motion sensor
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DIY tilt-sensor for the next-gen gamer on the go
Tilt sensing isn't quite the novelty it once was, with all these new-fangeled controllers and laptops flooding the market, but as much as the execution might lack, or our child-like joy wane, we've always got room for one more tilt-enabled doohickey at the Engadget HQ. This time around it's the Nintendo DS sporting the fancy functionality (again), via a homemade tilt sensor which plugs into that handy mini-USB port. Unfortunately for the bleeding edge types, the actual use of this thing is an exercise in frustration, since the control is merely digital -- full left or full right, none of those fancy degrees. Still, if your mom and her gal pals have commandeered your Wii for the afternoon, you've just gotta get some Nintendo-flavored tilt-sensing action on, and you can't find your Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble cartridge anywhere, then it sounds like this DS hack is the hack for you. Alternatively, you can apparently plug this thing into your PSP, but we don't have any video evidence to back that up. Keep reading to see the DS in action.[Via DS Fanboy]
Third party card brings motion sensing to the DS
Yes, you read that correctly -- thanks to the power of homebrew, you'll soon be able to turn your trusty DS into an etch-a-sketch. This new DS motion card plugs right into the card slot and includes a 3-axis accelerometer and single-axis gyroscope functionality for a rich motion-sensing experience that you can take with you. But what can you do it with? Just think -- tilt sensing, gesture recognition, twist functions ... the possibilities for applications here is huge. There are already a few apps on ndsmotion.com that have been designed to work with the sensor card: the aforementioned DSaSketch, and two other simple games, Spout and Water Drops Tilt. The DS motion card has not yet been released, but is available for preorder at the very reasonable price of $25. You need to already be familiar with homebrew and be able to run new apps on your DS, so if you haven't already done so, you might want to look into a handy tutorial to help you get started. Since this card won't be available until the first of the year, you've got some time! Until then, we'll just have to wait until someone gets their hands on one so we can see a full review of how well this is actually going to work. If it's even half as exciting as it sounds ... well, we just don't know if we could handle it.Who wants to be the first to make a joke about Sony's tilt-o-matic PS3 controller now that the DS can perform in a similar fashion? We know someone is gonna do it ....[Thanks, Nushio!]
E-revolution's Motion Speaker: look ma, no buttons
Japan's E-revolution wants you to stay home, brother, and chill with these new Motion Speakers and mood lights. The company claims to have achieved a clean, 10-inch tall design through the use of motion sensors instead of the usual array of knobs, buttons, or switches. Just bring your hand into the vicinity of the appropriate sensor and you can either adjust the volume or tune the integrated FM radio without the overwhelming burden of having to actually touch the device. The 2x 0.7W speakers are powered off regular batteries, AC, or USB and include a mini-jack for the audio feed. The revolution will not be televised, the revolution will be live however, come December 2 in Japan for ¥7,980 or about $69. Blue, green, and red "mood" lighting -- that's free.[Via Impress]
"3rd-i" cam for spyin' on the go
There are undoubtedly less proprietary ways to go about doing this, but if you're looking for a quick, painless way to get a PC-free camera feed to your phone, a British operation by the name of 3rd-i reckons they have the answer. The concept is simple enough: take your garden-variety video cam, strap on a GPRS modem, and call it good for £199 ($370). Besides accessing live video and up to 30 days of archived footage via pretty much any Java MIDP 1.0- or 2.0-enabled phone, the unit can be set up to immediately text you upon detecting motion. Not bad -- in fact, we'd strongly consider using 3rd-i's cams to secure the Engadgetmobile, but the dual band 900 / 1800 support just doesn't cut it in these parts.[Via Crowdedbrain]
Portable iPod protection with Yelpie
There are several ways to protect your iPod at work or on-the-go, but what to do when you're at the beach and you need to leave your 'Pod unattended while you take a dip in the water? Unless you actually have some friends who are willing to watch your valuables for you -- which is unlikely, if you're sitting around reading this blog on a Sunday afternoon (we kid, we kid) -- your best bet is probably a new motion sensor-equipped product adorably-named "Yelpie" that sounds a loud alarm if anyone tries to mess with your gear. After stowing the device of your choice inside Yelpie's secure yellow confines, arming the unit with your personal PIN number ensures that thieves trying to make off with the case will be treated to a shrieking, attention-grabbing 90-decibel alarm that's likely to shame him/her into dropping the goods and slinking away empty-handed. Friendless beach-goers will be able to pick up one of these portable safes sometime in the middle of the month for around $70, which in the long run is much cheaper than hiring the local kids who probably steal your stuff themselves as often as they actually guard it.[Via Real Tech News]
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.
Controller showdown: PlayStation 3 vs Wii
You knew the comparisons were going to be inevitable. Now that we've gotten our mitts on both next-gen consoles' motion-sensing input devices, Nintendo's Wii controller and Sony's PlayStation 3 controller have to go head to head. That's just the way of the world; who are we to question these two born adversaries, destined to square off in a no-holds barred peripheral deathmatch. So, what did we think? Well, you should already have a pretty good idea of how we feel about the Wiimote. But what's up with the PlayStation 3 controller? Two controllers enter, one controller leaves.
MultiAlarm for Powerbook/iBook
You may remember iAlertU, the "theft alarm" that you can configure to go off when your MacBook Pro is moved (by unauthorized hands, that is), by making use of the Mac's motion detector. It's a pretty nice idea, but it leaves Powerbook users out in the cold. Enter MultiAlarm.It works in a similar way, but isn't limited to the MacBook Pro. The developer has promised some Salling Clicker scripts for it as well, so you can arm/disarm your Mac from your phone, Palm device, etc. For some reason, the thought of a Starbucks full of wailing Apple laptops makes me happy.[Via FreeMacWare]
