Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Microsoft's Gazelle Browser Could Be the Google Chrome OS Competitor? [Browser]

That Google Chrome OS counter Microsoft was supposedly working on could be this Gazelle browser, which wants to treat the browser more like an OS.

The Gazelle prototype is supposed to do stuff like protect webapps from each other, and isolate different browser tabs (like Google Chrome does now and Firefox is going to do). It's one of the many, many research projects Microsoft has incubating, but might be the one that they trot out next week to show that they're still in the loop in terms of keeping up with Google.

What it won't do is replace IE—at least not in the short term. [CNET - Thanks tipsters!]

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External iPhone Mic Supposedly Gets 10x Better Audio 'Reception' [Microphone]

Brando's claiming 10x better audio reception on this external, swivelable iPhone microphone. Even if it doesn't get 10x better reception, it should get 2x better reception, which is worth $14 for most people. [Brando via Dvice]

Tornado Tower Looks Like a Cloud, Makes Its Own Energy [Architecture]

The Tornado Tower is a design for a performing arts center in Taipei, Taiwan, and man is it crazy. That huge bubble on top is where the theater sits, and the whole thing harnesses the wind for energy.

The entire exterior is covered with curved fins that generate wind energy while also making it look like a huge cloud. At least it would be, if it was selected as the winning entry in the contest to design the performing arts center. Which is wasn't. But still, it's a pretty stunning design. [Plus Mood via Inhabitat]

AnalogColor Ruins Quality Photos to Create Mock-Polaroid Results [Fauxlaroid]

For those who cared enough to be hurt at the death of Polaroid Instant Film but not enough to make it themselves, there's AnalogColor, which turns your crystal-clear photos into murky, nostalgic simulacrums of the classic format.

There's definitely other software that'll do this kind of thing, but AnalogColor lets you create faux-Polaroids by degrading your current photos in several different ways, including those fun streaks that resulted from light leaks. It's available for $10 on OS X and Windows. [Pentacom via Wired]

Video: Epson and 3M create the 0.3-mm spokesmodel, eating disorders skyrocket

The technology behind this display might not be new, but the approach to demonstrating it is absolutely captivating. Good thing too because the idea here is to combine Epson's rear-projection technology with 3M's 0.3-mm thin Vikuiti film to project talking avatars onto to shop windows in a bid to lure lusty nerd-boys and impressionable Cosmo-girls in for a closer look. Check it after the break courtesy of Impress.

Continue reading Video: Epson and 3M create the 0.3-mm spokesmodel, eating disorders skyrocket

Filed under: Displays