motionsensor
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FlingPC 3D controller for gamers that don't know any better
If it's Tuesday, it must be time for yet another "revolutionary" motion sensitive game controller. Of course, 3DiJoy's FlingPC is no TrueMotion 3D or Wiimote -- at best, it seems to be the next wireless mouse. Consisting of an accelerometer-equipped Bluetooth remote and a USB dongle, and bundled with ten custom 3D games, this looks like the sort of off-brand toy that hapless parents inflict upon their long-suffering children. Interested? We bet you are. Shipping in December, packages start at $99 for both Windows and Linux versions. Of course, you can't play Mario Kart with the thing -- but don't worry, they do have a generic bowling game for you.
TrueMotion 3D enables true motion control
While the Wiimote opened the door to motion-sensitive gaming, it's obvious limitations even have Nintendo pushing the tech forward with add-ons like the MotionPlus -- but a company called Sixense might have leapfrogged the field with a system called TrueMotion 3D. Rather than relying solely on an accelerometer, this controller uses a magnetic field to track both your hands' positions in 3D space. With a refresh rate of ten milliseconds and accuracy up to a millimeter, and interest from developers including Activision and EA, this guy could someday relegate your Sixaxis to the back of your junk drawer -- right next to your old Atari's paddle controller. Not convinced? Scope the tell-all demo after the break.READ - video at Engineering TVREAD - Sixense website
InvenSense boasts about Wii MotionPlus-powering IDG-600 motion sensor
With Nintendo's official business out of the way, the motion sensing-minded folks at InvenSense are now free to brag about the technology behind the new Wii MotionPlus add-on, a press release we're sure they've been itching to send out. The key bit of kit in the forthcoming accessory, it seems, is the IDG-600 multi-axis MEMS rate gyroscope, which InvenSense describes as a "truly disruptive technology" that boasts just the right combination of manufacturing and performance advantages to make it ideal for Nintendo's purposes. InvenSense also says that it has already begun shipping to Nintendo in mass production quantities, which is certainly assuring, if unsurprising.
Behind-the-ear motion sensor helps monitor patients, athletes
Researchers at the Imperial College in London have developed a device which can be worn behind the ear and is used to measure a subject's posture, stride length, step frequency, and acceleration. Apparently, such a sensor is in high demand, as it could be put to use helping to optimize athletic performance, and to monitor changes in movement or progress in people recovering from surgeries or those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. According to the project leader, Guang-Zhong Yang, the device is working and could be mass-produced in 12 to 18 months. Of course, the big selling point for the sensor is the fact that it's small enough to be worn on the body -- even during non-contact sports -- and is capable of measuring three dimensions of movement via its accelerometer. Researchers are testing the sensors on individuals recovering from surgery and athletes, with aims to broaden the types of data recorded, and improve the range of the device.
Wii Warm Up: The no-waggle zone
Sometimes, waggle makes everything better ... and sometimes, it makes us want to gouge out our eyes, or maybe a friend's eyes. Really, any eyes will do. We're not picky. The thing is, everyone has different opinions one what makes for a good waggle game. And what exactly counts as waggle, anyway? Excite Truck and Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam used limited motion-sensing controls, and that worked out pretty well. But a lot of people are uncertain about how a fast-paced game like Super Smash Bros. Brawl will work with the Wiimote and nunchuk control scheme. Will we like it? The good thing is, if we don't, we have option. But we're not always so lucky.In the games released so far, where do you think the controls have worked, and where have they been less than good?
The top 5 most creative uses of the PSP
While long-time readers of PSP Fanboy have undoubtedly seen most of these mods and hacks, it's nice to see five truly fascinating uses of the PSP in action. TechEBlog has collected various videos from YouTube, showcasing the PSP's incredible flexibility. Watch someone type away on a PSP keyboard; control a robot; play with an analog stick; add a motion sensor; and finally, make calls with a PSP phone.
Xbox 360 controller gets motion-sensitive
Sure the Xbox 360 has awesome games like Gears of War, but what good is all that bloody carnage when all the other next-gen systems have motion sensors? We were just ready to throw in the towel waiting for that extra level of game play, when modder Adam Thole answered our calls. Investing about two-and-a-half weeks worth of time, he was able to put together a fully-functioning wired 360 controller with a 2-axis accelerometer -- and he makes the hack seem pretty straightforward. There are a lot of details on his site for those looking to emulate this mod, and Adam claims that he may even hack a wireless controller for version two. So keep on clicking for a vid of this hack-tastic mod in action, and then hit the Read link for the full deets...
Third party motion sensor now available
The DS motion card we told you about before is now available for the promised price of $25. It's tempting, because that whole DSaSketch bit sounds cool, but the novelty may wear off too quickly. We do hope that this catches Nintendo's attention, though, or at least the eye or more homebrew developers. We'd love to see more games, either community or officially produced, that take advantage of this nifty DS motion sensor. But if Nintendo made one ....
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]
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]