Jessie Atkin posted a new blog on Digital Landing about the USB shaped like a credit card.
Because USB flash drives weren’t easy enough to carry around in the first place Top tech has designed a new travel style drive for everyone.
Slim Data is a USB drive as a card. That’s right, it’s like having another credit card, except this one folds in half to reveal the USB and attach to any Windows, Mac, or Linux machine. There are five colors at 4GB and $25 each (not a huge price difference compared to your average flash drive.
Flash drives are all travel size, but if you’re walking around with a wallet in your pocket anyway save your other pocket space and add your USB drive to your already full pocket. Just hope that card doesn’t get lost amongst the other hundreds or cards already bursting in your wallet.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Gaming for Reality
Jessie Atkin posted a new blog on Digital Landing about the latest in active video gaming technology, featuring the Tony Hawk skateboard.
Video games are all about being up and active now, and that’s exactly what the new Tony Hawk game is striving to do.
Tony Hawk Ride will include a motion sensing skateboard controller for more realistic action in this latest sports game. The board is shaped just like a skateboard without wheels. A more realistic form of what’s already being attempted on Wii Fit games the Tony Hawk board boasts the most detailed controls yet for an action sports game. Forget just leaning back and forth, the board can spin, and you can push off, you can even design how realistic you want your own experience to be.
Bringing reality to the virtual gaming world is all the rage right now and hopefully it’ll stay that way for awhile, because its been working out pretty well so far.
Video games are all about being up and active now, and that’s exactly what the new Tony Hawk game is striving to do.
Tony Hawk Ride will include a motion sensing skateboard controller for more realistic action in this latest sports game. The board is shaped just like a skateboard without wheels. A more realistic form of what’s already being attempted on Wii Fit games the Tony Hawk board boasts the most detailed controls yet for an action sports game. Forget just leaning back and forth, the board can spin, and you can push off, you can even design how realistic you want your own experience to be.
Bringing reality to the virtual gaming world is all the rage right now and hopefully it’ll stay that way for awhile, because its been working out pretty well so far.
New College Job–Twintern
Chris McGinn posted a new blog on Digital Landing about the creation of the job title, "twintern".
Social networks are changing our lives and they are also changing the jobs we do. Enter the twintern or the intern whose job is to update the company’s Twitter page.
Pizza Hut’s twintern spends the day updating the company’s posts, monitoring comments and keeping an eye out for mentions of the company on other tweets. Not a bad gig if you can get it.
As someone who used to work in a PR department and who had the job of keeping an eye out for mentions of the company, I know how time consuming these tasks can be. As new outlets for media are formed (from Facebook to Twitter and You Tube) the work multiplies. Companies are smart to find extra hands to do the work but as one article online wondered, is it a good idea to put an intern in charge of your company’s message in such a popular forum?
Who knows what jobs will be available by the time my children are entering the workforce–Facebook relationship manager, Cloud computing Czar, Twitter analyst . . . and a million more I can only dream of.
Social networks are changing our lives and they are also changing the jobs we do. Enter the twintern or the intern whose job is to update the company’s Twitter page.
Pizza Hut’s twintern spends the day updating the company’s posts, monitoring comments and keeping an eye out for mentions of the company on other tweets. Not a bad gig if you can get it.
As someone who used to work in a PR department and who had the job of keeping an eye out for mentions of the company, I know how time consuming these tasks can be. As new outlets for media are formed (from Facebook to Twitter and You Tube) the work multiplies. Companies are smart to find extra hands to do the work but as one article online wondered, is it a good idea to put an intern in charge of your company’s message in such a popular forum?
Who knows what jobs will be available by the time my children are entering the workforce–Facebook relationship manager, Cloud computing Czar, Twitter analyst . . . and a million more I can only dream of.
A Game of Direction
Jessie Atkin posted a new blog on Digital Landing. Read about a GPS game for kids.
GPS isn’t just for those 16 and up anymore, it’s been awhile since GPS was only used for driving directions.
Now there’s a GPS specifically designed for the young (and the young at heart I guess too). Geomate Jr. is a GPS at its most basic, it gives directions on where to go. It’s not about getting kids to school or to a friend’s house it’s a game in and of itself. The Geomate Jr. is like a tech hand held treasure hunt.
The GPS comes uploaded with the location of thousands of caches (or locations with small trinkets of log books) for you to find. Take a treat, sign a logbook, it’s all in good fun, and you don’t have to download your own information. I suggest keeping a close eye on kids, wandering off along with the Geomate it probably not the best idea, I don’t think there are backtracking directions.
GPS isn’t just for those 16 and up anymore, it’s been awhile since GPS was only used for driving directions.
Now there’s a GPS specifically designed for the young (and the young at heart I guess too). Geomate Jr. is a GPS at its most basic, it gives directions on where to go. It’s not about getting kids to school or to a friend’s house it’s a game in and of itself. The Geomate Jr. is like a tech hand held treasure hunt.
The GPS comes uploaded with the location of thousands of caches (or locations with small trinkets of log books) for you to find. Take a treat, sign a logbook, it’s all in good fun, and you don’t have to download your own information. I suggest keeping a close eye on kids, wandering off along with the Geomate it probably not the best idea, I don’t think there are backtracking directions.
My Secret Circle for Girls
Chris McGinn posted a new blog on Digital Landing. Read about a social networking site for girl tweens.
Tween clothier Justice is launching a new girls-only social networking site–My Secret Circle.
With a nod to Internet cautious parents, this site is the “only secure social networking site for girls.” Designed for girls 8-12, the site is a place where they can create private friendship circles without the advertising and exposure of other social networking sites.
An access key gives your child access to journal, instant message, share pictures and even voice chat via the site. She adds her “real-life friends” to her circle via access keys that are generated based on her own password key.
Access keys and chat head sets are available for purchase but there are no other additional fees or subscriptions required.
Tween clothier Justice is launching a new girls-only social networking site–My Secret Circle.
With a nod to Internet cautious parents, this site is the “only secure social networking site for girls.” Designed for girls 8-12, the site is a place where they can create private friendship circles without the advertising and exposure of other social networking sites.
An access key gives your child access to journal, instant message, share pictures and even voice chat via the site. She adds her “real-life friends” to her circle via access keys that are generated based on her own password key.
Access keys and chat head sets are available for purchase but there are no other additional fees or subscriptions required.
A Good Night’s Sleep
Chris McGinn posted a new blog on Digital Landing. Read about the zeo, a device designed to help you sleep better.
I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in 16 months (actually make that about 20 months since the last four months of my pregnancy were no bed of roses). However, my lack of sleep has a definite trigger–my still not sleeping son. For many people, they don’t have such a clear reason for their sleeplessness or even know that they aren’t getting all the rest they should.
A new technology–Zeo–”the world’s first science-based sleep educational tool and coaching program.” The system consists of a lightweight Zeo Headband, the Zeo Bedside Display, an interactive Web site at www.myZeo.com and the 7 Step Sleep Fitness™ Program.
You wear the headband as you sleep and it transmits real-time data to the bedside display about your sleep trends. In the morning you can view a sleep graph showing their personal sleep data, including total time slept, the amount of time it took to fall asleep, the time awake in the middle of the night and the total amount of REM, Light and Deep sleep
The display also has an optional SmartWake™ alarm feature that will look for a “natural awakening point” based on your sleep patterns to decrease the grogginess associated with waking from Deep sleep. (I need this!)
One the website users can combine their sleep data with lifestyle elements like caffeine use and stress to get a more accurate picture of their sleep habits. The final components is a coaching program with specific recommendations to meet your sleep goals based on your personal needs.
The system is available beginning at $399.
I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in 16 months (actually make that about 20 months since the last four months of my pregnancy were no bed of roses). However, my lack of sleep has a definite trigger–my still not sleeping son. For many people, they don’t have such a clear reason for their sleeplessness or even know that they aren’t getting all the rest they should.
A new technology–Zeo–”the world’s first science-based sleep educational tool and coaching program.” The system consists of a lightweight Zeo Headband, the Zeo Bedside Display, an interactive Web site at www.myZeo.com and the 7 Step Sleep Fitness™ Program.
You wear the headband as you sleep and it transmits real-time data to the bedside display about your sleep trends. In the morning you can view a sleep graph showing their personal sleep data, including total time slept, the amount of time it took to fall asleep, the time awake in the middle of the night and the total amount of REM, Light and Deep sleep
The display also has an optional SmartWake™ alarm feature that will look for a “natural awakening point” based on your sleep patterns to decrease the grogginess associated with waking from Deep sleep. (I need this!)
One the website users can combine their sleep data with lifestyle elements like caffeine use and stress to get a more accurate picture of their sleep habits. The final components is a coaching program with specific recommendations to meet your sleep goals based on your personal needs.
The system is available beginning at $399.
But a Moment
Jessie Atkin posted a new blog on Digital Landing about how July 8th held a moment in history.
Tomorrow is July 8th. It’s not a holiday, it’s just a Wednesday, but it’s also a historical event. Tomorrow, at a little past 12:34 pm, will be the moment the world can call 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9. More precisely it will be 12:34 and 56 seconds on 7/8/09. How cool is that?
It’s not going to screw up any computers like the fabled Y2K, it’s just fun. So get out your most technologically advanced timepiece, and celebrate a historic moment that comes around once in forever, just because it’s cool.
Tomorrow is July 8th. It’s not a holiday, it’s just a Wednesday, but it’s also a historical event. Tomorrow, at a little past 12:34 pm, will be the moment the world can call 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9. More precisely it will be 12:34 and 56 seconds on 7/8/09. How cool is that?
It’s not going to screw up any computers like the fabled Y2K, it’s just fun. So get out your most technologically advanced timepiece, and celebrate a historic moment that comes around once in forever, just because it’s cool.
Building Additions
Jessie Atkin posted a blog on Digital Landing about the Lego USB hub.
We all love USB drives, USB cords, USB anything, but most computers don’t come with quite enough USB ports for anyone’s taste. That’s why the Lego themed USB hub sounds like such an excellent idea.
Lego remains a popular design theme in the world of gadgetry (whether or not the devices are actually branded by Lego). This USB hub would look no less attractive than any of the other brick related gadgets on the market today. It doesn’t appear to be available in America just yet, but I’m sure it’s on its way. It’s popularity and necessity just doesn’t com into question, who doesn’t love Legos?
We all love USB drives, USB cords, USB anything, but most computers don’t come with quite enough USB ports for anyone’s taste. That’s why the Lego themed USB hub sounds like such an excellent idea.
Lego remains a popular design theme in the world of gadgetry (whether or not the devices are actually branded by Lego). This USB hub would look no less attractive than any of the other brick related gadgets on the market today. It doesn’t appear to be available in America just yet, but I’m sure it’s on its way. It’s popularity and necessity just doesn’t com into question, who doesn’t love Legos?
Kindle DX in time for hitting the books this fall
Chris McGinn posted a new blog on Digital Landing about the launch of the new and improved Kindle, known as the Kindle DX.
Kindle DX is the beefier version of Amazon’s Kindle reader. Compared to the traditional Kindle it is larger (9.7″ vs. 6″ diagonal), holds more books (3,500 vs. 1,500) and is more expensive ($489 vs $359).
Another important difference is that the Kindle DX has an auto-rotating screen that allows you to view full screen maps, graphs, tables, web pages, etc. This is especially important to on of the primary audiences for this device–college students who are using them in place of traditional textbooks.
Technology is changing education in many ways. This is just one more step in the journey. Six universities Arizona State University, Case Western Reserve University, Pace University, Princeton, Reed College and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia will participate in DX pilot studies.
Would you pick Kindle over traditional textbooks?
Kindle DX is the beefier version of Amazon’s Kindle reader. Compared to the traditional Kindle it is larger (9.7″ vs. 6″ diagonal), holds more books (3,500 vs. 1,500) and is more expensive ($489 vs $359).
Another important difference is that the Kindle DX has an auto-rotating screen that allows you to view full screen maps, graphs, tables, web pages, etc. This is especially important to on of the primary audiences for this device–college students who are using them in place of traditional textbooks.
Technology is changing education in many ways. This is just one more step in the journey. Six universities Arizona State University, Case Western Reserve University, Pace University, Princeton, Reed College and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia will participate in DX pilot studies.
Would you pick Kindle over traditional textbooks?
Fun for the Fourth
Jessie Atkin posted a blog on Digital Landing about the virtual fireworks developed by the Japanese.
It’s been raining everyday at my house for about the past week, which makes me very wary of the picnics and such planned for tomorrow’s Fourth of July celebration. Tech to the rescue again it seems (for next year anyway).
Sega, beginning in the month of August, will release Uchiage Hanabi in Japan. It’s a projector that puts on a fireworks show in your home on any wall or ceiling. It comes with sound effects and programmed shows, but also with the option to design your own fireworks and make your own show. It may start out in Japan, but we love our fireworks here in the US of A and tomorrow will showcase that. I don’t doubt that projected fireworks will eventually reach our soil, and I don’t doubt that real fireworks, rain or shine, will be seen tomorrow night.
It’s been raining everyday at my house for about the past week, which makes me very wary of the picnics and such planned for tomorrow’s Fourth of July celebration. Tech to the rescue again it seems (for next year anyway).
Sega, beginning in the month of August, will release Uchiage Hanabi in Japan. It’s a projector that puts on a fireworks show in your home on any wall or ceiling. It comes with sound effects and programmed shows, but also with the option to design your own fireworks and make your own show. It may start out in Japan, but we love our fireworks here in the US of A and tomorrow will showcase that. I don’t doubt that projected fireworks will eventually reach our soil, and I don’t doubt that real fireworks, rain or shine, will be seen tomorrow night.
Zoom Safer
Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing about a program to help you stop using your phone while you drive.
Driving while texting, emailing or talking on the phone is not only potentially hazardous it is also against the law in an increasing number of states. According to Zoom Safer:
“A recent study by the University of Kansas Transportation Research Institute claims that cell phone users are 5.36 times more likely to get in an accident than undistracted drivers.”
Zoom Safer offers a free software download to help you control what your mobile devices will and won’t do while you drive. The software activates while you are driving (not exactly sure how :)) and can block incoming calls and texts according to your preference. It can also send text or messages to selectively notify others where you are.
Other premium options allow for voice-based access to texting, Twitter, emails and more or control options for organizations or parents to set boundaries or limits.
Driving while texting, emailing or talking on the phone is not only potentially hazardous it is also against the law in an increasing number of states. According to Zoom Safer:
“A recent study by the University of Kansas Transportation Research Institute claims that cell phone users are 5.36 times more likely to get in an accident than undistracted drivers.”
Zoom Safer offers a free software download to help you control what your mobile devices will and won’t do while you drive. The software activates while you are driving (not exactly sure how :)) and can block incoming calls and texts according to your preference. It can also send text or messages to selectively notify others where you are.
Other premium options allow for voice-based access to texting, Twitter, emails and more or control options for organizations or parents to set boundaries or limits.
Goodbye Microsoft Money
Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing about the loss of the Microsoft Money program.
I’ve written in the past about using online services for money management. I’m certainly not alone. My favorite money blogger J.D. over at Get Rich Slowly posted that the long-standing Microsoft Money program is no longer available due to lack of demand.
He gives a list of 16 online alternatives. I didn’t know there were so many. Most of them do basically the same thing but with a variety of safety features, budgeting options and interfaces.
I’ve written in the past about using online services for money management. I’m certainly not alone. My favorite money blogger J.D. over at Get Rich Slowly posted that the long-standing Microsoft Money program is no longer available due to lack of demand.
He gives a list of 16 online alternatives. I didn’t know there were so many. Most of them do basically the same thing but with a variety of safety features, budgeting options and interfaces.
A Movie of Convenience
Jessie Atkin posted a blog on Digital Landing about the new site that lets you in on where the boring parts of new movie releases will happen.
We all know and love Fandango. We can buy tickets (most importantly) but also read reviews. More popular review sites include Rotten Tomatoes (they’re usually pretty accurate in their ratings). Now there’s a new site that goes one step further in its reviews.
Runpee.com doesn’t care if the movie’s great or not, it wants the experience to be enjoyable. In that sense this site does something no one else does, they screen for the most appropriate times in any new releases to run to the bathroom. They list both the time (how long the movie’s been running) as well as the line/scene you’re waiting for before you run out. That’s right, sometimes with that extra large Pepsi there just isn’t a chance you’re gonna make it to the end. But hey, you’ve checked Rotten Tomatoes and you know the movie’s good. Well Runpee makes sure you only miss the less than necessary parts. How convenient.
We all know and love Fandango. We can buy tickets (most importantly) but also read reviews. More popular review sites include Rotten Tomatoes (they’re usually pretty accurate in their ratings). Now there’s a new site that goes one step further in its reviews.
Runpee.com doesn’t care if the movie’s great or not, it wants the experience to be enjoyable. In that sense this site does something no one else does, they screen for the most appropriate times in any new releases to run to the bathroom. They list both the time (how long the movie’s been running) as well as the line/scene you’re waiting for before you run out. That’s right, sometimes with that extra large Pepsi there just isn’t a chance you’re gonna make it to the end. But hey, you’ve checked Rotten Tomatoes and you know the movie’s good. Well Runpee makes sure you only miss the less than necessary parts. How convenient.
Laser Version
Jessie Atkin posted a blog on Digital Landing about the latest update in laser tag for the kids at home.
Laser tag remains a staple in the game department for every kid, it’s about time we saw another development in the at home version of the activity.
Spy Lazer Chase is laser tag meets Spiderman. Forget dragging bulky plastic lasers around the house, all you need now is a wrist guard that fires when you clench your fist. The set also keeps track of how many of your five lives remain while you play. The set is about $30 (the best games usually include more than one set though, and thus more than two people).
This version doesn’t come with the average chest plate (usually part of the at home laser tag package) so hits will probably be a little more off and a little less accurate. But it’s never really that accurate, cheating by covering the chest plate has always been a dominant part of the game too.
Laser tag remains a staple in the game department for every kid, it’s about time we saw another development in the at home version of the activity.
Spy Lazer Chase is laser tag meets Spiderman. Forget dragging bulky plastic lasers around the house, all you need now is a wrist guard that fires when you clench your fist. The set also keeps track of how many of your five lives remain while you play. The set is about $30 (the best games usually include more than one set though, and thus more than two people).
This version doesn’t come with the average chest plate (usually part of the at home laser tag package) so hits will probably be a little more off and a little less accurate. But it’s never really that accurate, cheating by covering the chest plate has always been a dominant part of the game too.
Playful Design
Jessie Atkin posted a blog on Digital Landing about a cool new game that lets you create the games you want to play.
Nintendo is a Japanese video game company, so it makes sense that some of its most creative games would start off on the other side of the world. Made in Ore is just such a game.
Made in Ore is a game for Nintendo Gameboy DS. The game is especially cool because it’s not just a game you play it’s a game you create. Ore lets you create any number of mini games, comics, and music you can then share them with friends, play them on the Wii, or upload them to Nintendo online. Creativity is key in the gamin market and this doesn’t seem like a bad place for people to start. Hey, whichever kid plays Ore and loves it may end up creating the next Halo or Guitar Hero in a couple years. Unfortunately, at the moment, the game is only available in Japan.
Nintendo is a Japanese video game company, so it makes sense that some of its most creative games would start off on the other side of the world. Made in Ore is just such a game.
Made in Ore is a game for Nintendo Gameboy DS. The game is especially cool because it’s not just a game you play it’s a game you create. Ore lets you create any number of mini games, comics, and music you can then share them with friends, play them on the Wii, or upload them to Nintendo online. Creativity is key in the gamin market and this doesn’t seem like a bad place for people to start. Hey, whichever kid plays Ore and loves it may end up creating the next Halo or Guitar Hero in a couple years. Unfortunately, at the moment, the game is only available in Japan.
Why? Why? Why?
Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing about an online service that can help you answer all your kids questions about life.
Any parent of a preschooler knows the drill? Why is the sky blue? Why do we have to wear shoes? Why are oranges orange? The endless list of questions can become mind-numbing.
I just stumbled upon Whyzz – a website that helps parents answer kids’ “whyzz, whatzz and howzz” with child-friendly answers. From simple questions like “where do rabbits live?” to more complex issues like the recent Iranian elections or same-sex marriage, the site is an interesting place to find answers to questions your kids ask–whatever their ages.
Whyzz is also available on-the-go on your mobile.
Found via Mashable
Any parent of a preschooler knows the drill? Why is the sky blue? Why do we have to wear shoes? Why are oranges orange? The endless list of questions can become mind-numbing.
I just stumbled upon Whyzz – a website that helps parents answer kids’ “whyzz, whatzz and howzz” with child-friendly answers. From simple questions like “where do rabbits live?” to more complex issues like the recent Iranian elections or same-sex marriage, the site is an interesting place to find answers to questions your kids ask–whatever their ages.
Whyzz is also available on-the-go on your mobile.
Found via Mashable
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