Disney announced a new bracelet-based system for park-goers: My Magic+. Green, glowing bracelets equipped with RFID technology, will soon allow Disney World visitors to make payments, receive alerts and better navigate the massive park. It will also collect more data about the people wearing them — and undoubtedly raise questions about privacy and the ethics of data collection in the process.
Re: Sound Bottle captures ambient noise and remixes it into unique, unexpected tracks. The bottle’s cork interface controls when it both records and plays back the sounds it captured — a fun use of technology to enhance the soundtrack of everyday life.
Toshiba has developed an object scanner designed to speed up the grocery checkout process. The scanner has the ability to recognize produce and even distinguish between varieties of apples.
Disney Research presents Touché, demonstrating that touch interactions don’t have to be limited to an on/off detection on glass, but rather any type of touch on any type of surface.
Keiichi Matsuda imagines what it would be like when digital layers of information converge with the physical environment – no device required. (Best viewed in 3D if you have 3D glasses handy)
Inspired by a viral video, this iPhone 4 app prompts you to take a picture of yourself everyday. It also includes a time lapse function so that after you’ve taken a number of photos you can watch a speedy photostream of your face with your daily surroundings blurring behind it.
This app excels in its simplicity and easy user experience — little things like using the iPhone 4′s camera, alarm, and even a grid that helps you line up your face on the screen.
