I may be one of the few left on the planet that is underwhelmed (and often annoyed) by the 3D-everything craze. I understand that it is the current reality of the video and gaming world, and I admit that 3D-TV tech is pretty cool, but I really don’t need all of my media to pop out of the screen at me. Plus, it hurts my sensitive, near-35 year old eyes — and I don’t like to wear the glasses. That said, it appears that Sharp is attempting to address at least the latter part of my whining with the advent of their new 3D cell phones.
You heard me right, 3D cell phones. The Galapagos 003SH and 005SH are the latest iteration of the Android handset, and sport the nifty, no glasses, 3D-screen tech that is reported to be used in the upcoming Nintendo 3DS.
The tech itself is both innovative and awesome, there is no question of that. It uses a parallax barrier system that specifies where it directs light (to the left or right eye) via a series of vertical slits. This creates a sense of depth and allows for a 3D environment on an otherwise normal LCD screen — again, without special glasses. By all reports, the effect is stunning, and Engadget reports that there are already some mobile games publishers on board (Capcom will be bringing Mega Man, Resident Evil, and Ghosts ‘n Goblins to the new devices).
Like I said, this is some pretty cool tech — but is it necessary? PDA screens are already hard on the eyes. Do we really need to add another layer that will have people staring even harder at their screens? Is it even necessary to have 3D gaming on a cell phone — or anywhere? I mean, it’s not like its an interactive hologram or anything like that — though that is getting closer, too.
What do you think about the latest innovation in mobile and 3D technology? For? Against? Happily indifferent? Tell us why in the comments?
Homemade Spacecraft: Awesome Family Tech!
This is about the coolest thing I have ever seen. I know I’ve said that before, but it’s a graduating scale — and this made my geek-self tingle and grin like a fool!
Father and son Luke and Max Geissbühler, from out Brooklyn way, popped an iPhone and an HD camcorder into a polystyrene container, wrapped it up in hand warmers to keep it alive in the upper stratosphere, attached it to a giant helium balloon and let it fly. Lack of atmospheric pressure causes the balloon to grow and burst, and the camera was on all the way up. It took a good look at the Earth from the outside, and then stayed on for most of the trip down — a plummet, really, at about 150mph even with its parachute. The iPhone got a GPS lock on the way down and was used to locate the “payload”.
The video footage is amazing and of incredible quality, especially for a civilian effort. The video is only a few minutes long — watch it. It’s awesome!
I think I may do this with my kid someday.
Homemade Spacecraft [Make Magazine]