Microsoft debuts touchless touchscreen

By Sterling “Chip” Camden Contributing Writer, [GAS] At this week’s User Interface Software and Technology conference, Microsoft is presenting a new idea for touchscreen interface that doesn’t involve touching the screen.  It’s called SideSight, and it uses infrared reflection to detect finger movement in the proximity of the device — up to 10 centimeters away.  […]



A Keyboard… How Quaint

by Casey Lynn Contributing Writer, [GAS] CNET News reports that this week’s ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology could reveal some interesting new developments in the area of computer interfaces. But is it time to abandon the mouse and keyboard for Star Trek levels of speech input technology? Maybe not just yet. According […]

Standby power: Electronics that drain your wallet, even when they’re off

Some electronic devices keep on drawing power, even when they’re “off.” While some of them have a function, like displaying the time or offering remote control functionalities, most don’t. Typical “vampire” appliances can consume up to 25 watts each, an amount that could make a significant difference in your electricity bill by the end of […]



Keep your cat away from your counters with the Blender Defender

When it comes to finding ways to keep animals out of spots where they have no business in being, people can get really imaginative. Earlier this year, we posted about a special bird-repulsing system that keeps the little animals from pooping into your pool’s pristine water. Now, the following one will be of particular interest […]

Old British Busker Builds Machine-Controlled Guitar

You got to give it to the ingenious old chap for coming up with such an awesome steampunk-esque musical machine. And in case you’re wondering why he decided to build this, he has all the reasons listed on a little sign he displays during his performances. I built this machine because of unreliable guitarists. It […]

Will There Be Gadgets For 007 In Quantum Of Solace?

Quantum Of Solace, the 22nd James Bond movie and the second to feature Daniel Craig, following his highly-acclaimed turn as 007 in 2006’s Casino Royale, opens in the UK on October 31, 2008, and the USA a week later. Casino Royale distinguished itself in many ways from previous films in the Bond canon, being far […]

Another Way to Get Caffeine in Your Mouth

by Casey Lynn Contributing Writer, [GAS] I was just reading an article in PC World about “geek cuisine,” which apparently means caffeinated drinks/candy. I’m not sure why geeks are the only ones who have trouble staying awake; I know just as many law students as programmers who are chugging red bulls at 2am. In any […]