Wizkid is a technological artwork exploring the human-machine interface, a bit like the eerie-eyeball OptoIsolator or the Mind Chair. Programmed to notice you walking nearby, it homes in on your face, stretching and twisting its neck to point its screen at you. With a bunch of gestures you can tell it to play games or browse information pages, and it even anticipates your desires—perhaps by slipping on some freeform jazz fusion when you walk in the door (hopefully, without then trying to seduce you). Intrigued? There’s more info below the gallery.
Billed as a way of acclimatising kids with airport security checks, the Scan-It X-Ray machine detects the presence of metal in objects and is, let’s face it, a scary addition to your child’s toy box. Stick Barbie on the conveyor belt, pass her through the Scan-It and you will be able to see if her IUD is in place or not. It costs US$29.95, but I’m going to hang on for the Crazy CIA Waterboarding Kit. Seriously. [OhGizmo]
For all of you whose Wii sensor bar has broken (are you listening, J. Diaz?) CYBER Gadget’s wireless version has the added benefit of a clock tacked onto it. It also looks good—it’s been so long since we had a Wii session that I can’t remember what the original looked like, but the words “prehistoric” and “windscreen wiper” do spring to mind. This one costs US$18 and runs on four AA batteries, but you can plug it into a USB port if you want it with wires. [ALBOTAS]
Japanese company Fukui has unveiled 12 gym machines with finger-vein readers, which adjust the settings of the fitness equipment automatically for regular users. Costing around US$17,000 each, the gear can be hooked up to a remote server to update gym bunnies’ stats—calorie consumption and current exercise regime—with the info then displayed on a touchscreen. Go for the burn, fingers. [Pink Tentacle]
Gadget-loving actor Stephen Fry has added podcasting to his digital repertoire, though in quintessential Fry style he’s dubbing them “podgrams.” Issue one is out on his site now, detailing his recent arm-breaking disaster. We hope it heals soon Stephen, so that in future podgrams we can hear more of your thoughts on cool new gadgets! [StephenFry.com]
Amazon is going to take the unusually forward-thinking step of promoting Blu-ray “more prominently” on its site over HD DVD. The good news for those of you who wanna expand your movie collection for dirt cheap is that they’re going to keep selling HD DVD stuff for the time being. [CNN Money]
Out in Japan at the end of next month, U-Mate’s Lap-Around-Japan pedometer is a novel idea to get people walking. Instead of noting the same old landmarks (skyscraper, dog toilet, convenience store, interminable roadworks, pervy builders, etc. etc.) the miles you cover are transposed into miles around the japanese coastline. The device also keeps you entertained on your journey by acting as a kind of geographic Wikipedia for you. Confused? Read on.
Given how delicious we all think Microsoft’s touchscreen table, the Surface, is (apart from the US$10,000 price tag) here’s a more basic version from ToyQuest. The Touch Table EES (that stands for electronic education system) boasts a 21-inch touchscreen from which you can play games and DVDs (hmm, very educational). It does redeem itself somewhat, though. Find out how after the gallery.
The Wedisk USB 2.0 thumb drive has its USB connector located where the IR receptor is, coming out only when you press the A button. The Wedisk is available in either 1GB, 2GB, 4GB or 8GB flavours, but apparently it’s only available as a mass-produced item, on request. [SolarMemo — Thanks, Chris]
Sony has just released its first Bluetooth (A2DP) enabled PMPs; the NW-A829 (16GB) and NW-A828 (8GB). With support for MP3, WMA, ATRAC, Sony PCM and AAC/High Efficiency AAC, as well as MPEG-4/H.264, these players come with enough playback potential to make them contenders for a space in your pocket, as well as your heart. More info beneath the gallery.
