tech

Spore the game

You think Google Earth is cool? Well, get ready to be blown away by Spore, a PC game by Will Wright, creator of The Sims and Sim City.
I’m not sure what kind of cpu power this game will require, but you pretty much create and affect every single element within a galaxy and let time happen through “procedural” content development.
The magnitude of this game is ridiculous and you feel like a god of a god! Check out the video of Will presenting Spore at the 2005 Game Developer’s Conference!Google Video of Spore
GameSpy Article

SandScapesSandscapes is addictive simulated tangible interface designed to help users understand landscapes through a projected surface of sand. Simulations range from height, slopes, contours, shadows, drainage, and also has the ability to interact with physical models such as buildings cars or whatever else you program into it.

I’ve played around with Sandscapes and its pure joy. Swing by the MIT MediaLab when you have the chance to check out their other great projects!

MIT MediaLab(Tangible Media Group)
SandScapes

TED2006

TED TED TED. What more can I say. It is by FAR THE BEST brain charging, mind-boggling confernece I have ever been to. It’s a life changing experience that is hard to explain. I’ve been fortunate to attend the last 4 TEDs (Technology, Entertainment, Design) and just returned from TED2006. Instead of writing about every single amazzzzing event, I’ll link to some other blogs articles on the conference. Otherwise, some of my highlights were:

1. AL GORE (he is seriously funny)
2. Tony Robbins (what an energizer)
3. Ken Robinson (Man with wonderful words)
4. Playing in a Drum circle at midnight with a bunch of CEOs, Directors, managers, all from fortune 500 companies.
5. Drinking, eating, chillin, with those same people at a private monterey aquarium party.(FABULOUS!)
6. Drinking, chatting, brainstorming with the same peeps at the bar across the street.
7. Watching, listening, laughing, at Charles Fleisher. (Probably one of the most talented, smartests, and funny people on earth)
8. Listening to an 11 yr old violinist zip through some tough classical pieces.
9. TOM RIELLY (As always, a man that sees it all)
10. Beach Party. Great converesations, great weather, great people!
11. Being amazzed at Dynamo.
12. Sitting next to Sergey Brin, Charles Fleischer, Danny Hillis, Peter Gabriel, and Chee Pearlman, all at the same time, watching a session.
13. Watching the Children of Uganda dance!!!!! Unbelievable!!!
14. Listening to Larry Brilliant. Watch the webcast with the other 2 winners.
15. Realizing I was at TED again…TED’s a knowledge heaven that really exisits.

Too many highlights to talk about, but here are some other blogs to check out.

TED blog
Ethan Zuckerman
Bruno Giussani
Tom Guarriello
Lone Ronin
Kate Trgovac
Loic le Meur
Renee Blodgett

Multi-Touch Screen

This video has surfed the web for the past few weeks, but I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and hear from the creator, Jeff Han, about his multi-touch screen interface at the TED conference. Check out the video and be prepared to be awed.YouTube video

update:  a nice article on Jef’s developement with the multi-touch screen from FastCompany which includes an exclusive video on the newer larger version here.

Air Zooka!!

If you want some fun in the office, get an Air Zooka. This is one of the most surprising little science toys you’ll get out there. This lil bucket hurls an invisible ball of air at any target. If your good, you can pin point targets at up to 20 feet and really surprise people. It feels like a ghost punching you. Its the best $15 you’ll ever spend. ZeroToys also has a few other little gadget toys that are fun. Check them out!Air Zooka