Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Logitech QuickCam Orbit MP Has Maximum Headroom
The Logitech Quickcam Orbit MP offers an amazing new feature; video-manicuring straight out of Bruce Sterling's 1985 novel Schismatrix. Not to mention making Max Headroom as easy as pie.
(Choose your facial change)
The secret to the Quickcam is that it features motorized pan and tilt for intelligent face tracking. So, when you pick an effect, it follows you as you move your face. When you arch your eyebrow - your online Elvis arches his, when you move your head back and forth, the glasses stay on, and so on.
This is just what Bruce Sterling was talking about in Schismatrix:
Lindsay had a brief glimpse of the man's true appearance - white hair in spiky disarray, red-rimmed eyes - before a video-manicuring program came on line. The program raced up the screen one scan line at a time, subtly smoothing, deleting and coloring.
(Read more about Bruce Sterling's video-manicuring)
And Max Headroom? The Orbit Quickcam MP lets you download and use online avatars that will also mimic your movements.
For those who do not remember, Max Headroom was a character from a 1985 television show. On the show, Max was a computer-generated personality. However, just to show you how advanced a concept that was in 1985, the Max Headroom shown on TV was not computer-generated, but faked with a live person. No computer at that time could do it.
(Max Headroom - a (faked!) computer-generated person from 1985)
Here's an example of one of the avatars you can download from Logitech. Remember, the software that goes with the camera will follow your face; the avatar will wink when you do, move its lips like you do, arch its eyebrows when you do, and so on.
(Choose your avatar - the space alien within)
You can have fun by yourself, or include your family and friends. The low distortion, ultra-wide field of view camera with expanded video coverage and multi-person intelligent face-tracking lets your family of Elvises or avatars go online.
Read more about the Quickcam Orbit MP; thanks to an alert reader for pointing this one out.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 5/1/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 2 )
Related News Stories - (" Display ")
Transparent 4K OLED Wireless TV From LG
You will note that HG Wells also figured out the aspect ratio of the future!
DOTPad Braille Device Offers Live Access
Amazing tactile display.
Transparent MicroLED Screen From Samsung
Has Samsung nailed the Look of Things To Come?
Augmented Reality Book Covers Reveal The Inner Book
'The E-paper holograms leaped from lurid covers...' - Greg Bear, 2003.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Jetson ONE Air Races Begin, Can Air Polo Be Far Behind?
'If you're one of those rarities who haven't attended a rocket-polo "carnage", let me tell you it's a colorful affair.'
Will Space Stations Have Large Interior Spaces Again?
'They filed clumsily into the battleroom, like children in a swimming pool for the first time, clinging to the handholds along the side.'
Mornine Sales Robot
'Robot-salesmen were everywhere, gesturing...'
Bipedal Robot Floats Gently While Walking
'a walking balloon proceeded with long strides of its aluminum legs...'
Musk Idea Of Cars Talking To Each Other Predicted 70 Years Ago
'My cars talk to one another.'
Elegant Bivouac Shelter Produces Water And Electricity
'There was nowhere on the planet where science and technology could not provide one with a comfortable home...'
X-Control Janus-1 A Suitcase Aircraft
'You will notice that it... fits the suitcase nicely.'
'AI Assistants' Are Actually Less Reliable For News
'Most men updated their PIP on New Year's Day...'
YES!! Remote Teleoperated Robots predicted by Technovelgy!
'...a misshapen, many-tentacled thing about twice the size of a man.'
Will Robots Ever Fold Landry?
Where have you gone, Mrs. Robinson?
Will AIs Give Better Results If You're Rude To Them?
'I said, "Listen up, motherf*cker.'
Cybertruck Robotic Arm F10 Drone Launch!
Drone away!
Black Fungus Blocks Radiation
'You were surrounded by Astrophage most of the time'
Liuzhi Process Now In Use In China
'He was in a high-ceilinged windowless cell with walls of glittering white porcelain.'
Reflect Orbital Offers 'Sunlight on Demand' And Light Pollution
'I don't have to tell you about the seven two-mile-diameter orbital mirrors...'
Will Robots Become Family Caregivers?
'The robant and the tiny old woman entered the control room slowly...'
