Info Laptop

Natal-like plans see any 3D item scanned for use in-game

A Sony patent could point to more motion controlled gaming than just the wand-based system the company has currently demoed.

Sharing a fair bit in common with Microsoft’s Project Natal motion control system, the recently-revealed patent sees Sony gamers using ordinary, everyday objects as in-game game controllers.

The patent describes a way in which a camera can dynamically map any real-word object for use in a video game.

The patent blurb refers to “items such as coffee mugs, drinking glasses, books, bottles, etc”, but in theory would see any three dimensional object able to be used.

Players would “show” the object to the cameras, rotate it, and save a profile of it for use in a game.

This description seems very similar to how Microsoft’s Project Natal system appeared to scan and save a skateboard in the company’s official promo video.

We will keep you posted with Sony motion control and Microsoft Project Natal news as we have it.

Read

Related links:

• News – Sony shows motion-sensing controller
• News – Microsoft reveals Project Natal for Xbox 360
• VIDEO – Microsoft Xbox 360’s Project Natal

Tags:
Gaming Sony Patents Project Natal PS3 Microsoft

Sony patents everyday objects as game controllers originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:34:30 +0100

… More Info

Kids should be kids?

Turns out that you lot aren’t too keen on the idea of kids having phones. Maybe it’s due to noisy encounters on the top deck of buses, or fears of happy-slapping, but 77% of you say that under-10s shouldn’t be allowed mobile phones.

The arguments against are numerous. Aside from the noise and happy-slapping concerns, there’s also the questions of who pays the bills, whether kids’ brains are more susceptible to radiation, and fears of mobile bullying.

On the other hand though, equipping your sprog with a mobile phone lets you keep track of them, gives them some independence, and – well – why shouldn’t they be able to do what they want?

We’d be interested in hearing the rationale behind your opinion. Should kids have phones, and if not, why not? Drop us a line in the comments.

Related links:

• News – 75% Pocket-lint readers say iPhone 3G S "too expensive"

Tags:
Phones Statistics Survey Poll

77% of Pocket-lint readers say under 10s shouldn’t have phones originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:57:52 +0100

… More Info

Are you geek enough to admit it?

Do you love your BlackBerry more than your girlfriend? More importantly, do you want the whole world to know?

If yes, then one of Alice Wang’s “Commodity Love” badges, just gone up for sale through Generate Design, is just what you need to spread the word via stainless steel cut-out lettering.

There’s no “I love my BlackBerry more than my boyfriend” option, but ladies can opt for the “I love chocolate more than sex” to keep the stereotype alive.

The badges are available now for $29 with free shipping in North America.

Related links:

• Shop – Generate

Tags:
Gadgets Badges BlackBerry GeeBooTeek Generate Phones

"I love my BlackBerry more than my girlfriend" badge launches originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:38:38 +0100

… More Info

Overlay your travel options

Augmented reality concepts excite us. We love overlaying stuff on a video feed of the world around – it lets us feel like we’re living in the future.

The latest application of the iPhone 3GS’ video camera lets you overlay the nearest tube stops for every line on your video camera. To accomplish that, it uses the GPS, compass, and camera.

Holding it flat, the app shows an arrow pointing in the right direction, and holding it upward means that you can see more info – distance, relevant tube lines and other stacked stops behind the one you’re looking at.

The app has been submitted by makers Acrossair for inclusion in the app store, but isn’t there yet. Also, it’ll only work on the 3GS, and is only really of use if you live or work in central London. Still, there’s no reason why it couldn’t be modded for other landmarks. More of this sort of thing please, developers.

Related links:

• News – iPhone 3GS gets a jailbreak – Purplera1n

Tags:
Phones iPhone apps Video iPhone Acrossair

Video: Nearest Tube 3GS app augments reality originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:04:51 +0100

… More Info