Kinect Fusion headed to Kinect for Windows SDK

Kinect Fusion is a project that utilizes the Kinect to create three-dimensional models, and was showcased at Microsoft’s BUILD 2012 last week. Per an announcement earlier today, the company will be implementing this tool into the Kinect for Windows SDK. No word on when exactly we can expect to see it, however.

Kinect Fusion works by using Kinect sensors to scan 3D objects and environments in real-time. When the sensors are passed in front of an object or environment, or when an object is moved in front of the scanners, the object is recreated in 3D. According to the announcement over on at MSDN, this allows for the capture of environmental or object information in a way that isn’t viewable from any one perspective.

Kinect Fusion pieces together thousands of frames, and can render and update new models nearly instantly. Some of the proposed uses for the Kinect are in 3D printing, body scanning, gaming, and industrial design, with an industrial version of the Fusion sensor costing somewhere in the ballpark of $50,000. The Kinect Fusion can create models of entire rooms in addition to individual objects.

It might be a bit before we see the Kinect Fusion incorporated with Kinect for Windows, however. The SDK was updated last month, and brought with it a bunch of new features, including, according to Tech Crunch, the ability to access depth data beyond 13-feet, which is necessary for Fusion. A Kinect sensor for the SDK can be picked up for $249.

[via Tech Crunch]

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Kobo Glo and Mini ereaders headed for Japan

Kobo has announced that two of its ereaders are slated for release in Japan: the Kobo Glo and the Kobo Mini. As its name suggests, the Kobo Glo features a glowing display, while the Mini is said to be “the world’s smallest full-featured eReader.” The Kobo Glo is currently available for pre-order, while the Mini won’t be available for a bit longer.

The Kobo Glo is slated for shipment on November 15. It’s priced at ¥7,980, and features an adjustable embedded light, as well as an SD card expansion slot, and a 6-inch no-glare e-ink display with an XGA resolution. There’s wifi, giving users access to Kobo’s eBookstore, and the battery life is rated at one month.

The Kobo Mini is slated for release some time in December, and is priced at ¥6,980. According to the press release, the Mini is the world’s smallest and lightest “full-featured” e-ink reader. The device has a 5-inch no-glare display, and is available in black and white. No backlight, sadly. It can hold up to 1,000 ebooks.

The Kobo Touch’s price has been dropped to ¥6,980 from it’s original price of ¥7,980. Said Kobo’s CEO Michael Serbinis, “The Japanese eReading market is taking off with new and exciting products coming from Kobo this gift-giving season… We’re working closely with retail partners to successfully integrate the Kobo Reader, digital content, and the Kobo eBookstore into the ecosystem – to deliver an experience that is tailored to the Japanese market and consumer.”

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Nokia’s 41-Megapixel Phone May be Headed To The U.S.

Nokia may be bringing the Nokia PureView 808, the smartphone with a mammoth 41-megapixel built-in camera, to the United States.

Announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this year, the phone combines a high-resolution sensor with Carl Zeiss optics and Nokia-developed algorithms to create a smartphone camera like no other out there.

While the 41-megapixel number certainly sounds impressive, what’s really fantastic about the Nokia PureView 808 is what it does with those pixels. The 808 uses a new pixel oversampling technology that captures seven pixels of information, and then condenses all seven into one single pixel. The result is an exceptionally sharp 5-megapixel picture.

Unlike your traditional 5-megapixel picture, however, you can zoom in on any part of the photograph and still see everything clearly, thanks to there essentially being seven pixels where the traditional photo would have one.

Nokia posted teaser images on its U.S. Facebook fanpage Friday, with Monday’s date, which also happens to be the date of Microsoft’s mystery event, leading many to believe that Microsoft was perhaps planning a tablet announcement involving Nokia.

All Things D points out, however, that one of the images posted on Nokia’s fanpage shows Hawaii, which has the area code 808, the same as the model number of the phone. A coincidence that suggests Nokia’s big announcement Monday has to do with the 808 and not anything Microsoft related.

The 808 is a Symbian phone, so if it does make its way to the U.S. it will likely be sold unlocked, meaning it won’t be tied to a particular carrier, but you’ll also have to pay full price for it.

What do you think of Nokia’s 41-megapixel smartphone? Would you buy one if the handset became available in the U.S.? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Hyundai Veloster Turbo by ARK Performance headed for SEMA

If you’re like us and have been hanging out for a turbocharged version of the Hyundai Veloster, the wait is almost over. A Hyundai Veloster Turbo tuned by aftermarket expert ARK Performance will light up the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas on November 1.
 
Hyundai is yet to confirm the Veloster Turbo for production, although a number of spy photos and international reports suggest it is on its way in the not-too-distant future. This custom version adds more fuel to the fire.

The ARK Performance Veloster scores a custom twin-scroll turbocharger that increases overall power to 150kW. That’s a significant step-up from the standard car’s naturally aspirated 103kW/167Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine.

ARK plans to make no fewer than 47 modifications to the show car, including everything from interior, exterior and mechanical enhancements.

The most obvious is the unique two-tone paint job, which combines flat grey with fluoro highlights.
Almost every exterior panel has been beefed up, with the low front splitter, pumped wheel arches, quad exhaust outlets and dramatic rear wing among the highlights.
There’s also a full rally-style roll cage, a completely overhauled audio system and Alcantara upholstery across the hard surfaces. (We’ve included the full list of modifications is below.)

ARK Performance Inc. owner, Ted Lee, said the Hyundai Veloster’s distinctive design and dynamic architecture made it “an ideal car for enthusiasts”.

“Our ARK Performance Veloster will bridge the realm between an affordable sports car and an extreme motor sports vehicle,” Mr Lee said.

The Hyundai Veloster will land in Australian showrooms before the end of the year.
Read CarAdvice’s review of the Hyundai Veloster.
Mechanical modifications:
ARK Turbo Charger and Intercooler System
ARK Intercooler Piping System
ARK Custom Oil Cooler
ARK Turbo Manifold
ARK Lightweight Pulley System
ARK Six-Pot Big Brake Kit
ARK Eight-Point Chromoly Rally Style Roll Cage
ARK DTP Track Coilover System
ARK Upper Strut and Front and Rear Sway Bar
ARK Camber and Control Arms
ARK GRIP Dual Exhaust
ARK RSEPC Downpipes and Test Pipes
Interior modifications:
JPM Coachworks Custom OEM Seats with Alcantara Interior
JPM Coachworks Custom Alcantara Shift Boot
JPM Coachworks Custom Alcantara Dashboard
JPM Coachworks Custom Alcantara Headliner
JPM Coachworks Custom Alcantara Doors and Visors
JPM Coachworks Custom Floor Mats
JPM Coachworks Custom Alcantara Audio Finish
Image Dynamics Q450.4 Amplifiers
Image Dynamics Q600.1 Amplifiers
Image Dynamics XS65 Component Speakers
Image Dynamics ID10D4 Subwoofers
ARK Racing Pedals
DSG Performance / Password JDM Shift Knob
DSG Performance / SUN Automotive Eco
DSG Performance / SUN Hyper Voltage System GT
DSG Performance / SUN Automotive Gauss System
DSG Performance / SUN Automotive Hot Inazma Pocket
DSG Performance / SUN Automotive Hyper Ground System
Jason Noren Fabrications Custom Rally Cage
Adam Perry Custom Audio Setup

Exterior modifications:
ARK CFX Designs Front Lip
ARK CFX Designs Side Skirt
ARK CFX Designs Rear Bumper
ARK SFX Designs Wide Front and Rear Fenders
ARK CFX Designs Grille
ARK SFX Rear Wing Mount
OneEighty Custom Headlights
OneEighty Custom Taillights
OneEighty Custom Fog Lamps
Rally Armor Custom Veloster Mud Flaps
Rally Armor Custom Veloster Mounts
DSG Performance / Password JDM Chromoly Lug Nuts
Yokohama Advan RZ Gunmetal x5
Nitto NT05 x5
Beyond Autobody Custom Paint and Finish

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