Developed by Microsoft and University of California Berkeley, the Pictionaire table uses overhead cameras to make digitize physical objects, allowing you to manipulate real stuff with all the intuitive, touchy-feely goodness you've come to expect of touchscreen tables.
The table, an adapted version of Microsoft Surface, is nearly six feet long and designed to bring collaboration to touchscreen tables, just like Pictionary brought collaboration to drawing, I guess?
Regardless of the silly name, the concept is pretty cool. A DSLR hanging overhead recognizes objects placed on the table by their size and shape. It then photographs that object and feeds the digital copy onto the table, where it can be resized, sorted and spun around intuitively with your fingers.
Pictionaire still looks a little rough around the edges, but by rolling the ability to scan and copy physical objects into touchscreen tables, it brings Microsoft Surface technology in touch with the real world. [New Scientist via Slash Gear]
Researchers at the International Computer Science Institute and UC-San Diego have achieved 100% success rates in filtering spam from a specific botnet. The strategy? Capture the enemy, and make him talk.
Apparently Jobs is bullish about this "major new product's" chances. You'd often look for a company to attempt to downplay expectations on a product launch like this, but it's fun to watch Steve pour some fuel on the fire.
For years, farmers in Kenya’s arid north have suffered huge losses when droughts wiped out their cattle herds. Now, they have a means to protect their sole source of livelihood when rains fail and grasslands disappear. A new insurance scheme hopes to safeguard cattle-rearers in northern Kenya’s drought-prone Marsabit district by using satellite imagery to track changing landscapes and the subsequent loss of cattle.
Unwittingly snapped by a sandwich shop paparazzo, 
At a time when wearing fur is generally considered a fashion faux pas, designers like 
So you always wanted to be a scientist...except you aren't. Never fear! The iMicroscope iPhone app is here. When used with a microscope (surely you've got one of those kicking around?) you can take ultra-precise scientific photos.
