The ZCam is the first low-cost, consumer videocamera that can capture video with depth information and probably the first real challenger to Nintendo's Wiimote: with its 3D capture abilities it will allow you to play Wii-style without using any controls whatsoever. In fact, it is so precise that it will even recognise your finger gestures to fire a weapon or manipulate your computer like in Minority Report, but without gloves or any other external device:The camera has sensors that are able to measure the depth for each of the captured pixels using a principle called Time-Of-Flight. It gets 3D information "by emitting pulses of infra-red light to all objects in the scene and sensing the reflected light from the surface of each object." The objects in the scene are then ordered in layers in the Z axis, which gives you a grayscale depth map that a game or any software application can use.

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We are all familiar with the magic 8-ball and the fortune cookie, but what happens if you put the two together in one device? The Smart Cookie is the result; a fortune telling cookie that dispenses answers to life's most pressing questions with quirky witticisms such as; try the eggroll, answer sweet and sour, future sticky like rice and you don't wonton know. Well, lets try it out:Q: Oh wise Smart Cookie, pray tell, will the forthcoming Year of the Rat bring prosperity for us?

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Pet stores in Australia have been selling a portable speaker with a built-in fish tank, designed to hook up to portable audio devices like the iPod. The cleverly named iPond, which is currently drawing fire from animal rights groups for not providing adequate space for a fish to live.

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Phantom Entertainment has certainly got the name right; they provide an excellent source of entertainment based on phantom product releases. The most recent of such products is the long-time-coming Phantom Lapboard, which is apparently available for purchase now. The asking price is $US130, and it ships on...wait a minute...when does it ship?

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Snowglobe Boy, aka 24-year-old Ben Eckerson, has spent over 3 days living in a giant snowglobe as an advertising stunt for the advertising firm he works for. And though I can't imagine he had much competition, Eckerson also managed to set a world record for most time spent in a giant snowglobe.

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We just spotted a series featuring technology superstars on CBS's 60 Minutes show. The interviews may not be new, but the show teasers are awesome. The best of the bunch is by far the interview with Bill Gates, whose usually modest demeanor is thrown out the window. Check it out after the jump: He eats fries the whole way through, he tells about how he knew he was smart, he appears baffled by the concept of loose change and he completely owns the burger joint, (you just know that that is his regular seat.) I'm going to be brave and put it out there: Gates is cool. Damn cool. If you disagree, we think he'll have you shot. Don Gates, you have our friendship. Be sure to check out the entire series, with Larry Ellison, Steve-o and Jeff Bezos all making appearances, you'd be a dithering fool to miss it. Hit up the link for other encounters with technology's A-list. [Yahoo]

The Gadget: A handheld internet browsing device that functions using a GPRS data connection, freeing you from the confines of limited Wi-Fi coverage. The Pocketsurfer 2 incorporates a specialised compression technology that does away with the typical slow speeds associated with GPRS. Datawind did great work in implementing an accelerated form of GPRS, but the gadget itself left us longing for V3.0.

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This may be the most ambitious portable console we've ever seen...and it's certainly the heaviest. This portable setup Xbox 360 is a 27 kilogram beast that features a PVC tube frame, full-sized LCD screen, Xbox 360, of course, and a generator to make the whole setup run all day. In the words of the young engineers, "As long as your near a wifi spot your good to play some Halo!" On an entirely unrelated note, Gizmodo is in need of more, strong-bodied interns. [techeblog via bgr]

If you are lucky enough to be on the LucasFilm Christmas card list, you get a lot more then updates on how little Anakin Skywalker is progressing with his potty training. You get a card that is absurdly cool collector's memorabilia...perfect for framing, eBaying or taping to the skin over your heart. This Stormtrooper pop-up card by Lorraine LeBer was the 2007 greeting of choice. And we're waiting for them to start kicking, Rockettes style. Hit the jump for a few more of our favourites from the past 30 years.

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Benjamin Heckendorn is an unquestionable talent, but talent thrives with competition. That's why we hope he notices this fantastic portable wooden SNES system. Its screen grabbed from the PSOne portable add-on, an SNES and speakers (along with optional mic jack) have been crammed into this completely custom wooden case—look at those buttons...so, so, so hot. Our fantasy device would use a slightly bigger screen, but like our wives say, beggars can't be choosers. Hit the jump for decent video of the mod in action.

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It looks like all that was wrong with the PS3 was the price, because despite a very slow start, Sony has announced that their console will reach worldwide sales numbers of 11 million units by the end of this fiscal year (March 31st, 2008). That's big news for Sony and the gaming industry, as developers have a lot more incentive to make games for a platform that someone actually owns. Alright, it's time to place your bets again: how will the console wars end? [yahoonews]

What can $US26,000 buy you these days? Perhaps a pedal powered EV hybrid? The Twike was designed way back in the 80's, and it was put together by students in Switzerland who dreamt of the Flintstones every night a greener transportation mode. Germany's Fine Mobile GmBH took a liking to the invention, by adding electric batteries and regenerative braking, they are confident their product will sell fast. Jump for the impressive specifications.The Twike will be able to reach speeds of up to 85 km/h; it accelerates from 0 - 64 km/h in 9 seconds and the range of the car will be increased by 50% if you can convince Barney, who'd be sitting in the passenger seat, to pedal along with you.

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