I created the user interface of the Chicago Tribune Interactive Touchscreen that is placed on Michigan Ave. in Chicago. I worked with iGotchaMedia to implement and program the touch functions of the screen and it features the latest news, weather and dining options around town. Take a look:

Microsoft unveiled its new search engine to combat the Googleverse. It will officially launch June 3rd according to Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer who spoke at the All Things Digital conference. Bing was unveiled with a gag-video featuring the The Soprano’s star, James Gandolfini. As any of you who watched the show the Ba-Da-Bing was the strip club that the mob hung out at on numerous occasions.

Microsoft chose the name as it has a short and recognizable buzz like Google or Yahoo. People refer to things they search for as “googling” i.e. “Just Google it.” Quite frankly I like the nomenclature but trying to beat Google is a tall task. I think smashing Apple would be easier. Can’t wait to see the Zune HD although I love my iPod and salivate over anyone who owns an iPhone.

Google has received a patent that will aide in their Google Book Search technology that has the likes of Amazon reeling.

Google has come up with a system that uses two cameras and infrared light to automatically correct for the curvature of pages in a book. By building a 3D model of each page and then “de-warping” it afterward, Google can present flat-looking pages online without having to slice books up or mash them onto a flatbed scanner.*

This should make the process of converting millions upon millions of books much easier.

This diagram shows patented Google technology for correcting for curved pages while scanning books.

*news.cnet.com

I had a few minutes to drive the Windows 7 release candidate last night and let me say that I am impressed. It is cleaner and faster than Vista with everything from gadgets to the new dock-like task bar.

I have XP Media Center Edition on my laptop that I use most frequently and I will definitely upgrade to version 7 when the full release drops sometime later this year.

I think Microsoft finally got it right. Now they have to recoup their losses from the Vista and its inadequacies.

Samsung I7500 with OLED touchscreen

So HTC had its chance with the Google phone using their Android OS but now Samsung has stepped it up a notch and has unveiled the I7500 with an OLED touchscreen.

The Samsung I7500 offers users access to the full suite of Google services, including Google Search™, Google Maps™, Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Calendar™, and Google Talk™. The integrated GPS receiver enables the comprehensive use of Google Maps features, such as My Location, Google Latitude, Street View, local search and detailed route description. Hundreds of other applications are available in Android Market. For example, the application Wikitude, a mobile travel guide, allows consumers to access details of unknown sights via location-based Wikipedia articles. –press release via engadget.com

No word on when it may come to the U.S. but T-mobile customers should be excited about this new addition to the Open Handset Alliance.

G.E. and its scientists had a major breakthrough in digital storage technology that will allow standard-size discs to hold the equivalent of 100 DVDs. This discovery is just a dream right now but will need to work with products that can be mass-produced at affordable prices.

This discovery is in holographic storage. Holography is an optical process that stores the 1’s and 0’s of digital data as well as three-dimensional images on credit cards for security. The potential for this type of tech has been known since the early 1960s.

To date, holographic storage has not been on a path to mainstream use. The G.E. development, however, could be that pioneering step, according to analysts and experts. The G.E. researchers have used a different approach than past efforts. It relies on smaller, less complex holograms — a technique called microholographic storage. — New York Times

Once G.E. sells its technology to commercial markets like movie studios, medical researchers and television networks it can start to focus on making it affordable for the consumer market. They have already begun talks with optical storage and major electronics producers to get the ball rolling.

The near future is going to be exciting for G.E. and hopefully we could see this in stores by early 2011 or maybe even late 2010. In theory, this should help G.E.’s stock price.

During the NBA season I have the pleasure of working part-time at the United Center with the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks. Fortunately Chicago has become the sports epicenter of the world over the past few months with both the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs with both Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox baseball teams toward the tops of their respective divisions.

So last night during the Blackhawks playoff game 5, I was asked to help out with a technical issue we were having at the previous Bulls game with the precision timing system. The NBA employs this system for synchronization between stoppage of play and the official game clocks. I learned that the NBA referees have special whistles that when blown automatically sends a signal to a control box that stops the clock and syncs itself up with the NBA official timing and scoring systems. This of course can’t be done without some great tech invented by Michael J. Costabile, President of Precision Time Systems, Inc..

The system he invented is the Precision Time System where a small computer that is connected to the arena or stadium game clock, that allows the on court or on field officials to start or stop the game clock. This is done at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second). The officials whistle stops the clock, and the switch on a belt pack starts the clock. If a system like this is not available the official blows the whistle, the clock operator then pushes a button to stop the clock. Also if the game clock operator can not see the game official signal to start the game clock it does not get started at the proper time. This would be too late and shouldn’t occur.

This piece of important technology for the NBA helps create accurate reporting for historical data retrieval. Precision Time Systems also has systems incorporated with many other NBA teams, NCAA conferences and the Olympics. Check out Michael’s latest creations and more about his company at precisiontime.com.

MSI (Micro-Star Int’l Co.,Ltd. ), the pc hardware and technology company has unveiled a new line-up of personal media players for the Chinese market. These neat little machines are priced well for the consumer as “the lower end model is 198 yuan (US $29) MV622, with a 2.4-inch LCD screen, 2GB storage and three colors to choose from (pictured). The MV651 has a larger, 3-inch screen with 400 x 240 resolution, TV-out, FM radio, and 4GB capacity for 299 ($44) yuan. The MV652 adds touch screen — the only one to do so, it seems — and e-book reading functionality, all for a price tag of $51 for 4GB / $58 for 8GB. The 4.3-inch MV881 lacks touch screen but otherwise boasts similar specs to its predecessor — it’ll set you back $58 (4GB) to $73 (8GB). The only one sporting 720p video and S-video out is the 8GB MV882 for $58. All units support e-dictionary, some game functionality, and a hefty number of audio / video codecs. ” *

MSI's announced five PMPs for China

*Rose Miller, engadget.com