Hand Signals
Multiplayer Games are about to get a lot cooler (if not a better rep in the general public). The Peregrine is set to change the way multiplayer keyboard focused games are played forever.
The Peregrine is an elastic glove set with wires and conductive patches. The idea is that, instead of punching in key commands, you can control character actions through the glove. Press a finger to a point on your palm and a character is healed. It’s almost like having the force (almost). Forget typing all you need is a mouse or a joystick plus the Peregrine. Supposedly it will be released this fall and connect by a USB. The price looks to be over $100, but the idea at least feels more than solid.
Building Additions
We all love USB drives, USB cords, USB anything, but most computers don’t come with quite enough USB ports for anyone’s taste. That’s why the Lego themed USB hub sounds like such an excellent idea.
Lego remains a popular design theme in the world of gadgetry (whether or not the devices are actually branded by Lego). This USB hub would look no less attractive than any of the other brick related gadgets on the market today. It doesn’t appear to be available in America just yet, but I’m sure it’s on its way. It’s popularity and necessity just doesn’t com into question, who doesn’t love Legos?
Happy Girl
I am a happy, happy girl. I just set up my brand-new 24″ Apple iMac.
It is barely out of the box. Only time to set up my email so far, but I look forward to the days ahead of exploring all the wonderful new Apple features. My original Mac was purchased in 2002 (yes, that long ago) and it has served me well. It has been on nearly 24 hrs a day since I unpacked it and it never gave me a day’s trouble other than just being slow and gradually incompatible with all manner of websites.
I also have a laptop Dell for my PC friends. It’s next up for a re-vamp as it has been running very slow recently.
I still remember the day I bought my very first computer–a Gateway back in 1994 when I graduated from high school. It was gargantuan compared to the sleek screen only iMac I just unpacked. I remember trekking back and forth on school holidays from college with it. Now with so many ways to compute on the go it seems like the dark ages.
If you have a Mac–what’s your favorite feature of the latest OS?
Computer Health
Computer keyboards are less than the cleanest surfaces in your home, or anywhere for that matter. Well, it looks like someone has finally started down the road to a solution.
Vioguard (though aimed at hospitals inparticular) is designed to douse a keyboard with UV rays to kill germs. The keyboard retracts, gets zapped, and is ready to go. Hospitals definitely seem like the best starting place but I would definitely also suggest colleges and public libraries as a great ground for change as well.
The Display Evolution
Gadgets continue to evolve and (for the most part) shrink. That particular trend has yet to slack and MIT is on the band wagon.
MIT is basically working on a wearable computer that can turn any surface into a display. Right now the display is hooked up to a mini projector, a mirror, and an internet enabled cell phone, but it’s a start. At least it helps where cell phone screen sizes are still concerned.
It’s definitely a step towards a Minority Report type computing system, which is pretty cool. Our minds project images of imagination why not project images onto any surface of reality? It makes sense to me.
A New Place to Watch
When it comes to college there are a lot of choices to be made (beyond what school). More specifically I’m talking about what to buy and bring. Of course you’ve got your basics where tech is concerned: computer, cell phone, alarm clock. But what about those little extras to keep you happy so far from home?
Some of the more popular extras I’ve seen include printers, refrigerators, and of course, TVs. But say you have a PC, maybe you don’t need a TV after all!
This is where Nero Liquid TV comes in. Basically watch TV on PC computer, with Tivo. That’s right, with Tivo, the best invention since the video cassette. Lets be honest, many computer monitors are bigger than televisions anyway, and think of the space you could save with only one screen to make space for.
The Nero also boasts features that include exporting recorded shows to ipods (ironic since it’s only compatible with PC’s right now) or burning them to DVD’s. If only I wasn’t a Mac owner. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to get an old fashioned TV style Tivo to help out with my hectic television interrupting work schedule.
Power Problems
The biggest problem with a college dorm room is space (I can tell you that from experience). There’s hardly enough room for two people, none the less two people and all of their stuff. So simple space saving ideas are a must. Under bed storage containers, extra drawers, and a lot of hangers can at least keep things off the floor (mostly). But what about stuff that has to go on the floor? What about stuff that can’t go but one place, next to an outlet?
You’d be surprised hoe many options there are now to fight the outlet problem in the world today. Power strips are no loner just compact white extensions of the outlet itself but wonders of innovation in their own right.
I own (and packed) the power squid, a wondrous invention that let me both power all of my electronics while being able to maneuver them around floor lamps and shoes. It’s named because of the way it looks, like a squid, each extra socket is separate from every other socket by an extra extension of personal cord. May I also add that this separation on the squid means no plug, no matter how large, blocks any other outlet?
Socket sense is another power strip/surge protector that allows you to utilize all six of the extender outlets by sliding apart to make more space for each individual plug. Like the squid it opens up a whole new world of possibilities where chargers and extension cords are concerned.
Not to peg college as nothing more than cramped quarters your power strip can also say a little bit about you. The Belkin Conserve is a way for the energy conscious to still optimize limited space. Not only does it extend the number of outlets from the wall, it can also cut direct power to six of the eight devices it can feed. That’s important in the sense that most devices don’t actually ever turn “off” when you flip a switch they just go to sleep, and still suck energy.
I know I need as many outlets as possible no matter the space I’m in, so I’m glad there are options. The problem once you’re settled in is whether or not you’re willing to share those extra power strip provided options with a complete stranger who you don’t know you’ll ever like.
Meeting the Mouse (and I don’t mean Mickey!)
First there was walking. Then there was potty training. And now there is another big milestone in the lives of children—using a mouse. This week, my 3-year-old began to master the mouse.
For my generation we were in school before we ever saw a computer, much less used a mouse. For my kids, however, it is essential to their lives. My son has been around computers since I nursed him at the keyboard while typing one-handed, but this week he went from watcher to doer.
DS is left-handed so I made sure to move the mouse to the other side of the keyboard to make it easier. We also have a small-sized mouse that does not require clicking a special button, although you can put a star on the right place to help them figure it out.
You can also slow down the tracking speed and clicking speed on your mouse to help them. On a Mac, you can find it in your “System Preferences” under “Keyboard and Mouse.” On Windows, it is in your “Control Panel” under “Mouse Properties.”
Another essential tip for introducing young children to the computer is to let them practice on websites designed for toddlers and young preschoolers.
Some of my favorites are Starfall, PBS Kids, Internet4Classrooms and Kneebouncers for the youngest of all.
These games typically have fewer “clickable” places preventing a lot of frustration for you and your kid. Also be sure to maximize the screen to prevent accidental jumps to other programs or * gasp * unsaved documents.
While I don’t want my son spending hours in front of the computer, letting him practice this skill while reinforcing his literacy or counting skills at interactive games is time well spent, especially if it means I get dinner on the table!
