Gadgets

Category: Gadgets

Augmented reality could offer sight to the visually impaired

Dan Gendro | November 6, 2013

Smart devices could provide users with the ability to see when they have previously been legally blind.

A new development regarding the use of augmented reality glasses is suggesting that these devices might be usable for individuals who have been declared legally blind, in providing them with the ability to see far more clearly.

Though this will not actually provide perfect vision, it could elevate the seeing abilities of some people.

The technology will not work for people who are completely blind. However, for individuals who have some level of vision, smart augmented reality glasses could help to provide them with an enhancement to this sense so that they can see better than they usually would.

This augmented reality based technology was developed by researchers at the University of Oxford.

The Oxford researchers used smart augmented reality glasses that contain an infrared projector and a camera, to be able to display image and gauge distance. This way, when the camera detects certain objects or other people that are in front of the wearer, they can be displayed on transparent OLED lenses in a way that can help to provide the wearer with an idea of where they are.

The augmented reality overlay can be adjusted to be displayed in a color that is most visible to the individual wearer, and its contrast can be adjusted to be much higher to make it easier to see for that person. Using this technology also makes it possible – in theory – for the glasses to be able to detect the difference between a person and an object. That way, a person who is legally blind would be better able to detect when they have things or people within their field of vision.

These augmented reality smart glasses function along with a gyroscope that is installed within them, as well as a GPS system and a compass, to provide a greater amount of data. Though they are far from restoring a full sense of vision, it can provide a system that is like AR to the wearer, considerably improving what can be seen.

At this point, the augmented reality vision devices are far from complete. Additional work is required. However, the researchers are ready to move ahead now that their discovery has won them a £50,000 prize from the Brian Mercer Award that they received from the Royal Society.

Gadgets unveiled for those who like writing by hand

Julie Campbell | November 4, 2013

These devices are being labeled “smartpens” and are the very latest in note taking tools.

The Livescribe 3 gadgets are being nicknamed smartpens are devices that are used to automatically transfer notes that have been written by hand onto the screen of a tablet or smartphone.

However, they also have a type of capacitive tip that allow them to be used as a stylus, as well.

The Livescribe 3s are in essence gadgets that work like a premium form of ballpoint pen that will allow you to take notes on paper and wirelessly transfer them to the virtual world in a quick and easy way. It connects to the mobile device by way of Bluetooth. Once that connection has been activated and the supporting app has been launched on a smartphone or tablet, any notes that are taken on paper through the use of the smartpen.

These gadgets provide a comfortable and realistic bridge between handwriting and the digital world.

Gadgets - Livescribe smartpen At the same time, even if the gadgets aren’t activated, or connected to a mobile device, it can still perform. Its battery lasts as long as 14 hours and, as long as it is fully charged, it can store everything that has been written so that it can be transferred to the device once it is reconnected. Moreover, the pen can be used for activating the microphone of a device so that audio can be recorded at the appropriate location within the notes. Beyond that, it also has a cap that converts the traditional pen into a stylus that can be used against the screen of the smartphone or tablet.

According to the Livescribe CEO, Gilles Bouchard, who spoke about these gadgets, “People shouldn’t have to choose between their pen and their digital devices. The Livescribe 3 smartpen sends everything they write on paper to their tablet or smartphone, where our mobile application makes this information useful in truly innovative ways.” Bouchard added that “It’s simply the most elegant and versatile pen we’ve ever made.”

These gadgets are compatible with iPhone 4S devices and newer, as well as everything including and after the third generation of full sized iPads, all of the iPad Mini tablets, and everything including and after the iPod Touch fifth generation.

There are two different version of the Livescribe gadgets. The first smartpen costs $149.95 (RM471), and includes both a USB charging cable and a 50 page notebook. The other model is the Pro Edition, which costs $199.99 and includes the charging cable, a 100 page notebook, an additional ink cartridge, and a subscription for one year to Evernote Premium. Already available in the United States, its launch in Canada, Europe, and Asia is coming soon.