by Casey Lynn Contributing Writer, [GAS] Given our recent posts about the future of surface computing, especially how it can get you drunk, this seems particularly relevant: The Interactive Mirror takes the idea of dielectric glass mirrors with LCD panels built in a step farther by adding a touchscreen component. Sure, it would be neat […]
It’s a well known fact, the perfect time for bar staff to offer a new drink to their customers is when their glass is almost empty. So to help bar owners who have a surface table inside their establishment, Microsoft is currently working on experimental “Surfaceware” that can detect how much liquid remains inside customers’ […]
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. […]
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 […]
by Casey Lynn Contributing Writer, [GAS] The USPTO recently awarded a new patent to Microsoft: automatic censorship of audio data for broadcast. Simply put, it’s a way to detect “undesired words or phrases” in a speech audio stream and automatically garble them. Just imagine! No longer must we live in a world in which our […]
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 […]
By Jimmy Rogers Contributing Writer, [GAS] Today was the big keynote event Apple fanatics have been waiting for. Steve Jobs and his team graced the stage once more in order to update the Apple line and get it ready for the holiday shopping season. While the summer and spring were both big events for the […]
By Jimmy Rogers Contributing Writer, [GAS] As more and more people identify themselves as geeks, it’s important to remember that the geek voting block is growing too. While the economy, the healthcare system, and the wars weigh heavily upon the minds of everyone, technology issues are not completely forgotten. A new group of Obama supporters, […]
By Jimmy Rogers Contributing Writer, [GAS] If you’ve got a little time to kill (over 55 minutes, actually), take a look at this great video by an ethnographer about the web’s participatory nature. What is ethnography you ask? Well, as explained to me by someone in an actual ethnography course, it’s the study of a […]
By Jimmy Rogers Contributing Writer, [GAS] On Tuesday, October 14 at 10AM, Apple will be having a keynote to show off some new innovations for their notebook line. The question is: what will those innovations be? If the internet can be believed, the keynote will debut Apple’s next big bomb, a notebook that ranges from […]