I came across this video display at a Porche Design shop in St. Martin. The video was well-done, but the display was difficult to see from a distance. The saleswoman wasn't sure who produced the content.
I thought that it would be more interesting if the content was interactive- something for do while my husband shopped!
The following video and article focuses on some research that I think will be very useful for creating interactive multimedia timelines in the future. I'd like to learn more about ways this interaction can be implemented in gesture-based systems!
Content-Aware Dynamic Timeline for Video Browsing From Gonzalo's YouTube channel: "When videos have more frames than pixels in the player's timeline slider, frames become inaccessible and scrolling actions cause sudden jumps in a video's continuity. We propose a content-aware dynamic timeline control that decouples video speed and playback speed and allow salient shots to be presented at an intelligible speed."
Note: The researchers are investigating the use of audio/sound in a similar manner, making this form of video browsing/search truly multimedia. An example of this is included near the end of the above video clip.
The following video is a demonstration of something I could use in my work as a school psychologist, since I use a lot of video for assessing students with disabilities, including those with autism. I also use video to create digital social stories for many of the students.
Following a link from Nathan Yau's recent Flowing Data blog post, Our Changing World in Cartograms, I discovered that FedEx's "Our Changing World" website. It provides an interesting way to explore data about various countries by mousing over countries on a map.
I have an HP TouchSmart PC, and found that the touch-screen interaction offered by this website was better than using the mouse. I'm pretty sure that this website would be fun to use on a larger touch-enabled display, and in in the classroom, on interactive whiteboards.
To my surprise, I also discovered that the website offers a 3D augmented reality version of "Our Changing World": Experience the changing world in augmented reality "See the world and the information that shapes it. Watch it come to life as a 3-D hologram..."
(I'll play with the AR hologram later today.)
Note: The FedEx website provides links to additional resources for each topic area, as well as a link to the sources used for the data included in the information graphics. It is important to remember that graphics do not always accurately depict the numbers!
"At experience.fedex.com, visitors can interact through a world map with data and content provided by The Economist Intelligence Unit on eight world trends initially, including air travel, people in cities, entrepreneurs and success, paper trail, business growth, education, money and happiness, and research and development.Visitors also have an opportunity to analyze the data, share information, or participate in real-time, online polls...."At FedEx, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer great customer experiences," said Malcolm Sullivan, vice president, Marketing, FedEx Express Asia Pacific. "Experience.fedex.com is an effective way for us to extend these experiences to the virtual world. By making visualizations of complex and important information available to people everywhere, FedEx makes it easy for anyone to learn about their world and share their discoveries with friends.""
Interactive Graphic (Timeline) Political Targets "Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is not the first member of Congress to be attacked while in office. Take a look back at some prominent political shootings involving members of Congress". Wall Street Journal Research
RELATED Slideshow On the Scene in Tucson "In the wake of the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, an Arizona Democrat, and a number of bystanders Saturday, police investigators began to piece togehter clues while friends and onlookers mourned." Wall Street Journal, 1/10/11 (Pictures were taken by photographers from various news media organizations.) Article Victims in Giffords Shooting "Six people died in the shooting that left Rep. Gabrielle Giffords critically injured. Learn more about Judge John Roll, Christina Taylor Green, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, Gabriel Zimmerman and Dorothy Morris." Wall Street Journal, 1/10/11
Microsoft Surface 2.0 was unveiled at CES 2011 a few days ago, the result of a collaboration between Microsoft and Samsung. Surface 2.0 is a step up! The 40 inch 1080p high-definition LCD display no longer requires a projection/camera system, which clears the area below the screen of bulky hardware. The best part about Surface 2.0, in my opinion, is that it doesn't have to be used as a table. It can be configured in a variety of ways, even mounted on walls. For this reason, it will be useful in a variety of settings and situations.
Below is a quote about Surface 2.0 from Steve Ballmer's recent keynote address at CES 2011 that outlines the new technology that is embedded in the Surface 2.0 display:
"But what's really amazing about this technology, what really makes it magical, is the sensor itself. So, those first-generation Surface PCs needed cameras underneath that would look up to try to see what was going on. But what we have here is called PixelSense. PixelSense is new technology we've invented where there's infrared sensors all across this screen. Every single pixel is actually acting as a camera. The PC, the Surface here, can actually see." -Steve Ballmer: My Keynote Address at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show"(Huffington Post, 1/6/2011)
The good news is that developers have been busy at work to create applications for Surface 2.0. Below is a video demonstration of what the folks at InfoStrat have recently created to support collaborative information visualization activities:
Here's the information about the controls from the Infostratcville YouTube channel:
"This is a sneak preview of a suite of data visualization controls developed by InfoStrat for Microsoft Surface 2.0. The controls will be made available as open source software at no charge on CodePlex.com in the first half of 2011."
"This data visualization control suite provides multi-touch versions of the following controls: - DeepZoom multi-resolution image control that allows high performance display of very high-resolution imagery - PowerPoint Viewer which enables slide decks to be arranged and presented using multi-touch - PivotViewer chart control that allows dynamic sorting and categorization of data - PhysicsCanvas which provides an infinite, dynamic canvas for viewing and organizing content"
InfoStrat Releases Next-Generation Data Visualization Controls for Microsoft Surface 2.0
Washington DC – January 6, 2010 – InfoStrat today announced plans to support Microsoft Surface 2.0 by releasing a control suite that accelerates the development of next-generation multi-touch data visualizations. The controls will be made available as open source software at no charge on CodePlex.com in the first half of 2011.
This data visualization control suite provides multi-touch versions of the following controls:
§ Deep Zoom multi-resolution image control that allows high performance display of very high-resolution imagery
§ PowerPoint Viewer which enables slide decks to be arranged and presented using multi-touch
§ Pivot Viewer chart control that allows dynamic sorting and categorization of data
§ Physics Canvas which provides an infinite, dynamic canvas for viewing and organizing content
Other features of the controls:
§ Works on both Microsoft Surface and Microsoft Windows 7 with touch
§ A single application built with the data visualization framework can support multiple hardware form factors including: horizontal multi-touch tables, tablets, and large format vertical touch screens
§ Innovative object recognition to enable rapid data manipulations (only on Microsoft Surface)
InfoStrat is a member of Microsoft's Technology Adoption Program (TAP) for Microsoft Surface. As a Microsoft Surface 2.0 TAP member, InfoStrat receives early access to hardware and software, allowing InfoStrat to gain expertise and influence the development of the product before it was released to the public.
In 2008, InfoStrat solved the problem of using Bing Maps 3D on Microsoft Surface in a way that performed well and was WPF-friendly. InfoStrat open-sourced the solution as a reusable control for the WPF and Surface community. Since then, the control has received over 120,000 page views and has over 8200 downloads, and has also been featured in many of our own applications. This control, known as InfoStrat.VE, has become one of the most popular controls for building mapping applications on Microsoft Surface: http://bingmapswpf.codeplex.com
"We are proud to be part of the Microsoft Surface development community," according to Jim Townsend, president of InfoStrat, "and excited about the possibilities of Microsoft's new version of Surface."
Microsoft Surface provides a new way to experience and use information and digital content, engaging the senses, improving collaboration and empowering people to interact. Microsoft Surface is at the forefront of developing software and hardware that uses vision-based technology to fundamentally change the way people use computing devices. More information can be found at http://www.surface.com.
Information Strategies ("InfoStrat") is an award-winning Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and a Microsoft Surface Strategic Partner and member of the Technology Adopter Program.
I always like to try out technology in public spaces when I travel. Imagine my excitement when I was presented with my first opportunity to try out my tag app on my Incredible while I was waiting for my baggage to arrive after my flight from Charlotte to Orlando...
On first glance, the location of this display near the rest rooms and baggage claim area makes sense. Travelers can access information about things to do in North Port from their Smartphones by scanning the QR tag with a tag reader app while they wait for their baggage.
To my dismay, my interaction with this display and my tag reader app was not enjoyable.
Because the tag was located at the bottom of the display, I had to set aside my carry-on bags, purse,etc., and kneel front of it to center my smartphone precisely at the tag. The display was on the wall between the restrooms, a convenient gathering point for people. Little kids darted around me, and parents used this spot to re-organize their family's "stuff". As I tried to scan the tag, a dad had to ask his son to move back, "so the lady could take a picture".
I was blocking the path of families and groups of travelers with all of their stuff. I gave up trying after a while, much to the relief of my husband, who watched all of this as he waited for our baggage.
Video game music is in the background of life in the lives of many people, and might be the "comfort food" music of the younger generations, given the number of hours videos are played homes in the U.S.
VIDEO GAMES LIVE will be performed in conjunction with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, February 19, 2011, at 7:30 PM at Ovens Auditorium. I'll be there!
"Video Games Live! is a multimedia concert experience featuring the best music and exclusive synchronized video clips from the most popular games from the beginning of video gaming to the present. Performed with the Charlotte Symphony, the show combines exclusive video footage and music arrangements with synchronized lighting, solo performers, stage show production, special FX, electronic percussionists, and unique interactive segments.
Whether it's the power and passion of the more recent blockbusters or the excitement of remembering the sentimental classics, it will truly be a special night to remember for the entire family." -Charlotte Symphony Orchestra website
Information about VIDEO GAMES LIVE from the "About" page of the website:
Video Games Live™ is an immersive concert event featuring music from the most popular video games of all time. Top orchestras and choirs perform along with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, live action and unique interactive segments to create an explosive entertainment experience!
This is a concert event put on by the video game industry to help encourage and support the culture and art that video games have become. Video Games Live™ bridges a gap for entertainment by exposing new generations of music lovers and fans to the symphonic orchestral experience while also providing a completely new and unique experience for families and/or non-gamers. The show is heralded and enjoyed by the entire family. It's the power & emotion of a symphony orchestra mixed with the excitement and energy of a rock concert and the technology and interactivity of a video game all completely synchronized to amazing cutting edge video screen visuals, state-of-the-art lighting and special on-stage interactive segments with the audience.
If you or someone you know is into video games you won't want to miss this highly acclaimed one-of-a-kind concert experience. Or maybe you are looking for something cultural and exciting that the whole family will enjoy? Video Games Live™ is not just a concert, but a celebration of the entire video game industry that people of all ages will adore.
Video Games Live™ is created and produced by industry veteran and world famous video game composer Tommy Tallarico.
Video Games Live™ features the best music and exclusive synchronized video clips from the most popular games from the beginning of video gaming to the present. Game franchises include:
Mario™ Zelda™ Halo® Final Fantasy® Warcraft® StarCraft® Diablo® Sonic™ Metal Gear Solid® Kingdom Hearts Chrono Trigger™ Chrono Cross™ Mega Man™ Myst® Tron Castlevania® Metroid® Interactive Frogger Interactive Space Invaders Interactive Guitar Hero™ Interactive Donkey Kong™ Medal of Honor™ God of War™ BioShock™ Civilization IV Tomb Raider® Beyond Good & Evil™ Advent Rising EverQuest® II Mass Effect™ Shadow of the Colossus Silent Hill™ Crysis® Monkey Island Earthworm Jim End of Nations™ Afrika™ Assassin's Creed™ II Uncharted™ II Portal™ Lair Conan Command & Conquer: Red Alert Headhunter Splinter Cell® Ghost Recon™ Rainbow Six® Jade Empire Contra OutRun Gears of War Need For Speed®: Undercover Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ Classic Arcade Medley featuring over 20+ games from Pong® to Donkey Kong® including such classics as Dragon's Lair, Tetris, Duck Hunt, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Gauntlet, Punch-Out, OutRun and MANY MORE!"
