I think it is interesting to see how realistic video game characters are becoming. Just take a look at Link, Mario, and Samus Aran look almost human. What if there is a way to put yourself in a video game? This is now possible thanks to Ari Shapiro at the Institute for Creative Technologies at USC. Their system known as Fast Avatar Capture, involves using a Kinect to … [Read more...] about How to put yourself in a game
Beginning LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is out!
Okay, I'm sure that you all know that I write Lego books. I have written Practical Lego Technics and Lego Technic Robotics, and I have now written a book on LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3. Yes, I have written on LEGO MINDSTORMS before, like when I saw them at CES 2014. In case you haven't figured it out, I wrote a hands-on review of them because I have lived and breathed LEGO … [Read more...] about Beginning LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is out!
VEX IQ is another modular toy set
Please excuse the dumb headline, but I am going a theme for today for modular toy sets. The next posting will make this incredibly clear why I chose this theme. The VEX IQ system is made to be a very easy-to-assemble toy that can be programmed to do all sorts of things. If that sounds similar to the Lego Mindstorms, it kind of is. I wouldn't say that this is a rip-off, … [Read more...] about VEX IQ is another modular toy set
MOSS Robot Construction System
Today is going to be Modular Construction set day, because I am going to be celebrating the launch of my sixth book, which is about Lego Mindstorms EV3. I'm going to talk about the MOSS Robot Construction System, which, unlike the Mindstorms kits, require no programming. The MOSS Robot Construction Kit appears to be designed for the Minecraft generation, and not for the … [Read more...] about MOSS Robot Construction System
Drone gets better view of accident than police
This is an interesting piece of news that I caught, and it illustrates the inability for technology to be arm-and-arm with the law. It began with an accident in Connecticut, and there was a drone that hovered over it, taking pictures and/or video. So the officers investigating the accident see this drone, and they find the man who is operating it. They ask this man a few … [Read more...] about Drone gets better view of accident than police
Flappy Bird is to be no more
Sometimes there is some app that just everyone has, and it is one of the one in a thousand that really makes its creators rich. I think everyone thought that the game Flappy Bird was going to be the next Angry Birds, and it had its addicts and haters. I began to see articles claiming that Flappy Bird makes fifty-thousand a day. I believe that it is one of the … [Read more...] about Flappy Bird is to be no more
Speculative Fiction Saturday: The Road
I hesitate to call The Road speculative fiction. After all, it is based on a book written by Cormac McCarthy, who is known for all kinds of non-speculative fiction works like No Country for Old Men and All the Pretty Horses. You would not find The Road in the speculative fiction shelf in your bookstore, and this is one of those times where I have to wonder why I am even … [Read more...] about Speculative Fiction Saturday: The Road
Mag Cat iPhone 5 case from EKUSA
I am no stranger to EKUSA products, as I have reviewed the Dri Cat and Speak Easy from the company before. I recently got a chance to try out the Mag Cat, for the iPhone 5/5S. I believe that the Mag Cat is designed for those car-guys. You can see that the basic frame looks like a hubcab, and you might not be able to see this, but the edges are like tires. You can feel … [Read more...] about Mag Cat iPhone 5 case from EKUSA
Boogie Board Sync 9.7 LCD eWriter from Improv Electronics
I have always liked Improv Electronics products and their variations of the Boogie Board. If you are not familiar with the Boogie Board, it is essentially a board that you can write or draw on, and then save your creations for later. I recently had a chance to try out the Sync 9.7. I have no idea where the 9.7 comes from, but the Sync is designed so that you can draw or … [Read more...] about Boogie Board Sync 9.7 LCD eWriter from Improv Electronics
Scentee Smartphone Scent Emitter
I think we know that there are all kinds of iPhone accessories, and this one is the Scentee. The Scentee is similar to the Luxi in that it fits into that headphone jack, as opposed to the Lightning port connector. This one is not designed to emit a flash, but a scent. That is right, this is made to emit a scent. In this case, it is made for rose, lavender, coffee, … [Read more...] about Scentee Smartphone Scent Emitter
Car-to-car Communication is definitely in the future
It is pretty obvious that cars have much more tech in them then their predecessors, and I think we are going to see an advancement in tech in the next few years. It is in-car communication. In-car communication involves a radio beacon that continually transmits a vehicle's position, heading, speed, and who knows what else. Apparently, cars can receive information from … [Read more...] about Car-to-car Communication is definitely in the future
RYNO Cycle is a Segway with one wheel
In case you haven't realized it, pretty much everything that I have done for the month of January is related to CES and everyone that I talked to afterwards, and this probably won't change in this year. In other words, I haven't really been probing my usual tech blogs for source material, but I have been trying more hands-on approaches with tech. Therefore, I have been … [Read more...] about RYNO Cycle is a Segway with one wheel
Accell Powramid can handle all your cords
Perhaps I spoke to soon when I said that the GreenGenius was the king of all surge protectors. You can read the article that I wrote on that if you want to see those features, but the Powramid has quite a lot of cool stuff on it as well. As you can see, the Powramid is set up like a traditional surge protector with six outlets. The difference, as you can see, is that it … [Read more...] about Accell Powramid can handle all your cords
Hands on with the HD Digital Spy Pen from Cobra Digital
I don't know if you ever wanted an HD Digital Spy Pen. If you haven't, then you clearly need to watch more James Bond films. I can honestly say that I hope I am never in a position where I need to use the HD Digital Spy Pen, but since I had a chance to try it out for myself, I want to report my findings. The HD Digital Spy Pen from Cobra Digital unscrews to reveal an 8GB … [Read more...] about Hands on with the HD Digital Spy Pen from Cobra Digital
Accell’s GreenGenius could be the king of Surge Protectors
This will be one of two Accell products that I will be reviewing today, and as you can see, it is a surge protector. You will notice that it does not resemble a typical surge protector, and I am not just referring to the fact that it is more than double the width. I think we all know that surge protectors protect people against...surges, but even devices connected to … [Read more...] about Accell’s GreenGenius could be the king of Surge Protectors