I think the eye-tracking control technology that a company called Tobii showed off about this time last year could have even more potential than other motion control systems, since it could be used while simply sitting at your desk, instead of having to flail your arms and legs about.

Last week, Tobii was demonstrating the latest version of its optical tracking technology at CeBIT called the IS-2 Eye Tracker module. The new module promises to be more responsive and fit a wider range of hardware including gaming machines than the technology unveiled last year could handle. The promise of this technology is the ability to control a videogame or mouse cursor using nothing but your eyes.

The technology uses a pair of infrared projectors that shine on the user’s pupils and a pair of small cameras that record the position of the pupils as the user looks around. The position of the eyes is then sent to a processor on board that turns that into the movement on the screen. The system is said to be very easy use and accurate. In addition to being much smaller, the new version is said to be significantly cheaper than the first-gen model. At this point Tobii, hasn’t announced any consumer products based on the tech, but is offering the IS-2 on an OEM basis to computer and display manufacturers.

[via ZDNet]

There are already programs that can create virtual drives for loading ISO files and other disk images, but the Isostick is a huge step up from these programs. First of all, you can boot from the Isostick. It even has its own bootloader so you can change the CD or DVD image before booting. It’s very user-friendly too. Just move or copy ISO files into the Isostick like you would a normal file. Since it’s also a flash drive you can add other files to it too, you don’t even have to configure or separate the ISO files from non-ISO files. Watch the video for more information:

The Isostick will be a very useful tool not just for computer technicians but for gamers and even ordinary computer users as well. Imagine being able to carry multiple discs’ worth of game installers, software installers and even operating systems – all those discs and an optical drive in just one small flash drive.

As of this writing, the Isostick only supports ISO files, but Elegant Invention is also working on supporting other formats like BIN, CUE and DMG. One other feature that would make a lot of people happy is support for other file systems. You can partition the Isostick like any other drive, but currently the Isostick’s virtual optical drive can only read from a partition that’s in FAT32. Mac users – imagine if they can make it mount DMG files and read from HFS+. Effortless booting and installing an OS from USB? Yes please! I wonder if it’s possible to install Windows on a Mac using the Isostick.

The Isostick will be available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB formats. As of this writing Elegant Invention still has 21 days to raise more funds at Kickstarter, but they’ve already met their target amount so there’s a good chance that it will see the light of day. No word yet on how much the final products will cost, but if you pledge at least $125 (USD), you’ll be one of the first to get an Isostick. Visit Kickstarter to pledge or to find out more about this handy invention. You can also check out Elegant Invention’s blog for more info.

[via TechCrunch]

Instead of just playing like a regular harmonica, the ELX has an array of electronic sensors surrounding each of its acoustic reeds. These photosensors measure the motion of the reeds, then converts those into an electronic signal.

The TurboHarp then outputs its sound to a standard 1/4″ jack you can connect to a guitar amp or through an effects box. Since the pickups are optical instead of magnetic, you can crank the volume to 11 without feedback. Each reed can even be separated into its own channel, so you could create some pretty cool effects with that.

Here’s a video from TurboHarp inventor Jim Antaki, showing off his prized creation:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Jim’s goal is to do for the harmonica what the electric guitar did for the guitar, and you can be part of making that dream come true. TurboHarp is working on raising $15,000 for production of the ELX, and has raised over $3,000 of that so far with about a month to go. A pledge of $150 or more will get you one of the first production ELX harmonicas, ready to plug into a guitar amp. Higher pledges will net you extras like an effects unit or even one of the original prototypes.

Head on over to Kickstarter to show your support, or if you want to get your hands on your very own electronic harmonica.

The Blu-ray drive is called the BW-12D1S-U and it has a cool looking glossy black case with facets like a diamond. It can stand vertically or sit horizontally on the desk. The drive is the fastest 12x burner on the market and uses OTS technology for burn quality. The Blu-ray drive connects to your computer via USB 3.0.

It ships with Magic Cinema tech inside to support playback of 3D Blu-ray films and to convert 2D films to 3D on the fly. The drive not only burns to Blu-ray media, but to just about all other forms of optical media as well. It works with Windows XP, Vista, and 7 machines and has includes plentiful software for burning and playback. No word yet on pricing or a release date.

The innovative technology allows manufacturers to embed full color, high-resolution color images that can only be seen when viewed through a special counterfeit detection lens. To mere humans without the reader lens, the badges just look like a reflective label. According to Fujifilm, it works by “controlling the wavelength of light at a nanometer level.” Here’s a demo of ForgeGuard labels in action:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

If you have a product you want to protect, or just want a cool way to hide messages in plain sight, you can find more information on ordering over at the Fujifilm website.

[via DigInfo TV]

Created by artist Aaron Ristau, the Rotobotmouse definitely has some steampunk underpinnings, but it’s really got a look that’s all its own. The handmade mouse features a round body design and moves across the desktop with a “go-cart like handling”.  The Robotomouse is a fully-functional optical mouse, complete with retro typewriter “L” and “R” buttons, an archaic scroll wheel, and a glowing red light that illuminates the palm of the user’s hand. Did I mention that you stick your pinky finger through that copper loop when you use this mouse?

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

This unique mousing creation is selling for $300 (USD) is available over on Aaron’s storefront in the new Makers Market. Be sure to check out Aaron’s other wondrous creations while you’re there. I’m especially enthralled with his Subatomic Disintegrator. I could really use one of those.

While it is sort of a cool analog hack, I can’t imagine you’d get much brightness from your mobile phone’s screen. That said, the makers of the HypnosEye claim you can project an image from 17″ to 45″ diagonal from a projection distance of 0.5 to 2 meters away. And of course, you’ll want to turn the lights down – way down – to see your images.

You can check out the HypnosEye in action in the video clips below:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The HypnosEye kit comes with both the projection lens unit and a portable 17″ diagonal projection surface that’s optimized for projection. If you’d like to try one, they’re available over at the Japan Trend Shop for $80 (USD).

While I’d much prefer an actual pocket projector, I suppose you might want to look at this wacky device if you’re a real cheapskate.

As you can see the mouse has two parts. The base is where the optical tracking device is, nothing new here, you move the mouse to move the cursor-on screen. The bobblehead on top is the wobbly one, and theoretically it should minimize the strain by being wobbly.

We don’t have a video of the TRU:MOTION mouse in action, so we can’t say how well this translate into actual usage. But if Smartfish’ brochure (pdf) is to be believed, the wireless mouse – along with other ergonomic peripherals and devices – will be available this year. We’ll be on the lookout for reviews then. For now, why don’t you try mashing a bobblehead figure to a mouse, just to see how it works. Come on. It’ll be fun.

[via Chip Chick]

These CD-R discs may be square, but they’ll work in a standard CD or DVD drive despite their non-round shape. Of course, cutting corners on the discs means that they don’t store as much as a standard CD-R. These ones only hold 200MB, but that’s still over than 138 times more than an original 3.5″ floppy.

At $10 (USD) a disc, these novelties aren’t cheap, but they’ll definitely draw stares the next time you jam one into your DVD drive. To save a little, you can buy a 4-pack for $28. you can find them over at the designboom shop.

Sure, I suppose rewriteable optical drives are still standard with all PCs these days, but solid state storage is where it’s at. Me, I really want a USB flash drive that looks like an 8″ floppy – or maybe a punchcard.

The Lomo Split-Cam uses special adjustable light blockers which let you prevent the top, bottom, left or right section of standard 35mm film from being exposed before advancing to the next frame. A matching set of blinders on the viewfinder let you see exactly what your cropped areas will look like.

Sure, you can put the head of your cat on the body of your dog, but if you really want to see some creative uses, check out the Flickr Split-Cam gallery for lots of nifty multiple exposure techniques.

You can find the Split-Cam over on FredFlare for just $20 bucks.

Rubber duckies always, always, always make me think of Bert and Ernie. I guess I just watched too much Sesame Street as a child. Just seeing this mouse got Ernie’s Rubber Ducky song stuck in my head for like 4 hours.

I came across this item on uncommongoods. It’s an optical USB mouse for Macs or PCs, and will set you back $30. So if you’ve got an ambiguously gay coneheaded unibrowed pal, this might just be the perfect gift for him or his “roommate.”

The Deluo MouseGPS embeds a GPS receiver inside of the shell of a USB optical scroll mouse. While you probably won’t be using it as a mouse if you’re in transit, the concept is a definite space-saver in crowded laptop carrying cases. As an added bonus, the device has a retractable USB cord to keep things extra tidy for transport.

Retail price for the MouseGPS is about $100, but you’ll really want to spend the extra $30 to get the version that includes Microsoft Streets & Trips, so you’ll have full mapping and direction capabilities right out of the box. Sure, it’s a little more pricey than buying a mouse and a GPS receiver separately, but it’s just one less thing to lose when you’re on the road.

[via SlipperyBrick]

[Order the Deluo MouseGPS from Amazon]

It’s got a full calculator with an LCD screen and the mouse even has a scroll wheel. Ergonomically, it definitely looks a bit sketchy. While I really like the idea of being able to do some quick math on the fly, I’m concerned that I might accidentally press some of the keys while “mousing.”

The mouse is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux computers, and UK retailer Prezzybox offers ‘em for £14.95 each (appx. $30 USD.)

Along with two cooling fans, the add-on gives you easy access to VGA, Component, Composite and S-Video outputs. There’s also four USB connectors, a TOSLink optical out for digital audio and an Ethernet pass-through. The GA-CX1005XB Docking Station Fan will be available from Japan’s DigitalCowboy starting July 13th. Pricing information hasn’t been announced yet.

[via AV Watch]

The Sony VN-CX1A telephone mouse is a fully-functional optical mouse which works with all Windows PCs. Pick it up, and open it and it transforms into a VOIP phone for use with Skype. When propped open on the desktop, it becomes a speaker phone. The mouse comes in black, silver and blue colors which match most of Sony’s VAIO PCs.

It’s available now from Sony Style Japan for ¥7980 (appx. $65 USD.) No release date has been announced for other countries.