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ICYMI: Jedi sword fighting, Chrysler car hacking and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-929278{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-929278, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-929278{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-929278").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: A Chrysler with a smart entertainment system was proven to be hackable and the company is releasing software to patch it. A martial arts company in Singapore is teaching swordplay with light sabers. And a new MIDI device for musicians will let them sync work over Bluetooth.
Bug-zapping lightsaber built in minutes, ready to fry pests
Simulated Jedi training not passing muster? Something more firmly grounded in reality might fit the bill. Hack a Day's bug zapping lightsaber, for instance, is suitably real -- and what it lacks in actual lasers it makes up for in insect annihilation. As the amalgamation of a Star Wars toy and an electrified bug racket, the zapper saber isn't exactly a looker -- two layers of metal mesh wrap awkwardly around the toy's telescoping blade, secured only by electrical tape and the sheer will of the force. All told, the contraption was constructed in roughly 20 minutes and Hack a Day reckons that more elaborate ones can be crafted with a tad more time and materials. Head past the break to catch the build process in motion.
Kinect lightsaber, and other inevitable milestones for the open-source robot eye (video)
What, you didn't think the Kinect open source community would just take a break for the weekend, did you? Microsoft certainly wouldn't want that, and after seeing how much shadow puppetry warmed our hearts, we wouldn't want it either! Thankfully, someone in this world can now track a wooden stick to emulate a lightsaber in real time, bringing one classic meme that much closer to actuality (and the promised Star Wars Kinect game not even parsec closer to release). If that's not enough, we also have a demo made that converts hand-waving to MIDI notes -- which, as creator Ben X notes, puts him one step closer to Ableton Live integration -- and a pretty pretty wild visual of body dysmorphic disorder (and a chubby cat) courtesy of the powerful open source Cinder library and a Vimeo user who goes by "flight404." If those were appetizer and two-part entree, respectively, our post-meal coffee would be a pretty sharp critique on Kinect Joy Ride -- where it seems, on at least one track, you can nab a bronze trophy by staying as still as humanly possible. All the footage you seek is after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Thrustmaster thrusts Wii Glow Saber, Dual Trigger Gun accessories in our direction
It's admittedly difficult to take a company named Thrustmaster seriously (especially on casual Friday), but given that it has recently pumped out what are likely the two best Wiimote accessories of all time, we'll give it a pass this go 'round. Speaking of, we'd like to point out that these two have been around the block a time or two, but that doesn't make the red and blue dueling Glow Sabers (each packing 17 LEDs, mind you) and the Dual Trigger Gun (complete with Nunchuck holster!) any less gnarly. The Glow Saber 2-pack is available right about now for $34.99, while the Dual Trigger Gun (shown after the break) should land in short order for $17.99.
Joystiq hands-on: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Wii)
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Star_Wars_The_Force_Unleashed_Wii_Impressions_Unleashed'; For good and bad -- or should I say light and dark -- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for Wii is clearly a Wii game. Side-by-side with the PS3 and 360 versions, the Wii graphics disappoint, and the complexity and frequency of enemies feels scaled back. But the Wii motion controls are regularly interesting, mapping many of the game's controls into gestures. The simplest ones feel great, like punching the Nunchuk forward to do the Force-push.After recently playing late-development versions of all four game editions--360/PS3, Wii, DS, and PS2/PSP--I think the Wii game holds up as well as any of them. I had fun throwing enemies, shooting them with lightning, and hitting them with the lightsaber. And while the Wii holds its own, I'm mildly concerned that the final game could be repetitious, just cutting down waves of attackers. Hopefully the many different attacks, and Wii-specific two-player duel mode, will keep the game interesting.%Gallery-20587%
Wii Light Sword lets you relive the shame of the Star Wars Kid
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo_wii/The_first_Wii_Lightsaber_Controller_has_arrived'; Ever since Nintendo's Satoru Iwata revealed the Wii remote's motion-sensing capabilities, gamers have been clamoring for someone, anyone, to help realize their deepest nerd fantasy -- using the Wii's controller to act out the Star Wars Kid video.Now, for only £14.99 (approximately $31), you, too, can record an embarrassing video of yourself looking like a damn fool fighting imaginary Stormtroopers with your special moves. The peripheral uses three AA batteries (not included) to power its 22 LEDs, just like the lightsabers used by real-life fictional Jedi!As lifelong fans of the original Star Wars Kid series, we can't begin to express how excited we are that someone is finally bringing some lightsaber action to the Wii. We're already making lightsaber sound effects at our desk while simulating a duel with our pens in anticipation. Swing past the break for a couple Star Wars Kid clips. Also, may the force be with you! May the force be with you all!
Star Wars Kid revisited with MacBook
I'm finally done being in pain from laughter to post this hilarious revisit of the Star Wars Kid using that MacSaber app we found over the weekend. Great work, YouTube user mathowie.[via Waxy.org]
MacSaber
MacSaber might be the coolest use of motion sensor in some Mac portables ever. Simply install this beta, and swing your MacBook (or other laptop) around. Suddenly your laptop is a laptop no longer, nay, it is a light saber!I must admit that I almost threw my MacBook across the room fooling around with this, but boy is it fun.[via Kottke]Update: To clarify, to the right is a screenshot of the program running. Swing your MacBook around, and make sure your speakers aren't muted.
