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Satechi's X-Presenter Smart is a perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite businessperson
If you're looking for a stocking stuffer for that certain someone who gives a lot of presentations, I think I may have just the item for you. Satechi's new X-Presenter Smart (US$29.99) is an iOS app-enabled laser pointer, a stubby stylus, and a remote mouse all in one tiny little package. That package is about .4" in diameter and about 2.2" long. Inside a silicone cover you'll find the removable laser pointer, which plugs into the headphone port on your iPhone. To use the laser pointer, you need to download the free X-Presenter Smart or X-Pointer Smart app. The former provides a way to control a Keynote or PowerPoint presentation running on a Mac or PC through a virtual mouse, while both apps give you the opportunity to blind the audience point at details on the screen. The laser pointer is quite bright, even in well-lit rooms. During my testing, I was able to amuse my elderly cat Ruby for about a minute before she wandered off... But it's the wireless mouse and presentation control feature that's really cool. The X-Presenter Smart comes with a small dongle for communicating with your Mac or PC. I'm not sure why Satechi chose to use this rather than just use the built-in Bluetooth of the device, but perhaps it's to add range so that presenters can wander around stage without being close to their laptops. The app works great with both PowerPoint and Keynote. There's a button for starting your presentation, after which time you can jump into the mouse mode to advance through your bullet points and slides. If you're on a limited time schedule for your presentation, there's a handy countdown timer you can set and start once you've begun your talk. The mouse mode also has a tap and drag virtual laser pointer capability, but I believe that it might only work when connected to a projector as I couldn't see the "pointer" onscreen while watching my presentation on a MacBook screen. There's a blackout button on the presentation tools, perfect for those situations where you may need to go to a black screen during your presentation before starting up again. Once you're done with your presentation, you can slide the laser pointer back into the silicone sleeve, where it provides rigidity for a nice little (albeit stubby) stylus. Conclusion This is the perfect accessory for anyone who gives presentations on a regular basis. The combination of a Bluetooth remote virtual mouse, the ability to start and progress through presentations, and the real laser pointer -- all for thirty bucks -- makes the Satechi X-Presenter Smart a no-brainer for a gift at any time. Pros Bright laser is perfect for pointing out details on presentation slides X-Presenter Smart App is free and very powerful, providing capabilities that aren't available on some dedicated wireless remotes that cost much more Works with both Keynote and PowerPoint on both Mac and PC Cons So small that the laser/stylus and dongle might be easily lost -- be sure to put them into a safe place between presentations You may need to remove some cases prior to using the laser pointer Who is it for? Anyone who gives presentations for a living
Alpha Range iOS game requires a pico projector and laser pointer, we go hands-on (video)
Granted, a magical little smartphone is all the gadgetry most casual gaming fans require to get their fix, but when LaserVR's Travis Haagen popped by our informal meetup at Portland's Ground Kontrol to talk about Alpha Range, we couldn't help but be impressed by the project. The game has a classic Asteroids / Space Invaders feeling to it, but Alpha Range is more than just another bit of mobile nostalgia. For one thing, you're going to need a lot more than just your phone, including a projector (pico will do fine for your needs) and a tripod. You project the game field onto a the wall (in the case of Ground Kontrol, we taped up a few pieces of paper, which worked fine) and interact with objects using a laser point. When your iOS device is facing the wall, its camera monitors the field, using computer vision algorithms to detect your laser shots in real time, finally discovering a novel use for laser points that doesn't involve annoying rock bands or cats. Hitting the circular enemies will cause them to vaporize or perform other functions like opening up a black hole, depending on their color. The game was pretty responsive and incredibly addictive -- in fact, we were a bit bummed when we finally had to put the laser point down. Such fun isn't cheap, however -- it'll run you $8 from iTunes, on top of the price of all the accessories involved it getting it off the ground. Still, it's nice to see an innovative take like this on a classic gaming scenario. We've got a video of the Star Trek: The Next Generation-inspired game after the jump.
Liquidware team crafts laser tripwire that tweets intruder alerts, keeps fake sharks at bay (video)
Laser tripwire security systems can be expensive propositions that don't always work as planned -- just ask Raytheon, which saw its $100 million Perimeter Intrusion Detection System for JFK International Airport undermined by one wayward jet skier. Taking that as a form of dare, Justin Huynh and teammates at Liquidware have devised a much cheaper (if also much smaller) tripwire of their own. Any interruption of a laser pointer's beam is caught by an Arduino light sensor that promptly sends the alert to an Android-running BeagleBoard xM; if a toy like Bruce the shark dares cross the line, the BeagleBoard sends a Twitter message to let the authorities, or at least Huynh, clamp down on the trespasser. The invention won't replace Raytheon's handiwork anytime soon, although Huynh notes that additional or more powerful sensors could theoretically catch real, muscle-bound sharks and not just their plastic counterparts. The supply checklist and source code are waiting on the company's project page below, so those who'd like to ward off miniature invasions can get started today.
Wicked Lasers' S3 Krypton laser is bright enough to blind astronauts (video)
If you ever plan to lead a PowerPoint presentation projected on giant white board orbiting the Earth (we'll leave the logistics of that one up to you) there's only one laser that will get the job done -- Wicked Lasers' S3 Krypton. The Guinness Record-pending laser produces about 86 million lux and can be seen from up to 85 miles away, well beyond the edge of our atmosphere. Of course, at roughly 8,000-times the brightness of the Sun, serious safety precautions are needed when operating the S3. Goggles are a must (and bundled with the handheld laser), while sensors and a microprocessor regulate current to keep the tube of aluminum from overheating in your hands. The top end model is available now for $1,000 but, if blinding astronauts isn't on your agenda, lower-powered versions can be had starting at $300. Check out the video after the break.
Griffin announces 'Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer,' gives up on creative product names
Multitasking business executives are going to love this. Whether you're taking notes on your tablet, pointing out graphs in a presentation or just signing reports, Griffin's new "Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer'' should have you covered. As the name implies, it's a three-in-one input device containing a red laser pointer, an "omni-directional" capacitive stylus and a refillable ball point pen. It certainly seems convenient, but with a $50 price tag you may want to think twice before ditching your Bic. Full PR past the break.
EFO iPazzPort Keyboard looks like a BlackBerry, calls your HTPC instead of your boss
In the world of the HTPC, the quest for the least inconvenient means of controlling on-screen action continues. We had a winner with the Rii Mini wireless keyboard in March, but the familiar aesthetics of this EFO iPazzPort keyboard make us want to have one lying about our coffee table. This is the newly redesigned third generation model, a big step forward from the first gen and, from the second revision, adds on function keys that can be used during bootup (for the "Hit F1 to enter BIOS" types), dedicated keys for playing and pausing and whatnot, and a laser pointer -- crucial for indicating the fatally arcing trajectories of contestants on Wipeout. All that's in addition to the already present QWERTY keyboard resting just below a functional touchpad. The cost? $45. Watching your friends try to make a call from your keyboard? Priceless.
Rii Mini Wireless Keyboard is perfect for your HTPC, not your Wii (video)
For HTPC owners looking for the perfect couch-borne computer keyboard, this Rii Mini Wireless Keyboard looks like Natuzzi nirvana, packing QWERTY (with function keys) and a touchpad all in a package that should fall to the hand more comfortably than that Scientific Atlanta remote your cable company has saddled you with. There's even a laser pointer, making it a snap to indicate strange shapes and symbols seen on Lost episodes -- or to taunt the cats when an episode's fifteenth plot twist leaves you disinterested. We're not sure exactly what Brando means when it says the thing has "iPhone style," but despite that we're liking it, and the $92 $49 price isn't completely outrageous. YouTube video review embedded after the break for the doubters. Update: A few bargain-hunting commenters pointed out that this is available for $48.99 over at TomTop. That's savings you can count on, folks! Update II: Seems the product page has been yanked from TomTop, and one tipster says that the company is no longer replying to requests about his order. Buyer beware.
Richard|Solo 1800: More of everything!
We reported on the Richard|Solo Smart Backup Battery for iPhone a few months ago. Now Richard|Solo has released a much improved version of the Backup Battery that not only provides more power for your iPhone or iPod, but some excellent new features that trash the competition. The Richard|Solo 1800 has 50% more capacity than the original versions, which had 1200 mAh of power. The new model has an 1800 mAh capacity, and is latched firmly onto the iPhone using a specially designed mechanism. There's an optional plastic support brace that reduces the lateral force on the battery connector; wonderful if you want to use the iPhone while charging it with the 1800. Richard|Solo provides a dual-port USB car charger in addition to the AC wall charger, which still features a retractable cord for tangle-free storage in your computer bag or purse. The coolest new features are two built-in lights; a white LED flashlight and a red laser pointer. The Richard|Solo 1800 retails for $69.95. If you own an iPhone or recent iPod, this is the backup battery to buy! It's well designed, feature packed, and reasonably priced. Now I need to get one for my wife! What do you use for backup iPhone power? Leave a comment!
LaserGames mouse emulator: more fun than blinding a 747 pilot
LaserGames is a mod for projectors allowing up to two players to interact with a game using a run-of-the-mill (red or green) laser pointer in place of a mouse or controller, minus the precision response. Developer Alpay Kasal of Lit Studios isn't giving any hints on how this thing works, but we imagine it uses sensor technology similar to interactive projections -- you know, the ones where a video is projected on the ground and you get to kick around a soccer ball and then watch some tacky Nokia ad at the end. If you're up for trying this out first hand, Kasal's prototype will soon be on public display for some wild and crazy retina burning action -- no word yet on when or where. Check out his video after the break.
Laser pointers banned in New South Wales after rash of attacks on pilots
Here's a tip: you should probably leave that handy-dandy laser pointer at home when heading off to vacation in New South Wales. As of today, the Australian state has placed high-powered hand lasers, including the infamous "star pointers," on the list of prohibited weapons, and anyone caught carrying such a device without a permit could face up to 14 years in the slammer. The move comes after an outbreak of laser pointer attacks on airplane pilots, which have left them temporarily blinded and could have caused some pretty catastrophic consequences. Looks like those Aussie kids will have to find some other gizmos to carry out their high school hijinks, huh?[Via Switched]
DVD laser retrofitted into Mini Mag flashlight
If you've ever been memorized by the eerie glow of a laser diode (that would be everybody, no?), and don't mind hacking up a spare DVD drive in order to craft your own laser-based flashlight, this here project is all you. By extracting the laser diode from an unused DVD optical drive and obtaining an AixiZ Laser Module, a Mini Mag, and an assortment of fairly common tools, the laser that formerly read your flicks can now light your way. Of course, you should realize that beaming any living thing in the eyes with such a device is unsafe (and frankly, downright unkind), but feel free to hit the read link below, check the vid after the jump, and get to work if your trusty flashlight just isn't brightening your day nights the way it used to.
The Jasper Keynote RF green laser pointer: Powerpoint or Astronomy, you choose
If you've been waiting around for the world's first green laser with RF Powerpoint slide-control then today's your lucky day. Sure, sissies will get by with their weak sauce red laser pointers, but any self-respecting he-C-leveler knows that green lasers -- some 50 times stronger than red -- are where the real action is. In fact, Jasper say it's so strong that it's "ideal for astronomy use." See little Billy, right there... that's the cheese I was telling ya about. Ok, ok, we know how sky pointers work, but still. $169 with USB receiving device right in the box.
Kokuyo's USB mouse with pointless laser
Good Lorf, another unwanted bastard of convergence: the Laser Pointer Mouse from Kokuyo. While Kokuyo's wireless laser mouse pointy thing was at least palatable and potentially useful, how the hell are you going to benefit from a laser pointer tethered to a laptop in the conference room? Come to think of it, we guess it works for the type of timid forest creatures who like to present while seated. The mouse features an 800dpi optical sensor with a 1mW, class-2 laser which can keep it together over a distance of about 25-meters. Hits Japan December 27th for about ¥4,500 or right around $38. [Via Impress]
Homebrew laser pointer-based gesture interface
While some may think laser pointers aren't good for anything other than hijinks that may or may not cause blindness, intrepid hacker "mnt" apparently has a greater affection for the technology that's been the cause of so much embarrassment. Using nothing more than a cheap webcam and some mad coding skills, he's manged to turn that run-of-the-mill laser point into a gesture-based interface device, employing Grafitti-like symbols to control media playback on his PC (check it out in action after the break). Sadly, he hasn't made the necessary software available to the public just yet, so unless you've got the skills to whip up your own, it looks like you'll be stuck with your antiquated remote control for a while yet.[Via Hack A Day, thanks Mike]
Alphacam's multi-convergent USB camera: the drinking bird lives!
We'd like to be the first to welcome the drinking bird into the 21st century. Introducing the Neo from the Alphacam kids of Korea. This multifunction device brings a 2 megapixel auto-focus webcam, laser pointer, business card reader, voice recorder, and all purpose text scanner to the show. No pricing announced but it should be shipping already in Korea, you know, in case you're in the hood. Check the Neo snapped in a few more poses after the break.
