Motion
Latest
Motion's J3400 rugged tablet PC dissected, loved up on video
Somebody is really geeked about Motion Computing's J3400 Rugged Slate Tablet PC. Not only have we found it dissected over at Gotta Be Mobile, but the InkShow gang have just released the first of two videos where they give the device their "fine toothed comb" treatment. The verdict? "It feels great," the reviewer enthuses. It's easily the lightest rugged slate he's yet experienced, a joy to write on, with buttons "where they should be," and a host of great features: the convertible keyboard is held in place by magnets (which seem to be more than up to the task), the webcam has a flash, and the accelerometer is nice and responsive, switching things up from landscape to portrait and back with real panache. Of course, the best part is when this one guy states that "we are a mobile computing warrior, ready to do anything that we need to do." Video after the break.Read: What Does The Inside of Motion Computing's J3400 Rugged Tablet PC Look Like?Read: GBM InkShow: Motion Computing J3400 Rugged Slate Tablet PC, Part 1
Motion's J3400 rugged tablet PC boasts dual batteries, outdoor display
Need a tablet PC that'll last all day, do ya? Care for one that you can also see whilst outdoors? Look no further than Motion's brand new J3400, a rugged (albeit sleek) new tablet that comes equipped with dual battery compartments and an outdoor-visible LCD. Other specs include an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1.8-inch shock-mounted HDD (a 64GB SSD is a worthwhile option), 2 megapixel camera, GPS, a biometric sensor, multicard reader, Bluetooth 2.1, Qualcomm's dual-mode Gobi WWAN chip, WiFi and a chassis that's IP-52 rated and meets MIL-STD-810F specifications. In other words, a three foot tumble onto plywood won't even faze it. This beauty can be yours to ruin in the field for the low, low starting price of $2,299, and yes, it's ready to ship this very moment. Full release is after the break.
Fast & Furious to be first major theatrical release with D-BOX
When you're on, you're on. After notching its best ever quarter in terms of sales, D-BOX has just landed yet another huge win. Universal Pictures' Fast & Furious -- which is slated to ignite a new generation of street racers who compete for gas money rather than pink slips -- will be the first major theatrical feature release with the company's Motion Code technology written in. 'Til now, Motion Code had been mostly restricted to at-home films and video games, but now moviegoers who can find a D-BOX-equipped cinema can enjoy this film while feeling all the vibrations and rumbles as the engines rev and the egos flair. Something tells us this kind of occurrence will only get more and more common.
D-BOX rumbles to best ever quarter in terms of sales
The major news outlets seem to think there's some sort of "recession" going on, but those with cash are still spending like it's 1999. D-BOX, the outfit famous for its rumbling theater seats and corresponding Motion Code system, has just reported its best ever quarter in terms of sales, notching revenues of $1,227,340 for the third quarter of its 2009 fiscal year. Sales increased some 29 percent year-over-year, and it's hoping to keep the momentum going with its comparatively affordable hybrid GPH-120 system ($2,999; available summer 2009) for gamers who love to rock. And to think, most of us laughed this company off. Kudos, D-BOX.
Motion detecting SIMSense SIM card opens new world of possibilities
File this one away in the "man, I should've thought of that" category. Here at Mobile World Congress, Oberthur Technologies is making a name for itself by introducing the planet's first motion detecting and handset-independent SIM card. SIMSense, as it's so eloquently named, could open up a whole new world of interaction with phones that don't come with any sort of accelerometer built in. For instance, a user could simply shake their cellphone upon receiving a second call in order to send out a pre-written SMS that explains the situation. Or they could navigate phone menus by simply moving or tapping. Or, better still, they could program their handset to dial an emergency contact if it detected a sudden fall while close to the person's body. There's been no indication of anyone grabbing this thing and running with it, but we can't imagine this not making it out to the commercial realm.
D-BOX scores deal to bring rumbling chairs to Mann Theatres
Ah, ha! So the rumors were true, after all. Just over three months after we heard that D-BOX was trying desperately to get its Motion Code technology into cinemas, we're finally seeing the first deal with a commercial theater chain. Mann Theatres, the operators of the famous Mann Chinese 6 Theatre in Hollywood, has become the first to first to allow D-BOX seating to be installed, with the initial installation taking place in theatre six of the aforementioned multiplex. There will also be a demo station setup in the lobby for moviegoers to "test drive" the rumbling, bumbling system, though there's no word on whether watching a flick in the D-BOX cinema will cost extra. In all seriousness, this deal is gigantic for D-BOX, and if a few more chains latch on, it won't be long before you see the technology's creator(s) sailing 'round the world and basking in their own glory.[Image courtesy of About]
Crapgadget CES, round 4: kinetic energy charger
You have to hold it vertically.
motionVFX: 40% off for TUAW readers
Since we last wrote about them, motionVFX has expanded their selection of high def templates for Apple's Motion significantly. The website is just as easy to navigate as it was before, but there's a lot more content fit for professional video work or great starting points for custom titles, intros and menus. As a special Holiday treat, motionVFX is offering a coupon code to TUAW readers, good for a 40% discount on all of their Motion templates. : Enter coupon code X9HQVV at checkout to receive your Holiday savings. A big thanks to motionVFX for the generous gift!
Pro Applications Update improves performance and stability
Apple has released Pro Applications Update 2008-04, which includes updates to Final Cut Pro, Compressor, Color, DVD Studio Pro, Cinema Tools, Motion, Soundtrack Pro and Shake. The update, according to Apple, "addresses general performance issues and improves overall stability." No specific details were provided about what the update improved about each software component, other than to say each update "addresses specific customer issues and general performance issues." The updates are recommended for all users of the software. The update includes the following versions: Final Cut Pro 6.0.5 Compressor 3.0.5 Shake 4.1.1 DVD Studio Pro 4.2.1 Cinema Tools 4.0.1 Motion 3.0.2 Color 1.0.3 Soundtrack Pro 2.0.2 The update is available from Apple's website. Thanks, Clancy!
Phew!: Waggle doesn't produce murderers
There is a popular viewpoint pushed by those who campaign against the likes of Manhunt 2, and it runs a little like this: motion-controlled on-screen violence is more likely to corrupt players than that which is played through pressing buttons. Senators have used this argument in the past, as have journalists, but they're both wrong. Gloriously, wonderfully wrong. Who says so? Science says so, that's who.A new study from the labs of Villanova University has revealed that swinging a Wiimote and pressing a button generated the same amount of "hostility and aggressive thoughts in" 118 college students (68 female, 50 male). The participants played either Manhunt 2 or Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008, with each individual having their levels of "psychoticism" tested before and after play. Nobody completely flipped out, and whether flailing with a controller or pressing a button, levels of hostility remained even -- and thus another anti-gaming myth crumbled.%Gallery-3148%[Via Game|Life]
Rumbling, bumbling D-BOX motion chairs coming to cinemas?
Chalk this one up as a rumor for now, but CTV has it that those pricey D-BOX chairs you've been ignoring (due to cost, obviously) could wind up underneath your tush, regardless. According to the report, unspecified theater chain owners are contemplating the addition of the motion-simulation chairs as yet another way to bring in legions of customers willing to fork out cash to see new films on the big screen. It's also bruited that the firm will be introducing a new version of its chair at ShowEast 2008 which will be aimed squarely at "commercial theaters." $10 says the butt-kicking experience won't be gratis, even if it does make it into a cinema or two.
New tilt-controlled Tony Hawk game revealed
Activision has revealed a new Tony Hawk game for the DS, titled Tony Hawk's Motion. Utilizing some sort of "Motion Pack" that attaches to the DS (how it attaches is an unknown at this point, but it's likely going into the GBA slot), Activision says players will "twist, tilt and turn through various skateboarding sessions." Sounds like a neat idea to us!But, in an odd move and series first, Activision will include snowboarding into the game. Snowboarding in a skateboarding game. We guess those two activities go hand in hand. We wouldn't know. When it comes to defying gravity, we're usually full of fail.%Gallery-30779%
Wii Warm Up: Active gaming
After taking a second, head-shaking look at the Wii Sqweeze prototype, and also thinking about Wii MotionPlus, we had to take a moment to stop and ask a serious question: just how much motion do we want? Lately, we've been down in the mouth about all the games that aren't going to include Nintendo's new motion-plus peripheral, but how much 1:1 control do we need? Swordfighting will be awesome, yeah, and sports games have amazing potential, but at what point do we just put down the controller and go participate in the actual activity? Or is a move closer to a virtual reality game better, no matter what?
Rumor: Tony Hawk's Motion signals another add-on
Is Activision about to dip its bloated, corporate toe into the murky world of DS peripherals once again? Whispers about the next Tony Hawk game shipping with a motion-sensing device that plugs into the handheld (à la the Guitar Grip) have been flying around since, well, since the company revealed that the title would "utilize new technology not yet seen on the DS."And now, your honor, we present the latest piece of evidence: an OFLC rating for a DS game known as Tony Hawk's Motion. Could that name suggest anything other than a motion-sensing device or self-applicable go faster stripes for your DS? We've already seen the Guitar Grip peripheral snapped up by tons of people with a higher cramp tolerance than us, so maybe Activision wants more of that sweet pie.[Via Shacknews][Update -- Fixed errors, thanks Pyro!] Ah, the crazy, unhinged world of the DS plug-in peripheral. Activision's Guitar Grip was far from the first to appear on the scene -- back in 2006, Metroid Prime Pinball shipped with the Rumble Pak, while a DS camera, the Love and Berry card reader, and Taito's paddle controller are available in Japan. And who can forget Mag Kid's downright odd (and dangerous) "slide sensor"?
E308: Wii Fanboy hands-on with Wario Land: Shake It!
Hands down, Wario Land: Shake It! is the best game I've played so far here at E3. And, thanks to my persistence and rudeness, I was able to enjoy the game a lot longer than most others who've been fortunate enough to play it, not only enjoying some of the game's normal levels, but also taking part in an underwater excursion in Wario's badass sub.So, I started out on the tutorial level, which shows you all of the in-game actions Wario can perform through some handy billboards sprinkled throughout the level. I was dashing through blocks, scurrying down pipes and doing butt stomps with ease, and once I got to the end of the level, I discovered its end creature, the Murpel (odds are, that isn't spelled right).%Gallery-26293%
Rumor: Motus Games' Darwin is Xbox 360's motion controller
Here we go. Various outlets today began redirecting readers to Motus Games' page, who have been working on Darwin, a Wii remote-like motion controller that doesn't need an infrared sensor bar to work. The device is slated to come out at the end of the year for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Of course, we've known about Darwin ... since February, so why is this coming out now? As far as we can tell at the moment, the Xbox 360 connection can be summed up like this: Darwin shares a similar color pallette with the Xbox 360 pad There are similarities in the name Darwin and the purported codename for Microsoft's motion controller, Newton E3 is days away and everyone is getting antsy We're not denying the possibility that Darwin is, erm, Newton, but we're not sure what, if any, revelations have come out in the last four months. (Microsoft, if you recall, has a definite deal with Qmotion over active gaming controllers.) So for now, sit back, relax, print out your bingo card and wait for Monday's press conference.%Gallery-27366%Update: We've placed Motus' video demos after the break.[Via X3F]
New Keynote Motion Themes from iPresentee
If you're bored silly with the typical theme backgrounds in Keynote, pop on over to iPresentee's website and check out Keynote Motion Themes 2.0. These themes, which were released today (7/7/08), add five more motion themes to iPresentee's product line.All of these themes provide moving backgrounds to catch the eyes of your audience. The five themes -- Money, Curtain, Rain, Story, and Exercise Book -- include 14 or more master slide layouts each.Motion Themes 2.0 is available online for $25, or you can purchase individual motion themes for $10 each. And by the way, the free Keynote Objects icons are still available on the iPresentee site.[via prMac]
Samsung first on the block with 240Hz LCD prototype, 100% better motion, wavier hair
Samsung's harder better faster "blue phase" (not to copy Blu-ray, just named for the color observed during its development) LCD panel is the first to demonstrate image-driving speed of 240Hz, surpassing current twisted nematic, in-plane switching or vertical alignment technology. In the quest for smooth CRT-style motion Samsung follows DLP manufacturers that announced plans to cross the 240Hz barrier at CES by manufacturing a display that aligns its own layers, simplifying manufacturing and ensuring uniform brightness without the need for an overdrive circuit found in today's merely expletive-inducing 120Hz LCDs. Don't expect these to hit shelves before 2011, coming first in TVs "that require high-speed video reproduction" -- like the one you'll buy that has a much bigger number than your next door neighbor's latest HDTV. For now, the only place to see the future is this 15-inch model at the Society for Information Display 2008 show in LA May 18.
Two Pro App Updates
Apple released two Pro App updates bright and early this Monday morning:ProKit Update 4.5: "This update improves reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Express, Aperture, Logic Studio and Logic Express."Plugin Manager 1.7.3: "This update improves reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Express, Aperture, Logic Studio and related SDKs."According the release notes for the Plugin Manager update, it addresses a backwards compatibility issue with Apple and third-party filters in the applications listed above. Users of any of these apps and Motion should fire up Software Update and install the recommended updates. No reboot is required (and there was much rejoicing!).Update: These updates were new to me! Sorry for the false alarm all, I just installed FCP and jumped the gun. That being said, be sure to check out Apple's list of available updates. You never know what you'll find on there.Thanks to everyone in the comments for setting me straight.
Piezing dress generates power, attracts nerds as wearer moves
Solar-powered dresses are so two years ago. These days, dames in the know are all about that piezoelectric material, evidenced by the incredibly flashy Piezing. Dreamed up and designed by Amanda Parkes, this piece of garb is all set to steal the show at the 2ndSkin expo in San Francisco, and according to CNET, it features electricity-generating fabrics around the joints of the elbows and hips. When the wearer walks, bends or gets downright nasty on the dance floor, the mechanical stress conjures up energy which is stored as voltage in a built-in battery where it can presumably be used later for charging your favorite handheld gizmo. Sure gets our electrons flowing.[Via textually, image courtesy of James Patten]Read - 2ndSkin expoRead - CNET article on Piezing
