DO NOT WANT! Ok, maybe we do want. This recycled computer monitor has been made into a little bachelor pad for kitty. An old mouse has even been made into a new mouse, as a rodent cat toy.
We don’t know where kitty stashes his cat nip now, and we don’t want to know. At least he’ll have his own little spot to do all of the things that cats love to do. Like, licking themselves, sleeping, and, uh…licking themselves. — Andrew Dobrow
A research project by MIT Media Lab’s Affective Computing Group has sprung up RoCo, an interesting robotic computer monitor prototype. RoCo is not your everyday monitor. This monitor will be able to cater to human emotions and needs. How can a monitor cater to human needs?
…capable of recognizing and physically responding to human socio-emotive cues such as postural shifts in principled ways. These cues are inspired by those found in human-human interaction, to foster a more natural, healthy, and productive human-computer interaction.
Ergonomically speaking, RoCo is sure to work wonders. By strategically positioning itself, RoCo encourages the user to sit in a optimal position for their mental state and stature. The RoCo prototype has an articulated neck and head that can fluidly move in respect to its base. Researchers are currently in the works of developing algorithms to let the computer feel your pain. — Andrew Dobrow
Some people are so extremely busy that serious harm is caused to their digestive system by the long waits they put themselves through to use the toilet as they stare idly into the computer screen. Other people just have a hard time holding it in and have to run to the toilet 40 times a day. For those of you with either of those afflictions (or both), Microsoft has devised an answer to the person who just can’t let their pupils drift from a computer monitor for more then a few minutes.
The Microsoft eToilet comes equipped with a 21-inch touchscreen monitor, which we wouldn’t mind having even without the toilet. The monitor swivels to face you as your bowels are in transit and even boasts a special sensor to protect from splashes (eww).
Retail price will only be $499 to $599, which isn’t much considering the coolness you get in return. The eToilet will be released next month, but so many questions go unanswered. Will it be available in plumbing stores, home goods stores, or computer stores? Or all three? Are the businesses of bathroom needs and computers destined to be linked? — Andrew Dobrow
Microsoft Unveils Long-Awaited eToilet [CrysalAir, via CrunchGear]
