Kotaku points us to a very odd an interesting looking prototype gaming console. The gist of the system is that it captures real-time data from sensors, such as GPS, a camera system, etc., to mold reality into an immersive gaming environment.

Kotaku puts it rather well :

I don’t come from the future, where everyday people carry s*** like this around in their back pocket. Sadly the device is very much in the prototype stage, and may not even be put into production … at least not until the year 2019, when people’s minds will be ready for it.

However, it did get me thinking of interesting uses for it and similar systems that integrate lots of sensor data with desktop processing power. It seems it would suit itself far more to immersive interactive improvisation, which lines up quite well for what many VJs try to do. Either way, I’d rather use something like this in a club or a concert hall than playing a first person shooter running around the streets of New York. Those 2019 cabs still hurt. I’ll admit this is rather far off, and that I am stretching, but I can imagine doing some really fun and creative things with a device like this.

Via Kotaku : Hewlett-Packard Unveil New Prototype, Vid For Gaming Handheld

Ed.: Far off? I don’t think so. Strap an Arduino or other sensor-to-digital interface to a Nokia N800, and you’re there! (GPS + camera + sensors.) For visualists, too, we have an added edge: you can take a simpler mobile machine as the interface device, wirelessly connected to a computer as a base station for the heavy lifting. Result: a very affordable device ought to work. -PK

Soldering is strangely addictive, like knitting for tech geeks. Maybe it’s the solder fumes, but I find myself oddly relaxed. The other big surprise is that it’s really far easier than beginners think. (Read: I’m a klutz. If I can do it, so can you.) And there are plenty of good visualist hacker projects to which you can apply your skill, from the Arduino to video switchers and synthesizers and other sensor-to-computer rigs for DIY VJ controllers or distance-sensing 3D animator thingies.

But the one soldering mountain even hardware DIYers seem not to fear is surface-mount soldering. It requires a lot more precision, and has a far greater potential to destroy an expensive component (partly because it’s trickier, and partly because you’re more likely to be doing it with something pricier).

Sparkfun, purveyors of cool DIY gadgetry and raiders of credit cards (at least mine), have a terrific tutorial on SMD:

Sparkfun Tutorials (scroll down for multi-part SMD knowledge written in a beginner-friendly style)

I hear you. You’re still not sure you won’t screw this up. It’s easier to watch it being done than hear it explained, so watch a soldering ninja at work in this new Sparkfun tutorial video:

Perfect for assembling your own Arduino and creating a new Processing visual project. Stay tuned; I’ve got some new projects for March and April that I’ll finally get to document here on CDMo.

Philip Stearns is recycling a yard sale computer as glitchy art. While we’ve been covering the rebirth of the Commodore 64 as a musical instrument over on Create Digital Music, this project turns vintage Texas Instruments TI-99 series computers into a live visual performance tool:

“Gently Modified” TI-99s Project Page with eBay sales info, photos, and video

Unlike the C64 projects, which lovingly restore the intended synthesis capabilities of the hardware, this is a true circuit bending project: the creator has “gently” added additional circuitry and short-circuited existing circuitry to deconstruct the graphics output. The clever part is the addition of optical sensors, the objects in front of the screen shown here. These feed input back into the machine in a loop.

The results are compelling, but I wonder if it’s long before people start using vintage computers to output results as they were intended, just as musicians have returned to 8-bit sound. Anyone for a VJ set with an early release of Macromind Director and QuickTime 1.0?

Via the master of retro and odd video projects, Video Thing, via Data as Nature

You wear it on your shoulder, but it’s not a guitar. It’s a US$425 MIDI controller, powered by SONAR and photocell sensors for Theremin-like control in the air. It could be none other than the latest creation from instrument builder Tony Amendolare, aka ElectroKraft.

You might have seen this instrument in November (see post and discussion on Music thing from when I was on vacation), but since then Tony has posted some video files. (Still more discussion: GetLoFi) It’s a lot easier to follow how the thing works in the video, and as for the spacey lab coats and welder’s masks, well, costumes just help add atmosphere:

Performance demonstrations by Dr. Modulus [QuickTime videos]

Audio sample [MP3]

The sound file is particularly stunning: the genius of the instrument is that it sends cascades of synth notes and percussion, either triggered as discrete events by tapping the, erm, globe, or as continuous series of notes by moving your hand through the air relative to the SONAR sensor. [Read the full description]

It’s a great demonstration of how changing the interface is more than just a gimmick: it can change the way your music sounds. You might be able to play something like this on a keyboard or MIDI guitar, but you’d be limited in live control and it would require a lot of trickery. And, of course, this model sends MIDI — so it’d be a blast to hook up to Logic’s Sculpture, Max/MSP, or Reaktor (among others). As usual, more is coming: Tony promises a model with rhythmic sequencing features.

Previously:

ElectroKraft Lunar Module: Spacey Handmade “Optical Theremin” Photocell Controller

Space Invaders Invades Synth, Guitar
Space Box: Theremin + Effects Box
Axe*Synth Theremin Guitar