PureDepth has successfully gotten hold of a Multi-Layer 3D OLED display patent which does away with the need for 3D glasses, offering actual depth thanks to its technology that relies on at least a couple of displays, with one placed in front of the other to create actual 3D effects. PureDepth is definitely looking at mobile devices (among other markets) with this development, since OLED displays are gaining in terms of popularity. This will certainly be a boon as they currently hold LCD-related patents that has just received a kindled spirit. No idea on how having dual layer displays will affect the battery life of a mobile device adversely - the question is not whether or not that will happen, but how much? Image courtesy of 3DCADPlus.

As expected, Gmail has a brand new toy for us to play with - Google Buzz. Google Buzz is a brand new way to start conversations about stuff that interests you, while sharing various updates such as photos and videos with your family and friends among others. Since Buzz is already incorporated into Gmail itself, there is nothing to do on your part to make sure everything runs fine. Bear in mind that at time of publishing, Google Buzz might not appear in your Gmail since Google is still in the process of rolling it out worldwide. Sharing information is also made painless and easy, since all responses will be sent by Buzz directly to your inbox in real-time. If you can't be in front of your computer all the time, fret not. Google Buzz is also available on selected cellphones/smartphones. Are you buzzing with excitement?

After the NVIDIA Optimus teaser was posted in early January, there was some speculation about what it was, but we now have first-hand information: NVIDIA Optimus is an architecture for multi-GPU computers (typically integrated + discrete) that allows the operating system to seamlessly switch between integrated and discrete graphics. The goal is to use the most appropriate graphics processor at any given time in order to minimize power consumption or maximize performance.

I’ve seen it in action, and I can tell you that it is leaps and bounds better than what is out there today. Typically, today’s computers require several steps in order to switch from one GPU to another. It’s not intuitive and most users don’t even bother doing it because it’s a hassle.

We would say that the North Paw anklet is some sort of mystical geek device that ought to thrill nerds out there who do spend a fair amount of time in Role Playing Games - after all, this nifty little anklet will always let you know where North is, thanks to eight cellphone vibrator motors located around the ankle. A control unit that holds an electronic compass will sense magnetic north, jump-starting the appropriate motor to inform you of where North is at that point in time. The North Paw anklet is the result of a subsequent experimentation with the Feelspace research performed at the Cognitive Psychology department of the University of Osnabrück in Germany. Nifty - we would like to see this commercialized to come with a GPS navigation system for outdoor lovers.

Want to let your loved one know how much you love them, that giving them a tickle from time to time shows your affection? That's what the Hap.tickle Greeting dress designed by Lina Saleem is all about, where it comes with its fair share of ruffles, frills and vibrating motors on its back and sides. Whenever the dress receives an SMS, the motors will automatically get to work, sending tickles through your sides and spine. Not recommended for those who are in an important boardroom meeting talking about the company's performance as well as goals to its board of directors, that's for sure.

Google isn't going to let the popularity of social networking just pass by them without doing anything about it - word has it that the Internet search giant is taking on Facebook and Twitter on their own turf, thanks to a new module in Gmail which can stream media and status updates of online friends. Hmm, this module more or less resembles a Gmail Labs feature that can be enabled or disabled at the account holder's discretion. Some might not say that this feature is worthy enough to be a rival since Google has already integrated Twitter updates in its search, but it could be a stab at Facebook considering Facebook is already mulling over plans to introduce their own email service.

Have you ever wondered what a real world Cover Flow would be like? Wonder no more with Matt Brown's invention - the RFID record player that is capable of playing songs on a turntable that interestingly enough, does not turn at all. This is made possible thanks to his 45rpm vinyl records being tagged with RFID stickers, and the RFID reader within the fake player will obtain information from said RFID-tagged record. Upon detection, the user will need to move the tonearm into position, where the player will get to work by reproducing its playlist. According to Matt, he wished that people were more personal with their songs, hence this invention that requires them to physically touch the songs.

The Wii might have helped couch potatoes burn slightly more calories than PS3 and Xbox 360 gamers, but it certainly is no substitute for an actual workout in the gym. Sportpong doesn't change the scenario, although it is way cooler than the Wii, being an interactive physical computer game where the whole field will be projected on the ground, and opposing teams "step out" onto the artificial pitch, competing against one another or on a two-on-two. Using your "paddle", you will hit the ball and try to score a goal (or defend, depending on which side you're on). Guess a whole lot of hand-eye co-ordination is required for this e-sport.

PFU Systems' latest prototype dual display kiosk is pretty special, considering it relies on face recognition technology that is capable of delivering a more personalized advertising experience. The top screen on the kiosk will show off a rather dorky looking animated face courtesy of Big Towns, a specialist in computer graphics, whereas the bottom touchscreen display functions as an interface instead for you to navigate through. Omron’s software that is loaded within is capable of determining one's gender (no idea how it does that - what happens when one looks androgynous?) while giving an approximate age reading (women, stay alert!). With such details in hand, it will then pull out the more appropriate advertisements for your viewing pleasure.

Giving birth can be a very messy affair instead of the 10-second births that you witness on TV shows and movies all the time. In order to ensure maximum survivability for both mother and child, having a well trained nurse by her side is definitely a huge plus. While hospitals can't just go rounding up expecting mothers to help them in the training of their nurses, this Pregnancy Simulator ought to help - at least for trainee nurses at St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs. A life-size, anatomically correct pregnant doll is there to provide the complications faced inside an actual delivery room to hone the skills of up and coming nurses. We wonder whether there will be an equal amount of blood to keep things real in the simulator.

Although technology has progressed to such a point where going paperless is a viable option, to be 100% paperless might be asking for too much. After all, ordinary printing using an inkjet paper sure places a toll on the environment, what with the amount of ink used as well as paper. Enter the PrePeat printer which doesn't rely on paper or ink - all you need to do is feed it special heat sensitive plastic sheets, where it will rely on a precision thermal head to print out gray scale text and images. Once you're done with the printout, just feed the sheets through the printer again, where a different temperature setting will erase whatever was printed on it before. Sounds good, but the PrePeat printer is not for everyone due to the prohibitively high entry cost of $5,500, while each sheet of special plastic paper will retail for $3.30.

Microsoft just announced that they will no longer be offering Xbox Live services on the original Xbox from April 15th onwards. This means that from that day onwards, all of the original Xbox games - as well as those that see action on the Xbox 360 as well as over the Xbox Originals service, will no longer be able to have a lease of life online. One of the main reasons would be Microsoft evolving their Xbox Live service which could no longer make allowances for games on Microsoft's first console.

Shiseido's has wowed the public in the past with their range of make-up that is capable of turning any plain Jane into a stunning bombshell, but today they provide that wow factor via a different route - the Digital Cosmetic Mirror. This device allows users to test make-up and recommendations without having to so much so as use a mascara brush in the process. This is made possible thanks to augmented reality that offers a novel method to powder your face sans samples, and widespread adoption of this technology could spell the end for testers and samples. A camera will scan your face, compute a list of tailored recommendations and applies make-up on your virtual face in real-time for instant viewing of results.

The price to pay for being an industrialized nation would be living with pollution. We're pretty sure when our forefathers came to North America a few hundred years ago, everything was in pristine condition - fast forward to today and we have clogged up rivers, polluted seas and the ever present problem of smog. The Dectectair vest aims to alert you to places where air quality is less than satisfactory, using a pattern of embedded LEDs located right across the chest which lights up to reflect the surrounding air quality. The worse the quality gets, the more a bunch of small vibrators will jump abound, alerting you to the situation. You can then wear the collar that doubles up as an impromptu medical/dust mask.