[From Digital Trends]

Instaglasses always let you see the world in vintage filters

You practically Instagram everything you see anyway, so why not alter your vision to feel like you’re on Instagram 24/7?

June 21, 2012 By Natt Garun

Let’s admit it: Some of you are total Instagram addicts. You can’t seem to take pictures without the need to add filters and make them look cooler, and photos without the edits just seem bland and… oh, so contemporary. If you’re so in love with vintage photographic filters, why not see the world in them? That’s the idea behind the Instaglasses concept by Markus Gerke.

Maybe taking it one step too far, the Instaglasses concept contains a 5 megapixel camera at the side of the Ray-Ban-esque frame which will apply filters to everything you see in real life. The original viewpoint of the city too bland for you?… read more. “Instaglasses alter your vision to feel like you’re on Instagram 24/7”

[From The Telegraph; more information is available from the BBC]

[Image: BBC R&D have been developing acoustics that can trick the listener into believing they are really at events such as concerts with sound coming from every direction – even above and below. Photo: Getty.]

BBC is developing 3D radio

Engineers at the BBC are developing new technology to broadcast radio and television programmes with three-dimensional sound.

By Richard Gray, Science Correspondent
10 Jun 2012

Three-dimensional television may only just have arrived, but engineers at the BBC are already working on the next step – 3D radio.

Researchers at the corporation’s technology unit, BBC R&D, have been developing acoustics that can trick the listener into believing they are really at events such as concerts with sound coming from every direction – even above and below.

The technology could bring new vigour to the BBC’s long-established sound effects department, allowing its experts to fool audiences into hearing an object rising or falling.… read more. “BBC R&D is developing 3D radio”

[From The University of Central Florida]

[Image: A “cool girl” greets a student in the school hallway. Photo courtesy of Virtually Better, Inc.)]

Avatars May Help Children With Social Anxiety

Researchers looking for 8- to 12-year-olds to participate in study

By Chad Binette
June 12, 2012

A principal standing in the hallway says, “You are one of my favorite students!” In class, a smart girl says, “You are the nicest person in our class!”

Many children would smile and eagerly return those compliments, but some with social anxiety may be too terrified to respond.

Researchers at the University of Central Florida’s Anxiety Disorders Clinic and the Atlanta-based company Virtually Better want to give more children with social anxiety the practice they need to become comfortable in social situations. They have developed a new, one-of-a-kind computer simulation program that enables children to interact with avatars playing the roles of classmates, teachers and a principal.… read more. “Avatars may help children with social anxiety”

[From CNET’s Crave blog, where the post includes another image and a 1:09 minute video]

[Image: A visitor to Dan Chen’s “Last Moment Hospital” interacts with the Last Moment Robot. Credit: Dan Chen]

Last Moment Robot: ‘End of life detected’

Imagine drawing your final breath in the sole company of a talking machine: “I am here to comfort you. You are not alone, you are with me.”

by Leslie Katz
June 5, 2012

As a woman lies on a mattress on the floor, a small white machine attached to her outstretched right arm offers the following words:

I am the Last Moment Robot. I am here to help you and guide you through your last moment on Earth. I am sorry that your family and friends can’t be with you right now, but don’t be afraid. I am here to comfort you.… read more. “Last Minute Robot comforts you as you die: Daniel Chen’s robotic intimacy technology explores big questions”

[From The Orange County Register, where the story includes many additional images]

Imagineers plan Cars Land with virtual reality

By Ian Hamilton / The Orange County Register
Updated: June 16, 2012

Almost 60 miles from Disneyland in Anaheim, I’m standing in the middle of Cars Land, the 12-acre addition to the Disneyland Resort in California Adventure that is the largest expansion to the resort in its history except for California Adventure.

In front of me, blue skies and wispy white clouds float behind the vaguely automobile-inspired mountains of Radiator Springs, the town from Pixar’s “Cars” film. I can’t see them, but off in the distance to the right somewhere, there’s Mickey’s Fun Wheel and to the left the Tower of Terror. They are there, but all I can see from where I’m standing is this view of a quiet old town along Route 66.… read more. “Imagineers plan new attractions in Disney’s Digital Immersive Showroom”