A lot of people probably share the same sentiments when it comes to getting groceries, because it was enough to convince one company to launch a completely virtual supermarket, which displays ample products, but does away with the need to carry them around.

A little while back, we mentioned a small virtual shop opened by Tesco/Homeplus in Korea, and apparently the idea has taken off in the country. Another, larger virtual store recently opened in Seoul, where all shoppers have to do is point their phones at the QR code to scan it to put an item into their virtual cart for home delivery.

The store, which is located at the Seoulleung subway station, offers approximately 500 different items on its shelves. The obvious downside is that you can’t check or inspect products as you normally would before putting them in your cart. One of the trade-offs for convenience, I guess.

What do you think?

[via Pop Up City]

This virtual iCub has been given this quirk. The idea is that this simulation of iCub will be exposed to these processes and it might help it form connections in the same way a human does.

[via New Scientist]

Since human beings are so naturally curious, some scientists have implanted several monkeys with implants that have allowed them to “move and feel virtual objects” much like humans can do with just their (well, our) imaginations. These researchers from the Duke University Center for Neuroengineering say they have achieved the “first-ever demonstration of a two-way interaction between a primate brain and a virtual body” using brain-machine-brain interfaces.

Like Jake Sully in Cameron’s Avatar, these primates were able to control simian avatars in a virtual world filled with virtual objects. What was impressive was that they were able to identify what an object was, simply by feeling it out virtually in the virtual world. Now that’s virtual identification.

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Neurobiology professor Miguel Nicolelis, who serves as the leader for the study, describes some practical uses for this technology in the future: “We hope that in the next few years this technology could help to restore a more autonomous life to many patients who are currently locked in without being able to move or experience any tactile sensation of the surrounding world.”

…or we could use it to send monkeys into space to convince some aliens to give up their Unobtanium.

[via io9 via Dvice and Geeks Are Sexy]

It sounds a bit like the augmented reality mirror that researchers from the University of London have come up with. This one, however, was thought up by the folks over at the New York Times Research & Development Lab. The mirror is basically an LCD display that’s being used under the mirror here, with a sensor perched at the top.

Aside from feeding you with your daily dose of news (from the New York Times, of course), the PC behind the mirror-slash-display makes use of the Kinect SDK and an RFID tag reader that can pull up and display information about any prescription drugs or medication that you may be taking.

It can also do a quick scan of what you’re wearing and make suggestions on what you can pair with that top or what color tie you should put on with the shirt that’s already on your back. Pretty neat, huh?

[Nieman Lab via PopSci via Dvice]

The built-in IR sensor allows the Evomouse to track gestures and turn them into pointer movements. The main benefit of these devices is that they take so little space. They can be easily taken with you pretty much anywhere, and may be comfortable for those of you used to touchscreens and trackpads on devices these days.

The Evomouse uses similar technology to their Magic Cube, which projects a virtual keyboard onto your desktop surface. Both the Evomouse and Magic Cube work with Windows PCs, as well as iOS, Android, WinMo, Palm OS, RIM OS, Symbian mobile devices. Actually, they’ll work with any device with Bluetooth HID support. They’re  available for pre-order. The Evomouse sells for $99.95 (USD) while the Magic Cube sells for $199.95. Expected delivery is in May.

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[via Designboom]

Projectors beam down the field, while a camera tracks the movement of the reflector. The Sportpong software was built using vvvv, a “multipurpose tool kit for real time video synthesis.”

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Frankly I’d rather play with an actual football, but then that wouldn’t be nerdy at all.

[via The Awesomer]

The cool thing about the virtual foosball players and ball is that they’re still controlled by the same sort of spinny axle controllers that traditional foosball machines use.

In this case, however, software transforms all of the players movements into digital information which is used to control the virtual soccer players on screen. Each control lever is tied to a set of infrared sensors (similar to the way spinner controls work in arcade games) which tells the software which way to spin the players.

Check out the video clips below for a look behind-the-scenes of Space Foosball, along with some gameplay footage:

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The Space Foosball system was developed using the Virtual Physics CGI engine developed by Young J. Kim and the team at the Ewha Women’s University Computer Graphics Lab in Seoul, Korea.

No word on if or when you’ll be able to play Space Foosball at your neighborhood pub.

Violet (the makers of those quirky Nabaztag USB rabbits) is about to unleash Mir:ror, a small puck-shaped USB gadget which acts like an interface between your everyday belongings and your computer.

For example, you could place an RFID tag on an umbrella, wave it over your Mir:ror, and your computer would display the current weather forecast. Hold up your cocktail shaker to open the latest drink recipes. Place your remote control on it, and bring up tonight’s TV schedule. The connections you create between the real world and the digital world are only limited by your imagination.

To use the Mir:ror, simply place a tagged object on top of the device, and it’ll automatically execute a task on the machine that you’ve synced up with your items. The Mir:ror can instantly identify many objects with built-in RFID tags, but you can tag pretty much anything you want with their colorful identification stamps (called ztamp:s). Violet’s new web site lets you set up all your devices and applications to work with the Mir:ror.

Violet expects to release the Mir:ror in the US on October 27th, and you can order the $69.99 starter kit (including Mir:ror, 3 ztamp:s, 2 nanoztag rabbits, and an additional skin for the surface) over on Dynamism.

[photos via Neteco]

Bricksmith was created by Allen Smith. The application includes a parts browser, a full Lego color palette, drag-and-drop building, and more. It’s been around for a few years, but an updated version has just come out. The new version boasts added functionality and a sweet minifig generator.

You can download Bricksmith 2.0 for free from Sourceforge, but you have to have a Mac with OS X Tiger (10.4 or later.) Happy virtual bricking!

[via Make:]

Designed by Nicholas G Panas of play /, LEGO-touch will let you build virtual LEGO creations using a large catalog of basic building blocks. Using the iPhone’s multi-touch display, you can easily grab blocks and assemble them into just about any shape you can imagine. A slick user interface lets you easily zoom in and rotate your designs, and easily apply any color in the spectrum to each of your blocks.

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In addition to the basic block construction kit, Nicholas’ concept will let share your designs over the Internet. You can even create your own Mii-like avatar using those familiar LEGO block people. One of my favorite features is the ability to challenge your online friends to a LEGO “build-off”.

While you don’t get the tactile experience of holding real LEGO blocks in your hands, you do get the advantage of being able to carry all your creations in your pocket wherever you go. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of blocks.

play/ is currently working to launch the LEGO-touch concept into software production. Be sure to head on over to their website to check out their high quality Flash-based demonstration.

[via PSFK]

This off-the-wall creative project takes items seen in the 3D virtual world of Second Life, and transforms them into real-world (paper) objects.

Export to World is a concept created by Linda Kostowski and Sascha Pohflepp which converts the oddly-textured 3D computer objects and turns them into papercraft models which can be assembled with scissors and glue.

There’s a complete gallery of models they’ve converted so far over on Flickr. PDFs of the paper cutouts are available here. They also offer some tips and tricks for exporting your own paper models.

[via MAKE]

From the looks of the photos, the TheaterBar appears to offer not only a complete surround experience in a single slim box, it looks like it’s got bass ports on the back, so maybe it’ll have a decent low-end too. Another innovative feature is the hinged iPod dock, which looks like it can flip to the back of the system when not in use.

Not much else is known about the TheaterBar at this point, but it looks like it’ll at least support SRS sound enhancement (as evidenced in the close up pics on their site). I’m betting at least basic support for Dolby and/or DTS formats of some sort will also make it in the final product.

Knowing mStation, I’d expect the system to offer a good bang for the buck when it eventually arrives. I’ll keep my eyes and ears peeled and will update this post when I have more details.

The system offers up the familiar top-down view and flipper controllers you’d find on a traditional pinball machine, but that’s about where the similarities end. Austria’s TAB has created the “Virtual Pinball” platform to offer arcades a cost-effective way to offer multiple games in a single cabinet. At the core of the system is a 42-inch touchscreen surface, along with a proprietary gaming platform which allows new tables to be easily downloaded.

Unlike some of the other pinball-specific systems out there, this one can also be used to play other action arcade games, so maybe it’ll be more popular. In addition to flipper inputs, the machine incorporates realistic tilt sensors which can be programmed to affect game play. Since the system offers IP connectivity, there’s even an online tournament play capability.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of digital pinball simulation, and would much rather play on an old mechanical machine any day of the week. But with the old pinball industry pretty much a fading memory, digital is about the only game in town.

[via acquire]

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Developed by computer graphics researchers Volker Scholz and Marcus Magnor, the texture replacement technology uses a complex algorithm which encodes the coordinates of textures in a sampled video sequence, then replaces them with a new texture map, complete with shadows and all the fabric folds.

Designed for use in movie and video post-production, it’s only a matter of time before we start to see directors changing out costume designs long after the film is in the can.

The Virtual 7.1 Channel Adapter plugs into your USB port and adds virtual surround to your current PC audio system. Special driver software, called Xear 3D simulates 7.1 channel sound through just two speakers or headphones.

While I’m sure it’s not as good as a real 7.1 speaker setup, the device and software bundle is just $15, so it’s not a big investment if it really does what it says.

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As you tilt each cube, the player climbs through the environment, moving in concert with the angles of the physical cube. The objective of the game is to move the cubes to help guide the digital player to the exit of each cube’s virtual environment. Some of the doorways lead to another cube, while other are dead ends that make you start all over. The whole interaction looks like a Michel Gondry video to me.

Oliver developed the game to run under Debian or Ubuntu Linux, and plans on releasing it as an open source project soon.

The YSP-500 reflects sound from 18 individual sound drivers to deliver truly immersive surround with only a single box. Just like it’s bigger siblings, the box has all the requisite digital and analog inputs for DVD players and other audio sources.

It can decode Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo:6 sound formats. It also offers SRS TruBass enhancement for the low end of things, but you’ll really want to supplement this system with a subwoofer if you really want a solid bass boom. As has been the case with all but the earliest YSP systems, this one includes IntelliBeam automated room calibration, so you you can get up and running with optimal sound in just a few minutes.

Keep in mind that while the surround effect from YSP speakers I’ve tested is pretty amazing, it’s best experienced in a room that has four normal walls, so sounds can be bounced off of surfaces appropriately. From my experience with the original YSP-1, odd-shaped rooms can be a bit of a challenge.

The YSP-500 should hit stores in Japan later this month for about ¥75,000 (appx. $647 USD), making it significantly less expensive than the larger models in the series. Expect to see these stateside within a few months of their Japanese release date.

[via ITMedia]

By sticking two tiny LCD screens in front of your eyeballs, the ezVision glasses trick your brain into thinking you’re watching a 50-inch screen from about 8.5-feet away. I managed to give these a whirl this week and thought I’d share my experiences. While they definitely give you the sense that you’re watching a much larger screen than, say, the tiny one on your iPod, you can’t expect the picture quality you’d get from a $1500+ high def television.

The glasses are made primarily from black plastic, but felt pretty sturdy overall. They then attach to a lightweight rechargeable battery pack which slips easily into a shirt or pants pocket. This little box also serves as the connection point for your video and audio inputs. Battery life for the Lithium Ion power pack is rated between 8 and 10 hours on a full charge, which should be more than the life of most portable sources you’d use with them. For audio, the ezVision has a pair of built-in stereo earbuds that conveniently stow into the ear rests when not in use. Sound quality was as good or better than the stock headphones that came with my iPod and iPhone.

There’s no question that the glasses make you look a bit like some sort of space alien (or just a dork), but they’re surprisingly comfortable. I could definitely see myself being able to wear these for several hours (as long as I wasn’t moving around). The goggles can even fit over a pair of eyeglasses with ease. As a matter of fact, if you wear glasses, you’ll need to keep them on if you want the image to remain in focus.

In my tests, I tried out several sources, including a Toshiba DVD player and a Nintendo Wii. I’m sure a video iPod would be a great companion too, but since my iPhone doesn’t support video out, I couldn’t try that as an input source. Video quality was pretty consistent across devices, but limited to composite video sources. It took me a few minutes to adjust my eyes to the displays, but once I did, the experience was pretty immersive. Screen resolution definitely took some getting used to, since I’m accustomed to watching a razor-sharp 1080p HDTV. The standard ezVision glasses only run at QVGA (320×240) resolution, so when you blow that up to the equivalent of a 50-inch display, the scan lines and pixels become extremely prominent. I also wish there were adjustments for brightness and contrast as I thought the images looked a little washed out. They definitely performed best in a dark environment, as external light sources sometimes glared off the screens a little bit.

Despite the image quality concerns, I’d still have to say I’d love a pair of these the next time I’m on a long flight. Once you get used to them, you’re definitely able to shut out the rest of the world. And isn’t that exactly what you want to do when stuck on an airplane for hours? In addition to the ezVision model which I got to try out, ezGear offers a newer model called the ezVision 4X. That model offers four times the resolution of the ezVision (640×480), and gives the illusion of a 60-inch display. Chances are the extra $100 for that model would be worth it to get the significant bump in detail.

For more information, or to order the ezVision or ezVision 4X check out the ezGear website.

This makes the speaker just about the same depth, if not slimmer than most flat screen TVs these days. The entire Slimstage40 measures just 39″ (W) x 3.3″ (H) x 3.4″ (D), making it perfect for widescreens measuring 37-inches and up.

Soundmatters claims that their system can produce pinpoint surround imaging without having to bounce sounds off of walls. In addition, the Slimstage40 doesn’t require a separate subwoofer, and can pump out frequencies as low as 45Hz. I wonder how much rumble they’ll really be able to crank out though. There are certain laws of physics at work here that would seem to me to limit the low-end potential without a separate sub. The good news is that there is a pre-amp output in case you do want some serious bass. (If you’re looking for a stealthy subwoofer companion, check out their Substage 200.)

The system is driven by eight individual amplifiers with a total of 170-watts of power. It can decode both Dolby Digital and DTS signals from analog or digital inputs, and also can crank out simulated surround from stereo sources. The other nice thing is that Soundmatters includes both a wall-mount bracket and adjustable feet for shelf mounting. Most similar speakers charge extra for the wall mount. I also like that it’ll come in a choice of either black or silver finishes, so you can match it to the color scheme of your television.

My past experience with all-in-one boxes like these is that while they don’t sound exactly like a 5.1 setup with separate speakers, they’re more than fine for living rooms and other environments where you don’t want a bunch of speakers and wires running everywhere.

The Slimstage40 arrives this November, with an MSRP of $899.

Luxury Swiss watch maker Hublot has revealed to our friends over at WatchLuxus that they’ll be setting up an impressive virtual shop on Second Life a little later this month. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the upscale environs of the Hublot Island store, complete with elegant contemporary interior design, fancy landscaping, bars to hang out in and even a place to dock your imaginary yacht.

You’ll be able to peruse the collection of Hublot’s elegant high-tech and traditional watches and let your avatar accessorize with them. The Hublot virtual store will open its doors on September 12th. I’m not sure how many virtual bucks their timepieces will cost, but given the fancy digs, I’m sure that you’ll have to save up a few Lindens. But your virtual friends will certainly be impressed.

[via WatchLuxus]