GestureWorks Gameplay adds customizable touch controls to any PC game

The GestureWorks Gameplay program allows any video game running on a Windows 8 device to be played with an on-screen touch controller

The computer interaction experts at Ideum have developed a number of impressive multi-touch smart tables in the past, such as the Platform 46 and the Pano Touch Table, many of which were built around their proprietary GestureWorks software. Now the company is gearing up to release its GestureWorks Gameplay program, which is built around the same engine and allows any video game running on a Windows 8 device o be played with an on-screen touch controller.
With GestureWorks Gameplay installed, players will be able to create their own virtual controllers for any game, which will show up as an overlay on the action. Using a simple tool, gamers can add an assortment of buttons, joysticks, D-pads, switches, and scroll wheels right onto the screen and build a full set of controls from scratch. From there, each item can be moved anywhere on the display and altered in terms of size, color, opacity and labeling to form a unique controller that's tailor-made for a specific title.

Once these controllers have been put together, users will be able to share them with other players through an online community and download any existing ones for a wide range of games. The touch control software even allows for two players to share the same screen and use their individual controllers on co-op games.



Besides adding digital buttons onto the screen, players can also program over 200 different gesture commands, swiping in front of a character to make them attack or tapping above them to trigger a jump, for instance.


Many PC gamers might balk at the idea of replacing a mouse and keyboard with an on-screen controller, but the addition of touch controls could make gaming on the go much easier, especially for people with a large backlog of titles to play. Some games that are less action-focused, like Trine, may actually benefit from them.

Currently, Ideum is allowing people to sign up for a beta of GestureWorks Gameplay through an official website. The beta will be released in October, with the full version of the software slated for November of this year.

In the meantime, you can watch the video below to see how GestureWorks Gameplay's touch controls perform on a number of modern games.

Source: GestureWorks Gameplay




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How Google Fiber Can Still Benefit You, Even if You’re Not in a Google Market

Google Appliance as shown at RSA Expo 2008 in San Francisco. It was only a computer case with no parts inside.-Daniel A (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Google’s cheap, competitive pricing for its fiber-based Internet and TV service has many tech users clamoring for the service, but unfortunately it’s roll-out is still in very limited markets. However, in spite of limited availability of Google Fiber, the service may have far more wide-reaching effects, even to those who don’t live or work in a market where Google is deploying Google Fiber, which is good news for pretty much everyone in the U.S.

For a software and Internet services company, Google had curiously positioned itself in the cable TV and Internet delivery service market when it announced Google Fiber. The company had told consumers that it hoped to create a competitive pricing for Internet and cable TV and bring Internet access to more people, which sounds great. However, Google’s “do no evil” mantra extends beyond this innocent look into the real motive of Google Fiber, and thankfully Google’s deep-seeded ulterior motive is still not evil.

At the National Cable Television Association Cable Show, Forbes reports that Citigroup analyst Jason Bazinet theorized that Google may be leveraging its limited roll-out of Google Fiber to lower Internet prices. As Google is a search giant, it wants to make the vehicle for delivery of search results, services, and most importantly, ads, to become more affordable for all Americans, not just in the markets where Google is planning to deploy its Fiber service.

Bazinet postulates that rising cable TV costs are now forcing consumers to choose slower Internet packages or those with more limited capped data thresholds, which could hurt Google’s core business. By entering into key markets, Google will be challenging traditional cable TV providers, and other fiber providers like AT&T’s U-Verse service or Verizon’s FiOS, into lowering the price.

The thing is, if those companies lower the price in markets where Fiber is available, they’ll have to do so in all other markets across the country. Else, they’ll face questions from regulators about how the business is completely noncompetitive in markets where Google isn’t present.

And given that there are more services, apps, and need for both speed and more data bandwidth, it’s important for Google to shake up the market with Fiber by forcing Internet service providers in loosening up caps and restrictions while at the same time bringing down pricing. Android phones, connected homes, tablets, computers, smart TVs and other appliances and devices could provide avenues for Google to tap with its advertising service, but for that to happen, customers need ready access to the Internet.

Is Google being strategically manipulative? Whatever the case may be, consumers win even if they don’t live in an area with Google Fiber. Now, if Google would just enter the carrier business and present consumers with a winning ultra-fast mobile data connection at even more affordable prices without caps or throttling, and we’ll be in mobile heaven.

keep up with the newest technologies and contemplate about how these will be used in the future. On this blog I'll share my thoughts about the future of technology, based on the high Tech RoadShow inventions of today. Enhanced by Zemanta

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Hands On With the Samsung Galaxy S 4

Shortly after Samsung's announcement that its flagship phone, the Galaxy S 4, will be coming to the U.S. in April, the carriers and retailers started releasing exact dates and pricing for the device.

The Galaxy S 4 is already available for pre-order at AT&T, with the shipping date being April 30. The price is $199.99 with a two-year contract. Walmart also announced that the Samsung Galaxy S 4 is available for pre-order, with a price of $168 if you sign a two-year service contract from AT&T.

Sprint announced it will open pre-orders for the device Friday, with the store availability date being April 27. The Galaxy S 4 will cost $249.99 with a two-year service agreement, and new customers who switch their phone number to Sprint will receive an additional $100 in instant credit.
T-Mobile will open online orders April 24, with the price being $149.99 as part of a 24-month plan. Remember, T-Mobile recently did away with contracts.
We will be adding pricing and dates of availability to this post as we receive them from carriers, so stay tuned!
 Samsung officially announces the Galaxy S4 for the United
Image courtesy of Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S4

.keep up with the newest technologies and contemplate about how these will be used in the future. On this blog I'll share my thoughts about the future of technology, based on the high Tech RoadShow inventions of today. Enhanced by Zemanta

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iPhone 5 Cases You’ll Love

Now that you’ve had a few weeks to familiarize yourself with your new iPhone 5, it’s time to think about giving it a makeover. We’ve rounded up several cases that absorb shock and keep your new smartphone safe and secure throughout the day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxads/popular-interesting/

  

SEE ALSO: 20 Cases for Your New iPhone 5 From cases that can mount anywhere to pouches and special impact-resistant material, here are 14 iPhone 5 cases that you’ll surely love. Bumps? No biggie. Chips? Not going to happen. If you have a specific case you’ve fallen in love with, let us know in the comments.

keep up with the newest technologies and contemplate about how these will be used in the future. On this blog I'll share my thoughts about the future of technology, based on the high Tech Road Show Blog inventions of today.

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Sony SmartWatch developer campaign ends soon – last call for submissions

With our Sony SmartWatch developer campaign in full swing, we’d like to remind you that Tuesday, June 26 is the last day to submit SmartWatch apps to Google play in order to get your free Smart Wireless Headset pro, and most of all, the chance of being promoted in Sony’s social media channels. We’re also still sending out SmartWatches to developers submitting their SmartWatch app ideas through our online form. Read on to get a status update on this campaign, and to get helpful links to aid in your SmartWatch app development.

Last month, we launched a search to find the most innovative apps and ideas for SmartWatch, Sony’s micro display for Android smartphones. We’ve seen some existing apps that have great potential, and some new, brilliant apps that use SmartWatch’s many features – notification capabilities, accelerometer, control API and widget API. Since our kickoff of the Sony SmartWatch developer campaign last month, we’ve been really impressed by the interest in this campaign:

• We received a lot of app ideas the AnDevCon developer event in San Francisco.
• We’ve received a really big number of ideas in our form online.
• We’ve handed out or shipped hundreds of SmartWatch devices so far.
• We’ve also seen a number of new SmartWatch compatible apps being added to Google Play lately, and we’re getting pinged by many developers looking for a Smart Wireless Headset pro and promotion in our social media channels.

SmartWatch-compatible apps on Google play.

Looking for promotion in Sony’s social media channels? Want a Smart Wireless Headset pro? Deadline is June 26!
Remember, in addition to getting a SmartWatch, if you’ve created a solid SmartWatch app and upload it to Google Play by June 26, 2012, we might ask to promote your app Sony’s social media channels, like the Sony Mobile Facebook page (with close to 7 million fans). You may also be part of Sony’s Recommender app, installed on more than 10 million Sony Xperia™ smartphones. So take the opportunity to develop a cool and useful app, and you will have the chance to get a lot of visibility online!
In addition, if you submit your app to Google Play by June 26, we’ll actually send you a Smart Wireless Headset pro as a complementary bonus (if it’s a solid app). To apply for your free headset, just enter some short information about your app extension and shipping details in this form, no later than June 26, 2012.

SmartWatch and Smart Wireless Headset pro. 

It’s not too late – apply today!
If you haven’t gotten around to submitting your idea, there’s still time. We will soon start to send out another batch of SmartWatch devices!

1. To submit your idea and apply for a free SmartWatch, use this form.
2. To tell us about your app and apply for a free Smart Wireless Headset pro, use this form.

Helpful SmartWatch developer links
We would also like to take the chance of saying a big thank you to all the developers who have submitted a SmartWatch idea to us. You should have already received an email acknowledging your submission, and we’ll send a follow up email soon regarding the outcome of your submission.
In the event that your SmartWatch app or app idea is not selected, we hope that you will continue developing your project anyway. Here are a few, key developer links to help you along the way:

• Smart Extension SDK overview page – use this site to download the Smart Extension SDK and get more information on how to make your apps work with SmartWatch, Smart Wireless Headset pro and other Smart Extras accessories. You can also use the SmartWatch emulator in the Smart Extension SDK to use in your development, even if you do not have a physical device.
• Sony Mobile Device Loaner Program – use this site to borrow Sony Xperia smartphones and mobile accessories, including SmartWatch and Smart Wireless Headset pro, for free.
• Stack Overflow forum – use this site to post your technical questions related to SmartWatch development. This forum is monitored closely by Sony Mobile engineers from Developer Support and Accessories teams.
• Stack Overflow SmartWatch technical questions – use this link to view all SmartWatch-related questions posted on Stack Overflow.

More information

• Learn more about the Sony SmartWatch app campaign.
• Download and learn more about the Smart Extension SDK.
• Read our most recent SmartWatch blog post.
• Watch our SmartWatch videos on YouTube covering the SmartWatch firmware update and SmartWatch and Smart Wireless Headset pro demo.
• Apply for a free SmartWatch using this form.
• Apply for a Smart Wireless Headset pro using this form.

keep up with the newest technologies and contemplate about how these will be used in the future. On this blog I'll share my thoughts about the future of technology, based on the high Tech Road Show Blog inventions of today.

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