If touch-screen interfaces float your boat, then take a look…. here.

With the fall semester being over, new updates come from the awesome DnD Surface team from Carnegie Mellon. At the beginning of the semester, they showed proof of concept of playing DnD on Window’s Surface. Now, they are showing some awesome progress, from accurate line of sight to a grid system that shows what can be done in a move action all the way up to full round action. We can only hope they continue improving the system next semester. Hopefully by the time they finish, I’ll have had saved up $13,000 to buy a Window’s Surface.

I love DnD, I love computers, and now, behold the perfect marriage of both. This looks to definitely help the whole experience of DMing. I really hope this project goes somewhere, and someday I will be able to have my own computer table awesomeness. You can check out how all this came to be and where it is going here.

[Source: WIN741]

One day, sooner than you may think, everyone could have cyborg powers enabling them to move around with much more ease. This  could mean vast life improvements for the disabled.

Cyberdyne has been working on exoskeleton called HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) for some time and have finally released it to the public in Japan. If you need the extra help to carry heavy objects ,or get around with less effort, Cyberdyne will rent out different parts of the skeleton (legs, arms, torso) for a monthly fee. However, it has not been announced when HAL will be available to the public for permanent purchase.

The HAL exoskeleton has robotic limbs that strap to your arms and legs — providing much fuller mobility than a wheelchair. The suit’s backpack contains a battery and computer controller. When a HAL-assisted person attempts to move, nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles, and very weak traces of these signals can be detected on the surface of the skin. The HAL exoskeleton identifies these signals using a sensor, and a signal is sent to the suit’s power unit telling the suit to move in synch with the wearer’s own limbs.

This is some very cool technology that will hopefully one day be available to the public for permanent purchase. It will help the disabled, and make everyone look like futuristic cyborgs. You can check out a video of the legs in action below and Cyberdyne’s website here.

[Source h+]

That is one sick looking controller. What makes it even better is that you won’t ever have to take your thumbs off the sticks! All of this in the name of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

As anyone that has played an FPS on a console knows, you usually have to take your thumbs off the controller to jump or do some other task. Ror that split second, you’re defenseless. No longer, however, thanks to the two additional buttons (even semi-programmable on the fly) on the back of the controller. The controller also has a nice rubber grip for your sweaty hands. It is a shame that the controller is not wireless, given how much they improved it overall. You’ll be able to pick up this sweet-looking controller for $49.99 when it comes out.

Mad Catz will also be releasing a MW2 themed keyboard, mouse, Xbox 360 skin, PS3 controller, headset, and throat communicator, all of which also look pretty awesome. You can check out the gallery of said items and the presser below.

[View with PicLens]

Mad Catz® Announce Licensed

Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2 Accessory Range for Consoles & PC

Range to Include Combat Controller, Throat Communicator, Elite Keyboard and Sniper Mouse

San Diego, August 24, 2009

Mad Catz® Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading worldwide third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, today announced a full range of licensed Modern Warfare® 2 accessories for Xbox 360®, PLAYSTATION® 3 and PC, which are expected to ship across North America and key European territories with the release of one of the year’s most anticipated games in November 2009.

Developed by Infinity Ward and set for worldwide release by Activision Publishing, Inc. on November 10, 2009, Modern Warfare 2 is the sequel to the best-selling first-person action game in history, Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare®. The title is rated “M” (Mature) for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Language.

The products expected to ship as part of the range include:

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Combat Controller – Xbox 360

Complete with a host of features designed to customize the in-game experience, the Modern Warfare 2 Combat Controller has Rubber Grips and a soft-touch finish for extended gaming sessions. Featuring two unique buttons located on the rear of the Controller, players can re-map Action Button or Thumbstick commands empowering players to shift melee or sprint to the rear buttons in order to maintain full motion control on the analog sticks. Immersive Analog ThumbStick Backlighting enhances the in-game atmosphere while Dual Vibration Feedback allows the user to experience every shot and explosion. Lastly, the fully braided connection cable provides a robust and latency free connection with the console.

MSRP: $49.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Throat Communicator – Xbox 360

Based on authentic military design, the Modern Warfare 2 Throat Communicator allows gamers to comfortably communicate with teammates and other Xbox LIVE® players. Fashioned in authentic graphics, the unique microphone design reduces background noise and allows gamers to clearly communicate with each other, bringing them closer to the field ops experience. The Throat Communicator is fully compatible with the official Microsoft® controller as well as the Mad Catz Modern Warfare 2 Combat Controller.

MSRP: $29.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Faceplate and Console Skinz – Xbox 360

Featuring custom Modern Warfare 2 artwork, both the highly collectible Controller Faceplate and Console Skinz allow gamers to customize their Xbox 360 and official controller. Depicting official in-game art, the Console Faceplate attaches simply and safely, transforming your console in seconds and the removable Console Skinz wrap around the sides of the Xbox 360, providing a fully immersive themed landscape.

MSRP: $29.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Wireless Combat Controller – PS3™

Modern Warfare 2 Wireless Combat Controller for PLAYSTATION 3 utilizes a secure 2.4 GHz wireless link to connect with the console for accurate wire-free action. Featuring two unique buttons located on the rear of the Controller, players can re-map Action Button or Thumbstick commands empowering players to shift melee or sprint to the rear buttons in order to maintain full motion control on the analog sticks. The Controller features Immersive Analog ThumbStick Backlighting and an internal Rechargeable Battery that allows for charging directly from the console’s USB port and provides up to 60 hours of game play from a single charge.

MSRP: $49.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth® Technology – PS3

Sophisticated, discrete and fashioned with Modern Warfare 2 graphics, the Headset for PLAYSTATION 3 allows for wire-free communication with teammates and PlayStation Network™ (PSN™) users. Featuring a high-quality, noise-reducing microphone, ideal for frantic game play, the Headset utilizes Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology, and operates at a range of up to 30 feet from the console.

MSRP: $39.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Controller Faceplates – Xbox 360 & PLAYSTATION 3

Depicting official artwork from Modern Warfare 2, the highly collectible Controller Faceplate allows gamers to customize their official Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 controllers in style. Highly durable and featuring a high-gloss finish, the safe and removable Controller Faceplate attaches in seconds to the official controller and features authentic artwork to support the game (Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 Controller Faceplate sold separately).

MSRP: $14.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Combat GamePad – PC

For those who enjoy gaming on their PC but prefer the feel of a gamepad over a keyboard and mouse, the Modern Warfare 2 Combat GamePad provides a comfortable and highly ergonomic method of play. Featuring full analog control, the Combat GamePad is fashioned in authentic Modern Warfare 2 artwork and comes complete with a complement of four Action Buttons and four Trigger Buttons as well as a stable eight-way D-Pad delivering precision and accuracy where fast response is crucial to survival. Pre-programmed for Modern Warfare 2, the Combat GamePad ships with software that allows gamers to reprogram the four Action Buttons to suit their personal preferences or for use with other software titles. The Combat GamePad is compatible with Windows™ 7, Vista™ and XP™.

MSRP: $24.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Sniper Mouse – PC

Fine-tuned for razor-sharp assault, the Modern Warfare 2 Sniper Mouse allows for precision in-game control. Instantly adjustable DPI (‘Dot Per Inch’) allows gamers to adjust the speed of the mouse cursor at any time, ideal for a multitude of missions and varying styles of play. A built-in weight cartridge allows gamers to add or subtract weights from the Mouse tailoring the feel for personal preference. Fashioned in fully authentic graphics, the Sniper Mouse is certain to be the weapon of choice for PC enthusiasts. Pre-programmed for Modern Warfare 2, the Mouse ships with software that allows gamers to reprogram the Mouse Buttons to suit their personal preference or for use with other software titles. The Sniper Mouse is compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP.

MSRP: $49.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Combat Keyboard – PC

The Modern Warfare 2 Combat Keyboard features ‘Anti-Ghosting’ in key action areas and a Windows Key Lock to prevent accidental disruption to game play. Easily accessible Media Keys provide instant access to volume control, play/pause and other essential media-related functions and a weighted base with strategically placed large rubber feet that prevent the keyboard from slipping off the desk. Pre-programmed for Modern Warfare 2, the Combat Keyboard ships with software that allows gamers to reprogram Function Buttons to suit their personal preference or for use with other software titles. The Combat Keyboard is compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP.

MSRP: $49.99

o Modern Warfare™ 2 Elite Keyboard – PC

Built on the successful ‘Cyborg™’ Keyboard platform, the Modern Warfare 2 Elite Keyboard is ideal for those who take their gaming seriously and will prove to be an essential ally in the field. Multi-Color backlighting, including adjustable brightness and ‘Tru-Vu™’ illumination, provides gamers with the ability to set ambient lighting, ranging from red through to amber and green. Touch-Sensitive Back-Lit Dashboard controls provide access to keyboard lighting and media functions. Further aiding in the custom nature of the keyboard, the WASD, cursor, ‘Cyborg™’ and NumPad keys can all be lit independently from the rest of the keyboard, allowing players to highlight keys commonly used in-game. One-touch ‘Cyborg’ mode instantly disables the Windows™ keys and adjusts the keyboard illumination to desired settings for simple set-up and no fewer than twelve Cyborg keys can be programmed to replicate any sequence of keyboard presses in a single button. Durable Metal-Plated key caps provide reinforced strength on the most commonly used gaming keys and gold-plated connectors for USB and microphone inputs allow other accessories to be passed through the keyboard without accessing the PC. Pre-programmed for Modern Warfare 2, the Elite Keyboard ships with software that allows gamers to reprogram Keyboard Buttons to suit their personal preference or for use with other software titles. The Elite Keyboard is compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP.

MSRP: $99.99

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “This new range marks our first full line of licensed PC products launching alongside the console accessories. The Saitek and Cyborg names are brands respected by PC gamers worldwide and we believe that consumers will respond enthusiastically to these high quality licensed products. Modern Warfare 2 is one of the most anticipated software titles this year and we are excited to support it with a comprehensive range which is certain to enhance the gaming experience.”

Japan’s Masunaga Optical Manufactoring has developed Winking Glasses. They have a built in sensor that tracks your blinks. If you do not blink after five seconds, the right lens fogs over until you blink again.

The glasses are going to go on sale in Japan this August for $150. I guess that is the price you pay to have healthy eyes (and look like you are from the future).

[source DVICE]

This year’s T3 Gadget Awards are underway, and voting is in full swing!

Geeks of all kinds should head over there and vote for their favorites in the dozens of different categories.

The T3 Gadget Awards

Seeing how things are made, and where they are made, is always awesome. When it pertains to new technology even better. That chance was seized by Charlie Brewer as he got a tour of Sony’s new blu-ray factory in Sydney, Australia.

Charlie goes through what looks to be the whole factory as he takes pictures of it all for our viewing pleasure. You can view the beginning of the discs as small polycarbonate granules, all the way to the end as they are packaged, and everything in-between at new.com.au.

[source Kotaku]

What is Google’s Chrome you ask? I’m amazed by how often I’m still met with confusion every time I mention it. Let’s get you educated!

Chrome is an open-source browser created by Google, best known as creators of their search engine of the same name. It was released for its initial Windows beta test on September 2, 2008, and then publicly released December 11, 2008. Since then it has risen quickly to become the third most widely-used browser in the world, its userbase growing steadily with each month. Currently Chrome, though holding steadily in third place, is being used by only 6.0% of the population; trailing behind Firefox (47.3%) and Internet Explorer (40.7%) by large margins.

Google also released the entirety of Chrome‘s source in 2008, in an open-source project they called Chromium. Chromium allowed private developers to create versions of Chrome for both Linux and Mac OSX platforms as well. Though personally not owning a Mac or Linux based computer, I cannot speak on their behalf.

Likes:

The Chrome I know and love is the version created by Google for Windows. It includes all of the best features that anyone might look for in a browser. The interface is very efficiently built with its own custom-made title bar which contains the tabs of your web pages. Just below that is a typical looking scheme for a browser interface with forward and back navigation buttons and a refreshing looking refresh button. The address bar itself is no normal address bar, functioning as both the interface through which you type in your favorite website, but also as a search bar, fully integrated with Google’s search engine. Below that is an optional and fully customizable bookmark bar which comes in handy for quick browsing of your favorite websites.

When I first started using Chrome, the most astonishing aspect was how much more quickly webpages loaded here when compared to Firefox or Internet Explorer. Even with the speed of my cable internet connection, some pages might take 10-20 seconds to load on other browsers under normal conditions, whereas with Chrome I’ve never experienced any sort of delay. This is made possible by Chrome’s ability to make any webpage its own application instead of trying to squeeze everything into a single process like other web browsers.

One of my favorite features of Chrome is its home page/history feature. Most web browsers make use of homepages and include some sort of “History” feature, but only Chrome has implemented the two together. With each new tab you create, your web history is displayed and organized right in front of you, showing your nine most frequently visited websites and nine most recently created bookmarks. It’s very convenient to open up your browser and see all of your favorite webpages laid out before you. Every site on your homepage is linked for your quick browsing pleasure.

Now, many people don’t like having their internet history in their face, for obvious reasons. But for you, Google has also implemented the “Incognito” feature, which allows for safe web browsing without logging any local trace that you’ve ever visited such a website. Shame on you.

Web developers (or even those who are simply nosey) will love the element inspector. With Chrome you can right-click anywhere on any webpage and click “Inspect Element”, which will cause the code used in creating that section to pop up for your viewing pleasure.

Chrome has taken the best ideas from older browsers, re-hashed them, and put their own unique spin on things to create one heck of a browser. The best part is it works.

Dislikes:

As much as I adore Chrome, it (like all things) does not come without its share of flaws.

While the interface is well designed, it can sometimes be tedious to find simple things such as the “Print” button when you’re used to it being in one place all the time. I can’t say how many times I’ve looked for those simple everyday buttons and have been unable to find them. It’s like they move around when I’m not looking.

Downloading files with Chrome can also  sometimes prove to be obnoxious. Instead of being its own entity, the downloader in Chrome is built into the browser’s interface. When a download begins you’ll find it along the bottom edge of the window. While it can be handy to keep an eye on the progress of your download, it also means that if you close Chrome before your download completes, your progress will be lost. I’m not a fan of needing to keep a browser open all day, which you may well need to do if you’re downloading a large file.

Lack of support for the organization and sharing of bookmarks is another flaw. Chrome’s packaged bookmark manager is sub-par at best (though they have made some improvements of late), and if you’re like me, you keep a lot of bookmarks. Bookmarks themselves are kept in a single hidden file deep in the bowels of your computer instead of individual, easy to find files. So if you fancy any ideas of sharing a bookmark with a friend or exporting your bookmarks to another computer, be prepared for a search and a little frustration.

The last thing isn’t a fault of the browser so much as it is the fault of third-party developers. Chrome needs more plugin support, but due to its current lack in popularity, most developers choose to ignore it as a major web browser. Thus, visiting certain webpages which check the browser you use may not recognize Chrome and not allow you entry. Also trying to use popular plugins such as Adobe Acrobat with Chrome may result in the browser locking up.

TLDR:

When you get right down to it, Chrome is one of the speediest and most efficient web browsers ever. And like it or not, you have to admit it’s got style.

For those of you who don’t like to read large blocks of text: Google’s Chrome is an awesome web browser, you should try it out sometime.

Why don’t you Google it right now?

_

“This router is essentially a twenty-four hour clock divided into half hourly segments. As a reaction to the broadband signal, a different traffic light colour indicates bandwidth strength at each interval.

It is, in design, an object of reflection – helping the user to manage their time online more efficiently, understanding and making the most of bandwidth strength in the local area throughout the day.”

You can check out the clock, and some other nifty router technology Goldsmith is working on, in newfangled moving pictures after the jump.

FutureRouters

Ben Heck, the technology geek god, has done it again and created a new Xbox 360 laptop.

Ben added a few new features to his new spin on laptop gaming

Built-in Ethernet port, finally.

Built-in WiFi adapter, as usual.

Digital push-button volume control rather than a clunky knob. Used a different audio amp as well, and it sounds a lot better.

Flush-mount DVD door and side panels, such as the memory card slots.

IR sensor for the remote control.

Two user USB ports.

More air holes!

Jasper motherboard.

It also sports a Gateway 1775W widescreen 17″ monitor, which is exactly 1280×720.

You can check out a rundown of the laptop in the video below and more at Ben’s Blog.