Pretty sure this is my new favorite animated gif and makes be thirsty for a tasty brew. I suppose I'll hold off until 5, or at least noon.... (you may need to click the image to see the animated gif in all it's glory)

Cool video that shows some of the new interactions that people have been able to create using the Kinect. Can't wait to see what else people can come up with.

(via @ckindel)

A other cool video from Microsoft about their vision of the future and the technology that will be available. However, I'm thinking Microsoft is spending their time making the videos while Apple is spending their time making the tech possible.

If you are a fan of Mad Men such as myself, you should check out this nice little video created that shows Don Draper himself pitching the new Facebook Timeline - http://facebook.com/timeline

I actually came across this video earlier this week on Twitter, but I think I've watched/listened to it over a dozen times since then. If you need a kick in the pants for some motivation, give it a watch. The combination of Explosions in The Sky providing the music with Eric "The Hip Hop Preacher" talking can make anyone want to go out and change the world. Enjoy.

Being someone that is both an avid golfer and a tech nerd, this may be one of the coolest new things that I have seen in quite some time....maybe even cool enough to convince me to buy an iPod touch. Well played Ping.

This video shows the construction of a giant R11 golf club that is attached to a foul pole at PETCO park. Not only is it cool, it combines 2 of my favorite things, golf and awesome ambient advertising.

UPDATE: They also posted a picture of the final product on TwitPic, click here to check it out.

A well done documentary short about the lengths a man from Mumbai is going through just to play the game of golf and still make a living. It makes me think about how fortunate I am in my position that I am able to afford to play pretty much whenever and where ever I want and also shows that when people love the game, they will find ways to play. Enjoy!

Link to the original blog post where I found the video:
http://www.chapeaunoirgolf.com/chapeaunoirblog/2011/4/15/mumbai-golf-reminds-...

American Dietetic Association Confirms Health Benefits of Beer

By Andrea Giancoli | February 28, 2011 | 0 Comments

While red wine is often touted as the heart-healthy libation, more evidence is showing beer has a great deal of nutrition and health-promoting qualities as well, according to an article published in the Winter 2011 issue of the American Dietetic Association’s member publication, ADA Times.

“Red wine enjoys a reputation for sophistication and health benefits, but as interest in artisan brewing gains momentum and emerging research reveals unique nutrition properties, beer is finding redemption not only as a classy libation with deep roots in many cultures, but as a beverage with benefits,” writes registered dietitian and ADA Spokesperson Andrea Giancoli.

February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of the leading cause of death in the U.S. – cardiovascular disease. One in three adults has some form of heart/cardiovascular disease. Many of these deaths and risk factors are preventable and food choices have a big impact on your heart's health, even if you have other risk factors.

Moderate consumption of any alcoholic beverage, including beer, has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol, lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of blood clotting, Giancoli writes in ADA Times. Moderate alcohol consumption has also been associated with a lower incidence of gallstones, decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and improved cognitive function in older adults.

“Beer specifically has been associated with additional health outcomes, including lowering the risk of kidney stones in men compared to other alcoholic beverages, possibly due to its high water content and diuretic effect,” Giancoli writes. “Compounds in hops may also slow the release of calcium from bone that is implicated in kidney stones. Additionally, beer drinkers seem to have a more protective effect towards greater bone mineral density due to the high content of silicone in beer.”

Like wine, beer is fat free. Carbohydrates, which make up about one-third of the calories in beer, mostly come from partially broken down starch. Protein, which is nearly non-existent in wine, is present in small amounts in beer – about 4 percent of the total calories.

Most beers are between 3 percent and 6 percent alcohol by volume, although some beers can contain as much as 10 percent alcohol, “and some are much higher.” Giancoli writes. “Wines are between 12 percent and 14 percent ABV. Because the average beer has a lower ABV and more than two and half times as much water, it contributes to fluid intake more so than wine.”

It’s a common myth that, the darker the beer, the higher the alcohol content, Giancoli writes. “In fact, what affects a beer’s color is whether dark malts are used, and alcohol depends on the amount of sugar in the wort.”

Although the USDA Nutrient Database lists beer’s fiber content as zero grams recent studies have shown lager contains up to 2 grams of soluble fiber per liter, while dark beers can contain up to 3.5 grams. “Although wine and beer are neck-and-neck when it comes to mineral composition, each providing some potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and fluoride (the latter presumably contributed through the water source), beer is the winner when it comes to selenium and silicon,” Giancoli writes.

“While nutrient analyses refer to an average ‘regular beer,’ there are more than 100 different categories of beer – and the brewing process, ingredients and proportions used can influence the nutritional content of each.”

“Whether you’re exploring the cultural roots of an ancient beverage, expanding your culinary prowess, supporting a local brewer or just enjoying a cold one,” says Giancoli, “remember that moderate consumption means one 12-ounce beer per day for women and two for men.”

*Re-published with the permission of Andrea Giancoli, Registered Dietician and Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association

See, beer is good for you. I knew it!

Steven Bathiche from Microsoft talks about some the technology that they have been working on that may make it possible to have the interface and interaction screenshot above someday. Very cool!

Microsoft said on Monday that it is planning to roll out an official Kinect SDK in Spring.

WinRumors previously exclusively revealed that the software giant was planning its own SDK amid a growing community of “Kinect hackers”. Microsoft officials confirmed the existence of the Windows based Kinect SDK during a special press event on Monday. Microsoft’s Don Mattrick, president of the company’s interactive business division said the software maker will ship the SDK in the Spring.

Microsoft has shipped over 8 million Kinect sensors in just 60 days on the market. Microsoft’s Kinect sensor has been a phenomenal success story for the company. The console accessory sold out across a number of retailers during the recent festive season and Microsoft smashed its own estimates of 5 million units in 2010 by shipping 8 million devices. Kinect hackers have shown off Minority Report style multitouch control and the Kinect running on Mac OS X. Microsoft said in November that it left the USB connection on the Kinect open, “by design.” Kinect hackers have recently taken the device to new heights. Videos emerged of device owners fully controlling Windows 7 and interactive prototype puppets. Kinect hacking is only at the very early stages but what’s clear is hackers are demonstrating the potential of the technology for use on PCs.

Microsoft blogger Steve Clayton revealed recently that the company is excited by the hundreds of ways people are using Kinect. “The enthusiasm we are seeing in the scientific community – specifically the research and academic communities – around potential applications of Kinect, is exciting to see” wrote Clayton. WinRumors revealed in January that Microsoft is currently preparing an official SDK and Kinect drivers for Windows. Microsoft is set to unveil driver support and an SDK in the coming months and will allow third-party developers to create titles that utilize the Kinect sensor when plugged into a PC. According to sources familiar with the plans, Microsoft will distribute the drivers under the “beta” tag. Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer,promised Kinect for PC during an interview at CES and confirmed the company would announce official support “in the right time.” It appears the Spring is now the “right time.”

Now I really need to get a Kinect....oh and some time to actually start playing around with it.

Reminds me of some of Microsoft's "future of interaction" videos, but still cool nonetheless. Makes you think what could be possible for user interaction if these types of surface become readily available.

Kind of cool site that uses the powere of Twitter to actually power an old fan motor to wave the Steelers trademark "Terrible Towel". I'm always one for mashups, so taking something like Twitter and using it to physically power something is very cool.

Check it out at http://twerribletowel.com/

Reason #1003 why it's fun to work with creative and talented people, they make random videos (starring me) dealing with light sabers...because they can.

Some more promising stuff coming out of the people that are hacking the Kinect. Being able to track 3D models with physics opens up endless possibilities for gaming and user interaction.

Ever wonder what it would be like if the story of Christmas happened now? Well now you know.