If you ever happened to own one of these Interactive Scape multi-touch surface desks, your friends might start calling you more often and asking to come over.  (Now, just make sure to ask them to bring some buds and other potluck plants/dishes.   I tend to prefer the plants more but beer works too.)

As for the multi-touch desk in action, jump!

Continue reading ‘Interactive Scape Multi-Touch Surface Desk makes you Super-Powerful and others Jealous!’

As an avid fan of Linux operating systems ever since I took Minix class, which Linux was born from, I love to hear about cool little DIYs on making a Linux firewall out of a lunch box.

The greatest thing about Linux operating systems in comparison to Windows or any other operating systems is that it can be easily custom tailored to do one thing whether that’s a web server, firewall, file server, or any type of server that requires stability at “no cost”.

This simple DIY shows us the things that are possible with open source and free software.

Heck, you could probably make a lot of money putting these Lunchbox Linux firewall boxes to production as they are as good as an over-priced Cisco router.

It’s a plastic Thermos brand Hot Wheels lunchbox circa 2007. Black plastic, white handle, but no Thermos inside. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would become a computer case, so I bought it, brought it home, and started digging in the parts box. Grabbed one of my Via C3 embedded 3.5″ boards, a cheap 4GB compact flash card, a small 5V, 8A power supply, and my exacto knife and files.

via technabob

Asus Eec Boxes, pictured above in white and black, has officially been introduced to the public.

We know, they look like Nintendo Wiis but don’t mistaken yourself as they are only PCs.

We predict that Asus made these boxes to target the media entertainment center market for connecting to your TVs.

With your choice of Windows XP or Linux, these ASUS Eec boxes are a great bargain, priced at $299 each. (Available at the mid-end July)

Just 7 Seconds* from Boot up to Internet
With the exclusive Express Gate – ASUS’ innovative fast boot technology, users can easily access the Internet, manage pictures, or communicate over IM/Skype just 7 seconds* after boot up. The Eee Box also supports the latest WiFi 802.11n wireless standard – providing up to eight times faster connectivity than previous 802.11b/g wireless. Users can download a 30 minute video in only 44 seconds – minimizing the wait and allowing time for twice as many movies.
*Actual boot time subject to hardware configuration and product model.

Love Your Environment
The innovative ASUS thermal solution integrates a unique heat dissipation module with the AI fan – allowing quiet (26db) and comfortable computing. Compared to full-sized desktop solutions, the Eee Box’s energy-efficient performance reduces power consumption by up to 90%. The Eee Box also utilizes Green Design and is made with only earth-friendly materials for reduced CO2 emissions; and conforms to stringent RoHS and WEEE standards. Users can thus be socially responsible while working, learning and playing in style!

Work, Play and WATCH
The Eee Box is the perfect choice for enjoying Internet TV. With an IPTV player, thousands of programs are freely available – allowing users to personalize and watch lists of TV shows with ease.

via asus

R2D2 and Darth Vader may be in reach of your USB devices with this cool Star Wars USB Hubs.

Can’t complain now that the evil force is comin’ to get your USB devices.

these official R2D2 and Vader USB hubs. R2’s head moves, he lights up and emits genuine Star Wars sound effects every three minutes, while Vader just seems to have the sound effects and glowing eyes. *Shiver*… menacing. Of course they also have four full-speed USB sockets on the front, and come with three feet of USB cable. Available in July for around $66… but that’s in Japan, USB hub fans.

via gizmodo - technabob

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Here’s a fun science experiment you can do to create some AC current from a 9 volt battery.  Well, it’s not “real” AC current but still really cool.

via wonderhowto

Here’s a cool mini-laptop for tough guys.  (J/k, this  is laptop for geeks who work in a tough environment) :-p

• Genuine Windows Vista Business with Service Pack 1 (with XP downgrade option)
• Intel Atom processor Z520 1.33GHz with 533MHz FSB, 512KB L2 cache
• 16GB solid-state removable drive (32GB optional)
• 1GB memory
• 5.6-inch WSVGA sunlight viewable touch screen (1024×600 resolution)
• Antireflective screen treatment
• LED backlighting
• Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100 series (802.11a/g/draft-n)
• Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR
• Interfaces: USB 2.0, SD Card, Microphone, Headphone, Expansion Bus
• Integrated options include 3G mobile broadband, integrated camera, fingerprint scanner, GPS, barcode or RFID readers
• Optional expansion modules for magnetic stripe reader and serial/Ethernet/smart card are expected in late 2008
• Approximately 9 hours of battery life
• 2.3 pounds (with strap and both batteries)
• 2.2 inches tall by 7.2 inches wide by 5.9 inches deep

via laptop blog

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Here’s a very innovative bike turn signal jacket.  This could be really good for motorcycles.  When do these go in production?

via boingboing

There are lots of applications nowdays that can recover your deleted files.  Here’s UndeleteMyFiles, a free downloadable program to recover your deleted files.

Windows only: Recover deleted files with freeware program UndeleteMyFiles. More than just a basic file recovery tool, UndeleteMyFiles includes a secure file eraser, a set of file recovery tools, a database recovery tool for popular desktop email clients such as Outlook and Eudora, and an emergency disk image maker. The disk image maker is especially handy for recovering data from camera memory cards

via lifehacker

For fans of Hello Kitty, here’s a 19″ Hello Kitty LCD TV to match your Hello Kitty purses, beds, dolls, etc…etc…

Our cute, nice 19″ TV provides a resolution of 1440×810, a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, brightness of 300cd/m², and response time of 5ms. It features a 1Seg tuner, built-in speakers (3Wx2), and HDMI Interface. Available in two colors, Black & White, and costs 415€.

via akihabaranews

Logitech launches QuickCam Vision Pro aimed at Mac consumers.  With 2MP video and microphone, it’s looks pretty good.

Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac Delivers Image-Perfect Detail, Exceptional Video Calling with iChat and Skype

FREMONT, Calif. — June 24, 2008 —  To help you stay close to those who matter most, Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI), the world’s leading manufacturer of webcams, today unveiled its first Mac®-compatible webcam with premium autofocus technology and Carl Zeiss® optics: the Logitech® QuickCam® Vision Pro webcam for Mac. The new Logitech webcam delivers image-perfect detail and clarity, and exceptional video calling with iChat® and Skype®.

“With this new webcam for Mac computers, we’ve integrated our most advanced video technologies to truly enrich your video-calling experience,” said Gina Clark, general manager and vice president of Logitech’s Internet Communications business unit. “The lens and autofocus, the sensor and the lighting software all contribute to create image-perfect detail and clarity. Whether you’ve used a standalone or an embedded webcam in the past, you’ll be amazed at the difference in quality our new webcam makes.”

To deliver image-perfect detail and clarity, the Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro webcam for Mac combines Logitech’s premium autofocus technology with Carl Zeiss optics. The new Logitech webcam uses a voice coil motor for its autofocus system, instead of a stepper motor. Focusing is fast and fluid – crisp even in extreme close-ups only 10 cm from the camera lens. Logitech’s autofocus system compensates for changes in image-edge sharpness and refocuses images in less than three seconds. And through its exclusive collaboration with Carl Zeiss, Logitech ensures that the lens meets the world-renowned Zeiss standards for design and manufacturing to achieve superior sharpness in a compact, lightweight design.

The 2-megapixel sensor helps the Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro webcam for Mac capture video images in high resolution. It is assisted by Logitech’s RightLight™2 Technology, which enables the webcam to adjust intelligently in dim or harshly backlighted situations.

via logitech