Electronic Toy World

Now that the power of gaming graphics has risen to the point that games are blurring the lines of reality entertainment, one has to ask … could LucasArts “The Force Unleashed” be the greatest game ever? Designed with three different simulation technologies, The Force Unleashed is being designed to push the envelope in Xbox, Wii, and Playstation 3 consoles. And judging by the video below that talks about the tech behind the game, it just may be.

The game’s premise is a simple one. The gamer is Darth Vader’s secret apprentice and after much training, the Force has unleashed incredible powers in this padawan learner. Designed around three major simulation technologies, TFU is more than a game, it may actually be a Force simulation. Utilizing the Havok physics engine, designers are able to move an amazing amount of detail within the scenario. The result is the ability to move a great number of objects on screen at once. Great if you’re using the force to push back a hoard of destroyer droids. Euphoria, is the technology that gives animated characters their individuality. They reaction to what’s happening around them and insures that no two reactions are the same. Finally, Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) simulates the substance of an object in the scene and make it behave like it would in the real world. Glass shatters like glass, metal bends like metal, wood splinters as it should. Coupling this with Euphoria and the game environment reacts as it would if it were real life.

Add to this the hopeful promise of a Lightsaber Wii controller, and the result is that the Force Unleashed could be more simulation than game. And that begs the question … will The Force Unleashed be the greatest game ever? Well, at least until they make a better one.

Source, with video – Kotaku

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This is a must have for any self respecting Star Wars office worker, the lightsaber desk lamp.

Show your allegiance with style, you can buy a red lightsaber for those preferring the dark side or green for the office goodie.

Must admit I can’t believe it’s taken this long before somebody thought of making a lamp from the Jedis favourite weapon. You can light and decorate your desk for $19.99 from Think Geek.

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Posted Jan 26th 2008 1:08PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Robots
We’ve witnessed our fair share of Robovies, and let’s just say we’ve a healthy fear of ‘em. That being said, we’re fairly certain we’d come darn close to fainting or reacting violently should the creature pictured above approach us while shopping ever. Nevertheless, this humanoid is apparently allowed to run amok at Universal Citywalk Osaka as the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute tests out its ability to interpret signals from cameras, sensors and RFID readers and determine which patrons are thoroughly lost. When it recognizes a stumped individual, it wheels over, confirms their state of confusion and politely offers directions to their destination of choice. Still, tell us you could seriously look down at those eyes and not completely forget where you were trying to go — we triple-dog dare you.

[Via Tech Digest]

If innovation in pizza cutter creation ever hits the mainstream, artist Frankie Flood will be the first to know. His exhibition at the Museum of Wisconsin Art, which includes five pizza cutters resembling motorcycles and bearing funky names like Psycho Pizza Cadillac, has garnered well deserved attention for their ability to show that “even the most utilitarian object has strong artistic value.”

I wonder if those wheels could manage the deep and gooey terrain of a Chicago deep dish?

Via OhGizmo!

This strange appendage snaps on to the bottom of your standard PlayStation 3 SIXAXIS joystick, turning it into a poor-man’s DualShock controller.

PEGA’s oddly-named “Vibrating Bag” adds rumble capability to your stock PS3 controller. Now they don’t specify if the vibration actually works when the game generates its feedback signal, or if the thing just continuously rumbles. But couldn’t your tired hands use a relaxing massage anyway?

In addition to adding some unwelcome bulk to the controller, the remote receiver that plugs into the console’s USB port has a huge antenna sticking out of it, messing with your PS3’s sleek good looks.

If the contraption wasn’t off-kilter enough, it also has a built-in FM radio - ’cause there’s not thing I like to do more while playing a round of Uncharted than cranking up the Boomer and the Nudge morning show.

So if you really, really can’t bear to spend the bucks on a proper PS3 DualShock Controller, head on over to DealExtreme and take your chances.

read more about:

controller, dualshock, fm, playstation, ps3, radio, rumble, sixaxis, sony, vibration

Palm has confirmed the latest rumor regarding the closing of their retail locations. Initially the news of the store closings made it seem like Palm had finally hit the dark tunnel at the end of the line, however their statement regarding the closings gives us a little more hope for the future. According to Palm the store closings will allow them to “focus on its next-generation smartphone platform.” Still a little skeptical, but we would like to trust them.

As for the store closings, Palm will be closing all of their eight branded stores in California and all 26 airport locations. They will be keeping just one store open which is located at their headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. The closings will all take place over the next five weeks. Sad to see the closings, but hopefully this will allow Palm to deliver that magic device we are all waiting to see.

Via [RCR Wireless News]

Posted Jan 26th 2008 10:11AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Portable VideoCES 2008 brought us plenty of gimmicky 3D-related gadgetry, a bit that was respectable, and apparently, the TDVisor-HD. Nearly three weeks after the show concluded, TDVision Systems has just now gotten around to tossing out a press release boasting about how much fun was had by folks stopping by and checking out the “world’s first portable, all digital, high-def 3D visualization system.” Unfortunately, we’re left to ponder on precisely what this thing is, but as best we can tell, it’s yet another Virtual Boy-esque device, ‘cept this one does 720p (and 3D). Per usual, a price and release date are conveniently absent, but considering that we can’t even recall the last time we wore anything with “visor” in the product name (well, besides that one time…), we suppose it’ll be alright.

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If I ever do pack it all in and decide to work from home, then I am definitely getting me one of these. I would not go quite as far as setting it up over a bed; I would be setting up the ErgoQuest 500 over some sort of mega-expensive massage chair. Seriously, this is a cool concept for people that are bed ridden for whatever reason, not just the extremely lazy amongst us. The ErgoQuest 500 carries up to 400lbs of equipment, so you can fit whatever combination of monitors you want in there. It rocks some motorized legs that are operated via a keypad, so you never have to physically lift anything.

The price, is a bankroll punishing $4,000, not counting the bed or massage chair. You have to be very serious about your relaxing if you want to get one of these.

Office Organix, Baller House

Most speakers only have the single feature of providing sound, but the iTube speakers are different because they also offer a light show.

Also known as Aquallusion ITube Lights, the speakers give 360 degrees of acoustic sound, and all the visual effects are made thanks to the LED lights. Besides the color change, the design element is also always changing due to the bubbles effects.

The package includes a remote control so you can change the light effects easily, and to have this sound + visual experience, it will cost you $250.

Product Page

Via GeekAlerts

Posted Jan 26th 2008 11:03AM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video
Call it fate or call it luck, but regardless of what you deem it, the latest wave of Cowon price drops will certainly save you a few bucks. Judging by listings at JetMall, Cowon has slashed dollars off of price tags attached to a variety of its devices, including $50 off of the luscious Q5W, $20 from the A3 30GB and some $90 from the 16GB iAUDIO 7. What’s more, the entire Q5W lineup now comes with a free GPS cradle and a warm fuzzy feeling to boot. So if you’ve been holding off on treating yourself to a new Cowon, we’d say now would be a fairly decent time to pull the trigger and indulge.

[Via CNET]