EDUCEDGE,

Ken Deanmead, May 13, 2009: “Twitter has of late been inundated by, shall we say, “normals.” What was once our little playground has become rather more populated. But that doesn’t make it any less effective a tool for communication. It just means we have to stick together, and keep the geek community thriving. To this end, GeekDad has assembled the following: a list of 100 awesomely geeky-geeks. These are great, creative gamers and chiptune artists, astronomers and LEGO builders. <…>

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/05/100-geeks-you-should-be-following-on-twitter/

REALLY?! wow. let’s imagine a few implementation with SL, shall we? Read on,

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/emergingtech/0,1000000183,39437065,00.htm?r=6

“Holographic mobile handsets capable of projecting, capturing and sending 3D images have been developed by an Indian tech company.

By 2010 the devices will routinely beam 3D films, games and virtual goods into our laps according to Indian technology giant Infosys, which has patented the handset.

The portable machines will capture and send 3D snapshots of the surrounding world, helping accident investigators, teachers and doctors work remotely by instantly relaying realistic depictions of car damage, injuries, medical scans or educational aids.

The powerful onboard processor on the Infosys machine would build a series of 2D shots taken, for example, from a digital camera, into 3D holograms using algorithms called ‘Fourier’ transformations to calculate the extra third dimension.

The patent, granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office, says this allows complex 3D holographic images to be squeezed through the narrow pipes of existing communications networks, by sending only the unprocessed data to be translated into the 3D hologram at the other end.

Infosys’s device will be able to both send and receive these 3D images, displaying them using a projector with a laser source and micro holographic optical elements lenses.

The global 3D screen market is forecast by industry to grow to 8.1 million units by 2010.

A spokeswoman for Infosys said: “Holographic handsets have the capability of enriching the user experience, with an actual 3D experience and higher-quality images. This gives users a more realistic experience in areas like gaming, medicine, movies etc.”

She said the technology would enable 3D images to be displayed without losing resolution, something that is not possible using current 3D technology, such as stereoscopic displays.”

Second Life Streaming to your mobile phone by Vollee
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XwRnjbkljnc

World in Motion – Vollee Debuts Second Life Mobile Streaming Beta (http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2008/06/vollee_debuts_second_life_mobi.php)
“…Mobile gaming solution developer Vollee has launched a free beta application allowing users to access Linden Lab 3D virtual world Second Life through their qualified 3G or Wi-Fi enabled handsets.

Vollee’s technology intelligently adapts applications for screen size and key layout, and then streams the original application to mobile devices. The developer’s interactive video streaming platform optimizes compression to minimize bandwidth, allowing gamers to navigate 3D spaces.

After downloading Vollee’s client to their handsets and logging in to their existing Second Life, users will be able to look up friends, interact, and communicate online with other avatars in the online world.

Said Linden Lab business development manager Christopher Mahoney, “Vollee offers the perfect Second Life mobile service that brings our virtual world to handsets in a way that is ideal for connecting our Residents. We look forward to the new and exciting ways people will be able to extend their Second Life experience through this new service.”

Download the free Beta application
http://www.vollee.com/secondlife

My AT&T Tilt still has to wait for the application to be enabled for it. Let’s hope they get quick with it. )

My latest find: great concept “Pandora Radio”

Listen to free internet radio, find new music, buy music.

>>Radio from the Music Genome Project: http://www.pandora.com/

Vuzix VR920-i
$399.99 Skymall http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102135578&c=

Introducing Icuiti’s award winning iWear VR920. Designed with the PC gamer in mind, iWear VR920 includes a built-in microphone, 3D support and 3 degree of freedom head-tracker, allowing for the definitive online interactive gaming experience.

Featuring a virtual 62″ screen view, this is our most immersive big screen experience yet. Step inside the game! (Note- iWear VR920 only works with PC’s and laptops).

*******

Vuzix Corporation 227t00011 Video, Vr920 Virtual Gaming 3d Iwear

($366.99 on Beachaudio.com )

*****

ezVision Video iWear by ezGear
$215.26 on Provatange.com

****

also check http://www.ezgear4u.com/

(original post Feb 2008. link edit May 2009)

This undated handout photo provided by the journal Science shows a new energy-capturing knee brace can generate enough electricity from walking to operate a portable GPS locator, a cell phone, a motorized prosthetic joint or an implanted neurotransmitter, research involving the University of Michigan shows. The biomechanical energy harvester includes an aluminum chassis and generator mounted on a customized orthopaedic knee brace. In what could be the ultimate in power walking, researchers have developed a device that generates electrical power from the swing of a walking person’s knee. The device helps the leg decelerate and can generate enough power to charge a cell phone without requiring much additional energy from the person. (AP Photo/Simon Fraser University, Greg Ehlers)

Science Magazine: http://tinyurl.com/392eye

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/raskin/17377

The site says it’s inexpensive. I”ll have to check my local Best Buy, Fry’s and other general electronic stores. Supposed to be in production, in 3 shapes, and for around $30.

Very interesting for the person who takes their shoot&point everywhere (like me). I don’t even use my camera pouch anymore –just to store my cable, an extra memory card , and some change batteries.

So Great for general usage (protection from accidental exposure to water, dust, bag bunnies, etc….great! no more bringing my camera to the store to declutter my lens opening!) and for sports outings (kayaking, soccer games, etc.)

Check out http://www.dicapac.com.

(A few minutes later) AHAH! UPDATE! You can find a few at Amazon.com (make sure that you look for the bag that fits your camera type..For example, I can’t find any bag for Canon Powershot A640. Maybe the S series can work. I’ll check their fan blogs).

If you prefer known brands (I got put off by the typos on DiCAPAc’s website….reminded me too much of scamming sites), go to B&H.com, they carry Aquapac, Domke, Ewa-Marine, Ikelite, Kaiser, Pelican, Sealife, and Sony.

I love unusual gifts. And what’s even better than surfing at Shopping.calm especially when traveling, relocating, etc.

AGREATERGIFT.ORG Original, supporting developing nations, free and fair trade.

ETSY.COM Handmade gifts, also see THEBESTOFETSY.BLOGSPOT.COM

FLIPCLIPS.COM Turn your 30-sec. home video into a 150-page flip book for $20

SURPRISE.COM Hand-picked gifts from across the web, great ideas

THEFIND.COM Type the item you are looking for and sift through the finds (e.g, I looked for Khet: the laser game. The site organized the finds by “all”, “Boutiques”, Mall Stores”, “department stores”, Ebay/market, etc. Very nice: a feel ebay-tsy and bit amazon-y)

XQUIZZY JOURNALS Funky handmade journals with covers from vintage books and paper

MARIMEKKO MUGS designs for a mix of tastes and styles (search “mugs”)

MINI TREE GROWING KIT A variety of tree types to grow from seed (great under $10 gift. search “tree kit”)

JELLIO: Fun… by Design has great selections of fun furnishings. Check out those gummy bear lamps!

THINGS REMEMBERED adds new gift ideas every day. Easy to personalized a gift to that special someone.

THE BEAUTY BUYBLE is a fun beauty book in a sleek pink box crammed with more than 30 free beauty products inside. (check amazon.com)

IGOURMET is a great idea for your foodie friends.

MYOWNLABELS allows you to personalize wine labels and coasters, or design elegant boxes and bags. Really cool for the wine enthusiast among your friends and family.

For the travelers, ITRAVELISHOP has concise, complete and constantly updated guides that will help you find everything from baby clothes to a favorite T-shirt. You can also get a quick printout of a shopping guide to that Indian city.