A startup company called Morpho, Inc., has developed software that can transform video from a set of still photographs. For example, 36 pictures of an object taken at different angles can be transformed into a smooth, CGI-like movie showing the item rotating. Morpho execs think their product will be used by video-game makers and real estate companies (who they expect will make realistic home walk-throughs).
Found Video: 'Gigantor' Movie to be Released In Japan
Who remembers the Japanese cartoon "Gigantor"? It's about a kid who has a flying robot the size of King Kong that he commands via a handheld remote control. In Japan, the cartoon and robot were called "Tetsujin," which means "Iron Man." Now someone there has made a Tetsujin movie. Here comes the video (trailer).
Give Your PC the Finger - Smallest Finger Vein ID System Unveiled
Hitachi Software Engineering has announced that it has created the world's smallest finger vein authentication system. Measuring just 95x79x55mm -- about 1/3 the size of other systems, according to the company -- the Jyo-mon finger vein authentication system was unveiled October 20 at Security Solution 2004 in Tokyo.
New Magazine Tells How to Invalidate Gadget Warranties
A first-ever magazine from O'Reilly, the technical book publisher, is being spun as the "Martha Stewart Living for geeks." The publication, which will be called "Make," will offer tips and tricks on how to hack your iPod and turn it into a universal remote, how to turn your prosumer digital video camera into a Hollywood-style "steadycam," and how to take aerial digital pictures using a kite.
After deciding that the 40,000 TV commercials that the average teenager sees each year just isn't enough, gamers are increasingly plunking ads into computer and video games.
As I told you in March, Qatar began testing Swiss-made robots that serve as jockeys in camel races. Now, the government has announced that all races should be jockeyed by robots by next year. The move is reportedly designed to prevent the use of abducted and abused child jockies from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan as jockies.
From the people who brought you USB memory drives that look like rubber duckies: Sushi drives! Now the official memory drive of the "Raw Feed." UPDATE: Now Americans can buy them on Dynamism.com!
'I'm Sorry, Dave' - Fujitsu Working On a Hal Computer For Your Car
Fujitsu eggheads have invented a car navigation system that recognizes your voice and predicts what kind of information you want, before you want it. It remembers, for example, what gas stations and restaurants you often visit, and provides information about them before you get there. If you always turn on the stereo when you get in the car, the navigation system automatically tells you about your options for playing music. They expect to have it on the market by 2007.
Boston-Area Stop & Shop is testing 1,000 carts pimped out with wireless computers in 23 of their stores. Customers will be able to send their shopping lists to the store via e-mail, and then retrieve them on the shopping carts. (Somehow this is supposed to be superior to printing them out at home and reading the list in the store.) Internet access from the carts will be blocked, but the ads and promotional coupons will flow like wine.
Silence of the Lambs (of Christ): Churches Install Cell Phone Jammers
As people feel increasingly comfortable answering their mobile phones in public places and constantly yammering away, a tidal wave of cell phone jamming sweeps the globe. The most recent discovery? Mexican churches are now installing jammers.
Japan's NTT has demonstrated the use of the human body as a network to connect peripheral devices. For example, you could step on a plate to connect your cell phone to your PC and synchronize your contact databases. Or two geeks with cell phones in their pockets could automatically exchange contact data by simply shaking hands.
