Archive for December 2010

Well, it was only a matter of time before we’d start to see some serious motion-capture done using Microsoft’s Kinect. This incredible choreography demo by Higuchuu shows off the precision with which individual dance moves can be recorded from a subject standing in front of a Kinect camera, then played back onto a 3D avatar.

Fans of the Super Mario Bros. games would love to have these awesome wooden magnets to stick up on their fridge.

Now I’m really not sure why you’d want to transform your svelte, modern iPhone into an ugly old handset, but that’s what the Phone x Phone is designed to do.

Here’s a great idea if you have an old NES lying around. Why not turn it into a joystick for your other consoles?

Or maybe not, but if you’re not confident with soldering and handling electroluminescent (EL) wire, I think you should follow my guide instead: Step 1, get some reflective tape. Step 2, put some on your bag.

Jabba’s been a good Hutt in Boba Fett’s book: What’s not to love about this highly detailed 8-inch fabric mache statue? Its release date, that’s what. You can pre-order it from Entertainment Earth for $50 (USD), but if you’re going to get this as a gift, make sure you tell the recipient that it won’t arrive until sometime in… May 2011.

My son doesn’t know it yet, but he is getting Gran Turismo 5 for Christmas. I love this age, he likes the same games I do so a gift for him is really a gift for me.

I’m not sure how I missed these ketchup-pouring robots when they first made it on the scene three years ago, but I say better late than never, right?

I’m not sure what would be worse, being eaten by zombie hoards, or having to live in this shelter. Both of them will probably kill you but the zombies will do it faster than death by lockjaw.

I think that all computer users need an external HDD to back their data up to. If you are like me and haven’t taken a picture on film in years, you probably have a drive inside your computer full of pics that you can’t replace if they get lost in a crash.

Wanna see a fast robot? These tiny little robotic mice are designed to make their way through a maze, with the simple goal of finding their way to the end of the maze. Apparently, racing tiny “micromouse” robots is a regular occurence in Japan, but this is the first time I’ve witnessed the sport. You have to watch a few runs of Khiew Tzong Yong’s half-sized micromouse to see just how fast it’s able to find its way to the end of the maze.

When I played Uncharted 2, I thought it was probably the best cinematic gaming experience I ever had. The seamless transitions between scenes that would normally be dull, scripted cut-scenes and actual gaming action was truly innovative and immersive.

If that papercraft Steve Jobs is a bit too complex for you, then you can try your hand at Star Wars-themed paper snowflakes, which will make some unique decorations for your home and Christmas tree.

Today, I’m taking a look at the HTC HD7 running Windows Phone 7. I’ve been an iPhone user for a couple of years now, but it’s always nice to get the chance to spend some time with the other smartphone platforms out there.

I don’t keep any keys on a key ring with my car key. The reason is that I hate keys dangling on my leg when I drive. I always just go into the house using the garage door and my garage door opener.

This cover comes from post-punk band Futureheads and their single Christmas Was Better in the 80s on Nul Records and yes, it was released this year, not in the 1980s. The single will be released on the 19th of December 2010 and this is the cover.