Hasta La Gadget!

Apple has had a new patent published by the USPTO today (via AppleInsider), and it’s one that details an extension of multi-touch input that would take gestures above the screen, allowing for 3D manipulation of objects via 3D gesture inputs. Fitting that I should just finish trashing 3D gesture control as a concept, before Apple shows a context-specific means of using it that might actually make sense.

The system Apple envisions would work in tandem with its existing multi-touch input controls on devices like the iPad, allowing a user to lift their fingers off of the screen in order to sort of pull out a 3D shape from a 2D one in software like CAD programs, and then twist, turn and modify it in 3D space using gestures in the air just above the device’s screen.

It would use capacitive touch screen sensors in tandem with proximity sensors to continue to detect fingers even when they’re raised slightly above the surface, and track when they’re doing gestures like pinching and rotating above the screen to both create the shapes, and then modify or move them around. In the patent, there are detailed descriptions of how this could be used in CAD programs to quickly build 3D shapes out of 2D diagrams, by drawing a top-down view of a pyramid, for instance, and then drawing that image out to give it depth.

Other uses include using 3D gestures to sculpt with virtual clay-like materials, and the ability to use gestures to change things like object shadows, brightness textures and more. Overall, it seems primarily designed at giving digital creatives an easier, faster and more natural way to do 3D modelling on the go.

Apple has often done a lot to emphasize the iPad’s ability to be creative, not just a platform for digesting content. This interface innovation could help it accomplish that, and unlike other instantiations of 3D gesture control, it seems to be made specifically for a scenario where it would be useful, and the fact that it would be built-in, system level support with access available to developers, plus its integration into touchscreen technology do make it look pretty user-friendly. Though I maintain it’s still not something that’ll catch on with the general public.

Some of us never had very good posture, but we tend to slump
even more as we age.  Bad posture is not only unattractive, it can cause
a variety of health problems – back pain, breathing problems, and
fatique, among them.  No one wants to wear a back brace all the time to
keep their posture in line, but an occupational therapist has created a
device that can help you in very short training periods each day using
biofeedback….

Garmin has weighed into the action camera market, taking on GoPro with the VIRB and VIRB Elite, each with a waterproof casing and Full HD recording. Promising IPX-7 waterproofing and ruggedization – rather than demanding separate cases – the VIRB and VIRB Elite can shoot up to three hours of 1080p footage from a full […]

There are more than enough action cams on the market, but that’s not stopping Garmin from jumping head first into that saturated space. The GPS maker hopes to bring something fresh to the table with its $299 VIRB and $399 VIRB Elite, a pair of ruggedized camcorders that do more than simply snap footage from within a clear protective shell. Both models can shoot 1080p clips at 30fps and 16-megapixel still photos (while recording video) for up to three consecutive hours with one 2,000mAh cell, but they offer a variety of features that some competitors can’t match, including a low-power 1.4-inch transflective LCD for navigating menus and previewing footage, optional (digital) IS and the ability to sync up with a variety of other Garmin devices through ANT+.

That last feature is perhaps the most compelling here — VIRB’s ANT+ chip lets you add on accessories like a heart rate monitor while also pairing with the company’s Fenix watch, logging GPS coordinates and other stats with each captured clip. The pricier Elite flavor brings positioning sensors on board, however, along with an altimeter and WiFi, which you can use to connect the cam to a dedicated Android or iOS app. That software component lets you see a live preview and control basic settings (video start/stop and still image capture) remotely — eventually, you’ll be able to send content from the device to your phone or tablet, though that functionality isn’t included just yet. A tiny remote will also be available as an add-on, should you opt to leave your smartphone at home.

It’s easy enough to operate the water-resistant camera without a remote though, even with it mounted on your helmet or attached to a surf board. A large sliding record button lets you power up and start shooting video right away, even when the camera’s turned off. There’s no built-in storage, but you can slide in your own microSD card under the battery. The Garmin VIRB ships next month for $299, while its Elite counter part will ship around the same time for $399. Check out that base model, along with some of the many optional straps and mounts, in our hands-on photos just below.%Gallery-slideshow46976%

Filed under: Cameras, GPS

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