Project Runway for Wii

Finally a video game I can get into! Atari is working on a video game based on the hit fashion reality show Project Runway.

Here's how it works:

The Project Runway video game will put players in the role of an aspiring fashion designer. Similar to the show, players will be presented with different challenges as they create designs and adorn models with hair, make-up, and accessories. Players can then become the model and strut their creations down the runway using the Wii Balance Board(TM) accessory. Capturing the true essence of Project Runway, the title will feature the show's talent.

The game is expected to launch in Spring 2010.

Gaga for Headphones

Lady Gaga is all about the branding. Heartbeats by Lady Gaga is the newest addition to the Dr. Dre headphone family from Monster. The headphones come in three different colors (red, bright chrome, and black) and are designed to look like jewelry. Wacky woman, wacky headphones I guess.

Some more details from the press release:

Monster has teamed with Best Buy for the launch of Heartbeats by Lady Gaga, which are available for pre-order exclusively at BestBuy.com and will be available in all Best Buy stores on October 18.

Heartbeats by Lady Gaga headphones are being made available with “ControlTalk,” an advanced on-cable feature that provides users with full control of their listening experience when using their 3GS iPhone, iPod shuffle and other new iPods and portable music devices. The special Monster ControlTalk headphone cable features an integrated high-grade microphone and answer button and allows users to access their music and answer phone calls without having to reach into their pocketbook, backpack or pocket.

Different Heartbeats by Lady Gaga versions and pricing as follows:

Heartbeats by Lady Gaga: Basic model (not including ControlTalk), available in all three colors, metallicized body with rose red earpiece, metallicized body with all chrome earpieces and black-on-black body and earpiece design. (SRP: $119.95 –currently available for pre-order exclusively online at BestBuy.com and in Best Buy stores on October 18).

Heartbeats by Lady Gaga: Basic model, with ControlTalk, available in black-on-black body and earpiece design only. (SRP: $149.95 – available by late October 2009.)

Heartbeats by Lady Gaga Haute Couture Ultra High Definition Headphones: With ControlTalk, available in metallicized body with rose red jewel-shaped crystal earpiece design. (SRP: $179.95 – available just in time for the holidays.)

Pulse SmartPen: Why Didn't I Have This in College?

I saw an ad for the LiveScribe Pulse SmartPen on the web and I was fascinated. This pen records and syncs audio with whatever you write. So if you're at a lecture or a meeting and you want to go back and see what was said at a particular time, you can tap on your notes to replay what was said at the moment you were writing. Users can also use the LiveScribe Desktop software to transfer notes to their PC to backup, replay, search for words within their notes, and share them online. The Pulse SmartPen is available in a 1GB (100 hours of recorded audio; $149) and 2GB (200 hours of recorded audio; $199) model.

Check out the demo on their website to get a better idea of all the things the Pulse SmartPen can do: http://www.livescribe.com/smartpen/index.html

Virtual Keyboard

Don't ask me what I was doing watching Room Raiders, but this episode happened to be very interesting because the girl doing the raiding was given a virtual keyboard to help in her spying. I did a search in Google for it and this is what I found:

The iTech Virtual Keyboard:


Here's a description from the website:

The Virtual Laser Keyboard (VKB) leverages the power of laser and infrared technology and projects a full-size keyboard onto any flat surface. As you type on the laser projection, detection technology based on optical recognition enables the user to tap the images of the keys, complete with realistic tapping sounds, which feed into the compatible Bluetooth-enabled PDA, Smartphone, laptop or PC.

So I guess this thing is supposed to replace a stylus or a chubby finger when typing on a handheld device. Not sure how well this thing works but it looks pretty cool.