Abnormaltech

Augmented reality: Sekai Camera

Augmented reality technology has been getting popular among mobile phone programmer. They have been coming out with new application for phone that is base on augmented reality technology. With the most recent and popular being Sekai camera app. The innovative app allows users to view the real world through the lens of a mobile device to bring both digital and analog life together. Basically it mean when you point your phone camera at one of the item, it will auto fetch the item data from a database and project it on your phone. As you point to the next item it will just auto update it as long as the database have the data. Even if the database does not have the detail you can volunteer to add the data into the database. The integration with GPS makes even more possible with video/audio tours, neighborhood guides, and travel in general.

via japantrends

Conceptual Corky mouse gets charged through motion

If you have use a wireless mouse before you will know that either the mouse is too heavy or it get disconnected once the battery is run out. This may be a past problem if this cork-based mouse get commercialize. This new type of mouse is a kinetic energy-harvesting mouse that is powered with a flick of the wrist. The Corky mouse uses piezoelectric elements to generate energy every time you click or move it around on your desk – even rolling the scroll wheel will generate a few watts. Moreover the whole mouse is made from easily recyclable material.

via engadget

“Photo grandpa” builds mother of all homebrew laser triggers

This is an awesome homebrew laser-triggered camera rig that is uses to capture amazing pictures of insects in flight and splashing drops of coloredwater.  Fotoopa (creator) makes the compelling claim that no digital camera has the shutter speed necessary to do this kind of imagery. He claims the Compur #1 shutter used in his 2008 setup has a speed of less than 5 milliseconds. Technical details about his 2009 setup are available here.

How many oranges does it take to charge an Apple?

The answer is approximately 2380 orange slices is needed to charge an iPhone. This simple experiment is similar to using Lemon as a battery which i have posted few months back.

via engadget

Augmented Reality Cosmetic Mirror

Giant Shiseido has come out with a Digital Cosmetic Mirror that can be used to test make-up and recommendations without even having to pick up a mascara brush. Using augmented reality to do sampling is a novel way to involve consumers, and can be a useful technology for saving on waste. All you do is sit down and let the camera scan your face. The terminal then gives you tailored recommendations. Pressing a few buttons on the touch-screen will paints the make-up onto your image in real time, allowing you to see the results instantly. You can also try out make-up that is currently making waves, along with printing out before and after photos with product information for you to go make the purchase of whichever colors caught your eye the most. Currently this machine is station in Takashimaya department store in Shinjuku. Hopefully it will ship to worldwide soon.

via japantrends