lifekludger

Lifekludger on ABC Radio – Second life, disability & education

dnw — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:58:54 +0000

A couple months back I was contacted to see if I could give some input for an ABC Radio National program segment on Second life, disability and education.

My input was focused around barriers to access to technology generally and from my Lifekludger perspective. Also touched on the importance of technology for people living with disability and a little from how I experience Second life use.

Play / Download here (13:28 min; 6.52 Mb)

Show synopsis:

Second life, disability and education
14/06/2011
We hear more and more about virtual worlds: cyber islands like Second Life where you can indeed lead an entire second life, just sitting at a computer while your avatar roams around having adventures. Now educators are starting to take a closer look at these technologies. For one thing, virtual universities would be a lot cheaper to build and run. There are also great creative possibilities for students and teachers, as long as everyone is able to get in through the virtual doors. Annie Hastwell reports.

BreathBird : Breath activated scanning input comes to iPad

dnw — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:42:59 +0000

Techcrunch report on the (free) BreathBird twitter app for the iPad.

BreathBird employs the well honed concept of ‘scanning‘ that’s been used for alternate input selection on software like on-screen scanning keyboards for years and applies it in a fresh way to this iPad app, using breath as the trigger rather than a switch.

I’m unaware of any other apps using the scanning keyboard input method, so this may be a first on the iPad.

Taking the concept further… how about using the front-facing camera of the iPad 2 to ‘view’ and sense a blink as the trigger. Now there’s a project.

Nomad Brush – A Paintbrush for iPad

dnw — Fri, 20 May 2011 06:50:46 +0000

Nomad Brush is a unique paintbrush for the iPad that features soft, flexible bristles made from a blend of natural and conductive fibers.

Nomad Brush + iPad from Don Lee on Vimeo.

The makers say “This simple and elegant design makes it a perfect tool for drawing and painting on the iPad”.

I’d be interested to know what material the shaft is made from. Regardless of if you paint or not, this device shows how elegant solution a well implemented idea for a capacitive touch stylus can be.

[via] Nomad Brush

Make your own Touchscreen Stylus Brush

dnw — Fri, 06 May 2011 08:21:11 +0000

Rainy Day Magazine features an article on how to make a stylus and brush for capacitive touch screens like the iPad/iPhone etc out of some stripped copper wire and a ball point pen casing.

The article contains lots of great information, links, ideas and photos and is well worth a read.

[via] DIY iPad Brush…

Technorati Tags:
stylus, makers, make, touch, diy, ipad, rainyday

Wireless Foot Mouse

dnw — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 06:48:28 +0000

Flip Flop Mouse

“The Toe Mouse is especially designed for those who have upper limbs disability and cannot use their hands to move the mouse. This ergonomically designed gadget uses our natural ability to grip between the toes, for manipulating the Mouse. You need to slip it on, between the big toe and second, just as you would wear your flipflops. The sensor below the big toe acts as the left click button and the one below the second toe is the right click.”

Designer: Liu Yi

[via yankodesign.com]

iPad/iPhone Capacitive Stylus Roundup

dnw — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 06:30:04 +0000

Over on the “Cool Quirks” blog, there’s a good post on stylus pens for iPad/iPhone etc.

It gives a good general look at “7 of the Best iPad Stylus Pens of 2011“.

It has good photo’s too which is helpful info. for any kludgers needing something to modify. One thing I wish reviewers, and moreso retailers, of these stylus pens would include is dimensions… especially length.

Stylus covered are:

Boxwave iPad Stylus
Boxwave Mini Capacitive Stylus
Hard Candy iPad Stylus And Ballpoint Pen Combo
The Pogo Sketch Stylus
Mi-Stylus
Capacitive Styra by BoxWave

(dunno how they figure that’s 7)

Head over to Cool Quirks for a good comparison overview.

Readability plugins for your browser

dnw — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 08:07:46 +0000

If you don’t use Safari and it’s built-in “Reader” functionality these web browser plugins could be just the ticket.

Readability Redux extension for Chrome

Readability addon for Firefox

“Readability is a simple tool that makes reading on the Web more enjoyable by removing the cluter around what you’re reading.”

Hitachi stylus compatible, capacitive touch panel

dnw — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 07:00:35 +0000

This interesting development was flagged to me recently and is of great interest personally as I battle with the “Touch barrier” that the pervasive use of capacitive type touch-screens pose.

Hitachi Displays has developed a projective-type electrostatic capacitance touch-panel that can convert input from a non-conductive object into electrostatic capacitance, thus allowing the use of a plastic stylus, gloved hands, or other similar objects.

Read more on the release below:

News Release

2010/08/27

Development of Electrostatic Capacitance Touch-panel that can be Operated with a Plastic Stylus, Gloved Hand, or Other Non-Conductive Object

Entering data on the newly developed touch panel

Using a plastic stylus | Using fingers

Hitachi Displays, Ltd. (President: Yoshiyuki Imoto, hereafter referred to as Hitachi Displays) has developed a projection-type electrostatic capacitance touch-panel that can be operated with a plastic stylus, gloved hand, or other non-conductive object. With this touch-panel, information entered with a non-conductive object is converted to electrostatic capacitance. This technology that allows non-conductive objects to be detected has not been possible previously with projection-type electrostatic capacitance touch-panels; operation with objects such as a plastic stylus, only possible with resistive touch-panels before, is now possible for the first time. In addition to using multiple fingers on an LCD simultaneously to perform multi-touch operations such as zooming in on screens and moving icons, this new development allows a variety of input options such as detailed data entry using a plastic stylus or operation of a device with gloves on in cold climates.

In recent years, touch-panel LCDs have been used widely in smart phones and digital cameras, and it is expected that such markets will continue to be pivotal in maintaining the high growth rate of touch panels. In particular, projection-type electrostatic capacitance touch-panels are increasing in popularity because they allow a very light touch as well as multi-touch operations. Therefore, there has been an increasing need for variation in input options for projection-type electrostatic capacitance touch-panels, such as the use of a plastic stylus to perform detailed operations on increasingly sophisticated interfaces, and the operation of digital cameras in cold climates while wearing gloves. However, until now projection-type electrostatic capacitance touch-panels produced a mild electric current on the surface of the LCD, and detected changes in the electric current to determine where the user’s fingers were touching the display. Therefore, non-conductive objects such as a plastic stylus or a gloved hand, which can be used to operate resistive touch-panels, could not be used because they have no effect on electric current.

To counter this, Hitachi Displays has developed a projective-type electrostatic capacitance touch-panel that can convert input from a non-conductive object into electrostatic capacitance, thus allowing the use of a plastic stylus, gloved hands, or other similar objects. This advanced projection-type electrostatic capacitance touch panel that we have developed seamlessly detects both conductive and non-conductive objects, without compromising responsiveness to light touch or design considerations. A common controller IC can be used as the detection controller, allowing detailed data entry with a coordinate detection error of ±0.5mm or less (coordinate detection accuracy: ±1.0%) when using a stylus with a 0.8mm tip. In addition, non-conductive objects made from a variety of materials including wool, natural or synthetic leather, and synthetic fabrics can be used. Further, since it is possible to perform operations using a plastic stylus and your fingers simultaneously, new applications and interfaces for a variety of uses are now possible.

Hitachi Displays will continue to strive to improve development and sales of such small- and medium-size LCDs with a high level added value. We shall also continue to advance in terms of customer support including touch-panel control systems as a means to contribute to the development of products for our customers.

This newly developed touch panel will be on display during “CEATEC JAPAN 2010″, from October 5 to October 9 at Makuhari Messe International Convention Complex.

via Hitachi News Release

Hat tip to @royblumenthal

Apple keyboard & touch pad tray

dnw — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 00:10:27 +0000

The Combine collective is a group of like minded artists working together to achieve a common goal.

They have come out with these stylish keyboard trays, designed to combine the mac wireless keyboard and trackpad into one clean unit.

It occurred to me that this idea could be good for people requiring a way of holding these in place, say if they have dexterity problems. Sure there’s cheaper alternatives (I use blue-tak) but for the design conscious these look great.

They are made from whole and solid-joined hardwoods, water based glue, and a food safe oil finish and every aspect of the tray’s design and production is sustainable.

They offer a left handed and a right handed version.

iPhone/iPod Touch as touchpad plus – ATMac

dnw — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:55:55 +0000

Over on ATMac blog, Blake Watson has a great review of the HippoRemote app for iPhone/iPod Touch that turns your device into a multi-touch touchpad, as well as many other things…

HippoRemote will connect to your computer and hand the reins over to you. Your iPhone is now a fully-featured multi-touch trackpad. Tap the keyboard button at the top of the screen and HippoRemote will provide you with a standard iPhone keyboard… HippoRemote turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into an advanced media browser that interacts with some of the coolest media programs on your Mac….

Read the full review over on ATMac.

Just5 Simple features Mobile Phone

dnw — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:28:52 +0000

Just5 Mobile phones take the less is more approach with a phone ideally aimed at older persons and those with a disability with a phone that boasts 5 simple features:

1. Big Buttons :
These big buttons really do make a difference. Easy to dial even without putting on glasses.

2. Ease of Operation :
We got rid of all unnecessary functions that overwhelm today’s cellphones. So simple to use, even children can figure it out!

3. Personal Emergency Response System :
This button can be a life saver! It can automatically call your emergency contacts*, and give you your freedom and independence back!

4. Amplified Sound :
We worked hard to make this phone sound loud and clear so you can now enjoy talking on it!

5. Long Lasting Battery :
The phone features 100 minutes of talk time and will stay charged for up to 6 days in standby mode.

Just5 mobile phones are distributed through the company’s network of distributors throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe.

Just5 Mobile phones

Sonamba Wellbeing Monitor for Independence

dnw — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 07:27:51 +0000

Sonamba is an easy-to-use, stand-alone device designed to enhance caregiving for seniors or people who need a little assistance living on their own.

Sonamba can send and receive messages, track normal activity patterns and warn of any changes. It provides medication and appointment reminders, and it even calls caregivers or emergency numbers.

Anyone with a cell phone can monitor the system. Caregivers are the first to know when something is wrong. For example, if one of your parents forgets to take a medication, you’ll get a text message right away. Then you can give them a call to check in and make sure everything’s okay..

Sonamba has A Wellbeing Monitor, Personal Emergency Response System, Automated Medication Reminders, and Social Communications. As well as acting as a Digital Photo Frame.

As far as I can tell this device is only available in USA at present time, having only just been released to the market. However expect to see an increasing number of these monitoring type lifestyle devices that make clever use of the Internet, GPS and Mobile technologies to support independent living.