Microsoft Research toys with the cosmos... using forefinger and thumb (video)

By Sean Hollister posted May 31st 2010 10:04AM

We've always been suckers for Minority Report tech, and Microsoft Research's latest attempt is not to be missed. Thought pinch-to-zoom was quaint? Try pinching the sky in this geodesic dome. Though the cardboard-and-paper-clip structure isn't all that (unless you're the arts and crafts type), the inside houses a projectiondesign DLP unit with a custom infrared camera system that can turn simple hand gestures into virtual interstellar travel, 360-degree video teleconferencing and more. You'll find a pair of videos demonstrating the concept after the break, but try not to get too attached -- if you're anything like us, your poor heart can't handle another Courier axing.

istartedsomething

3D PC

NVIDIA ushers in the '3D PC' with ASUS G51Jx-EE, Eee Top ET2400 and CD5390

By Darren Murph posted May 31st 2010 4:39AM

Hands-On

Prior to heading across town to his own press event, ASUS' CEO (Jerry Shen) managed to show up donning a face-engulfing set of 3D glasses at NVIDIA's shindig in downtown Taipei. Aside from congratulating NVIDIA on its successes in the 3D category, the bigwig also took time to announce a trio of new PCs. Described as "3D PCs" -- an all new designation which ensures that computers include a pair of 3D active-shutter glasses, a 120Hz 3D-capable display and a discrete graphics processor -- the company is hitting just about every computer segment save for the ultraportable, netbook and tablet PC. But for the worrywarts out there, we feel pretty safe in saying that a 3D slate is somewhere on NVIDIA's workbench.

Kicking things off was the ASUS G51Jx-EE, a 3D-ready laptop that cuts out the IR emitter and relies on NVIDIA's 3D Vision active shutter glasses. Secondly, the Eee Top ET2400 provides similar capabilities on an all-in-one desktop (you know, for bedroom movie watchers). Finally, the CD5390 tower was hailed as the "world's most powerful gaming solution," equipped with a GeForce GTX 480 GPU and out-of-the-box support for a trio of 3D LCDs. Sadly, no further details on any of these rigs were shared, but we're hoping to hear more during ASUS' own presser.

Update : We've learned that the Eee Top ET2400 will roll with USB 3.0 support and a 23.6-inch LCD, but the other machines are still shrouded in mystery. We'll be scraping the show floor to find out what we can.

3D Camcorder

Aiptek leads the affordable 3D camcorder rush with its i2
By Tim Stevens posted May 26th 2010 1:12PM
AIPTEK leads the affordable 3D camcorder rush with its $250 i2
Aiptek has certainly done its part to lower the prices of consumer electronics like pico projectors and pocket-sized camcorders, and now it looks set to destabilize the 3D camcorder market -- a market that doesn't even properly exist yet, with only Fujifilm's $600 FinePix Real 3D W1 filling the need. Aiptek was showing off its i2 camcorder, a Flip-like device (even with a pop-out USB connector) that has been augmented with a second five megapixel CCD. It's capable of recording 720p video and is set to retail for about $250, making it a relative bargain. The camera is set to launch in Asia in July, where we figure it'll take about 30 seconds for someone to paint one up like Domo Kun.

William Kentridge Anamorphic Animation

space

Augmented Reality Sculpture Makes You Think You Are Tron

ENVISION : Step into the sensory box from SUPERBIEN on Vimeo.

ENVISION : Step into the sensory box. Sous ce nom se cache l'expérience immersive offerte par ALCATEL-LUCENT à ses clients lors du dernier Mobile World Congress. Une expérience à base de vidéo mapping conçue par l'agence SUPERBIEN et le département New Media de l'Agence \Auditoire. Le public était invité à entrer dans un cube et à découvrir une vision artistique de la tagline de l'événement : Transforming the mobile experience.

The Augmented Sculpture project by Pablo Valbuena mixes a "volumetric base that serves as support for a second level, a virtual projected layer that allows controlling the transformation and sequentiality of space-time." In other words, what they refer to in scientific circles as "that kick-ass groovy Tron stuff." Also called, augmented reality. Watch the video and be amazed.

As you can see in the video, unlike other augmented reality projects, the virtual layer is projected over the physical layer. The final effect, coupled with the out-worldly music, is mesmerizing. Or maybe it's just my Guinness intake today. Either way, viva Pablo!

You can find the entire demo video on his Web page.

Project Page [Pablo Valbuena via PSFK]

Fujitsu shows off 3D-enabled desktop PC, Lenovo prepping 3D laptop?

By Donald Melanson posted May 13th 2010 2:30PM

We're not sure there are any PC makers not working on 3D-enabled desktops and laptops at this point, but it looks like we can now add two more to the watch list: Fujitsu and Lenovo. Of the two, Fujitsu is by far the most forthcoming, as it's actually now showing off an all-in-one desktop PC that not only packs a 3D LCD, but a built-in 3D camera that will let you capture 3D images and video that can be viewed with the included 3D glasses. What's more, while the prototype on display is decidedly boxy and bolted down, Akihabara News is reporting that it will hit Japan before the end of the year. Details on Lenovo's offering are decidedly light by comparison, with DigiTimes only reporting that the company will release a 3D-enabled laptop using polarized glasses sometime in the third quarter of the year, with Wistron said to be providing the display panel.

3D-Display-info.com

Akihabara News, DigiTimes
From engadget.com

Panorama Ball