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Technology

Comics (and print media) on the iPad

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You may have noticed that I’ve been entirely mum on the topic of the iPad over the last few days.  Well, the truth is, I desperately want one and will probably early-adopt a brand spanking new iPad into the house as soon as I can.  However, I haven’t really said much on the topic because I’ve been disappointed with a) the number of iPad hate posts that have been flooding my favorite blogs and news sources and b) the creativity of demonstrated apps from the Apple keynote presenters to developers in general.  The iPad has the potential to be THE electronic reading device and I was promised truly revolutionary, mind-rattling content that was just not delivered

However, digital comic book publisher, PanelFly seems to have its head in the game in a big way.  I’ve enjoyed their iPhone app thoroughly and I think the business model of comic sales in-app on a mobile device is brilliant.  I mean, it’s the perfect thing to sell someone who is probably looking for something to tide them over on the train, in the car (not driving) or in queue for the next cashier.  (I’ve talked about this in relation to iVerse, a similar idea, at my work blog, too.)

What makes PanelFly’s move to the iPad so delicious (and logical) will not only be the same things that make the iPhone app great: backlighting, control of reading experience, flexibility of reading experience, animation and a beautiful display for art.  Instead, it will be the innovations only possible with a large screen, fast processor and slant towards sexed-up traditional media consumption (vs. its sidebar position on the iPhone.)

If Gizmodo’s preview of the technology – and the collection of screenshots from PanelFly – are any indication, this will be huge.  And hopefully a preview of what the rest of a race of dying dead-tree publications will look like as they rise from the ashes.  I’ll own the iPad anyway…

I would coat my life in liquid glass

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Nanopool, a German nanotech company, is shopping around its new liquid glass coating. Once sprayed on, any surface from fabric to metal to stone is completely protected from dirt, bacteria, stains and the like. Materials can be easily wiped down with nothing more than hot water and returned to a level of cleanliness normally associated with harsh chemicals or back-breaking labor.

I WANT THIS. I will spray it on my car, inside and out. I will coat my furniture in it. Dip my clothes in it. Cover my electronics in it. “Clyde, you’re going for a swim.” Etc.

Read the article and share my fervor:

Spray-on miracle could revolutionise manufacturing

(Thanks, The Independent.)

Two great posts from Gizmodo…

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Another sick day means a bit of web browsing. I found two particularly great posts without venturing any farther than Gizmodo today. The first is an unbearably adorable comic, originally from xkcd. Too cute for words. The second is a compelling collection of floppy disk-based paintings from artist Nick Gentry. Check out the images below or head over to either of the articles.

The best of yesteryear

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I have just recently been reminded (again) of the existence of Retro Thing. This time via Engadget’s posting of a vintage 1983 Sony CD stereo review. Not just a collection of funny old verbiage about dead and dying gizmos, there are also some really artsy and thought-provoking artifacts. Take this video of San Francisco from the 1958:

San Francisco 1958 from Jeff Altman on Vimeo.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they are leading with an article with the Lego Architect Fallingwater set – which I may or may not have received for Xmas.

Hot on the heels

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Following up on yesterday’s post on the sci-fi tech of Caprica – chiefly the digital paper, I found this new digital magazine concept from Popular Science publisher, Bonnier. Straight to the video:

Mag+ from Bonnier on Vimeo.

Now, let’s critique it, shall we? Über sexy.  I’m not entirely sure that I believe the narrator’s notion that page turning is a false notion in a digital format, especially since he’s replaced page turns with horizontal swipes that feel an awful lot like page turns, no? I love the “heat up” concept and the radial menu, though I wonder how it might grow. Overall, I’m happy with Mag+.

And to recap, we’ve had:

Microsoft Courier from aswin indraprastha on Vimeo.

& (terrible techno not withstanding)

&

Alright, we get it. Now where’s the Apple Slate to make it happen?!

In the process of so much collecting, I also stumbled across kottke.org, which bills itself “Liberal Arts 2.0.” As we desperately need to rethink this sphere I’m in now, I am intrigued. And will be back.

Listen: Science Fiction & New Media

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I don’t normally go in for podcasts (sorry, podcasters) but this episode from the smallWORLD has actually been a pretty compelling listen. So far, I’ve only gotten through the Cory Doctorow interview, but I’m definitely looking forward to hearing what Annalee Newitz has to say since I love io9 so very much (and she’s the editor.)

Things get fascinating at around 16:00 for Mr. Doctorow, when he starts talking about e-Readers and then turns completely controversial as he moves in to discussing ownership, customer-war and Apple. Good to hear an author that’s in to the idea of digital distribution being free and open and not entirely terrified of never getting paid again if/when this ecosystem comes about.

Worth your time, most certainly, whether you produce media, support producers of media or just consume the media they produce.

Update: when you hit the 53:00 mark or so, you’ll find J.C. Hutchins talking about trans-media artifacts.  This makes me beyond happy.

As Flora would say, “what the shit?”

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I’m ninety-nine percent certain that the four horsemen of the apocalypse are using my nasal passages as a means for entering into our plane of reality. Right now, I’m busy passing pestilence, but I’m sure the others aren’t far behind.

figure1Seriously, though, I can’t freaking breathe. I feel fine otherwise – aside from the mystery aches and pains of this past Friday and not being able to use my respiratory system for its intended purpose. I’m not sick, dammit.

In other news, Audi Financial Services mysteriously lowered my monthly lease payment today by $35. If this sticks, it will save me about $420 each year. I’m not going to complain, but I am confused.

Also, researchers at IBM are all excited because they’ve successfully mapped the neural structure of a cat’s brain. Is this scientist-talk for having done nothing at all with your grant money? Because we all know that cats don’t have brains…

The battle for my ears is over

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Congrats, Denmark and AIAIAI

As many of you know, I recently challenged the country of Denmark – via their gadget-maker and cool-purveyor, AIAIAI – to delight my ears and wallet with their $54 Pipe Headset CMYK.  Well, the Danish artists’ collective has taken up the gauntlet and won! And I couldn’t be happier.

The Pipe Headset is a resoundingly great product, from the cool tube packaging to the lack of a useless owners’ manual (instead opting for a printed web address on the container) to the awesome design in coordinating neons.  After two full days of listening at my desk, on the couch and out in the wind/road noise of town, I’m thrilled with the sound quality and sound isolation.  As advertised, music trends towards warmth, with noticeable emphasis on low end sounds.  That being said, I’ve been able to hear higher end sounds like the usually-muffled vocals in The Sounds’ “Crossing the Rubicon” better than I recall hearing them before.

The untimely death of my Vibe Duo earbuds makes a direct comparison impossible, but I can say that these blow Apple’s pack-ins right out of the water sonically and I do know for certain that the fit is far superior to the Duos.  Whether the durability is also a step ahead will be revealed over the next few weeks and months, but all signs point to “yes” at this early stage.

So, Denmark and AIAIAI, you’ve got yourself a winner.  And probably another purchase, since Kate wants a Pipe Headset White/Purple for Xmas.