[From Defence Professionals]

[Image: A soldier trains in a simulator cab at the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)]

Gaming technology helping UK forces prepare for Afghanistan

July 5, 2011

A huge virtual reality training facility in Sennelager, Germany, which uses the latest 3D gaming technology, is helping British forces, from individuals to entire battle groups, prepare for operations in southern Afghanistan.

Two years ago, PlayStation-style war games helped soldiers of 5th Battalion The Rifles (5 RIFLES) get ready for their tour of Iraq.

Before departing for theatre, troops spent hours in simulators and replica operations rooms at the Sennelager Training Centre in Germany, driving virtual vehicles and commanding computer-generated ground patrols.

Many of those soldiers are now gearing up for Op HERRICK 15 and once again the early stages of their pre-deployment preparation took place in cyberspace.… read more. “Gaming technology helping UK forces prepare for Afghanistan”

[From The Los Angeles Daily News; other reviews can be found in The Daily Mail, informitv and Which?]

[Image: An audience member leaves the Los Angeles theatre as 3D replays (a bit blurry without the proper glasses) are shown from Petra Kvitova’s rather quick 6-3, 6-4 win over Maria Sharapova in this morning’s Wimbledon women’s singles final. (Photo by Tom Hoffarth)] 

HOFFARTH: In 3D, Wimbledon (and Sharapova) is much sharper

By Tom Hoffarth, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/02/2011
Updated: 07/03/2011

[snip]

This was a history-making moment in the 125th edition of Wimbledon. A live 3D feed was available in nearly 200 theatres worldwide, from Australia to Uruguay.

Southern California had five of the 50 U.S. theaters. England had 40 more.

That must have been the reason why a couple dozen of us had rolled out of bed before dawn and shuffled over to the otherwise deserted Rave 18 theatre over at the Howard Hughes Promenade near Westchester, getting there in time for the 6 a.m.… read more. “Wimbledon in 3D evokes telepresence, at least for some”

[From Eurogamer]

Sony predicts return of virtual reality

28/06/2011
by Fred Dutton

Not content with attempting to usher in the advent of 3D console gaming, it seems Sony now has its sights set on the next quantum leap – virtual reality.

Speaking in a video interview to promote next month’s b.tween 3D event in London, SCE Studios exec Mike Hocking explained that Sony’s recently announced HMD device could represent the future of 3D gaming by allowing users access to a full ‘virtual’ world.… read more. “Sony predicts return of virtual reality”

[From The Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel]

Philip Chard | Out of My Mind

New machines might pull us closer together

June 27, 2011

When frustrated with or puzzled about another person, we sometimes say, “I wish I could get inside his head.”

Intuitively, we recognize how tough it is to truly understand how another person perceives the world. Even heartfelt conversations between caring people cannot entirely bridge this interpersonal gap.

What, if anything, can?

Well, with emerging advances in communication technology, you and others of your choosing may soon be able to narrow this relational chasm in a way that meaningful dialogue alone cannot. At first, these new gizmos will be clunky, but they soon will create a way to relate to one another with what I call “perceptual intimacy” – truly grasping another person’s way of seeing and being in the world.… read more. “Technology that creates “perceptual intimacy” might pull us closer together”