Electro Hub universal wireless charger to debut at CES 2011

We have reported on many supposedly wireless chargers before, such as the Powermat and Wildcharger. There was also that one from Energizer that is Q1 certified, so that someday, we will all just lay down our mobile devices on charging pads and we’ll say good-bye to our charging cords forever.

This is the ElectroHub, another wireless charging station to join the club, and is planned to make its shining debut at CES 2011. As someone who is thrilled to see that their invitation to CES has been accepted, I can’t wait to see it.

One thing that is promised to make the ElectroHub unique is that it occasionally doesn’t require the device to have a special case, but actually provides ElectroHub batteries, which come in both AA and AAA. That means that you can take any device that takes those aforementioned batteries, like a Wiimote, and swap it out for an ElectroHub one. As far as the devices with non-replaceable batteries, it does require a protective case that works as a converter to charge the device’s internal battery. I guess we aren’t to the Q1 case-less stage yet.

The ElectroHub is slated to be on sale during the first quarter 2011, and should cost $39. There are other battery sets that can be purchased separately for about $10.

Use the Kinect to surf the web!

This is one of those posts that might be better if you hit the jump and see the video of it before you read about it.

Apparently, four young gentlemen from MIT’s Fluid Interfaces Group have figured out another use for the Microsoft Kinect. Instead of using your body as a controller in a video game, this involves the user’s body becoming a web browser.

You will note from the video how the user can navigate through open tabs, and then select the proper link. Scrolling and zooming looks like some weird kind of telekinesis.

I realize that this comparison gets overused, but it is a lot like Tom Cruise’s gesture-based interface from Minority Report, without the three-fingered gloves with the blue lights.

My Source mentions that the addition of a virutal keyboard by moving your fingers could help, but that would probably mean learning how to type again. Isn’t there some way we could do a speech to text feature? So if I wanted to say: “Search for Energizer”, it would lead me to the homepage for Energizer.

What these guys have here is definitely a way of surfing the net on your television without a keyboard or mouse. It beats the heck out of those keyboard remotes.

AdSense revenue

Pictures shown below demonstrate how much AdSense revenue some people generated from the program. Although the golden times when people used to make thousands per day from AdSense revenue without any or with little work are probably gone, you can still make some nice revenue from the AdSense program. It is getting harder, but it still is possible.

How people generate AdSense revenue

There are many methods to generate AdSense revenue. Some of them are completely legitimate, some of them are a bit "black hat."

The simplest method relates to displaying AdSense advertising units on a web site (we do it too, to get an idea, take a look at the rectangle at the top-right side of this article). You place a code into your web site code, and then get paid for each click visitors execute on the ads. Google charges the advertisers a certain amount each time a visitor clicks on an ad. Then, Google gives the web site owner a share from thisAdSense revenue.

Now, let's get motivated. Below you can find a collection of AdSense revenue checks from people who volunteered to publicize their success.

(FYI: If our information is correct, this amount of AdSense revenue has been generated with some 13 million impressions, 125 thousands clicks, page CTR 0.93%, and eCPM $9.87. Average AdSense revenue per click of some $1.06. All these numbers are on per month basis. See here for more details regarding these numbers and statistics of Shoemoney:AdSense earnings.)

And one more:

Well, I hear you asking "How is this possible, how did these people make it?" Checks like these are the reasons why AdSense sites have been the money-making craze of this decade. People are building websites just for the purpose of putting on Google ads and generating AdSense revenue.

These AdSense revenue checks shown above are exceptions to the rule of what an average Joe makes, but don't let that discourage you.

Realistic Google AdSense revenue

Google AdSense has been one of the most powerful methods for making money online and generating Google AdSense revenue for several years now, and although the golden times are gone, people still do make money and generate revenue from Google AdSense.

The AdSense revenue checks shown below are more along the lines of what you can expect from an average web site.

And if you are lucky and work hard, this is what your check might look like:

Motivated?

New augmented reality system at Digital Content Expo 2010

Just when I thought I was finished reporting on realtime digital video alteration withdiminished reality, I see this.

This RT2 chara AR Project was on display at the Digital Content Expo 2010, and it is a very interesting augmented reality experience that has to have three studios in three different places to make some interesting videos. You can see them after the jump.

It looks like the person wearing a motion capture suit (which looks like it is from the Kick-Ass movie) is at the convention itself, while more technology for these augmented reality effects are located elsewhere. This comes in handy with the lady with the jellyfish.

My Source calls this some sort of possible holodeck, but I think that is jumping the gun a little bit. I mean, isn’t the point of a holodeck supposed to be something where a user immerses him or herself in some unreal place? However, this looks like a way for others to see someone in another environment, or record themselves somewhere else, I suppose.

So as it is, I really can only see this being used in Hollywood for special effects, really. Motion capture has been used for a lot of CG movies, and I suppose anything that can improve on those would be worth it.

Joby’s GorillaPod adds video …

Joby's GorillaPod Video is an ideal accessory to the pocket camcorder.

Joby’s Gorillapod line can turn just about anything into a camera platform. But up until recently, it hasn’t given much other than static ability to camcorders. Now, Joby has theGorillapod Video, and let me tell you, it’s the icing on the cake.

I had a chance to test out the Gorillapod Video, and essentially, the foundation isn’t any different. Users still have those three legs with over two dozen leg joints that bend and rotate 360°. This gives it the ability to wrap around like about anything and turn it into a camera platform. The legs also come with strong, heavy duty magnetic feet which can adhere the Gorillapod to a metal surface.

But above the legs, the Gorillapod Video really comes into it’s own. In addition to the stock quick release lock ring, the Gorillapod Video has a machined steel ball joint which allows for 360 degree panning, as well as a metal handle that allows for 135 degree panning and tilting. So now, the Gorillapod has three dimensions and gives pocket video fans and YouTubers more sophisticated options for shooting video and making it steady.

The Gorillapod Video can work with just about any pocket camcorder, and with the right adapter case, even an iPhone can be screwed onto it. It’s a tad over 7″ long, so it can fit inside a small camera case, fanny pack or purse for those on the go, weighs less than 3 ounces, and sells for just under $30.

If you travel a lot or just plain on the go, the Gorillapod Video is an ideal accessory to add to your pocket camcorder.

  

Barnes & Noble NOOK ebook reader (WiFi + 3G)[B&W]

Product Description Choose an eBook using the beautiful color touch screen, then watch it appear instantly on the E Ink® display, where text appears as crisp as a printed page. The 16-level gray scale display offers great contrast with no glare or backlight. Choose from five font sizes so you can read with ease.

Velocity Micro Cruz Reader, Black (R101)

The next generation of eReaders. "Cruz" through books, magazines, and newspapers on this revolutionary device's crystal-clear, full-color, 7-inch display. Use the built-in Borders bookstore app to download and read over 2 million eBooks in a light and convenient package. At just under one pound, the 0.6-inch-thick Cruz Reader goes everywhere you do and fits perfectly in one hand. Staying up-to-date with email and social networks is just a Wi-Fi hotspot away, thanks to the Cruz Reader's 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi and full browser support. You can even load your Cruz Reader up with all your favorite music and movies, using the included 4GB SD card. An affordable touchscreen color eReader. USB and SD slots for memory expansion. Download remarkable content, astonishing applications, and amazing games. Full-Color Touchscreen Display The Cruz Reader features a seven-inch (diagonal) touchscreen with 800 x 600 pixel resolution, ideal for viewing eBooks and eMagazines, Web pages, and movies. The built-in, tilt-activated accelerometer will flip the page display from portrait to landscape and back when you turn the device. Android-Based OS The Cruz Reader and Cruz Tablet are built using the Android OS, an easy-to-use, powerful, and reliable operating system from the team at Google. Designed for touchscreen devices like the Cruz, Android helps you easily manage your programs with a vastly intuitive interface. eBook Reader Pack dozens of books for a weeklong getaway without weighing down your suitcase. The Cruz Reader offers access to over 2 million eBooks via the included Borders eBook library portal application. Velocity's own Cruz Market also provides eBook content, and is a one-stop shop for downloading apps and videos from a broad array of content and providers, all in one market. Support is provided for ePub, PDF, TXT, PDB, and HTML reader files. Enjoy Your Other Media Bring your favorite movies on a plane without the hassle of a portable DVD player or laptop, with support for MPEG-4 and H.264 video formats. Listen to your favorite tunes in MP3, WMA, AAC, or WAV formats. Or share pictures from your last vacation with JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP support. Stay Connected with 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi and Full Browser Support Put the power of the Internet right in your hands. Stay connected with email and social networks even while on the road. Download remarkable content, astonishing applications, and amazing games. Slim and Stylish Velocity has designed and refined the Cruz Reader to be as stylish as it is functional. Get ready to attract attention with the sleek, slim, and stylish Cruz Reader. Add Storage Capacity The Cruz Reader offers 256 MB internal storage, expandable via both USB and SD card slots. A 4 GB micro SD card is included with the device. Built-in Applications The Cruz Reader includes a built-in dictionary, notepad, calendar, alarm clock, contacts, games, and other useful apps. User-Replaceable Battery An extended life, user-replaceable lithium-ion battery is included, offering up to 10+ hours of life on a single charge (24+ hours on standby). Product Support Each Cruz is backed by Velocity Micro's expert US-based support, for extra peace of mind. What's in the Box Cruz Reader, docking station, AC adapter, carrying pouch, user's guide, and 4 GB SD card. Product Description The Velocity Micro Cruz Reader - the world’s first affordable touch screen color ereader. Cruz through books, magazines, and newspapers on this revolutionary device’s crystal clear 7” display. Plays video, music, and browses the web in full color. Backed by Velocity Micro’s expert US-based support. The Cruz Reader to be as stylish as it is functional. At just under one pound, he .6” thick Cruz Reader goes everywhere you do and fits perfectly in one hand. Get ready to attract attention with the sleek, slim, and stylish Cruz Reader. Get the Velocity Micro Cruz Reader today!

Microsoft’s plan for shape-shifting touchscreens

One of the problems with touchscreens is that they are way too…flat. That, and there is often very little tactile feedback. If I want to type, I want to feel physical keys underneath me. That way, if I hit a “g” instead of an “f” key, I can feel it. I don’t want to have to look at my text to find out that I screwed up.

According to my Source, Microsoft filed a patent last year that “details a light-induced shape-memory polymer display screen. In a nutshell, that means a touch screen that has a real texture and tactile feedback to it, making people feel as if they’re touching an actual object”.

This screen would be coated with certain polymers that can change and hold their shape, provided different wavelengths of ultraviolet light hit them from below.

You will note in the image this particular ripple effect at the touch of a finger, but I am looking forward to the day when the user can take the surface of a Microsoft Surface and shape it as if it were Play-Doh.

As it is, I’m not certain how physical shapes such as a keyboard could be made in this shape-shifting touchscreen. I’m going to leave that question to the experts that clearly have the know-how to make something like this, really.

Source

Document Extractor – a monitor, printer, scanner concept we can only hope for

Every now and then something comes along that wows you with its practicality, something that just feels right. Something that makes so much sense, you have to wonder how it took so long for someone to come up with it in the first place.

The Document Extractor, brainchild of  Byeong Min Choe, marries your printer, scanner and monitor into one potentially perfect device. The monitor, has a touch screen interface that allows you to select and crop the area of the page you wish to print, and the selected area will print from the back to the front of the device, dropping from your computer screen into reality.

Scanning is a similar process in which the user is able to feed the document to be scanned up into the device and Voila! It appears on your display as if you just feed it up behind the screen. The designer reminds us that the Document Extractor is not simply a space saving device, it will also save us time and resources, like ink and toner.

Whatever the benefits of such a device may be to you, we can only hope that someone will actually step up to the plate and create one of these that we can actually buy. Hello Mr. Jobs? are you listening?

Source: www.yankodesign.com

R.A.T.9 wireless professional gaming mouse from Mad Catz begins to ship

Gamers who take their hobby seriously will surely have at least one or two pieces of hardware that is of high quality in their quest to be the best, if not in the world, then at least among their clique. Of course, we know that latent ability and talent plays a very huge role here as we are pretty sure if you hand Fatal1ty a standard issue Microsoft mouse to go up against you in a game of Quake with the latest Razer, you will still have a can of whoop ass opened on you.

I have always maintained that gaming peripherals are a two-eged sword, if you win more games, you can always cite your victories to superior hardware, and if you lose despite having the best hardware, it will definitely be a big blow to your ego since you will be left wondering whether gaming is the right career path for you. Mad Catz joins the gaming fray with their latest offering, the R.A.T.9 wireless professional gaming mouse that has started to ship.

It will join the already available Cyborg R.A.T 7, 5 and 3 gaming mice, where you will be able to enjoy high performance 2.4GHz wireless technology that delivers an estimated latency of less than 1 millisecond. It will run off a unique rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that is capable of delivering up to 9 hours of game play, where the included stylish desktop charging unit will juice up your battery pack as well as hold another 42 grams of removable weights to suit your gaming style. Each purchase will include a couple of ‘hot swappable’ battery packs, letting you get your game on for at least 18 hours straight.

Don’t worry about stuff like RSI with the Cyborg R.A.T.9 wireless gaming mouse – it was specially designed with comfort in mind, boasting similar interchangeable palm rest, adjustable pinkie grips, and adjustable length, width and height settings as with its predecessors. Compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP machines, the R.A.T.9 wireless professional gaming mouse can be yours for $149.99

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