Technology, Gadgets, IT, Games

The boffins at Microsoft Research have given us a glimpse into their crazy minds, and into what can be done by thinking outside the box, or inside it…

This cardboard dome houses an omnidirectional projector, and it displays a spectacular view of the cosmos. But that’s not the best part. The images can be manipulated by hand gestures in the air – just like Minority Report, and you don’t even need gloves!

You may recognise the origins of this technology as Microsoft Surface – the multi-touch coffee table that’s been full of promise but hasn’t made much of an impact in the real world.  I’m not sure whether this new dome has a practical application in a commercial or home setting, but I can see a ton of uses in the defence and space industries.

I don’t suppose it’ll be too long until this thing flips inside-out and we get a gesture controlled globe for Google Earth Bing Maps.

What uses can you think of for this thing? More pictures and videos below… Read more

The Telexistence Wide-angle Immersive STEReoscope (TWISTER) is a goggle-free panoramic display aimed to ‘immerse viewers in a 3D video environment.’ Developed by a team at the University of Toyko, TWISTER is being hailed as the ‘world’s first full-color 360-degree 3D display that does not require viewers to wear special glasses,’ and it’s finally coming together after a decade of work. Within the cylindrical, rotating device, you’ll find some 50,000 LEDs that give off the illusion of a three-dimensional object without any ocular aids. Moreover, the team is already looking into the possibility of adding 3D videophone technology to spruce up video telephony, but we’d be totally content with a couple rounds of Halo in this thing.

SOURCE: PinkTentacle