Both of the below mentioned PC’s are probably in the market by now as the news about these articles are published in the year 2006. the surprising thing for me is that inspite of their benifits i haven’t seen (noticed) them any where so far. and another interesting discussion to start would be ‘How does these small PC’s affect interactions!’ ÂÂ
 It’s only 2×2×2.2 inch! It’s called the Space Cube and it’s supposed to be the smallest personal computer in the world. It has a built-in 300MhZ processor and it’s also equipped with 64MB of SDRAM. There are a bunch of ports visible in the picture, such as USB, Ethernet, Flash memory, a monitor output port, serial connection and even a microphone slot. The monitor is capable of displaying up to 65k colors at a resolution of 1280×1024 pixels.  sourceÂÂ
WALL-PCContaining all the electronics needed to run as a low- to medium-power PC, the Jack PC, as its name suggests, will fit into a standard size wall socket. The entire PC sits on two layered circuitboards. It contains an AMD RISC processor to help reduce power consumption and heat output.According to Jade Integration’s managing director, Andy MacLellan, low power was one of the big breakthroughs achieved with the Jack PC. “A regular PC will use 80 Watts or more of power, and this only uses 5 Watts. That makes a big difference to the cost of running it, as well as other things.” sourceÂÂ
 An application that, using an inexpensive camera, lets users control a mouse pointer by aiming their face around the screen. The Head-Tracking Pointer provides an inexpensive and easily-used mouse replacement for those unable to use traditional pointing devices. Using only software and any Web-cam, this application allows users to point and click with character-level accuracy by simply aiming their face. sourceyou can also download the software from the IBM web site.  ÂÂ
some of you might be aware of this site, but its worth mentioning one more time. All the people who are looking forward to spend more time in the iLab this site could be an inspiration. It has various sections for everyones interest: blog, podcasts, projects and community too to discuss your own ideas.so click away to makazine.ÂÂ
In the previous post there was a link to one SuperNews episode. SuperNews is animator Josh Faure-Bracs new series about politics and the Internet.
You can watch all the episodes here.
A special episode where Josh Faure-Brac tries to live without the internet for 24 hours.
“It’s an epidemic. It can strike anyone. It begins harmlessly enough… maybe with a cell phone, an online social network profile, or an IM. But before long, the electronic screens invade every corner of your life.
There’s a name for this tragic and extremely annoying condition: Screen Addiction.”
SuperNews episode on social networks
Documentary on Social Network users (scary, maybe)ÂÂ
Funny thing is that the videos are on current.tv, another social networking site.
A lot of you are using LinkedIn but are not members of Umea Institute of Design Alumni (you don’t have to be an alumni yet to join). To join, simply click on the group logo at the bottom on a profile page of someone that is a member (e.g. http://www.linkedin.com/in/stinajonsson) or search for the group.
Sales blurb:
“If you want to get started in new era of interaction design, this is the reference you need. Packed with informative illustrations and photos, Designing Gestural Interfaces provides you with essential information about kinesiology, sensors, ergonomics, physical computing, touchscreen technology, and new interface patterns — information you need to augment your existing skills in “traditional” websites, software, or physical products. This book will help you enter this new world of possibilities.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNOohFst9Lc]
I was on my way to subway station to meet some friends in Stockholm and heard some one coughing. I turned around and didn’t see anyone. I proceeded further thinking that it’s just an illusion, but I hear it again. So I decided to trace the sound, it lead me to this slim board standing my a waste bin. This mini billboard was embedded with couple of speakers playing the coughing sound in a loop. the message on the board urges the passer-by to donate 50 KR to people suffering from Tuberculosis in Africa.Very simple interactive idea and it does its job. ÂÂ
Mozilla launches Snowl messaging prototype.
 Mozilla has launched a prototype messaging Firefox extension that it says could eventually enable users to keep track of all of their electronic communications, including email, RSS, social networks and web discussions. more hereÂÂ
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/whatonboard/previewthenewseats
For those of you who were familiar with the Vodafone future scenarios website, the office I’m working at (Teague, Everett) just released their latest interactive simulation of their aircraft and interior experience. It involved a lot of 3d modelling, green screens and Papervision 3d in Flash. Unfortunately this was done in the other office, so I missed out on the real work – but I saw some intial mockups and found them incredibly fascinating.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_X5uR7VC4M]
Find a funny video tutorial series on Photoshop under the name You suck at Photoshop. For more serious/great ones on all kinds of software go to Lynda.com. You have to pay to become a member but maybe if enough of you are interested the school might pay.
.. the world of make-up. Estee Lauder and Lancome are both concerned how women put on their mascara. Lashes not long enough? Have no fear, the vibrating mascara is here! And it’s called TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara.