Archive for touch – Page 2

Magic Trackpad: Easy Wireless Computer Interaction

Your computer mouse sure makes your desktop works easier. Admit it, though, the mouse has a lot of limitations. For one, its efficiency depends on the surface into which it is parked. The wrong surface can render the mouse non-functional. And two, its cable dictates just where you can place the mouse. At other instances, this can be a hassle. Well, if you have a Mac computer, Apple has introduced the solution to your dilemma – the Magic Trackpad!

The Magid Trackpad is the biggest multi-touch trackpad today. It’s stylish, wireless, and it makes interaction with your computer easier and more customized – just the perfect substitute to a traditional computer mouse. First, it has a sculpted aluminum design that makes it the perfect complement to Apple’s wireless keyboard. It features a sleek, wear-resistant glass surface that makes using it more pleasurable. Second, it does away with your traditional cable with its wireless technology. It works using Bluetooth and can function efficiently as far as 33 feet away from your computer. So, you can position it anywhere you like. The device also features an on-off switch, and it can detect when you’re not using it, helping to conserve on battery. Lastly, it allows you to do a whole lot of things with its big shape. Clicking, scrolling, swiping, rotating, and more – all these are easy with the Magid Trackpad. You can customize the device as it allows you to enable and disable gestures or commands as you like through its System Preferences.

You’ll find a wide range of Apple mouse at Amazon, but the Magic Trackpad is by far the most advance of the lot.

Ford Sync: Your Friendly Road Buddy

Some traditional drivers may not like the new car innovations that give more abilities to vehicles and reduce the tasks that drivers have to handle while on the road, saying that such things produce irresponsible drivers. However, we must all admit that there are times when drivers are distracted or simply tired to pay attention to a lot more things other than the road. Giving them more things to think about may just result in accidents and mishaps. It is during these times when innovations like the Ford Sync are truly welcome.

Introduced back in 2007, the Sync is simply an in-car voice activation system that allows drivers to “talk” to their car, so to speak, and give commands that the car can perform. These include commands like “Find an auto shop” or “Call” a certain person. Back in 2007 when it was first introduced, the first-generation Sync was only able to recognize and respond to 100 commands. Now, Ford is working with Nuance Communications to increase this number to up to a hundred times. Meaning, the next-generation Sync will be able to understand 10,000 voice commands. Other than that, the new commands will be more natural so that drivers won’t need to have a hard time memorizing terms that they do not usually use. Plus, this makes the car sound more human instead of making drivers sound like robots. Lastly, different terms can already be used to refer to a single command.

The new Ford Sync will be available on the 2011 Ford Edge. This will surely make driving not only more comfortable but also safer.

NZXT Sentry LXE Fan Controller: Easy Temperature Adjustment for Undisturbed PC Experience

Love to engage in extreme computer activities in your desktop? Whether it’s 24-hour chatting or non-stop playing of computer games, you need all the support you can give your desktop to keep it from breaking down. One trouble you should avoid is desktop overheating. And for that, you need not only a functional but as well as a stylish PC fan controller – you need the NZXT Sentry LXE!

This advanced touch screen LCD display will help you control the settings of your computer fan easily – with no fuss and no hassle. It will display the temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit to keep you fully informed while you’re doing your thing. And not only that, the display is also an instant calendar as it shows the date, time, and day of the week as well. It’s easy to adjust the fan speed according to the cooling needs of your desktop with the help of 5 fan controllers. You can also customize the fan to extreme overclocking capabilities or configure it to total silence. In case you want to keep it from distracting you while you play games, simply turn it off – that’s easy with its screen on/off function. And when the temperature gets overboard, when it exceeds the set temp, you’ll be notified through an alarm.

To use the Sentry LXE, simply connect it to your PC via its PCI card interface. And while you get all these functions from this fan controller, you’ll also enjoy optimum style with the device’s brushed aluminum frame. Check out the NZXT Sentry LX at Amazon now!

LinnStrument – Roger Linn’s New Musical Concept

Are you interested in new musical instruments that go beyond the limitations of conventional ones? Roger Linn has developed an idea of a new musical instrument that isn’t just capable of making new sounds and playing techniques, but also able to duplicate the sound and virtuosic performance subtleties and capabilities of traditional music instruments devoid of their limitations and problems.
The prototype comes with a multi-touch, pressure-sensitive, high resolution USB touch surface produced by a company named TouchCo. Attached on top of this prototype is a transparent sheet that contains the name of the notes and above it is another sheet with squares cut out to offer tactile feedback of the borders between each note. There will a program that will translate the TouchCo’s proprietary USB messages into TUIO messages transmitted over OSC. Receiving the TUIO/OSC messages is a Max/MSP patch that will convert the x/y/z data into note locations, timbre, pitch, and pressure data synthesizes the sounds.

The said design also employs a fingerboard grid that’s made up of six rows of 24-semitones each, just like that of a guitar. It also contains two thumb control strips, one on every side of the fingerboard. This will be utilized in sustaining fingered notes after release, bowing, strumming, blowing, or restriking. For added expression, a wind sensor is also added. The design aims to be played on the table, using both hands and vertically positioned on your chest, with one hand playing from each side of the instrument.

New Cobra XRS 9970G and XRS 9965 Radar Detectors

Did you know that US is one of the countries in the world which allow sales of radar detectors? Yet, only 6% of drivers use one even if it is perfectly legal. The reason could be because of additional cost that will be incurred in getting one. But try to get a speeding ticket and see how much it could save you in the long run.

The new Cobra XRS 9970G and XRS 9965 are the newest radar detectors that were just unveiled at CES 2010. Cobra has specifically took into account of removing the initial hurdle of setting up the device by using an intuitive setup process of just “tap and go”. This is done with the 1.5″ touch screen display that make things hell of a lot easier. Unlike conventional radar detectors where you feel around the device to adjust things, the color touch display is very easy to use much like a GPS and you could almost control all the settings from there. Features include 14 Bands of detection, Voice Alert, POP detection and a lifetime subscription to the AURACamera and Driving Hazard Database. The AURACamera is a photo-enforced alert where you get a warning and a display of your speed whenever you are under camera surveillance. The Driving Hazard Database on the other hand has information regarding road hazards. You can update the info on your unit by just connecting it to a computer and getting the latest from the database.

It is probably the time for you not to get speeding fines anymore. Just be sure to place it right on top of your windshield near the rear view mirror instead of your dashboard.

Get a Cobra XRS here.