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Libraries Use Video Games to Encourage Kids to Read

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Oct 12th 2008 at 5:11PM



It's no secret that kids are reading less these days, and attracting the youth back to the printed page is no small undertaking. Publishers and authors are increasingly looking for ways to get kids engaged, and the newest scheme is... video games.

PJ Haarsma writes a series of science-fiction novels aimed at pre-teens, and the novels come with an online game that encourages children to explore the world of Orbis, where the books take place. The game does not exist in a vacuum -- kids need to use information from the books to advance in the game. And, Mr. Haarsma isn't alone in this novel use of... novels. 'The Maze of Bones' is a 10-part mystery series with an online gaming component weaving through the novels. Random House commissioned an online game in advance of Christopher Paolini's 'Brisingr,' the third installment in his youth-oriented fantasy series 'Inheritance Cycle.'

Some folks, however, have taken this tactic to completely illogical extremes. Libraries across the U.S., including the New York Public Library (NYPL), have started hosting video game tournaments for teens. The program could be considered an innovative approach if it actually tied books and learning to the button mashing. But, instead of using games like 'World of Warcraft,' 'Grand Theft Auto,' or 'Civilization,' which involve complex story lines, compelling characters, and deep strategy, the NYPL has opted to use 'Dance Dance Revolution' and 'Super Smash Brothers' -- games that are little more than button mashing and leg flailing. (Though, to be fair, such beat-intensive games at least teach kids something about music.) [From New York Times]

Continue reading Libraries Use Video Games to Encourage Kids to Read

Researchers Unveil 'Unbreakable Encryption'

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 12th 2008 at 3:37PM

Call us devilish, but we just can't help but love these types of stories. Here we have yet another overly confident group of researchers grossly underestimating the collective power of the hacking underground, as gurus from all across Europe have joined together to announce "the first commercial communication network using unbreakable encryption based on quantum cryptography."

Interestingly enough, quantum cryptography has already been cracked in a kinda-sorta way, but that's not stopping these folks from pushing this claim hard to government agencies, financial institutions and companies with distributed subsidiaries.

We've no doubt this stuff is pretty secure, but the last time we heard someone utter a claim similar to this, we saw him uncomfortably chowing down on those very words merely months later.

[Via Physorg]

'Carcade' Turns Passenger Seat Into Real-Time Gaming Experience

by Andrew McKinnon, posted Oct 12th 2008 at 1:16PM



Berlin-based designers have developed an in-car video game prototype that records the outside environment as a car moves, integrating features to create an 'Asteroids'-like experience on a laptop. Don't worry, in this case, it's the passenger who plays the game on his or her laptop. With the help of a window-attached film camera that captures the landscape as the car cruises, the program translates real-time action outside into a rendered gaming experience on screen in which players maneuver a spaceship and try to shoot space junk. (In other words, if the car speeds up, then the spaceship speeds up, and so on.)

Kudos to the designers of the Carcade System, Andreas Nicolas Fischer, Martin Kim Luge and Korbinian Polk. The execution of a videogame that captures objects in the environment while you drive is laudable. It's certainly an entertaining alternative to sitting and staring out the window while your buddy drives , but the application is misguided.

The trend in car safety, after all, is in the prohibition of all distracted-driving activities (text-messaging, talking on your phone, etc). As a driver, it might be distracting having your wing man tripping on a computer-game that simulates the real environment. "Dude, I just crashed into the space-McDonald's!" This is what the safety-experts might characterize as a triggering activity that causes a cognitive-distraction, thus impairing driving-performance. For more on the emerging "distracted-driving" field see : International Standards Organization NHTSA [From Universität der Künste Berlin via Boing Boing]

'Smart' Rear-View Mirror Equipped With GPS

by Donald Melanson, posted Oct 12th 2008 at 11:12AM


Azentek apparently managed to get a few of its SmartMirror rearview mirror replacements out the door back in August, but that brief spat of availability promptly gave way to back orders and waiting lists, and no doubt a few disappointed customers. According to the company, however, it's now not only ramping up production of the GPS-packing mirrors, but promising that they'll be available at "major retailers" by the end of the year as well. In case you missed it the first time around, the $800 device crams a 4-inch GPS unit up alongside an apparently standard-sized rearview mirror, and it surprisingly doesn't skimp on too many features, with it boasting handsfree Bluetooth calling, a built-in speaker, text-to-speech functionality, and an SD card slot for expansion (a 2GB card is included). For some true redundancy, you can also use the mirror as a monitor for a rearview camera. [Via TWICE]

The Mind-Reading Controller for Video Games

by Evan Shamoon, posted Oct 12th 2008 at 9:12AM



Those who love video games but are hampered by poor hand-eye coordination will be happy to hear that biofeedback is on its way to the living room. A California-based company called NeuroSky showed off the newest version of its headset (called Mindset) at this week's Tokyo Game Show, and the response has been positive.

Essentially, the device is hooked up to a PC (playing a custom-made game) and can tell whether the player is focused or relaxed. It moves the on-screen character accordingly, as your brain waves prescribe.

"We brought this to the game show as a new interface, a new platform for game creators," NeuroSky managing director Kikuo Ito told AFP. "Once people get used to the idea of using brain waves for various applications, I hope we will see various products using this technology," he said.

In long-distance learning courses, for example, teachers could monitor whether students were attentive, he said, adding that train drivers and motorists could use it to judge their stress levels and alertness. And girlfriends could tell whether or not their boyfriend was listening to them.

Wait, maybe this is a bad idea. [From: SMH]

$60,000 Diamond-Encrusted iPod Earbud Covers

by Donald Melanson, posted Oct 11th 2008 at 4:43PM


Yes, you read that right, covers. As in, $60,000 of diamonds that clip onto a standard issue pair of iPod earphones. If the economic hard times are really hitting you hard, you can also opt for a $4,500 set encrusted with black or white diamonds, or even a set covered with the ever-popular multi-colored Swarovski crystals -- a veritable bargain at just $110. [Via musicradar.com]

Rideable Robotic Triceratops Yours for Only $300

by Engadget Staff, posted Oct 11th 2008 at 3:22PM


Playskool's Kota the Triceratops is a robot dinosaur that uses 11 sensors to respond to touch and sound by wiggling its horns, wagging its tail and turning its head. It also plays a few "adventure themed songs." Best of all, it can't stampede or impale anyone; like the animatronic Triceratops in 'Jurassic Park,' Kota can't get up and move around. That won't stop kids from adoring it though. Like Pleo before it, Kota's cuteness overpowers all. Don't believe us? Shipments have begun, so you can buy the cuddly robot and see for yourself. All you need is 300 bucks. Or you could just check out the video beyond the cut.

Continue reading Rideable Robotic Triceratops Yours for Only $300

Computer Program Knows How to Make You More Beautiful

by Tim Stevens, posted Oct 11th 2008 at 1:38PM

Software to Rearrange, and Beautify, your Face
Chances are you've looked in the mirror before and spotted something on your face you wouldn't mind tweaking, whether it be a simple blemish or something a little more serious such as an uneven eye or a nose that didn't make it through your youth without getting a little crooked.

Such facial issues can be addressed by doctors and surgeons, to some degree (if you've got the money). But if seeing the 'ideal' you in a picture is enough, then a trip to visit some researchers at Tel Aviv University (TAU) might be in the cards. They've developed software able to start with a single picture of a face and automatically re-arrange its parts dynamically to improve its attractiveness.

The researchers trained a computer program to determine those faces considered by humans to be more attractive. Now, when the computer is given a photograph of any person's face (regardless of race or sex), it will manipulate that input face to improve its geometry. The results are occasionally quite noticeable, like the straightening of the eyes in the woman above, which, we figure, makes her more classically attractive. Sometimes, though, the manipulations look rather too artificial and a bit creepy. And isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder, anyway? Hit the read link to see a whole slideshow of automatically retouched celebrities and see for yourself. [From: The New York Times]

AlertMe Service Automatically Shuts Off Gadgets When You Leave

by Tim Stevens, posted Oct 11th 2008 at 12:02PM


In-home power consumption monitors are trendy pieces of kit lately, with a new one popping up every few months. But, while they're all happy to just kick back and tell you what a wasteful pig you're being, a new service from UK security company AlertMe could actually make you more efficient. Subscribers to the company's monitoring plans, which start at about $260 plus another $17.50/month, will be able to purchase Smart Plugs for $43 each that can communicate wirelessly to an AlertMe Heating Controller.

From there subscribers can monitor their energy usage online via computer or phone. That's all standard stuff, but the service also includes keyfobs that will automatically turn down the heat and deactivate devices when you leave, and allows users to manually control the plugs and the thermostat by text message, meaning you'd never be more than a few thumb-presses (and a 20 cent service charge) away from a warm and inviting home.

[Via SmartPlanet]

Best of the Web This Week

by Switched Staff, posted Oct 11th 2008 at 10:13AM



Leaves are falling (well, for some us) but the internet is rising with sheer awesomeness. This week we discovered musical vegetables, girls with mustaches and a tourist that replaces landmarks with knick-knacks (see above).

We've worked hard all week, so relax this weekend with some of these Web-a-rriffic links.


From the editors of URLesque.

HDTV Listings for October 10, 2008

by Richard Lawler, posted Oct 10th 2008 at 6:30PM

What we're watching tonight:

GPS Could Save Airlines Billions in Fuel and Reduce Flight Times

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Oct 10th 2008 at 5:05PM

Airline GPS Could Save Billions in Fuel
A new GPS system being planned by the FAA, called NextGen, could potentially save airlines 3.3 billion gallons of fuel per year (about $10 billion at todays prices)

The GPS system would replace the currently aging system of aerial highways that use use radar and radio beacons to guide planes. The use of GPS would allow planes to fly the shortest route between two points, shaving time off of flights and saving fuel.

Unfortunately, NextGen isn't expected to be ready until at least 2020, but the airlines are expected to provide $15 billion of the estimated $35 billion the project will cost. The airlines will also have to retrofit their planes with a new $200,000 GPS system. Considering their current struggles to stay profitable, carriers are understandably reluctant to layout such a large amount of cash to start equipping aircraft with a system that is still 10+ years from being functional.

If the system ever actually gets off the ground, it could keep many carriers from slipping into the red, but as with any massive government-funded program it's unlikely it'll be completed on time or on budget. Expect to see the first NextGen equipped planes to be rolled out around 2130 at a price of $3 bazillion per plane. [From: USA Today]

Wowwee's 'Mr. Personality' Robot Changes Identities on a Dime

by Donald Melanson, posted Oct 10th 2008 at 4:01PM


WowWee's Mr. Personality bot made its debut way back at CES in January but, like some other WowWee products announced at the show, it's only just now made its way into availability. As you can see above, the bot's a close relative of WowWee's Tri-Bot, with it boasting the notable addition of an LCD screen for a face, which promises to "display his personality with animated and synchronized facial features." The bot also includes an SD card slot than can be used to add additional personalities, plus 64MB of internal memory, a remote control, all the usual sensors and, of course, plenty of fortune and joke-telling features that promise endless hours of fun / annoyance. Just be prepared to shell out for that robot companionship, as Mr. Personality's company will cost you a hefty $300. [From: esend.com Via Robo Community]

Radio Reporter Misses Live Broadcast Because of Facebook

by Lee Bains, posted Oct 10th 2008 at 3:04PM



It should be clear from recent reports regarding Facebook that folks are enchanted with the networking site. College students, for instance, seem more interested in peeping their friends' profiles than in listening to their professors' lectures. According to a story from news.com.au, graduates aren't changing their ways too much once they move into the workplace.

This past Sunday, the listeners of Australian radio station 3AW's afternoon news broadcast were puzzled to hear the news segment's theme music followed, not by the news, but by advertisements. The reason for this misstep? According to a station insider, the designated news reader was, instead of reading the news, obliviously browsing through her Facebook account.

There's been plenty of discussion recently on whether or not the use of social networking sites can increase workers' productivity. We'd say that this little anecdote is a big old check in the "Nay" column. [From: News.com.au]

Kevlar Handkerchief Protects Your Chest/Face and Blows Your Nose

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 10th 2008 at 2:06PM


We find it hard to believe that we won't see one of these being used somewhere in the upcoming 007 film, but even if not, you can definitely put one to use in your everyday life -- if you can get ahold of one of the ten being made, that is. Srulirecht's DÆmdur is a Kevlar-based handkerchief which can keep your schnoz squeaky clean and (in theory, at least) keep your chest free from bullets. Granted, even the manufacturer makes clear that it takes no responsibility for "schmucks and wooden-heads who feel compelled to test the endurance or resistance of the textile in any way," but it sure beats those cotton ones you buy ten to a pack.

[Via OhGizmo]


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