IllumiShare project connects physical desktops

Attendees at the Conference on Human Factors in Computer Systems (CHI) this week saw a device that looks something like a lamp shade and houses a projector and camera, designed to let a worker share a physical desktop with another, allowing the two to collaborate on a project in ways not otherwise possible.

By Nick Barber | 12 May, 2012 00:56

Tags: Telephony/conferencing, Microsoft, Internet-based applications and services, internet, Input-Output, Components

Gesture sensing alternatives use radio interference, Doppler Effect

Two Microsoft Research projects presented at the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems used unique methods, completely absent of any cameras, to sense gestures.

By Nick Barber | 10 May, 2012 03:22

Tags: popular science, Microsoft, Input-Output, Components

ZeroTouch turns 55-inch TV into touchscreen, gets ready for market

ZeroTouch, the inexpensive technology that turns regular displays into touchscreens, can be fitted to larger screens, is more responsive and is almost ready for commercialization, according to researchers working on it.

By Nick Barber | 09 May, 2012 06:56

Tags: Input-Output, displays, Components

Electric lemonade zaps taste buds

A research project at the Computer Human Interaction conference in Austin experimented with adding electricity to food to change its taste.

By Nick Barber | 09 May, 2012 05:39

Tags: popular science, Meiji University

Exploited display bug lets LCDs show two images simultaneously

Researchers have turned a display annoyance into a way to show two different images simultaneously. When an LCD is tilted, colors change and become difficult to see, but with Dual View from Microsoft Research Asia different images and video can be shown.

By Nick Barber | 09 May, 2012 03:41

Tags: Microsoft Research Asia, displays, Components

Privy offers social daily deal alternative

Pizza chain owner Melissa Ferriman wanted to boost business using an online social deal promotion. She tried services like Groupon, but eventually chose Boston-based Privy because it connected her restaurant with customers who weren't just looking for the next promotion.

By Nick Barber | 04 May, 2012 04:17

Tags: Privy, internet, e-commerce, Crazy Dough, advertising

Hackers around the world hack NASA data for good

NASA held its International Space Apps challenge in locations around the world, hoping to find solutions by letting hackers manipulate U.S. government data.

Creating an augmented reality app at Sandbox Summit

Participants at the Sandbox Summit at MIT learn what goes into making an augmented reality app.

Creating an augmented reality app at Sandbox Summit

Participants at the Sandbox Summit at MIT learn what goes into making an augmented reality app.

Robotic spider weaves web at MIT Media Lab

An MIT Media Lab robot mimicked silk worms and spiders and wove a cocoon-like structure with a little programming help from humans.

By Nick Barber | 26 April, 2012 05:56

Tags: MIT Media Lab, robotics

World Tech Update, April 20, 2012

World Tech Update

The Byte - Gmail bug, Oracle smartphone plan, rebuilding Japan, Facebook Offers

Google resolved an outage that prevented millions of users from accessing their Gmail accounts. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison says the company considered buying Palm and Blackberry maker RIM in a failed effort to build its own smartphone. The Japanese government will rebuild 8 cities using "smart city" technologies. Facebook is launching a new service called Offers.

The Byte - Space Shuttle touchdown, Oracle v Google, Samsung Galaxy, Windows 8

NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery arrived at Washington Dulles International atop a modified 747. Oracle and Google kicked off a high stakes jury trial. Samsung is expected to show the next flagship Galaxy smartphone at a London event. Microsoft has detailed four official versions of its next OS.

World Tech Update, April 13, 2012

World Tech Update

The Byte - DOJ lawsuit, EFF and Megaupload, Flashback malware, social media privacy protection bill

The U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and 5 book publishers for alleged e-book price fixing. The EFF will head to court on Friday to push the federal government to create a process where Megaupload users can retrieve their files. Apple publicly acknowledged a malware campaign call Flashback. A Maryland bill is awaiting approval that would prohibit employers from requesting access to employee and job seeker social media pages.