'This is an updated list of all the tablets being talked about right now, broken down by their likelihood of actually making it to consumers' hands. The four categories are "It's Here" for tablets that have hit the market or have an impending release date; "It's Coming" for tablets that have some kind of projected release date; "It's Likely" for tablets that manufacturers have talked about releasing but aren't completely official yet; and "It's Cancelled" for tablets that were previously expected but are no longer in development.'
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2010/0917/Tablet-computers-what-s-here-and-w...

"Children's 'Future Requests' for Computers and the Internet" (with ReadWriteWeb) is one installment in an ongoing series of open innovation research studies which Latitude publishes in the spirit of knowledge-sharing and opportunity discovery. Unified by a common digital thread, the Latitude 42s explore a range of everyday human experiences most likely to shape the future of commerce, communication, and civic life, from food information access to the new sharing economy to the Internet of Things.

"The American Museum of Natural History today unveiled the American Museum of Natural History Explorer app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, designed to help users better navigate through the Museum’s various exhibitions.

The Museum has been newly outfitted with indoor Wi-Fi, and users can use the app [iTunes link] to pinpoint their location and receive turn-by-turn directions through the 45 permanent exhibition halls, theaters, restrooms, cafes and shops. In addition, the app can be used to access customized visual and audio tours, a fossil treasure hunt, and further information about more than 140 specimens and objects on display — all of which can easily be shared to e-mail, Facebook and Twitter."
http://mashable.com/2010/07/29/american-museum-of-natural-history-app/

Augmented Reality for Maintenance and Repair (ARMAR) explores the use of augmented reality to aid in the execution of procedural tasks in the maintenance and repair domain. The principal research objective of this project is to determine how real time computer graphics, overlaid on and registered with the actual repaired equipment, can improve the productivity, accuracy, and safety of maintenance personnel. Head-worn, motion-tracked displays augment the user’s physical view of the system with information such as sub-component labeling, guided maintenance steps, real time diagnostic data, and safety warnings. The virtualization of the user and maintenance environment allows off-site collaborators to monitor and assist with repairs. Additionally, the integration of real-world knowledge bases with detailed 3D models provides opportunities to use the system as a maintenance simulator/training tool. This project features the design and implementation of prototypes integrating the very latest in motion tracking, mobile computing, wireless networking, 3D modeling, and human-machine interface technologies.

"Dropping fake cockroaches into the real world shows how uniquely convincing augmented reality can be."

Anyone want to try? Is there an app for this?

"OVER the phone flu diagnoses could become a reality thanks to revolutionary "iCough"-style medical technology being developed in Queensland.

Australian and US researchers are developing hi-tech software that would diagnose pneumonia, flu and other respiratory diseases by analysing the sound of a cough.

That means patients may soon be able to sneeze into their mobile phones for a diagnosis.

The University of Queensland's Dr Udantha Abeyratne is working on ways to fit phones and mp3 players with mini-microphones that are purpose-built to record coughing."
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/technology/icough-technology-could-diagnos...

A most interesting interface. Is it a new book? an eBook? Oh, it is a Noteboek!

"This conceptual video is a corporate collaborative research project
initiated by Bonnier R&D into the experience of reading magazines on
handheld digital devices. It illustrates one possible vision for
digital magazines in the near future, presented by our design partners
at BERG.

The concept aims to capture the essence of magazine reading, which
people have been enjoying for decades: an engaging and unique reading
experience in which high-quality writing and stunning imagery build up
immersive stories."

video at http://vimeo.com/8217311