Top Tech Trends for 2012

According to CNN these are the top 10 tech trends. Summary: "In short, 2012 is all about new ways to interact with our devices through touch and voice control, new lightweight ways to share content, a revolution in mobile payments and a plethora of rich Web applications -- not to mention the hundreds of new innovations that we've yet to dream up. I can't wait." How about a voice activated check out system for equipment?

Sifteo: Active Learning

A California based company is using technology in a unique way to create active learning. Check out Sifteo Cubes:

https://www.sifteo.com/

Portable Keyboard/Mouse Cube

The Magic Cube
The Magic Cube is a virtual projection keyboard and a multi-touch capable mouse, all in one easily portable product. Magic Cube projection laser displays keyboard layout onto any opaque, flat surface.
It connects easily to any USB and Bluetooth HID capable devices, including the latest iPhone, iPad, and all Android devices. You can also plug-n-play with any Windows operating system.

Ultra-fast Cameras

MIT scientists have created cameras that can capture images so quickly, they're faster than the speed of light! At one trillion frames per second, these cameras could really change the meaning of High Definition...

Check out this video which shows light traveling through empty space in slow motion. Incredible!

Video Game Consoles Exploding with Multimedia Content

As of Dec. 6th Xbox Live now offers television services from various cable providers in a packaged(cable, internet, phone) deal with plenty of benefits. What's even better is that the new kinect interface and technology allows the user to browse through television programs, movies(Netflix), video games, and music(Zune) all through the Xbox Live marketplace menu utilizing vocal commands without any remote or movement. This would be a great gift for the holiday season but make sure to abide by any new years resolutions to be more active if you have them! All of these new features will make it hard to leave the comfort of your couch.

MacOSaix

Hey Guys!

So i have had a couple of people ask me how i did the mosaic for my advertisement project and i thought it would be cool to share my little secret with you. For the creation of this project i used a program called MacOSaix, which creates mosaics using either Google images or images from your personal hard drive or flash drive. The link to the program is: http://web.me.com/knarf/MacOSaiX/Download.html The program works by using images, organized by color and structure, mathematically cropped to fit the outline of the image you select. I recommend playing around with the amount of pictures you use (rows and columns) before you spend a little while waiting for the images to piece together. Also, rty lowering the opacity to about 90 percent, this will allow a little of the background image to show through and will help with clarity. Have fun!
-Taylor Patterson

Digital Nativity story (just for fun...)

This Youtube video was making the rounds last year. Whether nor not you celebrate Christmas (no offense intended toward those who don't), it's a fun look at what the Christmas story might be like in the age of the internet and social media.
Enjoy your break!
Rich

Comic Sans Project

Years after the launch of the Ban Comic Sans Internet movement — when Comic Sans hatred hit critical mass — French designers Thomas Blanc and Florian Amoneau have launched a new Tumblr, Comic Sans Project.

"We are the Comic Sans defenders," reads the blog intro. "We fear no fonts and we will make the whole world Comic Sans. Because Helvetica is sooo 2011."

The blog features more than a dozen logos re-imagined in the much-maligned font — from the McDonalds "M" and the "Star Wars" logo, to tech titles like Tumblr, Android, Microsoft and PlayStation.

Personally, I think putting all these famous logos in Comic Sans makes them look like a 3rd grader drew them (or just a horrible, horrible typographic joke), but check out the tumblr site here and decide for yourself what you think of the Comic Sans Project.

Free internet?

The co-founder of the popular video chatting program, "Skype" had announced that by 2012 every American should have free internet. He explains that using the internet is not a privilege, but a right.

Link

iPad as a serious writing machine

This is an interesting post from a professional who uses an iPad for all his writing. I found it very relevant to our work since we rent out iPads for writing and other things. The author does use a bluetooth keyboard/case made by Logitech so he's able to type faster.

The downside to this is that for $500+the cost of the keyboard case, you could buy an small computer that could do a bit more. Regardless, it's an interesting look at a workflow we all might be emulating in 5-10 years with tablet computers.

Capturing a live stream in Final Cut Pro

Here's an email I sent out a week or so ago. It seems like something that may be useful in the future for the rare situation where we will need to capture a stream in Final Cut Pro.

"Just wanted to make you all aware of a unique request we had on Saturday. Two users came in and wanted to use a studio to make a video of them playing an Xbox game (I'm assuming for a project or a review or something of that nature.) There were attempting to use Camtasia or Premiere in Studio 1 with no luck. I moved them to Studio 4 to see if iMovie or Final Cut Pro would be more helpful. I hooked the XBox into the RGB input on one of the decks, and things were going well until I realized that since the footage was streaming, it would not have a timecode. Final Cut really really wanted a timecode, so I had to do a few Google searches and found that I needed to switch Final Cut settings in the Log and Capture window to let Final Cut know this was what is called an "uncontrolled device." Saw the user today and he said he's working "amazingly". Just thought you'd like to know if you have a similar need to record a stream through Final Cut."

Two Websites to Help You Learn More About Blender

Here are two fun websites that can help you learn more about our Blender software:

http://www.blender.org/

http://www.blendernation.com/

Vimeo Video School

The video sharing site, Vimeo, has a page dedicated to helping you take better photos and video. Check out Vimeo Video School:

http://vimeo.com/videoschool

PNC Christmas Price Index

I've always enjoyed the PNC Christmas Price Index, which calculates the prices of all the items listed in the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and how they differ from years past.


This year, they've taken their list one step further and incorporated it into a great little interactive trip through a miniature winter wonderland. Enjoy!

Cracked iPhone screen

If you cracked your iPhone screen, this may be the site for you.  There are directions and a few videos for replacing the screen of an iPhone.  Take a look.

How to Fix a Broken/Cracked IPhone Screen

Wearable projection system

Carnegie Mellon University and Microsoft have been working together to develop a wearable projection system that will turn any surface into a touch pad. 

Check out the video. 
OmniTouch-Demo Video-ACM UIST 2011

The end of physical media?

If Rainbow's move from its prime location on Main Street isn't a large enough indicator of changing times, this article from Steve Guttenberg (no, not the one that ruled '80s big-screen comedy) serves as a reminder. The increasing emphasis on digital forms of books, music and movies is antiquating the good old physical forms. Now with the Cloud concept, your media can be stored on a remote server and accessed from anywhere you have Internet access. While some people have an attachment to the memories associated with physical, tangible products, there is still the inevitable wear and tear that comes with those memories. Digital media appears to be the new alternative to just updating the current form of presenting audio and video, and e-readers cut costs and paper usage. So, are the days of lugging textbooks and bringing DVDs for movie night soon to be over? Only time will tell.

Spreading Nerdy Holiday Cheer

With the holidays right around the corner, the quest for the perfect gift begins. You may find yourself wondering what to get that nerd on your list. (Or what you should put on your list this holiday season!)

CubicleBot.com has compiled a list of ideal gifts for those of us who spend 10+ hours a day staring at our computer screens. From anti-spill cup holders to protect your keyboard to an office chair that flattens out into a bed - this Christmas is nerd's paradise.


If you're looking to celebrate the holiday in nerdy-style, check out Digital Life's "A nerd's guide to holiday decorating."

Sorta Awkward

Who would have thought that they'd create technology to detect socially awkward behavior, but that's just what DARPA has done. They call it the Assessment of Asymmetric Social Indicators project. Now that's quite a mouthful. The project uses voice-sensing technology and body language-reading algorithms to detect anti-social behavior. When I first read this I thought to myself, what could possibly be the point? But this technology is used to find unsocialized individuals in the military. The purpose is to prevent conflict from breaking out between soldiers and civilians out in the field. I wonder how relevant this technology will be years from now, and if it will continue to be put to use for new reasons.

http://techland.time.com/2011/12/05/darpa-develops-technology-to-single-out-the-socially-awkward/

USB Mic that might be good for here, and OTT headset

In this tech roundup on USA Today, check out the first item, the Snowball mic. It's a USB mic and is getting very good reviews. Might it be something worth exploring for us as a checkout mic ($70 going price online). One feature is it can switch between cardiod and omnidirectional pickup. From product description on Amazon: "Create studio-quality recordings with Blue Microphone's Snowball, a USB microphone with exceptional sound-capture capabilities. Using Blue Microphone's award-winning dual-capsule and circuit design, the Snowball produces crisp, clean recordings that are free of feedback and distortion. A unique pattern switch allows you to toggle between three different settings, giving you the flexibility to record vocals, instrumental music, podcasts, interviews, and more. With a plug-and-play design that is both Mac and PC compatible, the Snowball requires no additional drivers and is ready to record straight out of the box."

Also the second item, a new gaming headset, makes the Bose noise cancelling headphones seem like cheap earbuds! Not suggesting getting one of these but if we did I'm sure it would be an in-demand item.

Rich

Student Multimedia Showcase

I've received 2 questions just today about nominations for the Student Multimedia Showcase -which are due Dec. 16. To nominate a video from their classes, I need:
a nomination form signed by the authors of the video (either in print or scanned and emailed)
and the video file on a DVD or dropboxed to Shelly or Bryce.

Just as a reminder, the Showcase is an event we do every couple of years to show a variety of videos, nominated by faculty, that students made as class projects. We try to show ~15 videos during the event, which is a come and go as you please event in the Library Lecture Room. The Showcase is also a good promotion for everything we do at the Center to help students create multimedia.

Canon camera with built-in projector

Could it be the future of cameras we loan? A video camera with a built-in projector! As Rich just suggested, wouldn't it be great if laptops had built in projector (albeit short range projection)

Live Action/Animated Film

Using a combination of real actors and elements with animation is known as live action/animated film. Putting the two together goes back to nearly the beginning of the moving picture with examples of films like Gertie the Dinosaur (1914). While live action/animated films have changed in definition and breadth over the years, there is no doubt that the two are a very intriguing mix. For examples, check out the great work from Alex & Steffen:

http://www.alexandsteffen.com/standard/

Career Services video finalists

Check out the link to view and vote for the Career Services video finalists. What's your favorite?

Thirsty in Japan? Ask a machine for a drink

Japan has more vending machines per person than anywhere else in the world. They dispense everything from col beverages and hot coffee to umbrellas and french fries.

The latest vending machine technology can be found on a train station platform in Tokyo. The vending machine “recognizes” the customer and suggests what he or she “should” have as opposed to the customer choosing themselves.

With a slick 47-inch touch screen panel, the drink machine is equipped with a face-recognition sensor that gauges information about the customer age and gender. Other sensors in the machine measure the outside temperature and help the machine come up with the recommendation depending on the time of the day and the season.

While a seemingly great idea, is the machine based entirely upon stereotypes of the culture? Are overweight customers recommended diet drinks? Or perhaps it's cold outside but I'd rather have a bottled water than a steaming cup of coffee. I'd be interested to see how the machine is programmed and who determines which beverage should be recommended for each customer.