THE TECH-LICIOUS

CaseCam lets you get in your own photos, using a flippin' mirror

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The CaseCam features a camera lens mirror that folds away when not needed " height="358" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/casecam.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ah yes, it's a problem for the ages. You want to be in a photo taken with your own unmanned smartphone, but you have no way of propping the phone up, or seeing what the shot looks like. Well, the CaseCam is designed to help. It allows a phone laid down on a flat surface to see what's in front of it, plus the accompanying app lets you see what it's seeing.</span></div>
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<a href="http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/casecam-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The mirror also props the camera up, sort of like a tripod " border="0" height="212" src="http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/casecam-0.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The CaseCam is for the most part a standard polycarbonate protective iPhone case, with one exception – it has an integrated mirror. That mirror folds flat into the case when not in use, but flips up to sit diagonally below the camera lens when it's picture-taking time. When the phone is subsequently laid camera-side down, that mirror both lets the camera see what's in front of the phone, plus it angles it up kind of like a tripod.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Since the camera is looking at reversed images, the app inverts them to make them "right" again. The app also has an adjustable timer feature, plus it can be accessed via Wi-Fi by another iOS device. This means that if you're posing for a pic with with an iPhone-packin' friend, you can set your CaseCam-clad phone up to take the shot, then use <em>their</em> phone to check that you're both framed up properly, and to remotely trigger your phone to record the photo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The mirror glass is unprotected when folded down" height="426" src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/casecam-9.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Although the mirror is reportedly made of non-image-distorting optical-quality glass, unfortunately that glass is left exposed even when the mirror is folded down (see picture above). As a result, it's quite likely to get scratched over time. Plans call for replacement mirrors to be available for US$7, although it's hard to say how many users would actually bother getting them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Additionally, it would be nice if there were a way of incrementally raising the non-mirror end of the case, to adjust the camera's tilt angle. To some extent, of course, that could be done just by shoving a folded-up piece of paper or something under there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The creators of the CaseCam are currently raising production funds for the device, on Kickstarter. A pledge of $25 will get you one, when and if they're ready to go. The planned retail price is $40. Although the first model will fit iPhones 5c and 5s, versions for other makes of phones are reportedly in the works.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The MirrorCase and the HiLO lens offer similar functionality, by the way, although neither of those have the same fold-flat form factor as the CaseCam.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">More information is available in the pitch video below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="398" scrolling="no" src="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/garett/casecam-the-remote-controlled-iphone-tripod/widget/video.html" width="530"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">SOURCE-<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/casecam-iphone-camera-case/33118/" target="_blank">GIZMAG</a></span></div>
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CaseCam lets you get in your own photos, using a flippin' mirror

Ah yes, it's a problem for the ages. You want to be in a photo taken with your own unmanned smartphone, but you have no way of propp...

Samsung Mock Apple Before iPhone Release

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So do you belong to the church of Apple or are you an Android enthusiast?   Well, <a href="http://www.samsung.com/" style="color: #0092dd;" target="_blank" title="Samsung">Samsung</a> has released an ad on<a href="http://www.youtube.com/" style="color: #0092dd;" target="_blank" title="youtube">YouTube</a> entitled, ‘Screen Envy’ which mocks iPhone users for their ‘patience’ at having to wait for a larger screen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Two friends are sitting in a cafe, both looking at their phones.  One has a Samsung while the other is sporting his iPhone.  The iPhone carrying friend states that the ‘iPhone might be getting a bigger screen.’  “That hasn’t happened yet?” responds his friend with the Samsung, obviously sporting a much larger screen.  “You know that thing you’ve been waiting on for like two years, and how it’s supposed to be awesome, and how it’s gonna blow your mind?” the narrator pipes up in an extremely sarcastic manner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Samsung Mocking Apple Before The iPhone 6 Release." class="lazy alignnone wp-image-17421 size-full data-lazy-ready" data-lazy-src="http://news.filehippo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/www.designntrend.com_.jpg" data-lazy-type="image" height="483" src="http://news.filehippo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/www.designntrend.com_.jpg" style="background: rgb(236, 240, 244); display: inline; float: none; max-width: 708px; padding: 10px;" width="708" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The narrator then states:”Well it’s been here this whole time, but maybe you just like waiting.”  The camera then goes in for the close-up shot of the two phones.  The Samsung with an obviously bigger screen.  “It’s everything you’ve been waiting for: 5.1 inches of full HD on the Samsung Galaxy S5.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Samsung has already mocked Apple using video advertisements making fun of the iPhone’s battery life and the iPad’s screen.  Adding fuel to the proverbial fire, they have now created this new video mocking the long wait for a bigger screen by iPhone users.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QSDAjwKI8Wo?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This ad is apparently in response to the rumour that Apple will be coming out with two iPhone 6s which will have a 4.7 inch screen and a 5.5 inch screen.  These are both bigger than the iPhone 5s, which only has a 4 inch screen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So is Samsung already the next big thing?  Will the iPhone 6 be worth the wait?  What do you think?  Leave your comments below!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">SOURCE-<a href="http://news.filehippo.com/2014/07/samsung-mock-apple-iphone-release/" target="_blank">TECHBEAT</a></span></div>
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Samsung Mock Apple Before iPhone Release

So do you belong to the church of Apple or are you an Android enthusiast? Well, Samsung has released an ad on YouTube entitled, ‘Scre...

Facebook Announces New ‘Save’ Feature

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Finally,  you can save those newsfeed bits and pieces you haven’t had the time to look at.  <a href="http://www.facebook.com/" style="color: #0092dd;" target="_blank" title="Facebook">Facebook</a> has recently revealed their latest ‘Save’ feature.  It allows users to bookmark items on newsfeed they’d like to view at a later time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Software engineer from Facebook, Daniel Giambalvo, states: ”Every day, people find all sorts of interesting items on Facebook that they don’t have time to explore right away.  Now you can save items that you find on Facebook to check out later when you have more time.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="New Save Feature" class="lazy size-full wp-image-17424 data-lazy-ready" data-lazy-src="http://news.filehippo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/thenextweb.com_.jpg" data-lazy-type="image" height="391" src="http://news.filehippo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/thenextweb.com_.jpg" style="background: rgb(236, 240, 244); display: inline; max-width: 708px; padding: 10px;" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So what can you save?  Pretty much anything you want!  Links, movies, music, TV, places and videos are all fair game!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The good thing about this feature is that saved items are only available for users to view.  However, should you wish to share your save list with your friends, there will be a share-with-friends option.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In order to view your items in the ‘Save’list, you simply click on the ‘More’tab on your mobile or click the side panel on the left side of your computer browser.  Very simple!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Another good feature of ‘save’will be its organisation.  Your items will be categorised and you can share items or move things into an archive.  You will also get reminders in your newsfeed so that you don’t forget what you have in your ‘save’folder.  You’ll never miss your favourite video again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">‘Save’will be available to <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/facebook/id284882215?mt=8" style="color: #0092dd;" target="_blank" title="Facebook iOS">iOS</a>, Android and Internet web browsers in just a few days.  But if you want any questions answered about the new feature, the Facebook Help Centre is available for questioning.  Facebook is also testing a new ‘buy’option where users can purchase things directly through their news feeds.  We may never have to leave our houses again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">SOURCE-<a href="http://news.filehippo.com/2014/07/facebook-announces-new-savefeature/" target="_blank">TECHBEAT</a></span></div>
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Facebook Announces New ‘Save’ Feature

Finally, you can save those newsfeed bits and pieces you haven’t had the time to look at. Facebook has recently revealed their latest...

Future phones could house a terabyte of storage

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<img alt="Crossbar's resistive RAM" height="350" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/f13813d0293a0c8659ac26b0c44828b3/200471424/crossbar-rram-630.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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You may think that the 3GB of memory in your new smartphone is hot stuff, but that pales in comparison with what Rice University has in store. Its scientists have detailed a form ofresistive RAM (RRAM) that can be made using regular equipment at room temperatures, making it practical for everyday gadgets. The trick is the use of porous silicon oxide where metals (such as gold or platinum) fill the gaps. Using the silicon material doesn't just give manufacturers something familiar to work with; it requires much less power than previous techniques, can last through 100 times as many uses and isn't fazed by heat. It's also far denser than earlier RRAM, storing nine bits per cell where even conventional flash storage stops at three. The result should be an easy-to-make RAM chip with the kind of capacity that you'd normally expect from much larger permanent storage, like an SSD -- as the company Crossbar hinted when it first discussed this approach, you could stuff 1TB into a component the size of a postage stamp.</div>
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That's just about ideal for mobile devices, and could mean that future phones and tablets won't have to worry about low memory errors for a long, long time. Crossbar's technology is due in later this year in chips destined for embedded uses like appliances and cars, so the breakthrough won't be noticeable at first. Research lead James Tour tells MIT that he expects a deal with an unnamed manufacturer in the next couple of weeks, though, so it's entirely possible that this super-capacious memory will become commonplace.</div>
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<img alt="Rice University's new resistive RAM" data-credit="Tour Group/Rice University" data-mep="364265" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/d6138d33b3ecc79e751c06e6045ef72/200471372/rice-rram.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; height: auto !important; max-width: 100%;" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/24/future-phone-terabyte-storage/#comments" style="color: #3399cc; display: block; float: left; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 10px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; top: -1px;"><i class="s-comment-bubble-black-12" style="background: url(http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/s-1x-s3dc1f836c6.png) 0px -2123px no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 11px; margin-left: 4px; overflow: hidden; text-indent: -9999em; width: 11px; zoom: 1;"></i></a></div>
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Future phones could house a terabyte of storage

You may think that the 3GB of memory in your new smartphone is hot stuff, but that pales in comparison with what Rice University has in ...

Elytron 2S: The out-of-the-box tiltrotor concept

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="A Elytron 2S (shown here in a proposed seven-seater version) is a tiltrotor aircraft that ..." height="359" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/elytron.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">Some people are never satisfied. You give them a plane, and they say it can’t hover. You give them a helicopter, and they say it can’t fly very high or fast. Looking to combine the advantages of both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, Elytron Aircraft LLC of Mountain View, California is developing the Elytron 2S, a small tiltrotor aircraft that uses a </span>box wing configuration<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">and is aimed at the civilian market.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Airplanes and helicopters do well in their respective aeronautical niches. Airplanes can fly high, fast, far, and carry heavy loads, while helicopters can hover, fly backwards, land and take off vertically, and maneuver in very tight spaces. The tricky thing is when jobs arise where requirements overlap; like an airplane that can land vertically, or a helicopter than can fly at high altitude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Though there have been some aggressive development projects in recent years, such as the Bell V-280, the AugustaWestland Project Zero andAW609, the only operational manned, prop-driven aircraft that manages this sort of hybrid flight is the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In service with the US Marine Corps and the air forces of the US, Japan and Israel, the military tiltrotor spent many years in controversial development and, to this day, no civilian version has taken off. This is unfortunate because early visions of tiltrotor aircraft saw them employed as air taxis, short haul transports, and in other civilian applications.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Elytron 2S is a new take on tiltrotor configuration that incorporates an unconventional wing design to create a hybrid aircraft with greater performance – especially in the difficult transition between vertical and horizontal flight. One of a family of aircraft developed by the Elytron company over the past decade, the 2S is intended to combine the features of a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft, with the company seeing applications for emergency medical services, search and rescue, air taxis, and oil exploration.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/elytron-s2-tiltrotor-civilian-aircraft/33036/pictures#7" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The designs for the Elytron 2S technology demonstrator (left) and a seven-seater version f..." src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/elytron-6.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="530" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Comparing the 2S to the Osprey, the most obvious difference is its wing configuration, known as Prandtl's box wing design. It looks exotic and futuristic, but it’s actually a variation on a wing concept that dates back to the earliest days of aviation when it was used by the pioneer flyer Louis Bleriot in 1906. It has also been used more recently by Lockheed Martin for one of its concept jets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2S’s design uses two pairs of wings. One pair is set forward on the fuselage and is swept back. A second pair is set on top of the tail and swept forward. The tips of the fore and aft wings are linked by winglets, forming a skewed box. With this layout the forces are distributed through the box structure, making it stronger and lighter. It also provides a high aspect ratio for greater lift of about 15 percent over conventional wings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This results in greater fuel efficiency and less weight. In addition, the box wing is more stable, has better glide ratios and is less prone to stalling. In all, this makes Prandtl's box wing very suitable for short take-off and landing craft. The stall factor is particularly important because it helps keep the 2S in the air during the vertical to horizontal flight transition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So far, this is unusual, but not unprecedented. According to Elytron, the novel bit about the 2S is the extra pair of rotating wings mounted amidships, which contain the motors and props. The rotary wings, called "proprotors," are powered by two 90-degree gearboxes and are mounted on a single, centrally-mounted tilt wing that travels through 100 degrees and has four control surfaces.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/elytron-s2-tiltrotor-civilian-aircraft/33036/pictures#6" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The Elytron 2S is the extra pair of rotating wings mounted amidships, which contain the mo..." src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/elytron-5.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="529" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Elytron says that this arrangement inside the box wing obviates interference with the proprotors’ thrust, while the winglets protect against rotor strikes. Because the proprotors can drop to the horizontal for forward flight, the blades don’t have the disadvantage of helicopter rotors where the retreating side of the rotors slows the craft and introduces unwanted torque. The design of the proprotors is much less complicated than a helicopter rotor with no need to angle or feather the rotors, so the linkages are simpler and their fewer parts are spread out through the wing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">According to Elytron, the result of all this is low drag at high speed in a craft that can fly two to three times the speed of an equivalent helicopter and, if the V-22 is an example, it will have a higher operating ceiling. It’s also safer because its glide ratio means that the rotors don’t need to autorotate during an emergency landing. If that doesn't work. Elytron says it will install a ballistic parachute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Elytron 2S is a two-seater technology demonstrator built using fast prototyping with carbon composite materials. The company says that it plans to install a 450 bhp turbocharged race engine in the 2S with the goal of conducting flight tests next year. If successful, the next phase will include building a seven-seater version for commercial use. In the meantime, the 2S is on display at the Oshkosh Airshow through August 3.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">SOURCE-<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/elytron-s2-tiltrotor-civilian-aircraft/33036/" target="_blank">GIZMAG</a></span></div>
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Elytron 2S: The out-of-the-box tiltrotor concept

Some people are never satisfied. You give them a plane, and they say it can’t hover. You give them a helicopter, and they say it can’t fl...

Cyberith's Virtualizer brings running, jumping ... and sitting to virtual reality

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The Virtualizer VR rig from Cyberith lets gamers walk, run, jump, crouch, kneel and even s..." height="359" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/cyberith-virtualizer-23.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22px;">In recent years, we've seen a number of virtual reality (VR) devices targeted at bringing more immersive gaming to the home while also adding locomotion to the mix. Joining the charge is the Virtualizer from Austrian-based company Cyberith. The rig features an omni-directional treadmill, which is nothing new, but in addition to letting gamers walk and run on the spot, it also lets them rotate, jump, crouch, kneel and even sit down, with these motions matched in game by their virtual selves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The Cyberith Virtualizer is touted as the ultimate in immersive VR rigs" height="470" src="http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/cyberith-virtualizer-13.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Cyberith's Virtualizer has been designed to be compatible with various head-mounted displays, such as <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/eyes-on-oculus-rift-virtual-reality-ces/26225/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Oculus Rift</a> goggles, along with various gaming guns and controllers, like Nintendo’s Wii remote. Teamed with a pair of stereo headphones and haptic feedback to add both aural and physical dimensions to the illusion, the creators believe that the Vitualizer is the most immersive VR experience available.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Central to the device is the base plate, which looks a lot like the <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/wizdish-virtual-reality/24592/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">WizDish platform</a> we looked at back in 2012, and can support weights of 120 kg (265 lb). It contains integrated optical sensors to precisely determine foot movements, while sensors in the support pillars determine a user’s vertical position. The base plate is coated with a very low friction material so that socks are the only footwear required to get up and running (and gunning) – which will probably be a relief to roommates and neighbors who like their peace and quiet.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/cyberith-virtualizer-virtual-reality/33069/pictures#5" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The Cyberith Virtualizer boasts a range of positional sensors to monitor the physical move..." src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/cyberith-virtualizer-24.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="530" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The other major component of the Virtualizer is the movable ring contraption into which the user is strapped. Other VR systems, such as the<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/virtuix-omni-treadmill-vr/27214/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Virtuix Omni</a> use similar ring devices, however, the Cyberith team says their system allows even more input range, with users able to rotate, jump, crouch, kneel and sit down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's worth noting that the team behind the Virtuix Omni, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Virtualizer, are also working on adding<a href="http://www.virtuix.com/crouching-functionality-r-d/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">crouching functionality</a> to their device. However, they admit that it is beyond their reach at the device's current price point. So, if the Cyberith device works as promised and meets its planned release date, it may well be the first commercially-available system to do so at a reasonable price.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Virtualizer rig might appear cumbersome to use, but the team say they have developed a special counterbalance weight system and a set of linear guides in the surrounding columns that ensure both minimum resistance and smooth operation. The harness also serves to support the user’s weight in a sitting position as well, so that the immersive illusion is not disrupted when the operator gets into a virtual car or mounts a virtual motorcycle in game.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/cyberith-virtualizer-virtual-reality/33069/pictures#6" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="The Virtualizer can support the player's weight, allowing them to 'sit' while doing some v..." src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/cyberith-virtualizer-25.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="526" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Virtualizer creators have also claimed a first with the integration of haptic technology into their omni-directional treadmill. This optional extra uses acousto-haptic devices to precisely direct haptic feedback to the feet that matches the direction of a noise or vibrational source in the game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The team states that it is also not necessary for the software being used to support native haptic feedback as their system is designed to pick up audio signals from the game engine and transform those into haptic feedback. Though the entire system is touted as s USB plug and play device that uses USB power to operate, adding the haptic feedback option means that an additional power supply is required.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Virtualizer software is also designed to track the virtual and real distances covered by the user whilst walking or running, which then allows analysis of calorie consumption and average speed. With an upcoming Software Development Kit (SDK), due to be available by the end of 2014, and a software interface that allows a choice of emulating a controller or a keyboard, the team believes that their device can be made compatible with almost any bespoke or commercial software.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The upshot of all this is that the Virtualizer also has the potential to be used in simulations other than games, such as virtual tours, education, and training applications.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Already awarded a number of prizes in the virtual and software arenas for its prototypes, the Cyberith team launched a <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1259519125/cyberith-virtualizer-immersive-virtual-reality-gam" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e8dd7; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a> campaign this week to help bring a commercial version to market. Prices start at US$599 for a standard Virtualizer rig without sensors, while $999 is the minimum price for a model including haptic feedback. If all goes to plan, deliveries are slated to begin in March 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The video pitch below shows the Virtualizer in action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Source: <a href="http://www.gizmag.com/cyberith-virtualizer-virtual-reality/33069/" target="_blank">gizmag</a></span></div>
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Cyberith's Virtualizer brings running, jumping ... and sitting to virtual reality

In recent years, we've seen a number of virtual reality (VR) devices targeted at bringing more immersive gaming to the home while al...