An electronic shoe? What will they think of next. The Wired NextFest was all about the future and here it comes face to face with the oldest profession in the world. Yes, we're talking about sex. These shoes--The Aphrodite Project Platforms are meant to keep sex workers safe with a built-in GPS locater, a button that dials 911, and an alarm system. Of course it's not all practical--on the other side it also has a video screen that displays custom graphics--and even audio! The ultimate gift for the Silicon Alley prostitute in your life.
Speaking of love, also on display was the hug shirt. Long distance relationships can become a little easier to bear with these bluetooth enabled shirts--you can send a hug to your honey using a bluetooth enabled cell phone, just by hugging yourself.
Finally, a fashionable and functional accessory--the Suntrap Handbag. It started as a college project by a British student who was tired of fumbling for her keys all the time. She designed this purse which lights up when you zip it open so you can find your stuff quickly. The light comes from the bag's electroluminescent lining which is solar powered--you can also charge your cell phone, PDA and iPods via a USB port. That's definitely on my wish list as soon as she gets a distributor.
Can you identify this picture? Believe it or not those are Blogging Molly's veins! One of the coolest interactive exhibits at NextFest, the Vein Viewer used near infrared light, a digital camera and a digital projector and other patented technologies (top secret I guess!) to light up veins that you can't normally see through your skin.
Why is this a great invention? Well, if you've ever spent time in a hospital, you've likely had intravenous (I.V.) therapy, in which your medicine is dispensed directly into your bloodstream. But first, the practitioner must find a worthy vein, and many times they have to stick you a few times before they get it right. (According to the Vein Viewer manufacturer, Luminetx, about half of all "needle sticks" are unnecessary.) The company hopes to increase efficiency and cut costs in hospitals, as well as decrease patients' pain and suffering.
Like your fingerprint or DNA, everyone's vein structure is unique. At left you can see that my veins form a pitchfork in my forearm. The Luminetx rep had never seen anything like it! (He even joked that it was the mark of the devil.)
Yes, it's a gorgeous fashion statement and looks a little like an Aston Martin. But I'm still having trouble getting too excited by Verizon's new Motorola KRZR K1m. After spending a day with it and putting it through the usual PC Mag testing routine, I discovered something we all probably already knew: it's a mid-range V CAST music phone dressed up with a lovely, lovely case.
For many people the good looks will be enough, and yes, it looks really good. Voices are sharp and battery life is terrific. But I feel like I've seen this phone before, I've used this phone before, I've spoken on this phone before ... and it was the Motorola RAZR V3m. I think one of the reasons I'm so looking forward to the MOTOFONE is to watch Motorola innovate on technology again, and not just on case design.
Robots were definitely not scarce at NextFest this morning. One of our favorite robots was the Actroid Der. She's able to greet you, nod her head, bat her eyelashes at you, sing, and speak. We were completely fasinated by how real she looked! I want one for my apartment, so that when I come home, she can ask me how my day was!
Watch the video I shot of her in action!
I've seen robotic reptiles, monkeys, and dogs but never a robotic seal! The Paro robot contains sensors and actuators that allow it to move and respond to stimuli. Blogging Molly and I held it in our arms and brushed its hair. It liked that! Paro was designed as a therapeutic pet to keep the elderly company.
One robot we wanted to see in action but it wasn't working at the moment was the Juke Bot from RobotLab. It's a techno DJ with two mechanical arms that actually select and spin vinyl records! I can just picture Eminem bringing the Juke Bot along on his next tour (or did he retire? I can't keep track of these rappers!).
And how can we forget the Albert Hubo, aka Einstein bot? Developed by Hanson Robotics using the patented Frubber skin, this Einstein-inspired robot utilizes over 62 muscles in its face to illustrate very humanlike features naturally. He can walk or roll on wheels and recognizes speech.
Weird Hunter Jen DeLeo and Blogging Molly attended the Wired NextFest at the Javits Center this morning, (The show runs until Sunday, October 1) and boy did we find weird! From eerily human robots to a rabbit opera to a squeamish look at our own veins, there wasn't a dull moment. And we've got the pictures to prove it!
Keep checking for Gearlog updates and also swing over to PCMag.com for a look a their extensive slideshow.
Pictured here is the Partner Ballroom Dance Robot. We were a bit confused by this femme bot's design (look at her saggy breasts and her Mickey Mouse ears!), but she's one skilled dancer. Researchers from Tohoku University spent $300,000 for this prototype. She contains force and torque sensors that enable her to follow her partner's waltz steps. IMHO, she's a much better dancer than Jerry Springer!
Description: The iSharpener is a fun light-show for your desk! It measures 3.0 by 2.0 x 3.0 inches and operates via USB or 4 AA batteries.
How It Works: Connect the sharpener to a USB port, place a pencil in the top, and the sharpener inside automatically starts spinning. The fun part is that while it spins, three LEDs flash inside. It sharpened my pencils pretty quickly.
Overall: I had a lot of fun going around the office asking if my co-workers needed their pencils sharpened. After all of them giving me weird looks, they stopped by my cube to find out what I was up to. But everyone thought the iSharpener was so cool! It's definitely a must-have, and you can't beat the price!
What time is it? Hm? Oh, umm…who cares? I'm listening to MP3's on my wrist-worn time piece!
Thank you, Thanko. Thank you for adding to a wristwatch market that needs more music and less time. The Thanko FMP3 plays your favorite MP3 files from a 512MB or 1GB flash memory card or FM radio through the built in tuner. Oh, and it tells the time too, but that's SO last year. With the ability to play music, anything is possible with your new flashy FMP3 watch. But something tells me Thanko has its sights set on runners who can't stand clunky iPods hanging from them and want to know how quickly they ran that last quarter mile as they flip to the next song.
So if you enjoy running or just want to annoy everyone you know by playing "Hit Me Baby One More Time" from your watch, the Thanko FMP3 might be for you. Get it now for $143-$187, depending on storage size.
This Week on Gearlog Radio: A solitary eBook fan defends the Sony Reader to a skeptical panel; Camera Analyst Terry Sullivan explains why Foveon's new image sensor could actually deliver better pictures; we handicap Apple chances of eliminating the term "podcast." Then the show goes wild with Darth Fader Rubber Ducks and Wireless WiFi rabbits. Plus, reader mail and more.
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