June 2004 Archives
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June 30, 2004
A Case of Mis-Market
This is a perfect example on one side of a Korean company not understanding the US market for gadgets. On the flip side, we also have a perfect example of a US company not understanding the target audience of a device.
The features on this camera are very typical of features on gadgets in Korea (and elsewhere in Asia). The US, company, however should spot this and also realize that these sorts of things are becomming trendy in the US, as well: they aren't just for kids!
Oh well...
June 27, 2004
Software to Track Human Motion in Video
This has some very cool potential uses to it, ranging from advanced motion detection to user input and control. Imagine using it to control a musical instrument. (A big piano comes to mind.) Imagine it being used at prisons to more rapidly detect when someone is where they shouldn't be. Imagine using it to count people rather than a turnstile that slows traffic down.
It looks decent now, although it is notable that it failed to differentiate the kid walking along from an adult -- and that's in their demo video. Heh.
June 25, 2004
Perfect phone for Local Wireless services
There are numerous wireless services, such as metroPCS that offer unlimited calling in a local service area and, for a little extra usually, unlimited long distance calling within the local area. You can't roam. This is usually for people who either don't travel, kids, or other such things.
Putting one of those services on this desk phone would likely be cheaper than paying for local landline service and one of the unlimited long distance services offered by the landline companies. In addition, you usually have to pay another $10-15 to get full caller id, voicemail, and other such features that would already be included. It could truly be a money saver -- if you use all of the services. And then you don't need an answering maching -- more money savings! Of course, it can also save money on ISP costs, too, because it already has a net connection. You can just connect through it from your computer (assuming it has the appropriate jacks -- built in ethernet or USB would be nice) and not have to worry about for separate dialup ISP service. (Sure, we all have DSL, so that's a moot point, but good for the developing countries that are the target audience. ;) )
But, it will come with all of the convenience of a desk phone, all of the features of a wireless phone, and all of the coverage issues. ;) And since it's SIM card based, if you need to take the number outside you can just swap the SIM card into your cell phone.
It also makes stuff like the mail station irrelevant. Land lines are far behind their wireless counterparts in features and usefulness. You can't SMS a land line phone, among other things.
CSI 410, a multi-band GSM/GPRS fixed wireless phone. via ritilan
June 24, 2004
Turn a DVD Into a Fish!
Well, I have to agree with Gizmodo... the diagram really does make it look like this unit can turn a DVD into a fish. How cool is that? Do you think it makes water, too? Maybe it runs on fuel cells and the waste is water that you can get rid of into your fish tank? (!)
June 21, 2004
Rocket Planes!
Silly names aside (White Knight? SpaceShipOne?), this has gotta be better at sparking imaginations than movies, books, and comics for kids (and adults, alike). But really, who hasn't wanted to fly into space, even if only for a little while? (Alright, admittedly, some don't because there usually is a distinct risk of blowing up, but still...)
How long before an "average" person could take a space flight? Well, there's hardly even been possibly for an "average" person to take a supersonic flight (at it's cheapest of about $4k, it was hardly available to the "average"). I'd guess at decades, still. And let's not even bother about talking about space station resorts and moon resorts. Even if they would happen in our lifetimes at a mere $20k/night, the waiting list would be so long you'd die first anyway. But who knows, the cost of sending someone to space (even if for 3 minutes) was actually fairly small, on an investment scale: I've heard it was around $20million or so. We all saw plenty of companies blow far more than that during the "boom" period with far less getting done. Perhaps this is door opening, industry creating news?
SpaceShipOne Makes History with First Manned Private Spaceflight
Modern CoreWars
It sounds like IBM is trying to modernize CoreWars. This time, however it's in Java and on the Eclipse platform.
Here, however, we have the code being a "ruler" that can control castles, knights, and peasants on a 2D grid.
They plan on using it first in an ACM programming competition (sponsored by IBM, naturally).
June 16, 2004
Whoops!
You've gotta feel sorry for the folks who got these checks in the mail before finding out it was just a mistake. After all, mail probably gets to postal employees fairly quick. ;)
That's gotta hurt...
June 14, 2004
Gah!
I just can't keep up. I want to post all kinds of stuff but it seems something always gets in the way. I've now been to a conference and a small vacation since our last hiking trip which I still need to post up... blah!.
And now I'm sick (sick as in ill). I've been pounding all the vites and meds I can find (that will help). But I didn't get to sleep for crap last night.
For the first time ever, I've actually purchased a BREW phone for myself. I've been working with BREW going on three years now and yet I've never actually owned a BREW handset. Of course, I've been using BREW handsets since the Sharp Z800. But now I actually have one I can call my own: The Samsung A670. Of course, I'm coveting a couple of upcoming phones (this and this but not this, unlike everyone else at work).
June 4, 2004
June 3, 2004
Kung-Fu Bunnies
Yet another amusing flash animation. ;) (If the above link doesn't work, I've also archived it here (400KB) for my amusement.
Found here: ritilan.com: Kung Fu Bunnies
June 1, 2004
Weekend pics
Laurie has posted a whole lot of pictures to her Phlog account.
It would appear she's put in just about 115 images. I'll be coming along later with a run down of the weekend -- but that's too much writing during a working day. ;)
