Into Tech

If you watch the way Congress acts some of the time, you could easily mistake them for kindergartners at times, with the way they have petty grievances and blow attacks on each other totally out of proportion. Both parties engage in these silly petty spats from time to time, so this is hardly a partisan thing — though, fans of each party tend to highlight it when the other party acts this way, and ignore it or brush it off when their own party does. Belonging to neither party, and not liking either party, I have no horse in this race, but do find what happened on Friday in the House interesting. For the sake of keeping this from being a partisan post, I’ll leave out the party names, though I’m sure in the comments partisans of either side will be sure to make it clear how evil the other one is.

Anyway, one party wanted to discuss some new energy legislation and the other did not. The party that did not, decided to adjourn and shut down the House for summer “vacation” (which is usually more like “go back to my district and campaign to be re-elected” time). Some members of the other party, though, chose to stick around, even though the lights and microphones were turned off and the C-SPAN broadcast was turned off. Not only that, but they continued making speeches about the energy bill and “broadcasting” what was going on using social media tools like Twitter and Qik. Much of this campaign was led by noted early adopter Rep. John Culberson, who has been fighting hard to make such tools acceptable in the House (though, all too often in a highly partisan manner).

Either way, no matter which party you support (or if you support neither), it is cool to see Representatives learning to make use of these tools to better connect with constituents and (sometimes) to route around some of the petty rules used to shut down debate. Now, if we could just figure out a way to get each side to stop playing silly games, while then getting each side to stop automatically blaming the other for shutting off debate (when they would do the exact same thing if roles were reversed), we might actually get somewhere. Unfortunately, I know of no such technology that’s likely to do that any time soon.

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More news from Nintendo at the ongoing E3 games conference in LA, this time in the form of a long anticipated microphone to bring it up to standard with online activities from rival consoles.

The WiiSpeak plugs into the USB port at the front of the console and then mounts to the top or bottom of your TV, much in the same way as you might position the sensor to keep a tidy house.

The What Is Fair Use? blog points us to a fascinating story, suggesting that one of the popular songs from the new Coldplay album has a nearly identical melody to a song by another band. This was brought to the world’s attention by that other band, who put together this great YouTube video cheekily comparing the two:

There are a few ironies here, including the fact that the original song, by the band Creaky Boards, is called “The Songs I Didn’t Write.” The band also points out that the Coldplay version is being used in an iTunes commercial — even though it’s about the Crusades. The Creaky Boards version is about listening to music in your room — which, indeed, seems like it would make for a better iTunes commercial.

Still, the good news is that this doesn’t appear to be descending into legal threats or anything of that nature. Instead, the video concludes with a rather cheeky: “I wish Coldplay the best of luck. If they ever want to collaborate, I’ve got some microphones we could use in my bedroom.” Coldplay, for its part, “totally refutes” the claims of the band, noting that the song was written well before the Creaky Boards performance in New York where the band thinks Coldplay’s front man, Chris Martin, attended (the band also notes Martin was in London that night). It also notes the differences in the songs, and suggests that it’s a “simple coincidence” that the songs sound similar.

Indeed, the guy from Creaky Boards later not only retracted his accusation, but suggested that perhaps both bands were actually “inspired” by the “Fairy Theme” in the Legends of Zelda. In a world of strict copyright, of course, that might make both songs “illegal,” though I doubt anyone would think that would be the optimal outcome.

Of course, Martin also once admitted: “We’re definitely good, but I don’t think you can say we’re that original. I regard us as being incredibly good plagiarists.” The thing is, part of the point we keep trying to make around here is that, for the most part, that’s true of just about everyone. It’s the overly aggressive use of copyright law that prevents that sort of “goodness” from showing up. Oh, and it’s also worth mentioning, that this little story has definitely increased the profile of The Creaky Boards — proving one of the points we recently made about plagiarism. Even if the plagiarist is “bigger” than you, the original creator can use that to their advantage as well.

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The success of Rock Band has been in no small part down to the range of instruments available and the extra degree of realism it adds to the whole band experience.

It was a bit of an oversight on Guitar Hero’s part, since it was previously dominating the market but with the recent release of World Tour it seems set to redress the balance.

We’ve already talked about the extended music set and new drum kit and microphone, but Activision recently confirmed details of the instrument everyone really wants to play - the revamped guitar.

You can see it now: white linen-topped tables in a smoke-filled room, soft jazz from the bored band behind you, men in suits, ladies in long dresses and the lushes asleep on the bar counter.
You step into the stage spotlight, take that ancient metal-grille microphone in your hand, suck in a deep breath [...]

The mouse has remained largely unchanged for some time now. Sure, it’s gotten smaller, wireless, had buttons added and buttons removed and now, it’s gotten a microphone and a speaker.
This is the unsurprisingly named, 3-in-1 Mouse with Speaker and Microphone, an average 800dpi mouse with the new add-ons designed to let you make [...]

With so many rubbish Web-cams out there, Creative thinks there’s a few quid to be made at the quality end of the spectrum.

The Live! Cam Optia AF is an auto-focusing cam which sports a 2-megapixel CMOS sensor that the company claims is a world’s first – don’t they all? It’s certainly a looker with that glossy piano-black finish and will take photos up to 8Mp, albeit interpolated. The automatic focusing technology promises to track any movement so that your ugly mug stays in sharp focus all of the time.

It comes with dual-microphones to improve sound by reducing ambient noise. There’s also a handy password control feature to let parents ensure that their kids don’t become naked Web-cam hotties - at least at home. There’s no UK price or availability on this yet but it is coming, probably this summer.

The Asian price is around £56 but we all know that that’s about as much use as a third nipple. Full feature list after the jump. -Martin Lynch

Creative Live! Cam Optia AF also comes with the following features:

* Certified Hi-Speed USB 2.0 high bandwidth allows the transfer of raw data from the webcam to the PC without compression, achieving superior video quality at 30 frames per second.
* Creative Live! View technology encompasses all the video and imaging technologies and features that will deliver realistic or enhanced viewing experience, providing optimised light exposure, colour balance, and frame rates.
* High quality, multi-element Precision Lens offer increased video clarity and sharper images, ensuring the best image quality.
* Creative Smart Face Tracking technology automatically tracks face movements to keep the face constantly in the video frame.
* Privacy control function switches the webcam off when it is twisted 90° downwards, preventing any video feed from accidentally flowing out.
* The bundled handsfree stereo headset offers users an alternative for private conversation and can even be used for music listening.
* Multi-axis swivel lets the webcam swivel horizontally up to 270° with forward and backward tilt, giving the maximum flexibility to achieve the best possible angle for videos and photos. If rotated backwards, the webcam automatically flips the image to the correct orientation.
* Multi-usage base attaches easily to CRT monitors, LCD panels and notebook LCDs and sits comfortably on tables or other flat surfaces.
* Creative Live! Cam Suite comprising of Creative Live! Cam Center, Creative Live! Cam Manager, Creative Live! Cam Console, Creative Photo Manager and Creative Photo Calender for performing advanced video tasks such as motion detection, remote capturing, organising and managing of photos and videos and more.

digital camera photo web-cam

Sony is hoping to out-do the entertainment value of the original EyeToy by announcing the PlayStation Eye for the PS3, which will arrive here this summer. Newer games [Eye Of Judgment] and some online services are coming to make full use of the tech. In the meantime it’s a decently specified motion-sensing Web-cam with some ‘advanced’ audio tech crammed in.

It can record video at an impressive 120fps [320 x 240] or 60fps [640 x 480]. No HD support but then this is hardly surprising in a Web-cam. There’s a two-position zoom lens for close-up and full body options and the Eye has been designed to cope well in low-light conditions.

It sports four in-built microphones which Sony claims greatly reduces echo and background noise, meaning audio chat remains clear even in noisy environments.

Playstation Eye will come bundled with free EyeCreate editing software, that allows you save, edit and add visual effects. These videos can be captured directly to the PS3’s hard disk drive and capture modes include slow motion and time-lapse. No price yet.-Martin Lynch

PS3 sony console technology games

Medion, the German PC giant, is entering the ultra mobile PC (UMPC) space next month. The company that likes to build high-end PCs, pile ‘em high and then sell them cheap through the supermarkets, is hoping there may be a wider audience for UMPCs which, to date, are very niche and massively overpriced.

Medion will change all that next month by launching the good looking RIM 1000 for £799.99 online. So what’s the hitch? That’s just it, the specs look decent. Here you go:

* Genuine Microsoft® Windows VistaTM Home Premium with Touch Pack
* VIA C7-M 770 ULV processor (1.0GHz, 400MHz FSB)
* VIA UniChrome Pro II GFX
* 6.5″ WVGA TFT Touchscreen with LED backlight (800×480px)
* High definition audio with integrated loudspeaker
* 30GB hard disc
* 768MB DDRII RAM memory
* Wireless LAN 802.11b/g with up to 54 Mbit/s
* Integrated Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR module
* Integrated webcam & microphone array e.g. for video over IP
* SD/SD-IO/MMC card reader
* External AC adaptor & lithium polymer battery VDE/GS approved
* Synchronise your UMPC with you desktop pc or notebook
* Transfer data from your MP3 player or digital camera via an SD or MMC card using the memory card slot
* Connect your mobile phone via Bluetooth
* Connect to a projector via the VGA port
* Share files via the USB port

Check out the connectivity options, software and another photo after the jump. –Martin Lynch

Connections

* 2 x USB 2.0
* 1 x DC-in
* 1 x Docking
* 1 x IEEE 1394 Firewire
* 1 x VGA out
* 1 x SD/MMC card slot
* 1 x Audio out
* 1 x Microphone In

Software Included

* Genuine Microsoft® Windows VistaTM Home Premium
* Microsoft® Works 8.5
* Nero Burning Rom & Recode SE

Weight & Dimensions

* Dimensions: width 190mm x height 121mm x depth 28.3mm
* Weight: 740g including battery

Accessories Included

* Lithium polymer battery
* External AC Adaptor

Warranty

* 12 months

UMPC portable laptop vista

The bling madness continues apace with some new Swarovski Crystal Nintendo DS Lite covers.

Bling microphones, Sidekicks, Xbox 360s and even models [she just looks scary] – will it ever end? On display at Nintendo’s New York store, the Mario cover above is not for sale but, don’t despair, since there are others available, and a snip at around £330.

I don’t know about you but overkill bling is pretty much evil, like Vicky Pollard accessories for the rich and tasteless, yet, oddly tackier.

Jump now to see the ones you can buy. -Martin Lynch

[Gearfuse]

console bling DS Lite nintendo