Downloadable Formats
Small | Medium | Extra Large
Windows Media
Nokia N95 | Nokia N800/N810
Brief 339 is all about research, baby! I LOVE shiny, happy tech coming to market today, but much more that that, I love getting a look at the raw science and engineering that will make it’s way into ordinary products of tomorrow. That’s been our goal since the beginning and those few episodes where we’ve been able to bring future tech to the Brief have been my favorite.
In Las Vegas, I met Thad Starner. He’s doing stuff as amazing as Dean Kamen, but he’s not quite as well known…YET. He was walking around all day looking kind of like Mad-Eye Moody with his futuristic wearable display. It’s an expensive prototype that includes an oQo computer running Ubuntu, a battery pack, a wearable VGA display that clips to his glasses and a one-handed input device called a Twiddler.
A Twiddler is a combination keyboard and mouse that weighs 4 ounces and fits in the palm of one hand. They’ve been on the market for 14 years, so I hope Twiddler enthusiasts will leave comments to share their experiences.
I also talked to Maribeth Gandy about her Augmented Reality research using Second Life. In just the last three months, she and her team have built an application that overlays second life on top of reality. I explain it here, but both she and Thad explain their research better on the videos I shot live on Qik. Click over if you want to learn more.
Thanks to everyone supporting the Big Trip by buying pixels at PaidByPixels.com and thanks to everyone who supports the Brief by buying Nokia N810s using promo code “geekbrieftv”.
Nokia Internet Tablets will be major players in the world of augmented reality, so it’s a good idea to get your hands on one now.Geoff Smith finally found a way to sell Digg the Code, so if you liked it, and you haven’t paid for a version, here’s your chance!
« GBTV #338 | GeekBrief.TV
GBTV #340 | GeekBrief.TV »

April 3rd, 2008 at 12:11 am
Where did you stay while you were in Vegas?
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:12 am
Woopra! Woopra! Woopra!
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:13 am
Looking forward to learning more about Woopra, and hopefully getting an invite from y’all!
Thanks.
–df
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:14 am
@Zobi – We stayed at the Bellagio while in Vegas.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:14 am
I’m planning to go to Vegas this weekend and visit your romantic spot! Bellagio! :D
Sometimes I wish I could take my virtual world and overlay it in my real world. Glad to see this may be possible in the future. ^_^
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:16 am
I so want a qik account now so I can document more stuff. Purchase the Digg the Code I’m there!
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:16 am
I am really enjoying the Qik video. It is such an awesome technology and I am sure that Neal is happier not having to lug all of that equipment every time.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:16 am
Nice with the QIK integration – lot more of that on the Big Trip I assume.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:17 am
Getting ready to check out the latest brief. Preparing coffee and the moment though.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:18 am
I can’t wait to see wearable computers get cheaper and more powerful. Battery technology needs to advance as fast as transistor density does, or at least close to it, before this is a possibility for most of the consumers out there.
If I had some extra cash I would buy some pixels. I could take you guys out to dinner one night here in Chicago maybe.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:19 am
I’m surprised the “wearable” computer doesn’t use voice response and/or motion detection. Do we really want to walk around twiddling? Sometimes maybe, but not all the time. Still, I’d like to hear what the twiddler vets have to say.
Also, what about a HUD option instead of, or with, the monitor “patch”?
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:19 am
Ooh private event? Nice! Must be cool to have access to all the future shinies!
Those Twiddlers look nifty, wonder if one can find them in the UK?
Second life mixed with reality? Wow scary. That tablet looks pimp!
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:20 am
Already registered my site with Woopra. Hoping I get a code so I can use it!!! Thanks!
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:23 am
just waiting to download the latest Geekbrief and if it is not to late I will watch it tonight. I always enjoy watching it.
I soo want to go to Vegas someday.. hmmm I wonder if I can convince my fiance to go and elope LOL
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:25 am
Hi guys have to say this show rockz, I follow you on twitter / gtalk and then watch it on http://podcast.twitoosearch.com/geekbrief
The second life idea/application was great. I think a twittler is cool, one thing i have not seen is a mobile phone in a per of sunnies. Any one know when apple will bring that out lol.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:26 am
I’m a big of a geek as anyone, while very cool tech-wise, I don’t think I’m ready to be that geeked out. I still foundly recall the days of stares from wearing my bluetooth headset. today people just make fun of me for all my gadgets. :)
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:28 am
Watching you dance with Digg the code played in the foreground brought me back to the wonderful things music can do for people which is to digg up wonderful emotions associated to that particular song from that moment in my life and allow you to re-live that time in my life.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:29 am
Already registered my site with Woopra. Hoping I get a code so I can use it!!!
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:31 am
Woopra looks mighty fine to me. Extra Space Storage rocks.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 am
@easttoolwest – “Extra Space Storage rocks” – lol! I have to know where that came from! :)
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 am
There’s an Augmented Reality game for Palm smartphones:
http://www.toyspring.com/arcade/get.php
Thanks for everything, Cali!
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:35 am
Very cool stuff. I expect mobile AR is going to come sooner than people think, but we have to move away from those fiducial markers and develop better user interfaces. Too many wires and bulky hardware = fail.
Definitely worth keeping an eye on the AR sector though…there is a lot going on under the radar.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:37 am
Great show as always. I wish I could get a n180, but Canada is so behind the times.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:42 am
Ooops forgot to register, so I missed out on the woopra!
Loving the Qik vids though. That stuff blows me away!
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:43 am
I’m a bit confused about the Digg the Code “now you can buy it” bit in the notes. I got it from Podsafe Music Network a while back, and I’m pretty sure I paid for it. Am I mis-remembering? Hasn’t it been for sale for a while?
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:46 am
Hi! I love GeekBrief. haven’t watched today’s yet but I will shortly
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:46 am
Cali & Neal,
I know I’m too late for tonight, but I just thought I’d let you know a little about why I want Woopra.
I am a beginner video podcaster that has a beginning website for my podcast. This would be really helpful for the upkeep of my site. I would post the URL, but it isn’t firm yet… I am trying to find a good free web host so I am switching between about three different URLs!
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:12 am
@Cali – Super cool, that place is amazing!
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:58 am
Hello Cali.
When you first showed Woopra in show 337 i was amazed. It would help me with my site, and i love that virtual reality stuff.I think of getting one of those tablet things.
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:19 am
Commenting for a Woopra =-)
Another great show Cali – thanks!!!
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:30 am
hey,
Keep up the good work,
Maybe after you tour the US you will come to the UK :)
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:51 am
Hi Cali,
really love your show and I was quite impressed about the Woopra demonstration. I would love receive a code.
Greetings from Germany,
David
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:58 am
Hey Cali,
Just wake-up, and see you woopra tweet…
It’s not fair ;-), I’m now at EST, and normally in Europe.. you have to think that we sleep when you did this tweet…
Please, please, please… next time you have a promo like that, twitt in your morning.. so I can catch it in realtime.
I know some friends here in Europe following you, give us a chance.
Anyway.
Good work, I like it and is an inspiration from some of my friends that ask me advice to became a blogger.
After your BigTrip in US and the sugested tour in UK, let’s came to continental Europe (Switzerland)… ;-)
Pd.- Where do I have to go to register ? It looks like I can post this comment with no registration
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:04 am
Woopra! Is that anything like Opa!? Interesting… ;-)
Another great show, Cali & Neil! Keep ‘em coming!
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:25 am
hey i head you were the person to talk to about getting some Woopra? if you are then i need to ask you if you are a cop? oh crap the cops … run.
=)
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:38 am
Everytime I hear digg the code it gives me warm fuzzies.. love that song!
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
First off… Cali and Neal – thank you for thinking of me yesterday w/ Deco. My puppy has received lots of prayers and it has really made a difference! He’s doing much better and getting stronger each day.
Secondly, CALI AND NEAL NEED TO BE ON DANCING W/ THE STARS stat!!!!
LOVVVVVVED it!!! Great job!
Jeff McCord
http://www.jeffmccord.org
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Hey Cali! Cool display of the Woopra map behind you on the brief. I think I am finally a registered member on Geekbrief.tv. I thought I was before, but I think I got it confused with the icali website. I am enjoying using Google Analytics, but think I would like Woopra due to its social nature and mapping characteristics. I don’t know how much interesting activity I will see, because my blog isn’t exactly popular, yet,lol…
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
p.s. How does the Woopra IM client work? (the one that was discussed on the Brief?)
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Oops I got a connection closed error on the chat! I did have to enable pop-up windows for this website. Hope that helps future chatters :)
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
N95 RSS feed please!!
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
@Pablo – it’s listed up at the top with “Downloadable Formats”. :)
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I was having issues registering. I had put in the right e-mail addy but it didn’t send me anything. I finally gave up with that addy and used an other one
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
@cali: i know, but i want a rss feed for that format, because I use the small ipod format feed with the integrated nokia podcasting app in my cellphone for automatically download, but sometimes the ipod format crash the nokia video center.
Thanks.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Sorry, here you go – http://www.podshow.com/feeds/gbtv-n95.xml
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Woopra Its in my dashboard. That its normal?.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
That’ll be fixed in the next update.
April 4th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Hmmm…. I must admit.. the whole way through that episode all I could do is look jealously at your woopra which I desperately want to use… Have registered, but they musn’t be letting many people beta…Can’t wait…
April 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Luv the shows….looking forward to the trip! Not a whole lot happening in Michigan, but you should stop by, we can find some cool tech stuff! I need a Woopra!
April 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Woot for Woopra!
April 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
May I get one Woopra invite?
April 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am
W
O
O
P
R
A
Just got the alert from twitter. Hopefully this is the right spot. :-)
April 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am
You rock!
April 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Woopra for the win
April 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
a comment =)
April 4th, 2008 at 10:54 am
woopra looks awesome!!!!
April 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Love Cali, Love geek brief.
Thanks for all the entertainment.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Overlays second life on top of reality, eh? Sounds interesting.
BTW, I’d love the opportunity to try out Woopra. I already signed up for an account, but need an invite code in order to add my site.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:59 am
This looks like some really cool stuff. Reminds me of that movie that just came out where the kid had to wear a lens to see things around him that everyone else couldn’t see.
It could be used as a joke. “The chess pieces are in a different dimension!”
April 4th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Excellent episode Cali, the current researches for communications and Networks are many and few people are aware of them, thanks for informing about a couple of them….. oh, btw, I also want to be included in your invitations for woopra… please!
April 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I noticed woopra in the background. Can I have a woopra invite?
April 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Hey Cali,
Derek again :)
Keep making all that wonderful shiny happy tech news and I’ll keep tuning in!
April 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Once again…awesome.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I really want a Woopra code! Fantasic video you did with the Woopra guys, they are doing some really fantastic stuff with the platform
April 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Woopra looks like it rocks!
April 4th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Thanks for the Tweet about today’s live streaming, very interesting to see the behind the scenes
April 4th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Here’s my comment to put me in the running for Woopra
April 4th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I’d definitely like to give Woopra a try if you have any extra codes :)
April 4th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Give the UK some Woopra love :D
April 4th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Can’t wait for Woopra to go live and get an invite! ;)
April 4th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I’ve already registered my website at woopra.com, and it is pending aproval. And I cant use the invite code there because of it, do you know what to do?
April 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Already registered my website with Woopra but waiting to get a invite to be able to use it.
Paul
April 4th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I’m really diggin the way Woopra does analytics. I’m a visual kinda guy. I think it’s going to prove itself really usefull for me and my company. I’m also an A.D.D. kinda guy, so this could easily end up a counterproductive distraction for me if I’m not carefull. Either way, I’m really looking forward to puting it to use soon!
April 4th, 2008 at 11:54 am
If you get an invite from me, and you’ve already signed up for Woopra, and have already added your website, you’ll need to delete the website, then add it again. To delete a site, go to http://www.woopra.com/members/index.jsp?delete=domain_to_delete.com and the domain will be removed. Then start the process of registering your domain again with the invite code.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I love invites!
April 4th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
A friend just turned me on to the Microsoft Surface development…all based on Jeff Han’s (perspectivepixel) multitouch surfaces…WOW! I think you guys would be all over this as “future” groundbreaking technology! Keep us in the know!
April 4th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Couldn’t find the “Register” link last time I posted.
April 4th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I think the twitterler is made for twitter? or the other way around…
April 4th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Wait what does the woopra code do? Let you see the woopra date for this site?
April 5th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
That twiddler keyboard device reminds me of the frogpad that appeared about 10 years ago, and is still available still. It’s a one handed wireless keyboard. http://www.frogpad.com/
April 7th, 2008 at 10:01 am
“Second Life enters the real world” demo made it to the “top 10 augmented reality demos that will revolutionize video games” at http://www.gamesalfresco.com. Check it out to see which demos made it to that collection.