Hasta La Gadget!

First they were little, then they added touchability, now Holocube’s holograms in a box are going big time — in that the company’s latest model is physically much larger than the others. It’s the HC70, a new version with a 70-inch transparent screen that can be viewed from both sides. It’s powered by a Windows 7 Embedded machine with 40GB of flash storage from which it can loop between eight and 18 hours of video, displayed via 1080p projector. You can see it in action below showing a… slightly mesmerizing collection of random bits of footage. Let us know if you can find the hidden meaning.

Continue reading Holocube scales up with life-sized, 70-inch, HC70 holographic projector (video)

Holocube scales up with life-sized, 70-inch, HC70 holographic projector (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 07:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Sanyo PLC-WL2503 isn’t the first whiteboard-less whiteboard solution we’ve seen — in fact multi-surface projector interaction dates back at least as far as 2007. As for a projector with built-in interactive capabilities, well, Epson’s BrightLink 450Wi has been on the job since last year, albeit at a much higher price: the Epson projector costs $2,200 while this Sanyo comes in at about $500 less. Both tout short-range projection: the BrightLink provides 80-inch displays from two feet, while the PLC-WL2503 requires at least 34 inches to do the same. They pack identical WXGA 1280×800 resolution and 2500 lumens of brightness, and they both use IR pens to communicate with front-facing cameras built into the projector for multi-surface interactivity. Really, the only thing separating these two on paper is price. If the BrightLink is just too rich for your blood, and you can wait a little while longer, the Sanyo PLC-WL2503 can have you writing on walls by the end of January.

Sanyo PLC-WL2503 ultra-short-throw projector does built-in interactivity a tad cheaper originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 07:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microvision has its ShowWX+ pico projector on hand here at Digital Experience, but it also has something of a surprise: a prototype Android “mini tablet” with a built-in projector. No word on any plans for an actual release, but the device is fairly polished for a prototype, and the reference design on which it’s based isn’t too shabby — it’s got an ARM11 processor, Android 2.2, HDMI in and out, a 3.5-inch capacitive WVGA display, and a 5 megapixel camera. Interestingly, the device also has a 3-axis accelerometer, and Microvision was quick to point out that the device could well be suited for gaming in addition to the usual activities associated with a projector. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look.

Update: Video now after the break.

Continue reading Microvision prototype Android ‘mini tablet’ with built-in projector hands-on

Microvision prototype Android ‘mini tablet’ with built-in projector hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 23:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Slice can project images up to 60 inches, with a viewable range of up to 125 inches. It projects at 16 ANSI lumens. Images are projected in a WVGA resolution at a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 100:1 contrast ratio. It features a 90 hinge and manual focus.

The 30-pin dock lets you plug in and charge your iPad, iPod, or iPhone. There’s also a Mini-HDMI and AV ports for plugging in other media players and a VGA port for computers.

The Cinemin Slice is coming later this month and is available now for pre-order from WowWee. It’ll run you around $430.

Touchscreens are selfish lovers, taking your gentle caresses and impatient taps without offering a hint of feedback to you. We’ve seen attempts to change that, like prototypes from Toshiba and Senseg that add a bit of texture to a touchable surface, but now Microsoft might be looking to bring such dynamic tactility to the one of the biggest touchable surfaces: Surface. A recent patent application entitled “Light-induced Shape-memory Polymer Display Screen” describes a technique for a display that uses infra-red light to detect touch, but also to “selectively change a topography of the topography-changing layer.” In other words: to make it bumpy or smooth. Certain wavelengths of light projected on the screen can cause areas of that topography layer expand or contract, which could finally mean all our cries for attention might finally be responded to in kind.

MS applies for patent on ‘light-induced shape-memory,’ a touchscreen that could touch back originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink New Scientist, QikGlance  |  USPTO  | Email this | Comments