LG Ultrawide Monitor: The Creative Professional’s Dream Display

I recently had a chance to test drive the LG 29″ Ultrawide IPS Monitor (Model 29EA93-P) for an extended period of time, and I thought I’d share my experiences with you in case you’re in the market for a new display. You’re probably saying to yourself, what’s the big deal about another monitor?

Well, I’ll tell you. What makes the LG Ultrawide special is its exceptionally high-resolution LED-backlit 21:9 LCD display, which makes it perfect for working on multiple windows at the same time. And for doing this…

lg ultrawide display

When you take the display out of the box, the 21:9 proportion display is quite eye-catching. It’s got a nice anti-glare matte finish on the screen itself, and a thin black bezel which measures about 1/2″ wide. The case has a glossy white back, and attaches easily to a chrome base that provides the ability to tilt the display.

lg ultrawide back

As a web designer, developer and editor myself, I always crave more screen real estate, and my workflow demands that I have both my editing window and website preview window open side-by-side. The LG Ultrawide’s crazy-wide 2560×1080 LCD screen is ideal for this sort of task.

lg ultrawide 1

Out of the box, the display works with any graphics card that supports 2560×1080 resolution, and you can immediately bring up multiple full-page browsers next to each other. At this resolution, you can have two 1280×1080 screens side-by-side, or just get a tremendous amount of real-estate on a single window.

lg ultrawide 2

The display also supports a variety of standard monitor resolutions, including 1080p, which comes in handy if you want to watch a movie in 21:9 format without bars at the top and bottom. It can even shift 1080p 21:9 content up just enough to allow for subtitles.

lg ultrawide 3

The display also ships with “Screen Splitter” software which basically allows you to automatically size and organize windows scattered on your desktop, so they each take a pre-set amount of display space, and will even force newly-opened windows into this pre-set grid.

lg ultrawide screen split

It’s a handy feature if you’re a stock trader or have to watch lots of windows at the same time, but it is only supported on Windows. That said, there is  split-screen window management software out there for the Mac – in the form of SizeUp – but Mac users will need to buy that separately. Or if you’re just interested in side-by side viewing, you can go with Windows’ built in Aero Snap or Cinch on the Mac.

lg ultrawide multiple screens

LG’s screen also has a “Dual Link Up” feature which allows you to connect two devices simultaneously, and view the content on a split screen, or in traditional Picture-in-Picture format. This could be very convenient if you want to view content from multiple devices at the same time, such as an HDMI-capable camera and your video-editing software on your computer. However, the dual-link mode doesn’t seem to support two HDMI devices at the same time – just the combinations you see below:

lg ultrawide pip

In my testing, I found the LG Ultrawide display to be sharp, bright, and easy-to-read – providing good screen uniformity and contrast levels. While it’s not quite as sharp as the display on my 27″ iMac, even the smallest letters were crisp and without noticeable fringing. The display worked immediately with the built in Intel graphics chipset on my Asus Zenbook Prime, connected via the micro-HDMI port on the ultrabook, as well as with the HDMI port on my PS3, and on a random Android tablet I tested it with as well. However, I did not get to test the display with a Mac, since I didn’t have the appropriate Mini DisplayPort adapter cable on hand to use with my iMac.

lg ultrawide close up

The controls on the display are set under the bezel at the front right, and seem to be using some sort of touch-sensing tech, since they don’t need to be pressed to be used. If I have any complaint about this display at all – and it’s a minor one – it’s that the buttons are a little too sensitive, and easy to accidentally trigger. I also didn’t care for the less than intuitive OSD menu navigation, but I’m nitpicking. You won’t be touching these controls very often unless you’re switching between multiple devices anyhow.

lg ultrawide buttons

In terms of connectivity, the display offers two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort jack, as well as a DVI-D input and a built-in USB 3.0 hub with 3 ports. The second HDMI port also supports MHL, a growing standard for playing video from smartphones and other mobile devices. LG even is kind enough to include an MHL to HDMI cable in the box (though it would have been nice to get a regular HDMI cable too.)  It also supports VESA wall mounts, and Kensington security cables.

lg ultrawide ports

The display also has small stereo speakers built in, so if you connect via HDMI, DisplayLink, or plug in audio via the 3.5″ mini jack, you’ll get sound. It won’t blow your eardrums, but it’s plenty sufficient for office use, and you’re not buying something like this for the sound anyhow.

lg ultrawide w computer

Overall, I’m impressed with the display quality and utility of the LG Ultrawide display. It provides a ton of screen real-estate, and a configuration that’s ideal for side-by-side window viewing, or watching 21:9 video content. It’s a great alternative to multiple monitors for graphic designers, web developers, video editors, and other creative professionals. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s also great for pencil pushers, since you can open massive spreadsheets on this thing as well.

You can order the LG Ultrawide IPS Monitor from Amazon for $699(USD), and can find more details on the LG website.


Disclosure: LG provided us with the device for review in this article. However, all reviews are the unbiased views of our editorial staff, and we will only recommend products or services we have used personally, and believe will be good for our readers.

Philips Hue LED Lamps Get API and Software Developer Kit

I’m a big fan of Philips Hue LED bulbs. In fact, I’ve got two rooms of my house outfitted with the bulbs, and continue to add more. There’s something just so cool about walking into my home theater, pulling out my iPhone, and changing the colors in the room to set the mood for a movie or video game session.

But while the hardware is extraordinary, if there’s one complaint about the Hue, it’s the relatively limited smartphone app that Philips provides. Sure, it gets the job done, but opening up the platform to other developers will only result in more and better apps. Well, I’m happy to say that’s exactly what Philips has done.

philips hue bulbs 1

Philips today announced its long-awaited software developer program for the Hue. The developer program provides open APIs, development guides and an iOS SDK, so you can easily make your own smartphone and tablet apps to control the bulbs.

While there’s already a growing community that’s been playing with the bulbs for several months now, it’s great to have officially-supported docs and tools from Philips themselves. Having these tools in hand should enable the creation of applications which can change bulb colors to music, video and other ideas which I haven’t even thought of yet. Heck, with enough Hue bulbs and the right app developer, you could probably make a (ridiculously expensive) video wall using the bulbs.

Developers interested in creating their own applications for the Hue can check out the developer platform at developers.meethue.com.

For those of you who didn’t jump on the Hue bandwagon when it first came out due to availability issues, they’re once again readily available from the Apple Store. The 3-bulb and bridge starter kit sells for $199.95 (USD), and additional bulbs sell for $59. Now that the SDK is available, I’m anxiously awaiting additional hardware from Philips. I’d love to see different lamp sizes and full-color wall dimmers (and lower prices) if you’re listening.

Google Shows Talking Shoe

Google Talking ShoeGoogle is showing off their latest experiment at SXSW, the Talking Shoe. It uses funny sentences to try and get you moving to keep you active and exercising. While this is not a real product, it is an example of what can be done with modern technology.

Rapyuta helps robots understand the human world

European scientists have just launched Raptuya, an online database of information for robots, that helps robots cope in the world of humans. The Raptuya database is part of the European RoboEarth Project, a “World Wide Web for robots”. The project is designed so that robots can download information from the internet to learn about their environment, software components, objects and images, and also how to perform certain tasks.

Rapyuta helps robots cope with the world

The launch of Raptuya is the first phase of the RoboEarth project. With the help of Ratuya, robots don’t have to individually learn how to deal with objects and situations on their own. Raptuya will help speed up the process by downloading the necessary information to the robot via cloud networking. Raptuya will also help the robot do computation so that it can easily figure out how to navigate around, perform tasks, and recognize languages.

By having this online database for robots, scientists are hoping that the cost of robots will go down because there will be less reliance on on-board storage and computation. The information on the Raptuya database is provided by both robots, who upload their information into the database, and humans, who create information for the robots. All of the information is in a machine-readable format that is easily accessible to the robots.

RoboEarth is designed to lead the way for innovation for robots. It will also prove to be useful for drones, as well as self-driving cars. The scientists at Oxford University were looking for a way for their self-driving car system to be able to download information about their environment though the internet. It looks like they have their answer now. We may see life that has somewhat of a semblance to The Jetsons, with mobile robot servants becoming more affordable and being able to learn how to “fold an item of clothing and understand human speech.”

[via BBC]


Rapyuta helps robots understand the human world is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

High school engineers construct disc-shooting robots for competition

High school students from all around New York competed in the FIRST Robotics Regional Championship at the Javits Convention Center. FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” These students constructed robots and competed with each other in order to take the 1st place spot and secure their position at the FIRST Robotics National Championship in St. Louis. These events are meant to show students the importance of science and technology.

High school engineers construct disc-shooting robots for competition

Joel Bianchi, the coach of the Harlem Knights, stated, “They struggle with seeing how some of the things they learn in school, like math or science, are really applicable or important.” By constructing the robots for this event, the students are able to see the practical uses of math and science in the real world. Julia Lapino, the captain of the Cyber Warriors, stated, “You see technology very often, like phones and stuff. We don’t think about it, but once you learn how to build it, you appreciate it so much more.”

This year’s competition, the students had to implement flying discs into their robots. The game was called “Ultimate Ascent” and robots had to shoot their discs as far as possible, and also climb up the pyramids on the field in order to score points for their teams. Students were given six weeks to construct their robots. During the competition, the students would work from pits in order to apply any last-minute changes and alterations to their robots before they’re sent off to battle.

The competition encouraged creativity. The students were met with a lot of problems while constructing their robots, and they had to think “outside of the box” in order to come up with solutions. During the event, there were little issues that plagued their robots, causing stress among the students, but in the end, it was a great learning experience. The FIRST program is working to encourage students to venture into careers related to technology and science. Some students who participate at these competitions are even offered internships with the corporate sponsors of the event.

[via NY1]


High school engineers construct disc-shooting robots for competition is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Organic Spray-on Gel Bandage is Massively Effective at Stopping Bleeding

If you’ve played any of the Mass Effect games, then you’re familiar with the series’ Medi-gel. It’s a potent salve that instantly cures wounds and restores health, regardless of the source of the damage. It can even be administered remotely! It does have one crucial flaw: it’s not real. But two college students from NYU-Poly have invented something similar to this miraculous substance.

veti gel spray on gel bandage by suneris

The product is called Veti-gel, a plant-based gel that can stop bleeding and hasten blood clotting, supposedly regardless of the size of the wound. It was invented by Joe Landolina and Kenny Mai, two junior college students at New York University. In fact, in 2011 Landolina and Mai were still calling their invention Medi-gel. I don’t know why they changed it though.

Tech News Daily spoke with Landolina and reports that the gel “jump-starts the clotting and healing process so quickly that even wounds to internal organs or major arteries are able to close up instantaneously.” Landolina was even quoted as saying, “One of my other colleagues … he went to a bonfire. One of his friends fell into the fire and got second-degree burns. He put the gel on, and the next day is [sic] was healed[.]“

Apparently the gel’s plant-based polymers turn themselves into a replica of an animal tissue component known as the Extracellular Matrix or ECM. The ECM has many functions, one of which is related to healing wounds. Once applied, Veti-gel forms a tight seal around the wound and helps with clotting and healing. In the short video below, Veti-gel is applied on a 3″ incision is made on a piece of raw pork loin that’s been pumped full of blood. Aside from being very gross, the video also shows how fast the gel does its job.

Because we live in an amazing world, it doesn’t surprise me that there are already substances similar to Veti-gel. One is called QuikClot and the other is called Floseal. But according to Tech News Daily QuikClot requires that you apply pressure over the wound for several minutes, whereas Veti-gel can fly solo. Floseal on the other hand is partly made from bovine gelatin. Veti-gel is made from plants, which are not as adorable as cows and oxen and thus can be harvested without remorse. Just kidding. Kind of.

But don’t be reckless when you’re assaulting the Reapers just yet because Veti-gel is still in development. Also because there are no Reapers. Landolina and Mai have started a company called Suneris to further work on and market their invention. Maybe these geniuses can make the Omni-tool real as well.

[via Tech News Daily, NYU-Poly (1), (2) & Suneris via Kotaku]

 

Seaboard Musical Instrument Has Truly Pressure Sensitive Keys: Piano 3.0

…if you know how to play the piano or any other chordophone you might be thinking, “All keyboards are pressure sensitive!” Which is true: the harder you strike a key on a piano, the louder the sound it makes. But the Seaboard’s keys not only let you control volume, they also let you alter a key’s pitch and timbre. In other words, you can make it sound like a string instrument even though you’re playing on keys.

roli seaboard

The Seaboard was invented by Roland Lamb. It’s one of the first applications of Lamb’s SEA (Sensory, Elastic and Adaptive) Interface, a “three-dimensional pressure-sensing” interface. The best thing about the Seaboard is that you don’t have to know how this fancy technology works because it’s very intuitive to operate:

Dougal Shaw of BBC News recently talked with Lamb about the Seaboard (there’s a copy of this video on YouTube as well):

Lamb’s company Roli will soon be offering the first edition of the Seaboard called the Grand. Only 88 units will be sold, each named after a note on a keyboard. I also wouldn’t be surprised if each one cost 88 grand. It seems that the instrument will also come with a complementary program called SoundDial. Pre-orders for the Seaboard Grand will begin on April; you can register on Roli’s website if you want to be notified about the Grand’s availability.

[via Roli & BBC via Reddit]

Seattle bar bans use of Google Glasses

A Seattle dive bar has decided to ban the use of Google Glasses at its location. The bar, called 5 Point Cafe, says that the use of Google Glass in its bar would be a violation of its customers’ privacy. Dave Meinert, the owner of 5 Point Cafe, stated that “People want to go there and be not known… and definitely don’t want to be secretly filmed or videotaped and immediately put on the internet.”

Seattle bar bans use of Google Glasses

Google Glass does raise the issue of privacy, especially since anyone using the tech gadget could easily and secretly record video. Meinert says that the 5 Point cafe could be a kind of “seedy” and “notorious” place, but that isn’t too uncommon for a place like a dive bar. With the 5 Point Cafe being the first business (in Seattle) to ban Google Glasses, this may drive many other businesses to initiate a ban on the gadget as well.

Meinert admits that the ban was partly just a joke and was meant to instigate a reaction from people, but most of it is due to privacy. Meinert also recently updated the 5 Point Cafe’s Facebook page to say, “They[Google Glasses] are really just the new fashion accessory for the fanny pack & never removed Bluetooth headset wearing set.”

Privacy is always a concern, and there will most likely be more bans of Google Glass by certain businesses. Some businesses that come to mind include movie theaters, bars, and clubs. It will be interesting to see what kind of regulations will be put into place when Google Glass comes out, but at the same time, how many people will actually be willing to spend $1500 on a pair of tech glasses? How do you feel about Google Glass and privacy?

[via MyNorthwest]


Seattle bar bans use of Google Glasses is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Socialmatic Camera Going from Concept to Reality

Remember the Socialmatic camera concept by ADR-Studio? It’s been almost a year since they unveiled the instant camera basically takes Instagram to a whole new level. It took a while, but they’re going ahead with production for the Socialmatic, which is expected to launch early next year.

polaroid socialmatic cameras 2

That said, a few changes are in order. The Socialmatic will no longer be exclusively linked to Instagram (for obvious reasons), but will instead allow users to share their snaps on Socialmatic’s own network or on the usual social media channels, like Twitter, Facebook, and of course, Instagram. What sets the camera apart is that it’ll come with an internal printer, so you can print your favorite photos instantly and wherever you want to.

polaroid socialmatic cameras 3

The Socialmatic camera will will run on Android and come with 16GB of internal storage. It will also be equipped with Wi-Fi, 3G and Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, as well as have an SC-HD slot for external storage. It’s also expected to have a large 4:3 ratio LCD viewfinder which takes up almost the entire back of the camera, and offer true optical zoom.

In case you were wondering about the branding, the Socialmatic team is currently working with Polaroid to help bring the camera to market, though there’s currently no final agreement for them to produce the camera. No pricing information has been made available yet.

[via Gadget Review]

Kinect Hacked with Brain Scans for Neurosurgeon Augmented Reality

The Microsoft Kinect has been hacked to do all sorts of things, and while some of the hacks are for the good of humankind, most are pretty superfluous. But the Microsoft Research Cambridge team has recently put together a Kinect demo which could provide neurosurgeons with interactive 3D visuals which could help them save lives in the operating room.

kinect brain scan

The prototype system shows how a Kinect could help provide augmented reality visuals which overlay the patient’s MRI or CAT scan data with the real world. This would allow doctors to move around the patients head and visualize problem areas non-invasively, and to help them map out a better action plan before starting surgery.

The system uses a touchscreen tablet with a Kinect duct taped to the back of it, tied to a custom application through the Kinect Fusion API. In the video below shot by IEEE Spectrum, Microsoft Research’s Ben Glocker demonstrates how the system works:

While this particular system isn’t exactly the most portable, it’s still quite impressive, and you could see how combining Kinect tech with some sort of head-mounted display could really change the way surgery is performed. Now if only they could work out a way that you don’t have to lie in that noisy and claustrophobic MRI machine.