New Zealand based Industrial Research has created a prototype mobile scanner that quickly scans a crime scene and renders a 3D model of it. “The Scene-scanner can be waved over a scene or object like a can of spray paint”, according to Stuff, “going slowly over areas of interest to create high-resolution images, and quickly over other areas to create a rough picture.”
The scanner uses a digital camera and laser to calculate the distance between the object and scanner, cross-referencing readings with targets that are placed around the scene to tell it where it is in the room.
The scan can be rendered on a computer while you are still scanning, allowing you to view areas you may have missed so you can rescan them. The scan of the mannequin (above) consists of more than one million geospatial data points mapped to about 2400 digital photos. It’s pretty quick too, taking only ewo minutes to complete the process.
The Scene-scanner will be the first that can be moved freely around an object or room to get into nooks and crannies, Industrial Research says. Watch the video….
The Huby is the latest chic Firewire and USB hub from LaCie. Featuring four USB 2.0 ports and two Firewire 400 ports, a USB fan, and USB powered light. All reaching out from a white polycarbonate base, on flexible cables.
“LaCie has a history of merging innovative technology with forward-thinking design, for which we consistently receive accolades,” said LaCie Product Manager Alexis Kobassian. “Even something as simple as a hub can be viewed as a design object. LaCie Huby’s unique shape sets it apart from any other hub on the market. It serves a function, but we also hope it sparks conversation about technology and design.”
Huby supports Mac OS 9, OS X, Linux, and Windows 98SE to Vista. Eight LED indicators - white, violet, green, red, yellow, orange, blue, and pink - show port activity status. Designed by the Paris based Ora-Ãto.
The Huby will be available in early December for $80.
Median’s MX-400M is a shiny new VoIP capable MP3 player. According to Aving, “the MX-400 can be used to make free internet calls in connection with a laptop or desktop pc and it can also have its own number to make/receive call, which might be useful for businessmen traveling frequently around the world.”
You’ll get 21 hours per charge out of the rechargeable lithium battery. A built-in USB slider is the most unique feature, but don’t forget about the FM tuner, voice recorder, image/text viewer, direct encoding, and infrared remote. Available in early December, and priced at $140 for 1GB and $160 for 2GB version.
At just 11 years old, Arfa Karim Randhawa, is officially the “world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)â€. That’s right, she started when she was six, thought it was a blast, and she is now programming in C#! Watch the video below as Ron Jacobs interviews her.
To attain this credential, a person must display technical proficiency in areas like Visual Studio 6.0, .Net, and Windows Server 2003.
Finally, a 3D scanner to go with your 3D printer! The NextEngine Desktop 3D scanner scans an object (approximately 2 minutes), exports the scan to many popular formats including VRML and OBJ - then renders it on-screen for you to manipulate.
The NextEngine is supposedly accurate to within 0.005 inches. It’s priced at $2,495. With that you also get an object gripper and a rotating “positioner” (above right) for scanning the backside of objects. The NextEngine connects to any Windows PC with a minimum 2GHz via USB.
NTT DoCoMo, Fuji Television Network, Nippon Broadcasting System and other companies are joining forces to develop television shows specifically for mobile phones, according to Reuters. Pictured above is the Nokia N92, which lets you watch TV programs.
Here comes the Samsung YP-K5’s “little bro” as Engadget calls it. Apparently, it will sport a 1.8-inch OLED display, FM tuner and and maybe be available in the same 1, 2, and 4GB versions as the K5.
According to PC World China, Samsung is aiming at the 2nd gen iPod Nano with their launch of the K3. Not much else is known as of right now, but it looks hot.
Clarins, a France based cosmetics supplier, is about to launch the world’s first spray to protect skin from the electromagnetic radiation created by mobile phones and electronic devices like laptops. Apparently, this new “anti-radiation” spray will be available in January for €39 ($50 USD).
According to Clarins, electromagnetic radiation is one cause of abnormal skin aging. “The spray contains molecules derived from microorganisms living near undersea volcanoes and from plants which survive in extreme conditions such as alongside motorways and in Siberia.”
YouTube will soon announce an agreement that will bring users videos Verizon’s V Cast service.
According to Pete Cashmore, “you can expect the service to launch next month.” Which is much sooner than previously thought by some. Additionally, users will be able upload videos from a Verizon phones to YouTube.
From Reuters: Verizon says about 20 million of its customers have phones that could support Vcast. But only about 10 percent of these phone users have subscribed to Vcast.
So what should we expect from this deal? This deal should increase service revenue significantly for Verizon, and get U.S. consumers more involved in mobile video usage.
Remember when we talked about 
YouTube will soon announce an agreement that will bring users videos Verizon’s V Cast service.