South Korea runs for the 5G technology prize.

No surprise, nowadays saying "Asians" is to say top technology. Japanese devices are of great quality, Chinese devices are.... well, not that great... buuut they've been improving through the last years. Now it's the time for Korea to shine again, working on the future 5G technology (man, yesterday they talked about 4G, now they're planning on the 5G, and I'm still trying to get me a 3G phone).

As you may know well, Samsung and LG plan on becoming heavyweight champions in mobile communications (I guess they plan on becoming even heavier). Now, listen up. This country's idea is to invest around 60 million won (which is to say around 58.449.293 USD) in the next years for 5G technology development.

What could we expect from 5G? I don’t want to go sci-fi but I feel pushed to do so, because everything I can think of is already featured in a phone. It will certainly bring us amazing stuff, but probably only improved services. The day phones (and basically any computer) are able to deliver coffee by transferring material via internet, that day ladies and gentlemen I will be ready to rest in peace.

Xbox Project Natal: Much more than just gaming.

Now, THIS is what I call future. If Project Natal actually is what we think it is, we're talking about real progress. When Nintendo launched its Wii and the Wiimote it was like "wow, the console understands my movements!". Sony is now ready to launch the PlayStation Move, an improved and personal version of the Wiimote. But now all of this could look old if you hear the Project Natal promises. Let's see what the guys form Microsoft and its Xbox have to say.

You Are the Controller.

Introducing Project Natal, a revolutionary new way to play: no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak you and your friends can jump into the fun -- the only experience needed is life experience.


Essentially, the camera sensors project radar-like beams that hit objects in the room and bounce back, allowing the machine to build up an accurate picture of what is in front of it. Such systems have a surprisingly fine level of detail, even able to recognize different hand signals or small movements. Add the capability to incorporate facial recognition, and it's the sort of development that has not only gamers salivating, but also games producers.

So if you play action games with lots of frenetic moves, you will actually sweat... a lot ;D. Maybe gamers won't live sedentary lives anymore!


It seems to be really easy to use, and let's face it, the idea is totally attractive. I'll wait a few weeks after the launch and I'll check the customers reviews, and if everything is running fine, I'll get me one (if I don't have to sell my vital organs to buy it, of course).

You can find more information and many good videos at http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/projectnatal



Don't be shy, leave a comment :).

PlayStation Move: Not just a copycat.

After a long time, Sony presented yesterday, Thursday March 11, in San Francisco the final design for the PlayStation Move, which is scheduled to be launched in fall 2010, and it will be sold at less than 100 USD (Japan and USA), including the PS Eye Camera and one game.

Sony has pointed out that this is the most advanced hardware of this generation, for it's extremely accurate. It's design with advanced motion sensors, including a three axes gyroscope, a three axes accelerometer, a ground magnetic field sensor and even a color-changing sphere (which is what the camera tracks). It can track very well the gamers actions, either they are fast actions (like a drive while playing tennis) or slow (while painting carefully). It's also said that the PlayStation Eye Camera can capture the user's voice or image, letting them experience reality on its own.

Now we've got the device, cool. What about the games? The following companies are committed to release games for PlayStation Move: 505 Games, Activision, AQ Interactive, Arc System Works, Atlus, Bigben Interactive, Capcom, CCP, Crave, Cyberfront, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, FromSoftware, Game Republic, Gust, Hudson, Irem Software, Koei, Konami, Majesco, Marvelous Entertainment, Namco Bandai, Ongakukan, Oxygen Games, Paon Corp, Q Entertainment, Q-Games, SEGA, Sony Online, Spike, Square Enix, TECMO, THQ, Ubisoft, Warner Bros and Zoo Entertainment.


The Move itself. (named sub-controller). The control is (very) similar to The first thing to know? Well, I think you already noticed the first thing. Yes, we think (know) it's a Wii controls copy, just improved. You get a main control (named Move) and a nunchuckWii's, but with significant changes. For instance, there are as many buttons in the Move as in the DualShock, the response is a lot better, and the use of the PS Eye is really good, making a real difference between Sony and the big N.


Let's be fair, copying and improving the Nintendo franchise doesn't deserve a reward for innovation. Besides, Sony's making (or probably will) the same mistake as Nintendo leaving the hardcore gamers apart. Let's just pray they get to be really creative with this new stuff. But let's be fair again, the only thing the Wii had over the PlayStation 3 was the Wiimote. Now that PlayStation has its own Playmote (?), only the real fans will be behind Nintendo. This will force Nintendo to make new high quality hardware really soon, or start thinking of a new version of Wii. Would you try out this new stuff or are you the biggest Nintendo fan ever?

Samsung 3D LED TV: 3D Hyperial Engine

Samsung launched in Korea its first 2 3D LED TV with the 7000 and 8000 Series available in 46" and 55”. Sold at 3900€ for the C8000 55” model, these TVs will also be available Worldwide and in the USA around March at around $3299 USD (what? technology is never too expensive... o.0").

But, what is 3D Hyperial Engine? Well, 3D Hyperial Engine is a system by Samsung, which automatically adjusts the image quality. With these guys, you can play videogames, watch movies or your daily TV shows, all of them in 3D... I could really use that xP.

Wow! So you just turn it on and you're in 3D world? Well, no, we're not THAT advanced. Obviously, you still need to wear special glasses in order to experience the 3D quality. These glasses are 2D and 3D capable, just by pressing one button. Not new enough for you? How about connecting to internet and making video calls? Now it is getting awesome uh? ;D.

Would you buy one of these tough guys? I don't know if it's worth the wallet pain... Well, you can always try it out at a showroom :).

Skinput: the future in your skin.

Have you ever imagined glowing figures on your skin? maybe... a tattoo? Nnno, dynamic glowing figures. Mmmmaybe a moving tattoo? Well, no, we're here to talk about technology, so take a seat, and see how tomorrow you could be playing tetris on your own skin.

The name is Skinput. It uses the body as an input surface, so your own skin can be used as a keyboard, as the buttons of your gamepad, as a tactile screen... you are the display.
The concept is by Chris Harrison, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University. He worked on the project in conjunction with Desney Tan and Dan Morris at Microsoft Research.

Skinput uses the body as an echo chamber, detecting sound trends, so when the user taps a particular part of their body, a sensor worn around the upper arm can tell if the tap-point was at a particular spot on the forearm or on one of the individual fingertips, by assessing the vibrations sent throughout the body by the tap.
The real significance of this invention has to do with the improvement for security tactic teams. With this tool, they can have more control of their equipments on the field.

This device is 95% accurate about dots detection, and most important, works even when the user is in movement.
"Skinput" is schedule to be presented at the 28th Annual SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems at Atlanta, Georgia, from April 10 - 15, 2010.

Maybe this is not new for you, or maybe you feel amazed right now. How do you think we could take advantage of this technology? What can you see in our future with things like this? I'm sure you've got something to say, so leave a comment and let's talk about it ;).