The Millennia robot can really converse with you. According to its maker, International Robotics, Inc., this adult-sized creation "is able to communicate with any age, social, ethnic or cultural group in any type of environment"

“Most interactive robots have the ability to convey commercial messages, but IRI’s robots have the ability to command the attention and respect of today’s more complex – and often more jaded – audiences by openly communicating, as a human would, with any member of society regardless of age, social, ethnic or cultural background,” said Robert Doornick of IRI.

Perhaps we should send on of these guys to Pres Bush?

Code Name: Milan is the top secret name for the table top computer called Microsoft Surface. It looks like a glass coffee table, but its actually a computer with an interactive surface in disguise.

The most exciting thing about this computer, other than its top secret status, is its ability to connect to and manipulate the data on wireless devices such as cameras and cell phones. The fact that this technology will lead to other types of surface computing is pretty darn exciting too.

The Microsoft Surface will make its debut at the end of 2007 and will cost $5,000 to $10,000.

Margot Knight was part of a high-speed art theft and was diligently chased by several cops. The most interesting part of the story was not the part where she was held up at gunpoint, or even the part where she made a large sum of cash from an expensive painting, but the fact that it was all in her head.

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Authors everywhere have been told they have potential for published work, but couldn’t find a select company sufficient enough for what they were hoping to sell. Now, an easy means of publishing has been made available through electronic sources. In particular, these sources include Internet companies, such as Blurb.com, i-Universe, Lulu.com or Xlibris. Online publishing is all the rage with authors looking to provide for themselves.

Companies such as Blurb have a simple design that would create the author’s dream novel. Customers download the company software, which lets them select their text and photos. Specifications are sent to the company, which prints the books in either hardcover or soft. This whole process costs about 18.95 for a small softcover book, with discounts available for bulk packages.

There are plenty of writers that might find this process useful. Some of them might be reading this article, and some might be writing it (such as myself). It seems safe and straightforward, so I suggest giving it a go if you’re up for the task.

*Picture courtesy of Reuters*

Pac Man the Original video game is making a comeback!

According to my super top secret sources, Pac Man will be reborn on Microsoft’s Xbox Live online service as a final tribute for designer Toru Iwatani, who is retiring. The new game, Pac Man Championship Edition, is the second and final version Mr Iwatani personally designed, and was created for the final round of the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship in New York and features dance music and mazes that change shapes, the pinnacle of interactive entertainment.

Now, I have never personally played this version of Pac Man and I’ll tell you what, I NEVER will. Nothing will even come close to the genius of the original Pac Man. The 4 pixels, the crude and electronic soundtrack that looped and looped endlessly, the distinctive "whaka whaka, whaka" sound of Pac Man. I mean if you want a great game this is it. Trying to make Pac Man better than the original is like freshman art students  trying to repaint the Sistine Chapel with rollers and 3 colors. Bottom line, the original will never be replicated and if you want a come back, dust off your old Nintendo, clean off the cartage, get a nice frosty one and eat cherries like there’s no tomorrow.