If you were a fan of Google Wave’s integrated gadgets, or just need a place to set up some easy real-time collaboration, then check out Google Labs’ new Shared Spaces. Shared Spaces uses Wave’s technology to provide private collaboration spaces that you can invite others to via a provided short link. There are about 50 gadgets already available, such as the Map Gadget, Draw Board, WaveTube, yourBrainStormer, Napkin Gadget, and a few games. Once you choose the gadget that suits your needs, you simply click Create a Space and your window will open, complete with a chat area, link, and buttons to invite others via Email, Buzz, or Twitter. Once you’re finished, spaces can be deleted simply by selecting the Delete this Space button.
Each gadget on the list has a short description, and can be opened in its own page, where users can leave comments via Disqus, which will help others decide if the gadget will work well or not. This will be especially good if Shared Spaces catches on with the JavaScript programming community, and a ton of new gadgets start appearing.
You need to be logged in to your Google Account to use Shared Spaces, and authorize it for access. It should also be noted that, as of yet, it doesn’t appear to be working in Internet Explorer.
EDIT: According to the Google Blog, you can also log in via Twitter and Yahoo accounts.
What are your thoughts on Google’s Shared Spaces?
Brain + Computer = Mad Science at its Best
Ever wanted a computer to interface directly with your brain? Come on, we’ve all watched science fiction flicks where the mad scientist puts something akin to a noodle-strainer outfitted with wires, resistors and other electronics on top of his head (or on the head of an unwilling victi– err, participant…), and then proceeds to interface with a machine that can control space ships, the weather, or defense systems. Well, Paul Sadja has decided it would be cool to take us there for real.
Enter the C3Vision — Cortically Coupled Computer Vision.
Image by J.J. McCullough
Paul Sajda is a Columbia University professor of Biomedical Engineering and Radiology at the Laboratory for Intelligent Imaging and Neural Computing (who knew that even existed…?), and had this to say about his new toy:
Basically, he has created a means to tap into user’s brains and, as Curt Hopkins of Read Write Web states, “realize what’s bugging them before they consciously know they’ve been bugged” — and then take action, of course.
What’s most interesting about all of this is the similarity to contextual search and social recommendation engines — and, of course, the possibility that Paul Sadja might really be The Riddler. You know… Batman Forever?
I’m just sayin’.