iPad Coming to Verizon Wireless on October 28th

While this is no where near as gigantic as a Verizon iPhone 5 deal would’ve been, it still is rather news-worthy: Apple’s smartphone-and-notebook-bridging gadget – the iPad – will be offered by Verizon Wireless and AT&T in the US starting 28th October.
In a press release, Verizon said:

Verizon will be selling the iPad in three bundles which will differ by storage capacity: a 16GB for $629, the 32GB for $729 and the 64GB version for $829. All three bundles include a Wi-Fi only iPad + Verizon’s 3G-based Mobile Hotspot MiFi which can connect up to 5 Wi-Fi gadgets simultaneously. VZW will also offer the iPads stand-alone i.e. without the MiFi.

This is not contract-based. You’ll be paying $20 per month for a 1GB allowance (pretty low considering you get 2GB with AT&T’s 25$ 3G deal).

AT&T will also start offering the iPad with the exact same rates on the exact same date. AT&T’s iPads will be WiFi + 3G sans the external hotspot.

The iPad will be available from Verizon and AT&T stores across the nation on 28th October. Are you getting one?

Sony PlayStation 3 vs Gaming PC

As a response to an article published by Softpedia News a few days ago one of our readers has dropped a few lines. The question was if the PC can compete with new generation gaming consoles. Here is his opinion:

You are well, probably not looking at this from the PC angle. This may go on for a little bit but it covers a lot of good ranting grounds in regards to video games, and if you start to read it, then finish it or you won’t get what I’m trying to say.

Most assuredly PC gaming will never die, especially when the consoles are just like stockcar PC’s. My PC is very close to the specs of the PS3. The differences are small such as:

I have one gig of RAM (though in a week will have 2 gigs of PC 4400) the PS3 has some ware around 256, though the new architecture is nice, it still isn’t that much, especially for the little things like bodies and shell casings on the ground.

Also the CPU clocks faster than mine and the CELL CPU is a nice piece of technology for size and price, but the AMD FX-55 even at 2.6 GHz still owns it with its 1.5 MB cache, which is the thing that counts the most in games; though it doesn’t own it by much. My 6800 ultra is apparently less so than the PS3′s but with the new 6800 ultra that has 512 MB of DDR3 RAM, that will more than make up for the slower clock speed, and if I had the money to waist I would get an SLI deck and be about 3-4 times faster than the PlayStation3 GPU.

Online doesn’t matter much, just who ever your ISP is, but PC’s are upgradeable in ways that can help as well.

Interface wise is all a matter of opinion, I was raised on the keyboard, so that is my preference, but I more than understand that an equal or more amounts of people were raised on the controller. Even in respects to that, the variety of PC controllers don’t sit at the keyboard and mouse, variety from something alike a PlayStation 3 controller to a laser mouse in the model of a gun turning any FPS into a really violent version of duck hunt. Though I have to say the controller looks like I could hit people with it, and maybe toss it and have it come back to me.

Games are a real to be decided category but now that consoles like the PlayStation 3 have

caught up to the PC, console ports wont make my skin crawl, in fact gaming will be better in general for every one. Though the PlayStation 3 for the first year or so will probably have more releases than the PC as always, the new technology will make porting the game a near one click process, and not the back breaking process that it is to make a good cross console game these days.

Never the less, I can only wait on this, but releases for the PC will be very well planed out as they usually are (PC exclusive releases that is). But the PS3 may have a lot of crap games released, either way it will still have the good ones, that will match up to what PC games can do for the most part of the first year or so it is out.

Open ends: despite the new consoles internet access and the ability to mod it out on the PC and drop it backinto the console, it will never be as open ended as the PC. Consoles are still regulated by the corporations that birth them; the worst example of this is the Xbox 360. (I’m going to call it the Xbox 2 probably once or twice so don’t hold it against me) The new Xbox has an ability to mod out things, then upload them and sell them for a buck or so, they call it “mini transactions” doesn’t really matter, introducing mods, tweaks, and or home made maps in the same realm as money is a horrible idea, and knowing Microsoft, it will only expand further into something much worse, and that is bound to affect me as a PC gamer. PC’s are a compilation of what tools are provided, and what tools exist that you can find on the net, whatever it takes to mod it, mess with it, or run it better; The consoles will no doubt be regulated to the core as to protect its copy rights, or worse.

Longevity is also an issue that PC’s own at. By the time the PlayStation 3 is released out in 2006, My PC that is neck and neck to it now, will be leagues ahead of it, either in just additions, or maybe in some new jump in technology. The PlayStation 3 or any new console will stay as it is and grow older and older and will be rinse repeats till the new consoles come out.

Its just too bad the PC games get consolitus towards the end of a consoles life, though there are a few games out there in this twilight period (for the Xbox and PS 2 this was started about 2 years ago until now where PC gamers feel the terrible effects at its worse of the out of date console games).

Game concepts, PC games will have the real time strategy to boast over the consoles, just as consoles will have fighting games over the PC. RPG’s are at a crossroads, mutually Morrowind and for the new consoles Oblivion (Xbox 360 maybe but PlayStation 3 is in the picture because Microsoft wont bend to Bethesda’s needs in order to port it to the Xbox Live system since it is released in chunks as they finish them); any how, Oblivion is sort of the part were RPG is good on both the console and the PC in an even way, this is probably due to Bethesda’s part in both development and publishing, giving it an unbiased view over PC or console, no need to make it any different when it doesn’t have to be.

Another aspect of concepts is that of just the game, this is just a common thing since it is real all up to the developer and as long as that developer isn’t an Ubisoft related one, the game is the same for all the systems it is released on, unless hardware is an issue.

In conclusion, the PC isn’t disappearing, its getting better, It may cost a lot to compete on the front lines for the first year or two with the consoles, but this isn’t much if you are already a PC gamer though in the end it is a lot more money than the consoles are. You get what you pay for though and for those whose life is entrenched in video games, or for those who want the best of the best experience, the PC is still and will always be the way to go.

But in defense of the consoles, for those who aren’t 3,000 dollars into video games, and want a good premium yet depreciative gaming experience, then by all means go to the consoles, the important thing is that you are frying your brain with mind numbing violence. The problems come when you hurt the other systems out of pure bullsh-t like what Microsoft has been doing with both its Windows XP monopoly hurting gaming performance, to releasing certain games in a series on the PC and not the sequel or so on. Let’s not even talk about the screwing they pulled on the PS2.

I understand the world of economics, and I also know that alienating people isn’t the way to get them to comply. Attempting to force someone into a situation to buy a product by handicapping others ability to compete is a poor practice, and the Oil companies are finding this out, so will Microsoft hopefully with the PlayStation 3′s massive upshot past it. If people would just make their system a better product in order to get sales instead of pulling legal bs on the competitors ability to compete or just spreading crap around about the opfor.

Fortunately the PC isn’t a competitor company which puts us out of the way, but that also makes people think we don’t exist, or where this whole thing started, The PC market is huge, and if you make a game worth buying for us it will fly off the shelves, look at Half-Life 2 (despite in store copies having bugs).

Also its good to see games like Far Cry sell what they deserve now, Doom3, Raven-shield, BFV and BF 1942, Ghost Recon, COD, Morrowind, Max Payne; PC copies all sold in the millions of each of these games, even though some have console ports still. The PC market is no midget; you just have to have something worthmoney (unlike PARIAH). With this new generation of games coming out, suddenly something is worth money, and PC copies will sell, as well as will the console ones, and the corporations will make the maximum profit since they are expanding all potentials.

It breaks down into if the game is good. Good games will get good reviews, and that will cause people to want to buy it. Not cause its a PlayStation 3 game or a PC game, cause it doesn’t suck, and they will by it for what ever suits them best, so make your console suitable (which Sony defiantly has) and make products.

PC’s aren’t in the race because the consoles have something over them, they aren’t even in the same league (imagine consoles are NASCAR and PC’s are Formula 1 racers. The end result is that the drivers are still crazy mother f—-s that love driving fast as hell.

PC and consoles are the same only with video games. The only difference that 2006 will bring is that the stockcars will be a hell of a lot better than they were last year, it still doesn’t stop the F1 racing or replace it, and it never will.

World's longest cable car line opens to Armenia

Gathered in Armenia's southern mountains near the border with Iran, guests including President Serzh Sarkisian and the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karekin II, took part as the cable car link launched its first official voyage over the Vorotan River Gorge.

The link will allow year-round access to Armenia's ninth-century Tatev monastery complex, one of the country's most important religious centres and a major tourist attraction.

At the opening ceremony, Sarkisian said the link was of "exceptional importance for Tatev and the surrounding region" and praised the project for overcoming the many difficulties involved in construction.

"This cable car line shows that even dreams that seem unrealistic can be realised with faith and purpose," he said.

Karekin II said the launch of the link was an important step in restoring access to "a centuries-old holy shrine which was a place of pilgrimage from apostolic times."

"Through its beauty and stunning construction the monastery at Tatev is among the exceptional creations of Armenian architecture which for centuries has been a vibrant centre of Armenian spiritual life, science and culture," he said.

Yahoo! summit focuses on battling cyber bullies

A capacity crowd of 200 people at Yahoo!'s fourth annual Digital Citizenship Summit were given a peek at a "Generation Safe" program being readied for distribution by iKeepSafe.org.

"It's a road map for school communities to identify and address children at risk," Yahoo! director of child safety Catherine Teitelbaum said of the program. "There is a role to be played by everyone in a child's life."

High-profile cases of students killing themselves after being tormented or humiliated by cyber bullies pushed the topic to the top of the summit agenda.

"Kids' online and offline lives have merged; it is their real life and when something goes wrong they feel real pain," Teitelbaum said.

As technology firmly grips young lifestyles, students are apt to send out cries for help in Twitter tweets, Facebook updates, instant messages, emails or other Internet Age expressions of what they are thinking or feeling.

Adults in children's lives should befriend them at social networks and "follow" their comments at the hot microblogging service, according to summit goers.

"You have to be there with them," Teitelbaum said. "Parents should use services their kids are using. If you don't know how, ask your child to show you their world."

Adults can try to keep children grounded in the real world with limits such as barring mobile phones during dinner or laptops in bed.

"We used to advise keeping the computer in the most highly-trafficked part of the house, but with the advance of super-powered mobile phones all that advice goes out the window," Teitelbaum said.

"Now, while kids may know the technology better than you, you are the adult and have life experience extremely valuable to their technology use."

While old-time bullying usually could be left behind in some place like a school yard, cyber bullying is broadly and repeatedly shared online making the harm deeper and more lasting, according to summit attendees.

US President Barack Obama on Thursday said his "heart breaks" when he reads about the case of a young man at Rutgers University who committed suicide after a fellow student posted footage of his liaison with another male student on the Internet.

He condemned the "harassment and bullying that just completely gets out of hand" and said his administration was talking about measures to make young people feel safer and called on universities to do more.

Nokia N8, the first TV ad for the Nokia N8

The Nokia N8 smartphone is a grate smartphone. This is a reason for Nokia to promote the N8 with the first tv ad. Machinery advertising for Nokia N8 is already underway. The first announcement that Nokia has made to promote your Nokia N8 in television has been unveiled, and surprisingly, do not bet a parade of the interesting features of this mobile touch. At least not so explicitly. By contrast, in this video the company Finnish turns your Nokia N8 at the tip of the iceberg of a trajectory of pitches in which the mobile is just becoming an extension of the creativity of the user. “It is not technology, is you do with it”is the message that brandishes the Nordic multinational. With this in mind, Nokia takes a humble approach that seeks to exploit the extreme promotion of any of the features of your Nokia N8, as the twelve-megapixel camera (the most powerful of the market). Yes, though not explicit boast, it does warn some of the benefits of the Nokia N8 in this announcement. In addition to showing its 3.5-inch screen, is verified that the accelerometer (the sensor that detects the movement of mobile and interprets it in screen) can be very helpful if we know how to exploit its possibilities. In fact, in the notice a skateboard skater (Nokia N8) is used to measure the turns and tricks he does with his skateboard (previously incorporated into the scooter).

In fact, all the “inventions” that are displayed in the Nokia N8 ad are real applications that electronics hobbyists have been developed using a Nokia mobile as part of development. Even though hard to believe (and not amazing, but amazing), the battery charger that recharges the movement generates a hamster on a wheel.

RIM ready to find the papers on his Tablet BlackBerry

If the opportunity should be the official BlackBerry DevCon in San Francisco, then the beginning of next week all the details on the tablet of the Canadian RIM. The event will be held 27 to 30 September 2010 will be preceded by a keynote address by RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis that the present BlackBerry tablet with other partners such as Citrix, which intervene to promote products and services to support the same when it is available on the market.

About this aspect, according to the latest entries RIM should begin shipping by the end of November to be in time for Christmas sales. Unconfirmed reports have also emerged about the actual name that will indicate the device and could be BlackPad or SurfBook, both entered into in recent months thanks to RIM.

With regard to technical specifications, the tablet should have a 7-inch screen, a camera or two and ARM processor 1GHz probably supplied by Marvell. Internet access is provided by a Wi-Fi as to take advantage of 3G connections will need to use a terminal BlackBerry tethering. According to the Wall Street Journal wrote, the tablet-blackboard RIM will use a QNX operating system that could precede the full transition of all BlackBerry devices in the long term.

QNX is a company specialized in software development for automotive and car information systems, all areas where reliability, speed and response times are essential, the kind that are currently lacking a bit ‘of operating systems’ Canadian company. Thanks to the new operating system, then, RIM is preparing to compete openly with Android and Apple both in terms of hardware and software.

Xbox 360: Microsoft unveiled a new Xbox 360 console

A brand new Xbox 360 is on the way. The new Xbox 360 is available today across the Atlantic. All versions of Xbox 360, including the oldest, will be compatible with KINECTS (Fire project Natal), to be released for the holidays in France. 10 years ago, the first Xbox was like a radiator. But gradually, Microsoft has refined the design and the new version unveiled Monday in pre-opening of E3 undergoes a new low-fat diet.The drive, however, from 120 GB to 250 GB and above all, the wifi is built upon arrival. The price remains unchanged at $ 299 U.S for the new Xbox 360.

We have no doubt that the new model of Xbox 360 has been formalized in the 2010 E3 conference Microsoft. Displayed at $ 299, the same price as the model Elite Current U.S., machine, promised to be more silent, display a new look with a reduced size and will have a 250GB hard drive and Wi Built-Fi. On its release, it will be at the end of the week in the shops of Uncle Sam and, we bet it, in the wake us.

This new model of Xbox 360 will arrive July 16 in Europe. And even if no price is indicated for the Old Continent, it is likely that it is similar to the Xbox 360 model Elite like the United States. At the end of a show largely devoted to various applications KINECTS, Microsoft confirmed the imminent launchof the new Xbox 360, which was discovered early in the look at night. 360 This new look, a little thinner and smaller than the current console, also promises to be quieter and features a 250GB hard drive for a price similar to current model.

As expected, the new Xbox 360 includes Wi-Fi by default, namely the 802.11n standard that is also supposed to equip the new PlayStation 3 for a faster connection speed. Contrary to what was expected, no bundle with KINECTS has been announced yet, but the show is far from finished, and news will begin to fall. Would you buy a brand new Xbox 360?

HTC Desire HD: Analysis, performance and features of the grates smartphone

HTC Desire HD is the new mobile signature. I really like the HTC Desire HD. I discovered how will this HTC Desire HD phone is equipped with a large screen of 4.3 inches, a powerful processor and a camera with 8 megapixels and an 8GB memory. HTC Desire HD is one of the signature models that are expected in recent months. There have been many conflicting reports about the HTC Desire HD. There have been many rumors about the benefits of wide-screen model you want to put the firm on the market with the HTC Desire HD. At the end of its existence has been confirmed. The German operator E-Plus in one of their blogs says its product specialists have confirmed that both the HTC Desire HD and the picture of the terminal that is floating around the net are real. HTC Desire HD has also allowed to see the mobile product in the area of your blog. A terminal that when it hits stores is more than likely have a price around 700 euros, Speaking of top-flight product. In a way we can say that HTC is the HTC EVO 4G cloning that takes time in the U.S. with very good business results, however, in the case of this version will only have 3G connection without Android. The HTC Desire HD will have on your wide screen 4.3-inch WVGA 480 x 800 pixels with its main sign of identity. A display will come like a glove to use the full mobile video performance issue and in navigating the Internet to be a joy. The operating system it appears to be Windows 7 with the HTC Desire HD, against the conventional Desire opted for Android and has garnered such good results. In addition to Windows 7 find Sense, the user interface designed by the firm that allows for more personalized use of the equipment. The HTC Desire HD interior is more than possible to find a processor of at least 1 GHz, namely a Snapdragon. In the House, in addition to eight megapixels should have video recording quality in 720p HD. There should not miss the port HDMI, more so in one mobile HD with the surname. Where the HTC Desire HD makes a difference with the HTC EVO 4G memory is that according to the information that there should be on the 8GB, something highly valued by users on this side of the Atlantic. So many benefits should report a HTC Desire HD mobile weighing around of 160-180 grams. We can not forget that the battery must be at least about 1500 MHz.

Motorola Droid X sold 300,000 units in the first week

A big surprise for Motorola Droid X. Looks like the Motorola Droid X is a succes model. Android alternative to Apple’s iPhone 4G seems to have name and Manufacturer, Motorola Milestone X X-Droid for American country. Since the Motorola Droid X arrival in the United States last July 15 it has sold 300,000 units brought to market. In this way, users will have to wait until August 4 to gain a solid if desired.

Motorola may be in luck after hearing the sales of its new smartphone launched two weeks ago, Motorola Milestone X X-Droid. Verizon has sold in 15 days all he had in stock units, 300,000 units (Motorola Droid X) and will have to wait for the second lawsuit. The exact date will be waiting until August 4, specifically a waiting time of just over five days. Motorola Droid X is one of the terminals with Android Bestsellers Wave next to Samsung, but this sells more outside than in the U.S. Competition is the current iPhone in April, called iPhone-killer and telephone is expected to exceed sales of Motorola Droid. The Droid X has a 4.3 inch display also come powered by a 1-GHz. Motorola is working piece to keep the deadline, the beginning of August.

With a high-end technical features (4.3-inch screen, 1GHz processor, 8.1 Megapixel camera and 720p HD resolution), the Motorola Milestone X X-Droid terminal seems willing to stand up to the last phone of the company, chaired by Steve Jobs. That it will not be easy, since, according to Kirk Parsons, an analyst at JD Power & Assoc, “current iPhone 4G users are very loyal and figures of satisfaction with the brand, at least those that we have seen, are the highest in the entire mobile phone industry. The Motorola Droid X is a great terminal, but the question still floating in the air is whether current iPhone 4 users will come to another handset based on Android. “

Such furor over Apple’s iPhone 4 has been seen after putting on sale, where many fans of the company kept the block queue to get patients. For the moment, as we said, the Motorola Milestone X can not be purchased in Europe. Thus, another of Apple’s competitors, Samsung is making the European territory in August with an alternative of similar characteristics to Motorola Milestone X X-Droid. Samsung is the S Galaxy, also with Android and whose sales are being very successful (sold only 500,000 units in South Korea in a month).

Apple earnings expected to blow out on iPhone Street expects earnings to more than double on iPhone, iPad sales

The company is also expected to benefit from growth in sales of its Mac computers — despite some worries that the iPad could cannibalize some of its lower-end laptop devices.

Still, the iPhone is widely expected to be the star of the quarter. Analysts on average expect unit sales to surge by 40% compared with the June quarter — as this will be the first full quarter of sales for the iPhone 4, which hit the market on June 24.

“IPhone 4 has been sold out all quarter based on our checks, smartphones are looking to be the hot category this Christmas, and the Verizon launch (and possibly others) looms in the March quarter,” wrote Kevin Hunt of Hapoalim Securities in a preview report last week.

PlayStation Move with a video camera

Sony launches PlayStation Move. Move Playstation controller is the new recognition for use with your PlayStation 3. Play Station Move is available for sale. This may be the opportunity to discover new senstation with your PlayStation if you do not participate in Heritage Days 2010. This innovation from Sony for the PlayStation aims to counter the Nintendo Wii. The pack contains the PlayStation MOVE MOVE PS. PS Move your motion detector is a contrast to PS Eye that is the camera for the PlayStation. PlayStation Move is sold at 70 dollars. You will find this pack in the video game stores. Move the new PlayStation controller recognition of PlayStation 3 is available in many video game stores. Very nice innovation of the PlayStation in the pack for the PlayStation PS MOVE MOVE equipped with a motion sensor, and also the motion controller for the PlayStation Move, it is also possible to add the PlayStation EYE camera is the SP Move. Once tested, the PlayStation Move a bit like the Wii, and from new users, the controller would be more appropriate for the actions performed from front to rear. The PlayStation Move is sold at 70 $ in video game stores included PlayStation Eye camera.

Windows Phone 7, the latest technology in the new Samsung Omnia 7

Windows Phone 7 with the Samsung Omnia 7? Looks like the Samsung Omnia 7 will run the Windows Phone 7. Samsung Omnia 7 is the latest smartphone from Samsung. Microsoft has officially released yesterday the Windows Phone 7 and the Samsung Omnia 7 will be released on October 21, which will obviously be accompanied by a slew of new smartphone. Presentation with images and details of the first smartphone from Samsung, the Samsung Omnia 7, with the Windows Phone 7. Key partner of Microsoft for several years now, Samsung has thus unveiled yesterday its first smartphone with Windows 7 Phone, the latest mobile OS developed by the Redmond, whose output was formalized in October 21, the Samsung Omnia 7. The Samsung Omnia 7 features a rather alluring metallic finish, and is adorned with a large touchscreen AMOLED 4 “(480×800 pixels). As such, Samsung evokes a truer than ever, and improved brightness. Equipped a processor running at 1 GHz for use fluid and fast, not to mention an internal memory with 8GB 5 Megapixel Camera, for its part has autofocus, an optical stabilizer, a flash LED and a 4x zoom. connectivity side, the Samsung Omnia 7 states of course Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Finally, multimedia is at the heart of this Omnia 7, with the Xbox Live features for games, and Zune as regards music and video. With its 7 Omnia, Samsung aims to reinvent the user experience, keeping only what is essential in everyday life. Multimedia is provided by a CMOS sensor equipped with an autofocus lens and an LED flash, photographing in 5 megapixels and 720p HD movies at 25 frames per second. The music emanating from the hub or Zune FM tuner RDS turn is played through a pair of stereo speakers. Samsung proposes a relatively uncluttered interface, easier to organize applications and customize its home menu. The main menu is composed of vignettes dynamic and automatic update can view the latest information in the blink of an eye. The Web browser for its part coupled to the search engine from Microsoft, Bing, and takes advantage of multicast capabilities of the screen to zoom in, zoom out, but also manage its tabs or move easily from one page to another. Various Hubs allow you to group different content (social networks, SMS, photos …), and we can keep abreast of the weather or stock prices via Hub Now or follow the news of his Facebook Contact Hub contacts. The Hub Music / Videos, Pictures Hub or Hub Games also allow quick access to desired media content. How is the Windows Phone 7 and Samsung Omnia 7 running? The Samsung Omnia 7 will be available soon in stores. what do you sau about the Samsung Omnia 7?

MIT Media Lab makes your coffee table a computer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--Computing is increasingly embedded everywhere, yet the interfaces people use are still largely tied to the original personal computer graphical user interface.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology held an open house to celebrate its 25th anniversary here today, where researchers in the Fluid Interfaces group showed some clues on how people will interact with computers in the not-to-so distant future.

The MIT Media Lab has yielded several computing-related technologies now in daily use by millions of people, including the e-ink interface used on e-books such as the Amazon Kindle, the Guitar Hero video game, and Lego Mindstorms programmable robot toys. Speakers here today said the Media Lab has yielded interesting work because people are able to pursue pure research in a culture that values play and hands-on experimentation.

One of the technologies shown publicly for the first time today is LuminAR, a system where people use gestures to bring computing onto everyday surfaces, such as tabletops. The work is being done with Intel and Microvision.

"It's a new form factor for consumer electronics that doesn't yet exist," said research assistant Natal Linder. "It's a new grammar for user interaction."

The LuminAR is a combination of a projector, computer, and sensor packed into an assembly that can screw into a light socket. A person can use gestures to bring a computer keyboard onto a tabletop or start a Skype videoconferencing session, for example.

MIT Media Lab researchers are also exploring other applications, such as augmenting a physical magazine with information projected onto a surface. Other projects are targeted at retail settings where a person could scan a grocery store item and get nutritional information or display electronics store items on a counter. People can touch icons on the table to get more information on the differences between mobile phones, for example.

Inside the lamp assembly is an Atom-based computer, allowing for sufficient computation to control the robot, which makes the lamp move. It's mobile and can be screwed into a light socket so the projector-robot can be moved to different places in someone's house, or attached to a ceiling to project computer interfaces. "It's a boring robot but it can do a lot of stuff," Linder said.

The biggest challenge is making the device familiar enough for people to figure out how to use it quickly, said Linder.

Combing computing and creativity
The work of Linder's lab-mates group shows how both traditional and embedded computers can be used with improved interfaces.

The MemTable is project that seeks to improve collaboration by integrating a computer with a table. There are two projectors and mirrors, along with a desktop computer, placed under a table with a surface that allows people to control the computer.

People can pull up documents or maps and share them by flicking images to other people seated around the table. The discussion can be recorded and documents can be tagged so that people can look at the information later in "asynchronous" mode, explained researcher Seth Hunter.

Another researcher, Pranav Sistry, is working on a cheap system to replace the ubiquitous computer mouse.

Touch-screen computers offer an alternative to the decades-old mouse, but using gestures has limitations, Sistry said. For example, a person gets tired touching a vertical screen or even doing gestures in the air, he said.

He is developing a laser that could be embedded into a laptop computer and that reads the gestures of a person's hand. So instead of interacting through a physical mouse, a person touches a tabletop to control a PC. The system would be cheap--under $10--and the laser could be embedded in many places, including the keyboard, Sistry explained.

During a morning panel, MIT Media Lab director Frank Moss, who joined five years ago, said one of the breakthrough ideas of the Media Lab was to combine computing with creativity. In 1985, computers were used by businesspeople to make spreadsheets or for computation of complex tasks.

The work by researchers at the Media Lab, which often focuses on art and computers, has shown that computing in various forms can be used by anyone, he said. "We want to build things that make people smarter," Moss said. "Creativity can be unleashed by anybody on the planet.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass--The MIT Media Lab opened its doors to outsiders today during its 25-year anniversary celebration to show current work, including projects from the Fluid Interfaces group.

One such project from that group is called LuminAR, which is a system for projecting computer interfaces on to everyday surfaces. The device, which screws into a light bulb socket, can track the gestures of people and project images. A person could, for example, have an "augmented magazine" that combines both paper and digital data. Or people could scan items, such as soda cans, to get more information. Pictured here is an earlier version of LuminAR.