Category: Gadgets

Pan, Tilt and Track Webcam

Cameras > QuickCamÆ Orbit‚Ñ¢” href=”http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=4&CONTENTID=7172&countryid=19&languageid=1″>Logitech > Cameras > QuickCamÆ Orbit

Unfortunately it is USB and not FireWire. Probably no MacOS support either.

From the site:
You’ve never seen anything like the unique combination of form and function of the QuickCam Orbit. It features a black, ball-shaped camera that sits atop a nine-inch-high stand at your eye level. Why? So that you’ll get optimal face time during your video calls or video instant messaging (IM) sessions. And when you move, it actually follows you around! The QuickCam Orbit mechanically and automatically turns left and right for almost a 180-degree horizontal view or up and down for almost 90-degree top-to-bottom view. So your smiling face will always stay in the picture.

Internet watches… ;-)

Suunto
From the site:
Suunto n3, the first in a new line of smart wristop computers that combine the quality and features from Suunto with access to timely, glanceable information provided by Microsoft‚Äôs MSNÆ Direct Service. The Suunto n3 offers a variety of features that will streamline daily tasks and enhance daily life – a stylish and unique information source for people who want to be in the know while on the go. Owners will be able to receive customized information to their wrist discretely and automatically – Microsoft‚Äôs MSN Direct Service ensures that the information they need is up-to-date and ready at a glance.

Fossil has another MS powered watch is: http://www.fossil.com/jump.jsp?iMainCat=450&itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=451.

Fossil also has a Palm powered watch: http://www.fossil.com/jump.jsp?iMainCat=447&itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=448

Computer games that involve excersize

GETUPMOVE.COM – Story Mode
From the site:
I started playing Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) at the age of 17
with the very first version that was released to the United States, DDR Version 1.5. The first time I saw the game was at Gameworks arcade in Seattle, where tons of people were crowded around the DDR machine to watch different players dance. At this time, I was a senior in high school and weighed about 235 lbs. Four and a half years later, I now weigh close to 140 lbs and I would’ve never guessed how much that trip (OR a video game) would affect me with my health/weight, and in growing to be a better, more self-confident person.

Robot journalists

BBC News | SCI/TECH | Robo-reporter goes to war

From the article:
A robotic war correspondent that can get to places even veteran correspondent John Simpson cannot reach is being developed in the US.
The Afghan Explorer looks like a cross between a lawnmower and a robotic dog and has been designed to travel to war zones to provide images, sound and interviews from hostile environments off-limits to human reporters.

Another article: “Robot reporter puts a new spin on things” available at http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/03/27/1017089547673.html

Thanks to Hans for the links.

Interesting ultra-portable (somewhere between a pda and a laptop) computer coming this year (2004)

oqo: hardware: basics

From the site:
The OQO computer has all the functionality of an ultraportable notebook computer, with a 1GHz processor, a 20GB hard drive, 256MB of RAM, color transflective display (for easy indoor and outdoor viewing), 802.11b wireless, a removable lithium-polymer battery, and FireWire‚Ñ¢ and USB 1.1 ports. For input and navigation it includes thumb keyboard with TrackStik‚Ñ¢ and mouse buttons as well as digital pen and thumbwheel.