3 controller").
Samsung patent uses projector and electronic pen for virtual screen
We're a little confused, since yesterday the word was that Samsung had teamed up with Iljin Display for packing a projector into their phones, but we guess they need to have their bases covered. Samsung has just been granted a patent they submitted in 2004 for a virtual input interface, a bit similar to that virtual keyboard from iTech. It involves a phone-based projector, an "electronic pen," a "position detector" and some handwriting recognition stuff. Yeah, we know, real technical-like, but it sounds like yet another vain attempt to create a better way to input text and other info into a mobile phone. Can't fault them for trying, but let's hope the mind-reading efforts are well under way.[Via Unwired View]