The Love Box was created by the Honest & Smile agency in Barcelona, Spain and it was conceived for a documentary film as a simple way of capturing both sides of a conversation in a single shot, using an iPhone. It’s a wooden box which pops open to reveal a tray inside. It’s got a slot for an iPhone, and a carefully positioned mirror which you line up about 1/2 way in front of the camera’s lens. It requires a little fiddling with the angle to get it just right, but once set, it allows you to shoot split-screen videos and stills.

It’s definitely an interesting idea, but you’ll have to shell out €58 (~$78 USD) on Etsy for what amounts to a few blocks of wood and a small mirror positioned in the right spot. I suppose if you’re the DIY type, you could make your own if you don’t want to spend the money.

[via Wired]

This over-the-top looking setup gives you a comfy ergonomic leather seating unit with touch-screen controls, and a view to kill with three computer displays positioned just right for you to lean back and enjoy. The whole thing is motorized too, so you can adjust the angle of your environment without getting up out of your chair. It’s also got a work surface for a keyboard and mouse, and the monitors can be positioned at a flat eye-level if you want to get some work done.

They system wraps you entirely in its scorpion like design, ensuring an immersive experience equaled only by strapping on a super high-def head-mounted display (which doesn’t exist today.) Each LED-backlit LCD screen is a full 24″ display, with HD resolution, and they all connect up to your computer via a set of three HDMI cables. It’s also got built-in LED lighting both above and below the seating area, and a THX surround sound system. Each one is hand-built to your exact requirements, and even has an air filtration system on board.

MWE offers the Emperor 200 in other colors, so if white isn’t your thing, you can go with something a little bolder like red or black – which makes the whole scorpion thing much more effective. Priced at a whopping $44,750 (USD), this thing is definitely the Porsche of computer workstations. Though for that price, they should throw in a computer with the proper display cards an Xbox 360 and a PS3. The chair should have a massager too. Really, how much would that eat into their profit margins to throw those in?

If $45k is too rich for your blood, you might want to check out MWE’s “bargain priced” Emporer 1510, which does away with the fancy finishes and touchscreen remote, (plus you need to BYO displays), but is considerably more accessible with prices starting at “just” $6,200.

Samsung has teamed up with Absolut Vodka to show off the screen on a commercial cooler for its liquor. The screen is the front of the glass cabinet door. The buyers can see advertisements on the door of the cooler and still look inside to see if the cooler is stocked.

The 46-inch LCD screen has a contrast ratio of 4500:1 and a resolution of 1366 x 768 allowing it to show (720p) HD content. The downside is that the see-through design makes the display have worse than normal color reproduction with a 70% color gamut. Still, it’s pretty cool.

Samsung showed off a similar transparent display demo at last week’s CES, which was used to create what they called a “Smart Window.” What other cool uses do you see for a clear display like this?

The iOptik lenses work thanks to a set of special polarizing filters, which separate high intensity light from ambient light, and a secondary internal magnifying lens, which focuses the light into a single, narrow beam. The light rays are transferred independently to the retina, allowing users to focus on far away and close visuals, in full field of view. These contacts allow you to easily view images on a tiny close-up display (such as on a pair of sunglasses) while at the same time viewing your surroundings without any focus difficulties. The contacts do away with the need for the bulky optics usually found in today’s head-mounted displays, and when a compatible display is not present, the contacts would provide normal vision.

Innovega is working with DARPA to create prototypes of these types of lenses and beta test them for the military. A consumer model should also be available within the next couple of years, priced similarly to regular contact lenses.

While we’re still a long way off from displays built into contact lenses themselves, this is a major step forward in improving the usability of portable displays.

[via DVice]

Sony is using a red, green, and blue LED for each of the corresponding pixels on the screen. That means that the 55-inch prototypes it’s showing off at CES each have about 6 million LEDs to generate a 1080p image. The tiny LEDs are mounted directly to the front of the display. The contrast is said to be so high that it can’t be measured.

The TV also promises some very intense colors and perhaps the most awesome image quality ever. The LED tech allows the set to have a 1.4 times wider color gamut than conventional backlit LCD screens. There is no word on when the tech will come to market or how much it will cost. You can count on it taking a long time and being expensive when it lands though.

Instead of just a single camera that captures traffic in front of you, this portable device has a pair of swiveling digital cameras which can capture images in front and behind you. Or to your left and to your right, or just about any other combination of angles. Each camera can rotate a full 180 degrees.

If you do chose to use it in your car, it has a handy “SOS” button, which automatically makes sure that video from 10 seconds before and after an accident will be saved to memory. A G-force sensor also does the same in the event that it detects a crash.

Video resolution is 720p (1280×720), and it captures H.264 video from each camera lens at up to 30fps. In adddition, it can grab 1600×1200 stills (appx. 2 megapixels). Also built into the camera is a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD, which lets you view one, two or both cameras at the same time.

One other nifty feature is a set of four infrared LEDs around each lens, so you can use it to capture in the dark too. It’s even got a mini-HDMI output so you can view content on a big screen too. At least they’re nice enough to include the mini-HDMI to HDMI adapter in the box.

Content is stored onto an SDHC card (not included), and can also be output to your computer via the USB port. The Dual Camera DVR also comes with a suction cup mount for use on your windshield or other smooth surface. While it’s designed to run using you car’s 12V cigarette charger, it has a built-in rechargeable battery. It also comes with a remote control, so you can activate recording remotely.

One thing to keep in mind if you are planning on using this thing for more artistic endeavors. One camera captures a 120 degree wide angle field, while the other captures a more telephoto image, as is shown in the video sample below:

If it wasn’t obvious enough from the watermarks on the images, the Dual Camera DVR is available from Brando, where it sells for $116 (USD).

Other than the fact that the displays will support 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band Wi-Fi, and WMM multimedia standards, there really isn’t any additional info available yet. Both series were certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance on December 30, 2011, so I can only imagine that these are some of the displays we’ll see at next week’s CES show.

While the “X Series” moniker doesn’t sound like anything too mysterious, my curiosity is definitely piqued by the “Echo-P” name. Any guesses as to what might be special about those displays?

Action Movie FX comes to us from none other than J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Interactive, and lets you add explosive special effects to a clip with just a few taps on your iOS device. Choose an effect, record the scene where you want the effect to take place and then cue when to launch the effect. After a couple of seconds – and a Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol ad – your video is done. Here’s a quick sample from the guys at Slash Gear:

Take that, table! The app comes with two effects – missile attack and car crash. The other effects – tornado and chopper crash and fire fight and airstrike – are available as in-app purchases for $0.99 (USD) per pair. Still not impressed? Here’s Mad Ass Gamers‘ demo of all the effects:

Attack the iTunes Store with your mouse (or finger) to get Action Movie FX. Your videos won’t be as sweet as the ones made by Freddie Wong or as overwhelming as Michael Bay’s effects vomits, but then again it’s a free app. I tried it on my iPad and it’s really easy to use. The Mission Impossible ads are not that annoying since they only pop up when the app is “processing”, although I don’t know if the ads will still be there even if you purchase the additional effects.

[via Slash Gear]

Not that wearing something that looks like those sunglasses they give you after they dilate your pupils is really that subtle, I suppose.

Still, if you’re looking for an intimate way to experience 3D content, you might want to check these out. The Moverio BT-100 comes with a pair of 0.52″ LCD displays, each with a resolution of 960×540. Combined, they produce a cinematic 3D effect equivalent to watching a flick on a massive 320-inch diagonal screen.

The displays are operated by a compact Android 2.2-based control box, which can read content from an SDHC card in a variety of video formats, and also support Dolby Mobile audio. It also offers the ability to stream content from the web or even NetFlix (though they don’t support 3D content at this point.) One thing you should note: in reading over the specs, it doesn’t look like these have an HDMI input, so you won’t be able to connect your PS3, Xbox 360 or Blu-ray player as a content source. You’re stuck with the included media player.

One unique thing about the Moverio glasses is that they’re transparent – letting you see your surroundings when you need to take a break from fake 3D objects constantly being whipped at your head.

So far, the BT-100 3D glasses are only sold in Japan, but the guys over at Gizmine are now importing them for the low, low price of $949.99 (USD). With Sony’s higher resolution 3D goggles now available here in the States for $800(USD), it’s a tall order to envision running out and buying these, but if you’re looking for something more portable and less conspicuous, you might want to check them out.

The 23-inch AOC e2343Fi monitor has a somewhat awkward name, but it seems like a functional device. The simple plug-and-play dock is easy to use, letting you view video content from your iOS device on your monitor, while at the same time charging it. The dock saves you the burden of using Apple TV, AirPlay or an HDMI adapter cable to view content on a bigger screen, though it’s likely that much of the content on your mobile device already exists somewhere on your computer (like in iTunes). The dock also includes SRS Premium Sound and built-in speakers, so you can actually hear what you’re watching.

Pricing and the exact release date will be announced at CES 2012. Should Apple integrate something like this into their own screens? I don’t think so, but if this is something that you absolutely need, then you should look for the e2343Fi early next year.

[via SlashGear]

The point is, I end up with a lot of video of my kids doing weird things dancing around. I bet most parents have a bunch of that stuff too. If you want to turn some of those dancing videos into holiday vids you can share, Reel Doozy is a new iOS app that will let you. The app uses green screen tech to superimpose Santa, elves, or that Keenan Cahill kid from YouTube in the video dancing with you.

The app lets you upload the videos you make to YouTube, Facebook, and email them as well. The app is free and you can get the first four video foregrounds free as well. Grab the app on the iTunes App Store now if you want.

Developed by Sanden, in cooperation with Okaya Electronics and Intel, this concept vending machine has a 65-inch full HD vertical display on front. The transparent touchscreen display can not only show animated graphics, but provides product information and merchandising, and even acts as a clock while waiting for its next customer.

The prototype machine even offers facial recognition technology so it could display customized menus based on the individual user as they walk by.  And if it doesn’t know you, it can display products based on what demographic it THINKS you fit into based on your age or gender. How Minority Report of them.

[via DigInfo.TV]

The cartoon is called Om Nom Stories. In it, Om Nom pops out of an iPad when the person isn’t looking and goes exploring. He happens on a tennis ball and tires to eat it, but we all know those things don’t taste good. He spies a bag of eats on the counter and goes searching for candy, when on the way, he encounters the family cat, and wacky hijinx ensue. Check out the cartoon below and see for yourself.

Not an Oscar-worthy plot, but still good fun.

The Korean electronics giant recently released a video showing off the future potential for bendable OLED screens, and it sure looks cool. In this concept video, we get to see the potential for portable displays which can be rolled up, act as a touchscreen interface, and even let you see through them and interact with the environment around you. Here, check it out:

Pretty slick, eh? I for one can’t wait until I can finally buy a device which can be rolled up like a piece of paper. Not because it’s any more practical than a hard surface, just because it’s the stuff of science fiction, and that’s the sort of gadget I just have to have in my collection. While it’s doubtful we’ll see anything as sophisticated as what Samsung shows off in the video in the next few years, they do expect to start producing flexible OLED panels which can be attached to curved surfaces sometime in 2012.

[via OLED Info]

The series of three spots was produced on behalf of Sony Europe by Studio Output and Marshmallow Laser Feast to promote the immersiveness of movies rented or purchased from the PlayStation Store, and they definitely get the point across with these spectacular short clips. Incredibly, all three clips were shot in real-time, with zero edits or post-production. Everything you see was an optical effect seen through the lens of the camera. Michel Gondry would be proud. Watch, and see what I mean:

The scenes were created by projecting images onto various 3-dimensional surfaces, and then syncronized a variety of real-world props, booby traps, and triggers in the enviroment to move along with the scene changes. As you saw in the clips, live actors also helped move around various props and contrivances to help with the immersion. They shot the entire thing with a Steadicam, with several of PlayStation Move controllers strapped to it, as well as EyeToy cameras around the room in order automatically track motion and adjust the scene accordingly.

Now if only Sony could make a real holodeck, I’d buy one.

Ladyada is showing off a new project called Adalight, which uses an Arduino board and a strip of RGB LEDs around the back of your display to create an ambient color backdrop for your computer monitor. The system automatically detects the average colors around the perimeter of your display, and immediately responds with the appropriate LED color in the proper section of the LED strip. Since it works as a high-speed screen capture utility in the background, it works with pretty much any application on your computer.

Open source software using the Processing library runs on your PC, Mac or Linux and interfaces with the Arduino over USB, and sends the correct light colors to each of the LEDs pixels. See the Adalight in action in the video below:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Pretty cool, no? I suppose it could get to be a little annoying after a while, but it still might be pretty cool for 3D games and action movies. While you can build the Adalight from scratch, you can also purchase a project kit over at the MakerSHED for $49.95 (USD) to help you get started. The kit includes a strand of 25 RGB LED pixels and a 5VDC power adapter, but you will still need to purchase the Arduino and USB cable, and follow the rest of the build instructions to finish the project.

Taking that into consideration, researchers from Italy’s University of Bologna and the Smartphone Sensing Group at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire have come together to develop the WalkSafe app that pays attention for you when you can’t.

The app makes use of the phone’s rear-facing camera and image recognition algorithms to warn to the preoccupied user. It can even detect which way the cars are facing in the road and whether or not they’re moving, for instance.

WalkSafe alerts the user of any potential threats through audible or vibrating alerts. I think the app is definitely an innovative one, but really, mobile phone users should be more responsible and not rely on the app to let them know that they’re about to be run over by some delivery truck headed straight towards them.

If you want to give WalkSafe a try, it’s available for free download over on the Android Market now.

[via PopSci via Dvice]

It’s estimated that 42.6 billion videos were viewed online in the U.S. in October, with 20.9 billion served up by Google’s video juggernaut. VEVO took second place with 827 million, and Hulu came in third with 791 million.

What about unique viewers who watched videos? You might expect Facebook to be the big winner, but no. Again YouTube took the lead, beating Facebook by triple with 161 million unique views, versus 59.8 million on Facebook. And the average amount of video viewed per person was a staggering 7 hours. Remember these stats are just for the U.S. The company’s overall stats are much higher.

[via Search Engine Land via geek]

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The uWave was created by a team of University of Pennsylvania students who were competing in the PennApps hackathon. The team used a tablet computer and some clever coding in order to get it to match the cooking time with YouTube videos. If that’s not enough, the uWave also sends you a text message when your food is done, and Tweets that you’ve used it too.

So, now humans will never be without a cat video or a text message, even when nuking a bag of popcorn. Humanity marches on… Then walks straight into a pole because they were too busy entertaining themselves.

[via Hack A Day via Thatsnerdalicious]

TVs require not just a higher scan rate to display content in 3D, but special built-in hardware to decode and handle 3D signals. However, Marvel Digital’s 3D converter box lets users of non-3D televisions watch content in 3D using old-school anaglyphic 3D technology. Instead of red and blue glasses, Marvel uses amber and blue glasses to view 3D content.

Now before you get all excited about watching that Avatar 3D Blu-ray disc on your older TV, it looks like this box can either produce simulated 3D visuals – from 2D sources, as well as display any content that’s in 3D “side-by-side” format. I’m pretty sure Blu-ray discs are encoded in sequential format, so those probably won’t work, but I suppose you could give it a whirl if your disc player supports 3D. On the plus side, DirecTV and XBox 360′s standard 3D format is “side-by-side,” so you should be able to watch this content in 3D.

In addition to supporting analglyphic 3D, the box will also work with proper 3D TVs (and passive or active shutter lenses) to simulate 3D from 2D content, but many sets already offer this capability. To use the 3D converter box, simply place it inline with your HDMI connected device, and it should take care of the rest for you. It offers full support for HDMI 1.1 through 1.4 specs, and can pass-through 1080p HD video. Keep in mind that “side-by-side” 3D cuts resolution in half, though.

I’m tempted to order one of these just to see how well it works, since my TV doesn’t support 3D. Priced at just 60 bucks, it’s not much of a risk. If you’re interested in giving it a whirl for yourself, you can order the 3D converter box from Marvel Digital.