Konstruct for iOS creates generative augmented reality art with your voice

Konstruct generative augmented reality art for iOS
If you have an artistic temperament, but you weren't blessed with steady hands or an eye for color, Konstruct might be the app for you. Not only does the iPhone app let you produce generative art using words, warbles and whistles, but it also uses augmented reality to bring your artistic creation to life.

To get started, you first need to print out the Konstruct marker and place it wherever you'd like to create your AR sculpture -- it could be on your living room wall, or on the floor of your bathroom, it doesn't matter. Open the app, point your iPhone at the marker, and start making some noises! Once you're done, you can save your creation, or simply wipe the slate clean and start again.

The volume of your voice affects the size of the shapes that are drawn on the screen, and you can move your head around to alter the path of your 'brush' -- but to change the shape of your brush or modify the color palette you have to use a menu. Without knowledge of the app's internal workings, it's hard to say what the actual difference between whistling, talking and singing is -- and judging by the developer's affinity for whistling in the demo video (after the break), the app probably doesn't perform that much analysis on your input.

Still, Konstruct is just a prototype! A later version could do away with menus and rely entirely on the location, tonality, quality and amplitude of your voice -- and judging by the the words of the developer, James Alliban, there is definitely more in store for Konstruct: "The idea of transforming entire cities into user generated virtual art galleries really appeals to me. I see Konstruct as an early prototype that will hopefully be realised in this form in the future."

Download Konstruct for free from the App Store (iPhone 3GS and 4 only)

[Thanks to Richard for the tip!]

Continue reading Konstruct for iOS creates generative augmented reality art with your voice

Konstruct for iOS creates generative augmented reality art with your voice originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/konstruct-for-ios-creates-generative-augmented-reality-art-with/

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Solar System Explorer [Android App Review]


YouTube link for mobile viewing

It's not often I come across an app that both humbles me and causes me to have an existential crisis, so when I find one, I know it's a keeper. Solar System Explorer caused me to go through both of these things simultaneously, and apart from making you question your tiny, insignificant self in this grand universe, you're also treated to a gorgeous layout loaded with more information about our solar system than you probably knew existed.

First thing you'll notice when you open up Solar System Explorer is how great it looks. This is a seriously polished app, with beautiful 3D models of every planet in our solar system, the moons of each planet, and each satellite the United States has launched. There's full pinch-to-zoom on all of the models as well as swiping support so you can change your perspective, too.

You move from planet to planet (or moon to moon) using pictures along the bottom of the screen. All of our planets are there, ordered from closest to farthest from the sun, and on the very end, you can get to the satellites. When you pick a planet, the pictures at the bottom of the screen change, and if the planet has any moons, images of those moons appear so you can see models and read up on them, should you choose to.

Aside from all of that, there's also an incredible treasure trove of information at your fingertips, all of it a button push away. When you've got a heavenly body selected, you're shown its general information by default, but should you leave this screen, tapping the eyeball will take you back to it. The little bar graph looking button shows you stats for your planet, all in relation to Earth.

Finally, the upside down peace sign tells you information about the structure of your planet and the 3D model changes to reflect said information. It's really quite cool seeing Earth broken up into differently colored layers and an explanation about what's going on in this beautiful blue-green ball we call home. (Plus, it reminds me of elementary school science class.)

Solar System Explorer also gives you the opportunity to just admire the solar system by hiding the information panel and zooming in and out. The full-screen experience is quite incredible, and at times like these, I wonder why I didn't do more to become something like an astronaut or work for NASA. This might "just" be an Android app, but it certainly instills a sense of awe in me.

If you're someone who has even a slight interest in our big, mysterious solar system, check this app out. It's great to just poke around in, but it's also chock full of such solid information, I don't see any reason why it couldn't be used as an educational tool, too.

Solar System Explorer is $1.99 in the Google Play Store. We've got download links after the break.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/L2dMU6zbL2c/story01.htm

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Forth Dimension's second Replicating Reality concept stuffs Half-Life 2 into a virtual reality headset (video)

Forth Dimension's second Replicating Reality concept stuffs Half-Life 2 into a virtual reality headset (video)
GDC might be winding down, but we'd be remiss if we didn't catch up with Forth Dimension Displays, the Kopin subsidiary responsible for all those little microdisplays inside your camcorders and, we're told, specialized military gear. While neither of those are terribly exciting to consumers, the outfit's latest concept is. Similar to last year's E3 demo, the company's new rig is built to highlight the kinds of use cases it would like OEMs to build using its microdisplays. The above jury-rigged setup above consists of a helmet rocking two of the company's SXGA (1280 x 1024) microdisplays which are in turn connected to back-mounted drivers which are then attached to your run-of-the-mill gaming PC. But unlike previous endeavors, when head-tracking happened in the helmet, this year we've got a plastic gun stuffed with an air mouse which controls onscreen movement. It's admittedly hacked together and certainly not flawless -- the cursor tended to bob upwards in our time with it -- yet very immersive and an amazing way to frag combine soldiers in the trenches of Half Life 2. But don't take our word for it, ogle at the gallery below, or watch a video of it in all its glory after the break.

Continue reading Forth Dimension's second Replicating Reality concept stuffs Half-Life 2 into a virtual reality headset (video)

Forth Dimension's second Replicating Reality concept stuffs Half-Life 2 into a virtual reality headset (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/forth-dimensions-second-replicating-reality-concept-stuffs-half/

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Mozilla publishes name and shame list of slow Firefox add-ons, cracks down on tardy devs

Firefox slow-addons list
Mozilla, continuing its year-long crusade to speed up Firefox startup and shutdown times, has published a name and shame list of the Firefox's slowest add-ons.

The list is just one part of Mozilla's new efforts to highlight slow add-ons, and to help developers make their add-ons more efficient. Over the next two weeks, 'slow performance warnings' will be introduced in the add-on gallery so that users can see, before installation, which add-ons will slow down their browser. If that isn't enough to spur developers into cleaning up their add-ons, Mozilla has also begun reaching out to developers of slow add-ons with tips on how to improve add-on performance. Finally, add-on developers will soon have the ability to perform 'on-demand performance testing,' so that they can test their add-on before it's deployed publicly.

Mozilla reports that the average Firefox add-on slows down Firefox's start-up time by 10% -- which means, if you install 10 add-ons, you will double your start-up time. On fast desktop PCs that kind of slowdown might be negligible, but on older computers, laptops and smartphones, it could be the difference between a 5 and 10 second startup. Mozilla has obviously realized that while massive performance gains might've been made with Firefox 4, the addition of third-party add-ons can destroy any user-perceived improvements.

In other news, Mozilla says that a future build of Firefox will block the installation of add-ons (such as toolbars) by third-party software. Add-ons and toolbars that are bundled in this way will require explicit approval when you next open up Firefox. Hooray!

Mozilla publishes name and shame list of slow Firefox add-ons, cracks down on tardy devs originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 05:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/04/mozilla-publishes-name-and-shame-list-of-slow-firefox-add-ons/

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Brad Pitt And Ellen DeGeneres Tour The Lower 9th Ward Together

Brad Pitt and Ellen DeGeneres spent some time this afternoon touring around the lower 9th Ward in New Orleans.  Brad is checking up on (and filming some footage for) his “Make It Right” project. Tomorrow night Ellen will host ?A … Continue reading

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2012/03/09/brad-pitt-and-ellen-degeneres-tour-the-lower-9th-ward-together/

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SXSW 2012 Kicks Off With 'Cabin In The Woods'

On the South by Southwest film festival red carpet, Joss Whedon tells MTV News the flick had 'a very weirdly organic genesis.'
By Kara Warner


Joss Whedon at SXSW
Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images

The annual South by Southwest film festival kicked off in splendid, if slightly soggy, fashion Friday night with the world premiere of "Cabin in the Woods."

Amidst unseasonably chilly temperatures and intermittent downpours in Austin, Texas, the film's cast and crew braved the elements to walk the red carpet ahead of the highly anticipated horror film's packed screening.

"We are so excited to be premiering at South by Southwest: We really couldn't have asked for a better place to premiere this film," first-time director Drew Goddard told MTV News. "We feel like we're a South by Southwest film, so we're happy to be here. It worked out well for us.

"I feel like South by Southwest has a swagger, a rock and roll feel to it. When you hear those words, you feel like they're pushing the edge of what's acceptable in society and I feel like — I hope — that we did the same," Goddard added, speaking to the film's intrigue and appeal.

"Apparently, South by Southwest is a really rad festival, and I think this is a really rad film, so it's a good fit," star Anna Hutchison said. "Also Joss is really excited about it, so if he's excited, you know that it's a good thing."

Speaking of co-writer and fan-boy favorite Joss Whedon, the "Avengers" director and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" mastermind said that the long-delayed and slightly troubled backstory surrounding "Cabin" makes it even more perfect for a SXSW showing.

"It was created very independently, and it came up very organically," Whedon said. "It wasn't churned out of a studio system. The fact that MGM, Mary Parent was taking a lot of risks. She let us shoot word-for-word exactly what we wrote. That's the movie we made. Then obviously it had some troubles, and Lionsgate came in, and it had a very weirdly organic genesis."

Co-star Bradley Whitford summed up his SXSW excitement with his love for its host city: "I love, love, love Austin — even when it feels like Iceland," he said with a smile from under an umbrella. "I love this town, so I was thrilled to be able to come here." He said "Cabin" has "a very young, hip, humorous, smart, astute thing going on."

Kristen Connolly added: "It's awesome to know that people are excited about the movie, and it's awesome to be here. It's such a cool festival, I've wanted to come to it for ages, so I'm thrilled to be here."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1680856/sxsw-joss-whedon-cabin-in-the-woods.jhtml

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Chris Cornell Filling In For Robert Plant On Led Zeppelin Tour? That's News To Him

'I have not been approached to fill in for Robert Plant on the Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be,' singer says.
By Chris Harris

<P>Former SoundgardenSoundgarden and AudioslaveAudioslave frontman Chris CornellChris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for Robert PlantRobert Plant on a proposed Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham. </P><P> </P><P>Cornell has been mentioned &#8212; along with Foo FightersFoo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former Van HalenVan Halen frontman Sammy HagarSammy Hagar, White StripesWhite Stripes mastermind Jack White and Alter BridgeAlter Bridge's Myles Kennedy &#8212; as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour. </P><P> </P><P></p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;"> </P><P></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>"I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour." </P><P> </P><P>Cornell's denial comes just a day after AerosmithAerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford confirmed reports that frontman Steven Tyler recently met with Zeppelin for an impromptu jam session. "They did it for fun," Whitford said during an appearance on the syndicated show "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire." "I actually think Jimmy wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because I think he was trying to light a fire under Robert." </P><P> </P><P>Rumors of a Zeppelin reunion tour have abounded since the iconic band played a single reunion set last year at London's O2 Arena. Twisted SisterTwisted Sister frontman Dee Snider added fuel to the fire last month when he revealed that the group was thinking of touring, with or without Plant. </P><P> </P><P>According to Snider, the rest of the band told Plant, " 'We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' " </P><P> </P><P>"And he can sing the sh-- out of Zeppelin," Snider added. "They're going to hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, 'OK,' and step in." </P><P> </P><P>In a recent interview, Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought to take over for Plant. "We are trying out a couple of singers," he said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great, and we want to get on and get out there." </P><P> </P><P>But Jones insists that he, Page and Bonham aren't interested in finding a Plant clone. "It's got to be right," he said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard." </P><P> </P><P>Of course, even if Zeppelin were to approach him, Cornell might be too busy to take over vocals for the band. His upcoming TimbalandTimbaland-produced solo LP, Scream, will be released within the next few months. Cornell told MTV News last month that some of his fans might consider <i>Scream</i> something of a departure, but he doesn't see it that way. </P><P> </P><P>"It makes me happy that there's this perception that I have a group of fans that I'm now sort of throwing a curve at and what their reaction will be," he said. "But I've been in this situation so many times already. When I put out [1999's] <i>Euphoria Morning,</i> my main goal was to create an album that sounded like nothing I'd done in Soundgarden, and I did that. I also had that with Temple of the Dog, where I showed up with songs that weren't necessarily riff-based. And then, of course, the pairing of me and members of Rage Against the MachineRage Against the Machine had everyone sort of speculating about what that would sound like. </P><P> </P><P>"It feels like I've done this so many times that when it's presented to me as being a departure, I feel that's a misconception," he added. "I feel like that's my theme at this point."</p>

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598367/chris-cornell-debunks-led-zeppelin-r... "> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598367/chris-cornell-debunks-led-zeppelin-r...

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Demi Moore "Is in a Much Better Place": Source

It sounds like rehab was the right choice for Demi Moore. Five weeks after smoking an unknown substance at a party and collapsing into convulsions, Moore, 49, has been through treatment, gone on vacation and is ready to face the world again.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/demi-moore-much-better-place-source/1-a-434661?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Ademi-moore-much-better-place-source-434661

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