New Video? Game - Johann Sebastian Joust

Here's a new game that uses Nintendo Wii or Xbox controllers, but has no video screen!!!  It's called Johann Sebastian Joust and it was just released this week.

The idea is that 2 players fight each other (Joust) while listening to and moving at the speed of music.  If you move too fast, your out.  If you get pushed into moving too fast, your out.  That's the idea.

It's playground meets video game.



It sounds like a lot of fun.  But it makes me think, what other kinds of games/apps could combine our technologies with real-world, person-to-person, interactions?

http://www.google.com/glass/start/

Google glasses are a new hit in the tech world! They come in all sorts of designs some for the sporty people and some for the fashionistas. I think these are a big improvement in the tech world and are going to have lots more adventures with these.

http://www.gizmag.com/lunecase-electromagnetic-power-iphone-case/31837/pictures#2

These up and coming cases go above and beyond. I believe they will be the next big thing.

The first Website describes the new features expected to be announced exactly a month from today at WWDC. WWDC if you didn't know is Apple's annal press conference. Usually the new IOS and OSX are announced and demonstrated there. This year the key feature to IOS is called health book, its supposed to help you keep track of your health, and has about 20 known categories of health. For example, it knows your blood-sugar level, diet and how many hours of sleep. I think American iPhone users who upgrade their iPhone will also be shaving off the weight also. The second article describes how some features hoped upon users may not show up in this years cycle of IOS.

Here is a leaked photo of IOS 8. Notice there is healthbook plus a few features that have been seen on OSX for a long time.

IOS key new features, IOS 8 missing features?

Wearable tech for kids coming from LeapFrog

This new tech for kids is based on exercise and learning activities. It's called the "LeapBand". Starting at $40 for kids 4-7, this new band offers 50 different games and challenges for kids to play. It encourages healthy habits and active play for kids. LeapBand is a kid's very own smart watch!

Technology is changing everyday. Definitely for TVs. Now there are these new TVs that are ULTRA 4K, providing the best quality we have seen yet. The number of pixels in these new systems are amazing, but the price is ridiculously high for these systems. Is 25,000$ worth this 80in 4K Ultra TV?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-bravia-84-34-class-84-34-diag--led-4k-ultra-hd-tv-2160p-120hz-smart-3d-hdtv/7558048.p;jsessionid=BC01E9FAE0C46D11FEEAA3BB03D68ACD.bbolsp-app04-144?id=1219074248805&skuId=7558048&st=sony%204k%20tv&cp=1&lp=1

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-65-34-class-64-1-2-34-diag--led-4k-ultra-hd-tv-2160p-120hz-smart-3d-hdtv/1912267.p?id=1219066831831&skuId=1912267&st=sony%204k%20tv&cp=1&lp=2

Self Driving Cars

      Self Driving cars are being contemplated in some U.S. states. Since 2011, when self driving cars became legal in Nevada, Google has logged nearly 700,000 miles with the cars. The only accidents that have occurred have been because of when the drive took control, or they were the fault of the other driver. You could take naps on your way home from work if you wanted to, or just let the car drive through densely urban areas to get to your destination. Google has been continually testing cars in Silicon Valley, where their headquarters is located. Other states have taken interest in the self driving cars but the problem is who's fault would it be if a driver got in accident while he or she was not driving. Would it be the driver's fault, or the auto makers fault. These are just some of the things that need to be taken into consideration before making them legal to drive on city streets in places like California.

What is best for you? (Smart Phones)

A lot of great new phones have came out recently life the Iphone 5S of the Galaxy S5. Nut what is the best phone on the market and why. Different Phones are great for different people If you are someone who likes to take picture the Nokia Lumia 930 with its impressive microphone and 20 megapixel camera But if you just want a phone that is easy to use you should probably buy and Iphone 5s with its easily to use interface it is a great first smartphone But if you want something with lighting speed and endless customization you probably need the galaxy s5 you will have a phone with amazing batter life and amazing features

Heartbleed bug in OpenSSL

Is your password safe?  What is the Heartbleed bug that people are talking about and do I really need to change my passwords?

The Heartbleed bug is kinda complicated, but basically it tricks servers into giving them access to whatever data is in memory right next to the connection spot.  Here is more information from nakedsercurity if you are interested in the details.

But the big question is "Is your personal data at risk?"  Here is a website that can help you answer that question.  It checks to see if a site has used the OpenSSL in the past (LastPass) and if they have fix it (Heartbleed test).

Bottom line:  The chances your password was hacked is very small.  Wait until you hear from the site that they have fixed the problem and then change your password.  Don't be in too much of a hurry or you may just give your new password away to the bag guys.  (Oh, a never ever follow a link to log in.  Always always type the URL in yourself.)

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-vs-iphone-5s-1215453

iPhone vs. GS4

Better Cars

Who makes the best Cars? Why are their cars the Best?

What is the best operating system? Mac VS Windows VS Ubuntu Linux What Makes that OS the best?

Wrap around head set for gaming

The hottest new device for gaming isn't even available yet, but game designers are very excited about its potential.  The Oculus Rift is an immersive virtual reality device you wear on your head.  It has wrap around cameras and is supposed to have fixed the "blur" from the old style.  This could be a "game changer"

Super Bowl 2014 Commercials

Here's a list of the top 10 commercials from Sunday's big game.  Which is your favorite and why?

Flappy Bird - Kill me now

What makes this game so frustrating !!!

Have you googled "Flappy Bird cheats" yet in order to try to get more than 3 points?
What is your highest score?

PS4 or Xbox One

The moment we've all been waiting for.

Virgin Galactic

TJ Turner
Period two
1/29/2014


In September 2013, Branson's Virgin Galactic said SpaceShipTwo completed an important test, breaking the sound barrier as it climbed from 42,000 feet to 69,000 feet over the Mojave Desert before descended using its tilt-wing "feathering" maneuver. It was the second successful powered flight for SpaceShipTwo -- a craft designed to carry up to six passengers.

This is cool because now people can visit space.

It makes you wonder whats instore for our future in traveling to space.

Apple iPad vs. Samsung Galaxy

There have been a lot of commercials recently about the new Samsung Galaxy Note tablet.  Supposedly it has higher screen resolution, is lighter and cheaper than the Apple iPad Air, and supports multi-windows.  But does it have the "WOW" factor to make you want to buy one?

Here's a break down of the stats.   After reading this, tell me which you would buy (or is there something else you'd rather have, say a Windows Tablet??)

3D Printers

I am fascinated with the idea of 3D printers.  I feel like we're at the cusp of something that will revolutionize everything in our lives.  Like cellphones did about 5 years ago.

3D Printers are almost affordable.  Amazon sells them for $1000-2000.  I know there are some scary applications (like plastic guns) and bunches of manufacturing applications, but I'm more interested in how this will look inside our homes.

When 3D Printers are just a couple of hundred dollars, what will we use them for?  No more going to the store for _____, we'll just print up a new one.  (For you Star Trek fans, it like having your very own replicator.)



What will you print?

Password Pill

Keeping track of all your passwords can be difficult.  And creating strong passwords is tiring.  So what it you could swallow a pill that would authenticate you to your laptop, cellphone, email, etc.

Read this article about this and other ways to simplify your life of passwords.  I liked the fact that your stomach acid is the energy source.

Would you take it?  Do you trust the FDA?

Keyboard Pants

Yes, you heard that right, keyboard on your pants. There is a wireless keyboard built into your pants. One of my students, Jon, was talking about these yesterday.

Do you think these would be comfortable using on a long school paper?

Battlefield 3

Battlefield 3
Bill Tummler
Period Five
November 21, 2011

Battlefield 3 has to be one of the best games that have ever been made, but it was not the most anticipated. Modern Warfare 3 which is the compition in the gaming market sold over 60 million copies in one day. Most people will always be Call of Duty fans but most people would think that MW3 looks just like Modern Warfare 2 which was the video game before MW3. BF3 has taken the video game market to the next level with destructible buildings, jets, helicopters, and also ground vehicles.

The think that I seem to like better in BF3 then in MW3 is that MW3 has looked the same since 2006 and is still selling more than BF3, but the graphics on BF3 are a lot better than MW3. They also look more realistic and more lifelike then other video games that are on the market. I think that this game and others to come will end up taking over Call of Duty.

http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/11/03/battlefield-3-review/

So what my questions is what is next for gaming?

new technology

Noah Bromen

This is the new Asus Padfone that is expecting to come out in February. It is made up of a 4 inch Android phone and a 10 inch tablet dock which the phone is inserted into. There is a quad core processor inside the device and it runs with the Android 2.3. It will be compatible with the android 4.0 when it comes out next year.  

                       http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/asus-padfone-to-come-with-quad-core-qualcom-snapdragon-processor-21-11-2011/#more-97979

How much will this cost?

Gametel brings gamepad action to Android and iDevices

I think having this new device would be really great because it would be easier to play emulator on it without having to press a bunch of button and most phone emulators don’t support multi-touch. Also, you can plug this up on the tv and play on a larger screen. It also part of the phone so you can text and get back playing the game. And also I believe there are games in the app stores that support the controller, so I believe this controller will every useful.

The XBOX 720 will be a new technology for video who like games because they have motion detectors and is more entertaining than other consoles

HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO BE THIS XBOX?

http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/consoles/xbox-720-every-rumour-about-the-new-xbox-937167

Lightest Material

0

A group of researchers from HRL, CalTech, and UC Irvine. Created the worlds lightest material, 100 times lighter than Styrofoam! The material is a micro-lattice structure, With onlw 0.01 percent of the material solid. It consists of hollow tubing that are only 100 nanometers thick. It has a density of 0.9 mg/cc, lighter than aerogels, which are only 1.1 mg/cc.

It's also surprisingly strong and very shock-absorbent, due to all the air. It can be compressed by 50 percent and recover its shape. Highly unusual for a material that is metallic. It was actually inspired by architectural structures. The team looked at the Golden Gate Bridge and the Eiffel Tower to see how they are so light and yet so strong.

What do you think this material could be used for?

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-11/worlds-lightest-material-9999-percent-air

Aerovironment Nano Hummingbird UAV

A new technology emerging is essentially a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle but in Hummingbird form. Unlike Normal spy planes, This one has tiny paper wings used to control flight that beat 20-40 times per second. It also has a lightweight camera and microphone built inside. This kind of flying will allow the Hummingbird to maneuver in an out of small places like windows and other openings. The maneuverability of the Hummingbird is a huge advantage to the U.S. armed forces. It will be essential on missions where you need a camera and microphone in buildings and other inaccesible places.

Do you think UAV's will get any smaller in the future?

3DS, Bad for you?

3DS, Bad for you?
Millions play 3ds. But could it hurt your eyes? Children under 6 should not play 3d mode and adults shiouldnt play for more then 30 minutes. This could strain your eyes. If that goes on for a while, it could leave you permanently blind.What other technology, one that is good for you, or can Nintendo fix this fatal flaw?

gas station in space

by the year 2020 the moon could be the first gas station in space. if it is built then spaceships ccould carry heavier loads into space because 90% of of the weight wouldn't be the fuel. the way this would work would be that they could convert the ice on the moon to liquid hydrogen and oxygen fuel that can be used to refuel the space ship and allow them to travel farther than before.how far do you think we could travel into space with the gas station in space.


original article:http://www.gizmag.com/gas-stations-in-space/20557/

FPS War Graphically

Battlefield 3 took the world by storm with its impressive and most realistic Frostbite 2 engine. Modern Warfare 3 refreshed its old ways with the Modern Warfare 2 engine from 2009. An estimated 14.7 million people are playing one of these games. However about 35% of users cannot tell the difference between the games, graphically and physically. Recently there have been ads comparing Battlefield 3 to real life. It's difficult to tell the difference between it all. MW3 has the distinct graphics of 2009. An old burden renewed to bring back a repetive game. So which one are you playing?

The Best Concept Car Ever Made

By: Daniel Kroeger


Have you ever wondered if a concept car would ever have a slick look instead of a crappy box car look? Well i have and i found this brand new, amazing concept car. The car is a BRZ concept by subaru. It has a 2.0 liter boxer engine, which is what helps it get good gas mileage even looking slick. It has the latest brakes, along with 18 inch wheels, also only holding 2 people. Here's a picture of the new car.


If we can make a fuel efficient car look this nice now, how do you think the cars of the future will look?

Worlds Lightest Material,99.99 percent air

Reaserchers from HRL, Cal tech and UC irvine have made the worlds new largest material. It is 100 times lighter than styrofoam. It is even lighter than areogel. IT is a micro-lattic structure with 0.01 percent of the material solid. consisting of hollow tubes that are only a 100 nanometers thick. It has a density of 0.9mg/cc. this is lighter than the lightests of areogels which are rated the lightest at 1.1mg/cc. This material is also very strong and shock-absorbent it absorbs about 50%. The material was inspired by structures like the golden gate bridge and the Eiffel tower. The project was undertaken by DARPA. They say this material can probably by used for battery electrodes, energy damping and insulation. What do you think this new technology can lead to?
origonal article http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-11/worlds-lightest-material-9999-percent-air

Breakthrough metal is barely heavier than air

Researchers at a lab in California have created a new type of metal, that is almost as light as air.

This metal could be used to make new cars or airplanes, it would save a lot of fuel. It's a strong metal but it's mostly made of air. When it's squashed, it rebounds out to 98% of its original height. The metal was made out of lattice of interconnected hollow tubes with a wall thickness of only 100 nanometers, which is 1,000 times thinmer than a human hair. Doesn't sound too strong, but some scientists disagree.

Next Generation of Tablets

If you don't get a new tablet for Christmas, it may not be a bad thing. The first quarter of 2012 should see several improvements in these devices. TabletPCReview is reporting on these upgrades. The biggest is the move from dual-core to quad-core processors. Both of the leaders in the $450+ field, Apple (iPad3) and Samsung (Galaxy), will have new hardware and operating systems soon.

Then there's the lower priced options under $200, Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet, if all you want is video/book content and internet access this might be the better choice.

I'd like to see a Tablet designed expressly for students (high school, college, life). Here's my shopping list. What would YOU add?

• 4G option
• Note taking software
• Homework / Calendar software
• Shared phonebook, textmsg, voicemail with my phone
• Digitized Pen (for classes that need illustrations in the notes)
• Cloud storage for electronic handouts
• GPS for campus maps

Do a Barrel Roll hits mainstream news

ABC News did a story on the Google phemon, "Do a barrel roll," a few days ago!

First things first, here's how you can experience it:

1. Using Chrome (or other browers as long as they are up-to-date)


2. go to google.com


3. Search "do a barrel roll"


4. (Go on, I'll wait.......)

So it's fun for about 10 seconds, but it demonstrates why Google is king. They like to have fun with technology. They paid one of their programmers to do this. In fact, all the pictures and daily features on the google homepage are well thought out, intriging, informative, and make you want to use their search engine.

What has been your favorite google homepage feature over the past year or two?

New hardware and software is always coming

A new processor / chipset from Intel, the i7 and a new Windows 8 operating system from Microsoft just reminds me that nothing stays the same. The processor claims "visibly smart performance" (higher graphics quality and better TV support). While Windows 8 is a redesign to accomodate touchpad input.

And of course there was the new iPhone 4s, which had records sales during its first week on the market. Yes, Siri is very popular.

What else is new out there?

Modern Warfare 3

Modern Warfare 3, the "most anticipated game ever", according to my students, is scheduled to be released Mon Nov 7th at 11:59 pm. The great news is that Tues Nov 8th is a teacher in-service day, meaning the students can stay up all night playing!!!!

Nanotechnology, Past and Present

Our idea of nanotechnology started with the dream of K. Eric Drexler in the '80s, who had to prove his idea to skeptics who believed it would never happen. The technology must be anywhere from one nanometer (one billionth of a meter) to 100 nanometers long. Scientists are focusing not on creating invidually operating nanobots but on machines made of millions of nanobots.



Scientists have divided nanotechnology into 4 generations. The first, which we are still on, is to create devices that do one specific task. The second generation can multitask. Scientists are just now entering the second phase.



Some day in the future, nanobots could be used for medicine, electricity, or even advanced weapons. This could even cure cancer. What other uses could this have?

Sources:http://nanotechnology.com/

Is Iphone 4S worth the cost?

All my years of having a Ipod touch First to Fourth Generation, Ipod Nano and having a iPad. IPhone 4S is the biggest Rip out ever! Because the Iphone and Ipod Touch Fourth Generation were the best apple devices ever (in my opinion). Because they had Retina display and a really fast hard drive and thousands of application and feature that will make apple the number one company.

But the new iphone 4s is a rip out because it the same iphone 4 but i bit faster, a ios 5 and and a feature called siri, which is like voice search where you can use your voice to find something. in my opinion, i think you should not buy this phone, unless your phone is a third generation or broken. if the iphone had 3d effect and had feature that the android has like edit the home page with widgets or have a android market store but a apple version. but dont buy the phone if your rich.

Murder by malware: Can computer viruses kill?

Some people believe that it's impossible for a computer virus to be able to kill people. Though it seems like it would be impossible, in 2008, a computer virus was the murderer of 154 people from Madrid Spain.

While people were flying on an airplane comming from Madrid Spain, a trojan virus had infected the central computer system of the plane. This system was used to make an alarm go off which told the grounding gear to come out so the plane could land. This virus caused the alarm to not go off, causing the plane to crash because of trying to land without its landing gear.

So you tell me, do you think that a computer virus has the capability to kill?

Nissan Developing Mind-Reading Cars

Researchers at EFPL have been working with Nissan to create a mind-reading car that can anticipate the drivers next move. Upon entering the car, drivers would put on a helmet that would moniter brain activity and eye movement patterns. The new system would use statistical analysis that would know you were thinking "turn left" before you actually started to actively think it.

One of the problems discussed about this new technology is what if you were lost? How would the car know where to turn if you yourself don't even know where to go? While there are a few disadvantages of this system, there are also many good things that would come out of it. Cars would be able to communicate with eachother and dramatically decrease the risk of a collision. What do you think about this new technolgy? Is it a step in the right direction, or a step in the wrong one?

Click here to read more

ALPHA DOG DARPA ROBOTIC all terrain mule-poodle

This robotic mule is a prototype. It operates with a mix of GPS and computer vision, along with computers and hydraulics. It can self- right itself. It can walk up to 20miles with out refueling. It can handle steep inclines and freezing water. DARPA will have a production ready one by 2012 and will be tested in the field. This will save soliders the problem of carrying up to 70 pounds on their backs and clambering rough terrain that vehicles can't reach. This can make a huge difference in battle. How could this change battles in the future?

the worlds most powerful telescope

The telescope is named ALMA and it's currently being built on the chajnator plataeu in the andes mountains. the surveying of the site began in 1995 and so far there are 20 antennae in place. when it's done there will be about 66 antennae each placed between 150 meters and 10 miles.

Depending how far apart they are determines what you can see if they are close together they act like a wide angle lens but far apart you can focus in on single stars or galaxys lightyears away. recently scientists tested ALMA using 12 of the antennae and got a picture of the antennae galaxy showing things that scientists haven't been able to see before already it's better than the hubble telescope. the goal is to find our cosmic origin. how do you think this will change how we see the universe?

7 New Discoveries Baffle Scientists

Ninety-six per cent of the universe is missing. The effects of homeopathy don’t go away under rigorous scientific conditions. The laws of nature aren’t what they used to be. Thirty years on, no one has an explanation for a seemingly intelligent signal received from outer space. The US Department of Energy is re-examining cold fusion because the experimental evidence seems too solid to ignore. The placebo effect is put to work in medicine while doctors can’t agree whether it even exists. In an age when science is supposed to be king, scientists are beset by experimental results they simply can’t explain. Here are a few examples

Read more: http://realitypod.com/2010/03/7-things-that-baffle-scientists-and-engineers/#ixzz1ZpTIFvHE

Online Gamers Crack AIDS Puzzle

As reported in Time Magazine recently, online gamers solved a molecular puzzle that has stumped "experts" for the past 10 years. And they did it in less than 10 days!!

They used a game called Foldit, which creates 3D models to work out the intricately folded structure of a key enzyme that lets the HIV virus to multiply. "Knowing its shape lets researchers figure out how to target the enzyme with new drugs."

Who says spending your entire weekend playing video games isn't being a productive citizen? What else does gaming prepare us for in real life?

What is Computer Engineering?

Here's a very cute example of Computer Engineering:

The robotic arm is a mechanical device, so a bit of mechanical engineering knowledge is needed. The ball takes a parabolic path, so a bit of mathematics is needed. The brains, or "brick", had to be created (electrical knowledge) and programmed (programming knowledge).

What other household devices would be fun to create?

Stuxnet

This video on the Anatomy of a Virus is really cool in 2 ways. First, the content is extraordinary. There is this spooky virus that can shut down nuclear reactors and is considered the "first virus as a weapon." Secondly, the presentation style is visually stunning.

How long do you think it took them to make this video? Have you ever used Vimeo?

Stuxnet: Anatomy of a Computer Virus from Patrick Clair on Vimeo.

Students write Android Apps

As an end-of-year project, some of my students, Ben, Boochi, and Samantha, choose to learn to write Android apps. They only had 2 1/2 weeks, but were able to put together a few interesting items.

They wrote an "excuse generator" which randomly combines words to sound like really high tech error messages, a decimal-to-binary converter, and a Pascal's Triangle generater of 1-8 degrees.

The Pascal's Triangle generater is published on The Market and can be downloaded for free. If you have an Android phone, my students would be thrilled to see it being downloaded and to have your comments/ratings.

High Tech Clothes

They now make dresses and shirts that double as a cellphone! Just make the movement with your arm to answer or call. (You know, the way you try to hide that you're on your phone from your teachers!) How convenient.

And there's other things happening. Check this out.

The Witness

The Witness - "the first movie in the outernet." It's like The Amazing Race only in a moive thriller. Participants actually live inside the movie by going to crime scenes with a smart phone and watching a video taken at that sight. They make decisions and follow leads throughout the city. And can even be terminated from the event.

You just gotta watch this to get it: http://www.youtube.com/embed/Yis6is8v9jA?rel=0

Just a matter of time before it comes to us!

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality is now available for mobile devices (phones, tablets, iPods). Just point your phone's camera at a restaraunt, and it shows you its menu.

If you're not sure what Augmented Reality is, check out this short explanation from Common Craft.

If you want to write your own AR layers, check out the new developement site, Daqri.

This is as exciting as the invention of the internet! This may lead to the replacement of the internet. Who needs a desktop anymore?

What kinds of layer would you like to see written. So you're walking down the street and you want to know more about.....

Computer wins at Jeopardy

Computer Scientist created, programmed, and kicked-butt with their computer named Watson. Watson easily beat the very best humans in the game of Jeopardy. This was quite an accomplishment, and quite a collection of hardware.

Can you imagine spending years of your time on a project like this? Can you image being paid to do this kind of job?

Favorite Super Bowl Advertisement

So which was your favorite? You can view them here. I gotta say, watching Roseanne Barr get clobbered by the lumber in the 2nd quarter was a highlight of mine.

Also, the Groupon ads in the third quarter are getting a lot of grief for being tasteless.

Colleges using blogs to connect with their students

Here's a look at the 50 Best Ways Schools use Social Media. Most all of these schools use blogs, either through office school sources, or unofficial campus groups, to communicate their their students. That's a lot of web sites and messages coming at you. Eventually, you will need a "reader" like Google Reader to keep track of all this stuff.

Can you ever see yourself being a blogger? What topics would you find interesting to follow?

What do you know?

Provide us a link to something interesting you have read on the internet. It will be fun to come back here and read other people's posts. (No games, please. Remember to keep it "school-appropriate")

For example: Did you know that Anderson High School is haunted?

First Nintendo Wii, now Nintendo 3D (without glasses)

Even if you're not a fan of the Nintendo Wii system, you have to admit it was a game changer (pun intended). It changed the way we interact with our games. It brought games we never thought of into the possible. It mostly is for non-teens (both younger and older).

Now, Nintendo has a handheld device (3DS) that lets you see in 3D without the need for glasses! I heard it's pretty good too. What games would you like to see retrofitted to the 3DS? What new kind of games are now possible? How will gaming change? Wouldn't it be cool to combine 3D with body controllers?!?!!

Competition for iPad

The Tablet competition is heating up. The two that are looking to be top competitors are the Motorola Xoom (Android) and the Blackberry Playbook (RIM). With prices well below old-fashioned laptops, do you think you'd ever want one? Could you do your school/college work with just a Tablet and a word processor in-the-cloud (say Google Docs)? With video calling all the rage now, could you use a Tablet instead of a cellphone?

Using Kinect to Surf the Net

Hackers at MIT have combined MS Kinect's body moving software with Javascripts for surfing the net. They call it Depth JS. It is a browser extension that allows users to navigate the web using hand gestures. What other applications would be cool to use without a mouse or keyboard?

DepthJS from Fluid Interfaces on Vimeo.

Lunapic - Fun Picture Editor

This is just too much fun. My student, Dylan, showed us lunapic. You upload your picture and then there are really fun things to do to it.

Cellphone with a Heart Beat

Here's an interesting TEDTalk about the future of cellphones. Instead of making humans better at technology, how can we make technology better at being human?

This PhD student suggests a cellphone that has mass, shape, and empathy. Enjoy

http://video.ted.com/talks/podcast/FabianHemmert_2009X.mp4

What applications can you see of this technology?

School should be like a Video Game

There's a school in NYC that has teamed up with the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and a profession game designer, Katie Salen, to make school like a Video Game.

For example, a math teacher was playing a pac-man like game and the students where to see if they could find the pattern in how the enemies moved and then plot that on a graph. OK, they were 6th graders, but still, it's an interesting idea.

Instead of letter grades or numbers, their report cards say “pre-novice,” “novice,” “apprentice,” “senior” or “master.”

Here's the whole story behind Quest to Learn if you'd like to read more.

What high school lessons could be taught as a game? How would you like it if all your classes used video games somehow?

Pants on the Ground guy - Dead or Not?

Internet rumors have been flying about the Pants on the Ground guy, Larry Platt, being dead. The rumor had him approaching a group of men, with low pants of course, and singing his famous song. They then beat him to death.

It does appear this is not true. But only a rumor. Though the extent of effort to propogate the rumor is amazing. Photoshopped pictures, multiple websites, and or course the human element that keeps us guessing.

What do you think? Is Pants on the Ground guy dead? What other "stories" do you hear so many times that you take them to be true?

The Mosquitto - Not Just a Rington

Howard Stapleton is the man who made The Mosquitto sound file that many high school students use as their ring tone so their parents and teachers don't know they're texting. It works because as we age, our hearing range decreases. Most people over 25 can not hear The Mosquitto. In fact, Howard can hear it. He made it with the help of his 4 year old daughter.

Now, adults are using it to shoo unruly teenagers from hanging out near their stores.

This may seem controversial, as all people have the constitutional right to assemble. But what if they are drunk, loud, and harrassing others?

Here/Read the entire interview here and tell me what you think? Should the shop owners be allowed to use it?

Hard Times calls for Saving Ink Toner

My boss sent out an email to us explaining how some fonts use less toner and asked us to set one of these as our default. I know we've fallen on hard times, but this just seemed drakonian to me.

On the one hand, it is an easy do-it-once task that does have benefits, so why not. On the other, really!! It just caught me so off guard. Maybe because the email was titled "TGIF".

Anyways, here are the most ecological fonts:

Century Gothic, a particularly light, thin font, uses about 30 percent less ink than Arial, according to a recent study by Printer.com. Other cheap fonts: Times New Roman, Calibri, and Verdana.

Sony's MOVE will take motion-control gaming to the next level

Sony will be selling it's MOVE component for the Playstation3 this fall for $100. MOVE is a motion-control system, like Wii, but with a 3D component. It is getting lots of buzz in the gaming world and has a 3D version of Killzone 3. One reviewer said, "the jet-pack wearing enemies seemed to be floating midway between our heads and the screen. We couldn't help leaning to the left of right to dodge their fire." And, before you ask, "yes" you have to wear those red/blue glasses.

So what about it, Microsoft? What are you gonna do for the XBox?

A Fun Read

Just heard about Fan-fiction, a site where anyone can be an author. Check it out and read a few!

Then if you feel adventurous, write your own story and upload it and see how many people read it. This is a fantastic way to express yourself and to see if you like writing for pleasure.

There's even a mobile version for those of you with smart phones. So the next time you're bored, but away from your computer, you can still have something fun to read.

Would you ever be willing to use something like Fan-fiction for turning in a school assignment? How would that change the amount of time and energy you put into the assignment?

May the 4th be with you - International Star Wars Day

This new "holiday" is going viral for people who like the Star Wars movies, books, etc. It's an excuse to dress up as your favorite character from the franchise and get your geek on. Here's a link to more info on how it got started. There's even a Facebook "event"

Mostly, I just liked the play on words (force v fourth).