So Oblong Industries is developing the g-speak spatial operating environment. Right. I was watching the two videos (below) and it’s just sick. I have no idea really how this is achieved, but it all seems a bit jiggly, but seriously… How cool is that!?

“The g-speak platform is built around free-hand, three-space gestural input. Applications are controlled by hand poses, movement and pointing. Finger and hand motion are tracked to 0.1mm at 100 hz; pointing is pixel-accurate. Two-handed and multi-user input are fully supported.“

g-speak overview 1828121108 from john underkoffler on Vimeo.

G-Speak is supposed to offer “solutions to real-world problems” including:

• analysis of large data sets
• operation of three-dimensional interfaces
• construction of efficient multi-user collaborative applications
• integration of large screens and multiple computers into room- and building-scale work environments
• development of large-scale applications that run interactively across enterprise networks

luminous room demos from john underkoffler on Vimeo.

The platform, that runs on Linux and Mac, is apparently already in active use at Fortune 50 companies, government agencies, and universities. Here’s a list of application areas:

• Financial services
• Telepresence
• Network operations centers
• Logistics and supply chain management
• Military and intelligence
• Automotive
• Natural resource exploration
• Data mining and analytics
• Medical imaging
• High-touch retail
• Trade shows and theatrical presentations
• Consumer electronics interfaces

I can’t say I understand what all this mean in practice, but it sounds legit. What I would love to see is a hands-on video from either of the above mentioned institutes where someone actually puts this to use with an intent. Maybe we could see a true purpose of this, one we can understand. But for now, I guess it’s all wow-and-awe.

More at oblong.com, CrunchGear and Engadget

Starts off pretty good huh? OK, before you read any further, don’t get your hopes up. This device doesn’t exist. But please, read on.

You have the voice translator, for those international business meetings. The Pomegranate Phone NS08 gives you an opportunity to save money not having to bring that translator of yours who always drinks all the coffee.

Oh, but wait! You don’t ever again have to be without your caffeine fix again. The Pomegranate Phone NS08 got you covered. Just make sure you bring a couple of those single brew packets and you’re set. The ultimate mobile coffee making device.

So what is this? Well, it’s not a mobile device. It’s an advertisement for Nova Scotia…

Thanks Greg for the tip!

Well there we go! Greenhouse Effect problem solved! Or isn’t it? The French company MDI (Moteur Development International) are promoting their prototype AirPod One, a car that runs on compressed air. It can carry four people, three adults and one child and gets you roughly 125 miles (200 kilometers) if you believe the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, or about 62 miles (100 kilometers) according to Engagdet, with a maximum speed of 43 mph (70 km/h). MDI’s own website (Google Translated, it’s in French. Original web page) hints 200 kilometers with “it does not cost a Euro per 200 km“, but it doesn’t say an actual range.

I can’t but remember the episode Smug Alert! from the TV show South Park. I wonder what this will do to the beautiful city of San Fransisco… No, but seriously, could this be the ultimate Geekmobile? Either way, it’s a fantastic gadget.

It runs on compressed air, using a piston just like a fuel injection engine. Only, instead of adding gasoline or diesel and igniting it, it charges it with compressed air, pushing the piston just like the explosion would. “Fueling up” the car supposedly takes two minutes using dedicated stations, but it can also be reloaded at home using an air compressor, but it would take longer to do in that case.

Last time I was in Los Angeles, CA a couple of months ago, I was watching the news and they said that driving had decreased significantly, like 8% between June 2008 and June 2008, most likely due to the fuel prices skyrocketing. And that the use of public transportation had increased by like 20% or something like that (my memory might be failing me on this data, please don’t hold it against me). I also noticed that many more people where driving the Toyota Prius, which made me happy. Hot dang, if people aren’t smartening up indeed? Maybe my children will live to see their children enjoy too see what I’m seeing through the windows of my office… Inspiration for a brighter, cleaner future. The human way, in geek terms.

Via Aftonbladet, Engadget and MDI

Brando’s new “Super Tiny Keyboard” — yes, that is the name of the product, clever ey? — is… well, a super tiny QWERTY keyboard. Now, even though every nerve in my body says “Buy it! Look at it! Just look at it, you need it!”, I fail to see the actual purpose for this thing. Brando says:

Super Tiny Keyboard is tiny, slim, portable and functional that you do not have to worry about bringing those traditional, big and heavy keyboard when you are traveling.

And I suppose that both make sense and is to some extent true. But really, how are you supposed to type on this thing? I could see you holding it as a PDA, typing with your thumbs. I admit, my fingers are probably bigger than average, but still… I fail to see the purpose of this beauty.

With a price tag or merely $25, I suppose I could get one just to confirm my theory, and to still my geek nerve with a quick fix. It also comes with a handy retractable USB cable which is nice. No word on any other language layouts though.

It’s so nice to see there’s movement on the VoIP front these days. Considering the mobile market and its progression the last few years, one might presume it might move towards a full share hold of the market. Even functionality aside with it’s big touchscreen, this device truly look amazing.

OpenPeak Inc., today announced a production-ready version of its OpenFrame™ IP media phone platform based on the low-power Intel® Atom™ processor. Designed to drive new revenues for service providers, the OpenFrame device converges voice, data, video and mobile into a single touchscreen-based home communications center that can dramatically simplify everyday family and media interactions.

Read more at openpeak.com.