Computer speakers are usually one of the PC components that are not usually given much attention. It’s a peripheral so as peripherals go, it is set aside for other upgrades the computer owner feels are more essential. But if you use your computer a lot and also use it for entertainment purposes like listening to music or watching videos then a good pair of speakers is essential. [Read more…]
I love science fiction. I’ve always been a geek since I was kid so my world was filled with fantasy and science fiction. It’s a love that I have carried with me even in my later years as evidenced by my growing collection at home. This love has also carried over to my choice of gadgets. [Read more…]
I’m currently building an HTPC (home theater PC for those of you who are wondering what it means). I think it will be more convenient to play the video files that I have collected over the years over my home theater setup because more people can watch the videos as opposed to just playing the files on my computer, where not a lot of people will have the room to watch it with me. [Read more…]
AKG is one of the most respected brands in terms of headphones and portable music monitors. In fact, most music studios use AKG headphones as part of their recording equipment. But outside of the music community AKG is not that well known, especially in the mass market. AKG has released a number of headphones that are targeted towards consumers but their presence is still not that strong, neither is brand recall. [Read more…]
Haven’t you guys noticed that flashlights can practically be considered as a true-blue electronic gadget mainly because of the different kinds of technology that is being put in it? Many of my male friends have this obsession with flashlights that you’d think they’re talking about the latest mobile phones. In a way, I understand this interest in flashlights. It’s a very masculine equipment that is often used in many male-dominated occupations. [Read more…]
If you’re on the lookout for a docking station for your precious Apple iPad do check out the Sound Step and Sound Step Recharge from Soundfreaq. [Read more…]
GPS devices are very hot items right now. I myself was quite enamored with them when I first saw it in action years ago. Now, GPS devices can be found everywhere and for good reason, they’re really quite useful. For the longest time GPS could only be found within the domain of dedicated GPS devices. But with the technology getting more accessible and affordable, GPS technology is now being introduced to other devices, most notably in smartphones. In fact, GPS-equipped smartphones are beginning to dominate the market and eating into the share of dedicated GPS devices. The main reason for this being that GPS-enabled smartphones allow you to just carry one device that does a lot of things instead of bringing a number of dedicated devices. [Read more…]
Glasses that can read your mind?
So you have problems interacting with people face to face. You are not alone. There are countless people out there who seem to have issues conversing with others. Whether it is because they are shy or it is because they seem to say the wrong things (and not even realize it), it can be a painful thing to see other people turn away from you.
If you have always had the problem of NOT being a good conversationalist, have you ever stopped to think that it could be due to the fact that you are not skilled at reading what other people think or how they react to what you are saying? After all, conversation is also about being able to read the person on the other end.
Enter Rosalind Picard of MIT and Rana el Kaliouby of the University of Cambridge, UK. These two individuals have worked to help the socially challenged people of the universe. (Okay, so maybe that wasn’t the driving idea behind the project.)
Their work has resulted in a pair of glasses with an embedded chip and camera. These two things work together to analyze facial expressions of the person that you are talking to. Upon analysis, the system will give you feedback via some LED lights that are also part of the glasses. Green for “you’re doing a good job conversing” and red for “you’re being a social fail”. Now if you want more audible feedback, you can wear headphones which will sum up the data as well. What you do with the feedback – that is totally up to you!
Analysis is all about the facial cues and other non-verbal cues that people have when conversing. In many cases, we learn all about these cues and take our lead from them. One issue I am seeing here is the fact that different cultures will have different cues. It seems, though, that the creators are already working on software that will recognize Japanese cues. That leaves a gazillion other cultures.
In any case, the concept behind the glasses are pretty cool, but unfortunately, we can’t buy them from the nearest accessories shop yet.
Note: The image shown above is NOT the glasses Picard and al Kaliouby have created.
Via
Photo courtesy of Emily Gieczewski
Swimming is a great pastime and a very rigorous sport that will give you the kind of total body workout everyone needs. But swimming can be boring unless you bring something to entertain you with as you do your laps. One of these devices is the H2O Interval Swim System. [Read more…]
I love listening to music wherever I go. I especially love it when I’m walking around either at the mall or even inside my house. I feel like I’m walking to my own private music score and you know it makes you feel good whenever you do that. But sometimes it’s a hassle to walk around with headphones or earphones mainly because of the wires that snake between your buds and your music player. I often find myself trying to keep the wires away from me or sometimes the phones fall off because it gets snagged on something as I turn my head. It’s enough to really put a damper on how you enjoy your music. [Read more…]