Microsoft Kinect Hacked to play World of Warcraft

I. MUST. HAVE. THIS! Now if I just get my Technomancer Hoodie and a Microsoft Kinect....I'll be all set to Rule Azaroth!


Living Rooms all around the world are shaking with fear of users actually taking swords and attacking their big screens thanks to a new hack for the Microsoft Kinect that allows gamers to play World of Warcraft without a keyboard.

It’s no secret that the Kinect is rapidly becoming the most hacked device since the Hackintosh, but students at the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies have takent he next step in developing a software hack which enables gamers to use the motion device to immerse themselves even deeper into the online Mid-evil world.

The hack is called the “Flexible Action and Articulated Skeleton Toolkit, (FAAST) and it uses full-body motion control. Gamer can not only wield a sword or axe to take out a feisty orc, but they can also cast spells, making it nirvana for those who secretly love to dress up to play their favorite game. And it’s only a matter of time before someone figures out a way to use their light saber collection to battle someone online.

But with everyone creating bold new uses for the Kinect and porting it over to the PC, the sky is truly the limit for what can be done with this game changing device. And it makes the world of Minority Report that much closer, but in a bold and exciting way. Imagine editing video’s just with a snip of your fingers and a wave of your hand? Designing in CAD programs Tony Stark style. And getting rid of the keyboard forever?

It’s not just for games anymore and that’s a cool thing.

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Think Geek does it again!

Once the moodInq canvas is implanted, you can change your tattoo in less than five minutes. Choose from professional artwork or upload your own files, run the moodInq Wand over your canvas, and voila! New tattoo!

Another hit from those Code Monkeys over at ThinkGeek!

You know, I think I just might need one of these. 

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Robotic Endangered Species!

This cuddly lion from the WowWee “Alive” line of robot animals, is now available.

Realistically textured and patterned fur combined with an animated face and advanced touch and tilt sensors deliver a highly authentic lion cub robot that is extremely sensitive to your interaction.

Pick up your lion cub by the scruff of the neck, for example, and watch your WowWee robot go limp in your hand, just like a real lion cub when its pick up by its mother. Left alone your pet lion automatically shuts off and goes to sleep.

Features:

• Realistic patterned, textured fur
• Animated mouth and blinking eyes
• Touch and tilt sensors
• Advanced interaction
• Life-like sound response include purr, mew and yowl
• Automatic sleep mode
• 1 motor
• 1 speaker
• 1 tilt sensor
• 2 touch sensors
• Micro-Controller with recorded LION CUB sounds

They also have Tigers and Polar Bears.

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Thames and Kosmos Genetics and DNA kit

A well-written manual and a few snap-together models provide a good conceptual understanding of how DNA and genetics work. Some of the hands-on activities seem like nothing but busy work; others are invaluable at getting kids interested in the process of scientific experimentation.

One experiment takes you through the process of isolating DNA from tomatoes. Adult reviewers found it more difficult than the manual let on — which probably means that a kid should have no problem. You can also breed bacteria and then do some genetic engineering on them, but be careful — under the Patriot Act this stuff can get you thrown in jail.

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Games!

Hey, even Techno-Geeks new to take a break now and then. I love games and puzzles of all kinds. I found Reflexive several years ago and I love them. It was an accident that I found them, I saw a blog post about a new "pong" type game. It looked cool, had great graphics and good music. I loved it so much that after the first free hour I actually bought the game. That's how all of the games on Reflexive work: You play them for an hour and if you like them you pay for the unlock code. Much better system than buying an unknown game and possibly hating it and being out the money. So if you get a chance or are just looking to have some fun, check out Reflexive!

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Sudoku Toilet Roll

For all those obsessed Sudoku players now you can even play in the bathroom on your toilet paper? That’s right it’s the world’s first Sudoku Toilet Paper Roll. It costs $13 for approx. 240 playing sheets.

OK, I know I'm obsessed with puzzles and games (which explains my love of computers) but COME ON! Even I'm not willing to go this far! This is definitely for the obsessed player.

Of course if someone bought it for me as a gift.....

Anyway, you can of course buy it online. Click here for a Sudoku Toilet Roll!

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101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius

First of all, "evil" is in the eye of the beholder. But I loved playing with this book. I'm STILL playing with it and the others in the series. I recommend it to every tech-head, genius (evil or otherwise) as a fun way to have a bunch of interesting gadgets that no one knows about!

The best part is that in building them yourself, you can tweek them to your own specifications. Look into getting your own copy today. Go here for your own copy of 101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius!

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Webkinz - A Toy for the Young and the Young at Heart

This little guy is named "Louis" and it's short for St. Louis, his birthplace. I'm a frog lover and founder of the International Forgitarian Temple. The official frog is the Red-eyed Tree Frog. That is what Louis happens to be. He came into my life as a gift from my oldest. She presented him to me in mid January as a birthday gift. Now you may be wondering what on earth I'm doing blogging about a stuffed frog. Well this is more than a stuffed toy. In fact, it may be one of the most brilliant marketing concepts of the past few years. If you notice, there is a tag attached to Louis. Inside that plastic container is a paper with a secret code. After he is adopted and moved into your home, you can go to the Webkinz website and file his formal adoption.

This website is incredible. It's 100% safe for children. Even the chat areas aren't free form chat. It's limited to choices from drop down boxes. There is no way to post personal information or give out identifying information. Instead it's a site with many kid friendly games, all rated "G", and various activities. The most important thing is the care and tending of your adopted webkins! You see Louis has his own room (well now he has a 2 room condo with a nice backyard!) and he lives there. I have to visit him and provide him with food, exercise, a home...etc. It's a virtual habitat for whatever animal you adopt!

I was so impressed by the site that I went out and bought a Horse webkins for the 7 year old daughter of a close friend. I also bought the "Love Frog" (pink with red hearts all over it) for my oldest who is expecting her first child. I can't be with her as much as I'd like, so I gave her something that can. I can't recommend this highly enough for children of all ages.

Besides, Louis is really very cute!

Take a Tour of the Webkinz World
Buy your own Webkins

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Galilea Moon Phase Clock

Any other moon phreaks out there? Well if you are one or know one, this would make a great gift. I love mine.

Here is what the website has to say:
Enjoy the beauty of Luna, Earth's only natural satellite, with a sophisticated clock that maps the moon's phases. In addition to the date and time, the Galilea's hemisphere slowly rotates over 29 1/2 days, displaying the progressive phases of the moon. Made in France. Requires AA battery, not included.


OK, that aside, it is COOL! I bought one for myself and then a few more for friends. You can get yours at X-treme-Geek

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Real Voodoo Doll

This Mister is large and in charge. Or is he? You'll find that when you place the doll in your home in an area where the man in your life can see him; you're the one in control!

When your man sees the white pin in the doll's "private's", he knows he's flying right. The black pin, however, means "Look out Mister!" So, let that man know who's really in charge!

Comes complete with pins and instructions.

I have many many thoughts on this....most of them very very naughty...

I especially like the red pom poms on the doll. Very festive. I have a friend that might like this doll...though she would have to remove one of the pom poms...

Oh well, this is the real deal, an authentic Voodoo doll. They have others too...but THIS one was the one that caught my attention. I wonder why.

Anyway, get your own from Voodoo Authentica

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20 Questions Electronic Game

One of my best friends got me one of these for my birthday. I have spent hours upon hours playing with it...and so has everyone else in my house. This thing is a blast and is almost always correct. I mean I was thinking of my dog and it said Pomeranian....and she IS a Pomeranian.

This is a great game for long car trips with the kids too....everyone in the car can play, even the driver.

This is inexpensive but well worth the money just for playing and having fun. It's certainly more fun than the last 3 movies I went to see...

• Small spherical game of 20 Questions offers hours of retro fun
• Old arcade style sound effects, and a red light display for its various questions and guesses
• Answer the ball's questions by pressing buttons for yes, no, sometimes, or don't know
• Requires two AA batteries (included); note that color may vary
• Light switch for night or indoor play.

Get one of you own at Amazon

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Plasma Ball

Creates an amazing light show - from any angle!

A little bit of science, a little bit of art, and a whole lot of cool! This Nebula Plasma Ball is simply the ultimate interactive light show. Blending specially formulated inert gases, it creates a dramatic display of light inside a hand-blown glass sphere!

Fascinating to watch, this light is even more fun to play with! Just place your fingers on the glass surface and watch as colored bolts of glowing light follow your every move. You can actually "feel" the energy as the light gently tickles your fingertips!

Featuring a super-large 8" glass sphere, the Nebula Plasma Ball can be viewed from any angle, and comes complete with its own AC power adapter and unique designer base that compliments any room. AC powered adapter included.

This is really NOT a toy. There is a protective coating on the glass. If you do drop it, and the glass breaks, the Plasma Ball is designed to stay in generally the same ball shape, without flying glass.

Simply the BEST Plasma Ball on the market today!

My mother got me one of these back in the 1980's and I still love it. Get yours at Scientifics.

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