Google Lively is dead. Let me refresh your memories. Google Lively was the browser-based virtual world, sort of like Second Life, that Google launched back in July. It turns out that Google will be pulling the plug after December 31, 2008.

There was huge amounts of hype during the month of July as speculation that this might be the future of the internet. The platform was supposed to allow people to visit other websites through a virtual world, a sort of Sims meets the internet, but it ended up being a huge flop. It didn’t even work with Google’s own Chrome browser.

It looks like the company is downsizing and prioritizing like the rest of the world because of the economy and also simply because Lively was DOA. According to the company:

"… we want to ensure that we prioritize our resources and focus more on our core search, ads and apps business."

The future seems to be getter closer and closer with this virtual laser keyboard, which is pretty much a hologram. This high tech device canconnect to just about any pocket PC, laptop and PC. The virtual laser keyboard can be set up anywhere for easy access. All you need is a flat area to set it up. One downside is that it does not have a Bluetooth connection, bummer…

A team of ex-Microsofties left to create Jackson Fish Market, with the tagline “Handcrafted Software Experiences,” in November 2006.

One of their projects, “They’re Beautiful” is the first to launch. It’s a free virtual flowers site. Users can send a virtual bouquet to any email address (even without registering). The recipient sees the bouquet and can choose to put it in their Greenhouse on the site by registering. They then must return every few days to “water” the flowers and keep them from wilting.

Btw, Jackson Fish Market is hiring!

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PSTD, is a common medical problem that soldiers must face after returning from the front lines.  With soldiers returning from the Iraq War, psychologists are using virtual reality software created by the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies. 

The software will mainly be used to help psychologists study the effects of PSTD, according to the report, but it may ultimately help heal soldiers from the disorder, or even prevent PSTD from ever occurring if soldiers are redeployed into Iraq.  Virtual Iraq will recreate a soldier’s memory of a traumatic event within the environment and he or she will relive that event continuously until it becomes a memory, rather than a constant flashback that triggers PSTD. 

The technology will not replace talk therapy, according to Albert Rizzo, who helped develop the software.  However, it is an invaluable tool that will improve the chances of recovery.