Computers
A team of scientists at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland has developed computer monitors that can detect when a person has stopped looking at them. At first glance, this may sound like some Orwellian micromanger’s dream, but its true purpose is to reduce distraction and increase productivity while taking the pressure off people whose jobs require staring at multiple displays for long periods. Read More
A lot of people are getting excited about the upcoming availability of the Tobii REX device, that adds eye-tracking capability to existing computers. If it’s any indication of what consumer prices will be, a Developer Edition is currently available for US$995. Munich-based startup 4titoo, however, is hoping that consumers might be swayed towards its $60 alternative. It’s called the NUIA eyeCharm, and it works with the user’s existing Kinect. Read More
OCR software developer I.R.I.S. has released its IRIScan wired ergonomic mouse scanner for Windows computer systems. In addition to the left/right button and click scroll wheel, the USB 2.0 IRIScan mouse sports a 300 dpi resolution scanner on its underside. Read More
Were you disappointed at the news that Google will soon kill its RSS service, Google Reader? If so, you aren't alone. Fortunately, you have until July 1 to find a worthy alternative. Read on, as we break down the best Google Reader replacements. Read More
For well over a decade, Rich Site Summary (RSS) has been one of the easiest ways to keep track of your favorite websites. The most popular RSS service – by a longshot – has been Google Reader. But as people turn more to social networks and content-curating apps like Flipboard for news, RSS has become an endangered species. On July 1, Google will accelerate its extinction by putting the nail in Reader’s coffin. Read More
BAT levitating mouse enters pre-production phase
A Czech design studio is readying a levitating computer mouse for release that's been created to help prevent Carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful condition that can strike musicians, assembly-line workers, typists and computer users (to name a few). Read More
The creators of the Leap Motion controller took the stage at the South By Southwest Interactive festival in Austin, Texas, to show off their forthcoming US$80 system and talk about its place in a world that already has the Microsoft Kinect and other similar hardware. Gizmag captured Leap's on-stage demonstration at SXSW and also went hands-on with the motion controller. Read More
It wasn’t that long ago that constructing 3D models was a painstaking and time-consuming task. These days, devices such as the Lynx A camera are turning it into a point and shoot affair. Microsoft is also doing its bit to make life easier for graphic artists, 3D printing aficionados, industrial designers, animators, architects, and games developers by turning its Kinect for Windows sensor to the task of generating 3D models of objects and environments. Read More
The latest version of Windows is clearly a transition product. Microsoft is laying the groundwork for a more touch-friendly, mobile-oriented future. But it also isn't yet ready to throw out the familiar Windows desktop. The result is a dual nature – and a recipe for confusion. A new tweak, however, aims to smooth this Windows 8 transition. Read More
Readers of a certain age will remember, probably with fondness, the computer-in-a-keyboard form factor exemplified by the likes of the Atari 800XL or the mighty Commodore 64. We've seen several impressive attempts at revival in the recent past, including efforts from Barry S Altman's Commodore USA and ASUS. Now China's FocusWill Information Technology is getting in on the act with an Android-flavored, keyboard-based desktop computer called the CoolShip. Read More
