3d illusion arts: Walyou

Walyou

Castlevania Super Nintendo Console By Vadu Amka
Leia Display System Lets You Interact with Mid-Air Projections
HTC Re Is a Periscope-Like Smartphone-Compatible Handheld Camera
Thanko thumb extension: regular sized thumb for people with small hands

Castlevania Super Nintendo Console By Vadu Amka

Posted: 10 Oct 2014 06:00 AM PDT

It would be a curse to not check out this spectacular-looking Castelvania SNES.

If you needed something to kickstart your Halloween excitement, then video game console-modder Vadu Amka has just the thing for you: a Super Nintendo designed after one of the most Halloween-celebrating video game series, Konami's Castlevania.

To be precise, the action game franchise that rose to popularity at the height of the NES, was more of a love letter to the classic monster movies of the 1930s and 1940s from American movie maker, Universal Studios. But seeing how Halloween owes so much of its modern iconagraphy to those films, the two just can't be separated.

As for Vadu's spooky creation, the Castlevania SNES – also know as the Dracula's Curse edition, named after the second game in the series – is a great spittin' representation of all that makes Castlevania… uh, Castlevania-y?!

First, it looks like a breakable block from the game, the kind you can break and find a whole roasted chicken in (gross, but it’s better than dying), with skeleton skull and coffin in tow. And notably, it features the two most prominent fixtures in all of Castlevania, Dracula's castle and the famed, evil-banishing whip belonging to the Belmont Family.

Lest I forget to mention that SNES controller, which looks darn close to weathered wood, and has some nice bronze decorating that alines with the overall theme of the console. I can only guess Vadu made a pact with Dracula himself to create something so amazing. That, or maybe Vadu is really good at what he does, especially considering past console creations.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter! And stay tuned for more stories on Walyou, including how the iPhone 6 Plus “Bendgate” highlights a massive design flaw and how Apple Gives FaceTime a Boost on iPhone 6.

Leia Display System Lets You Interact with Mid-Air Projections

Posted: 09 Oct 2014 01:45 PM PDT

With a name that’s certainly inspired from Star Wars, the Leia Display System is an innovative user interface that enables people to manipulate images in mid-air.

Leia Display System may seem familiar to already-existing technologies such as 3D projection mapping and holograms, but in fact it’s nothing like those two. First of all, it is not a hologram because the projected images are in 2D only. Secondly, this is so much more than 3D projection mapping, as the mid-air touchscreen can be controlled in a manner that might remind you of Minority Report.

There are plenty of scenarios in which the Leia Display System could prove useful. Well, maybe useful is not the right word, but more like… adequate. It does have a mind-blowing effect and could radically transform ballet, fashion shows, business presentations, shows for kids, so on and so forth.

The way it works is pretty simple, actually. The Leia Display System is actually a frame where a thin layer of mist is sprayed from the bottom-up. A projector is then used for displaying images on mist. The innovative factor is represented by the integrated gesture control system that lets you interact with the projected images.

The Leia Display System will be offered in two versions, the LDS S-95, which measures 95 x 65 cm (37 x 25 inches), and the LDS X-300 can be as large as 3m x 2.5m (9.85 x 8.2 ft). While the S-95 could be used for smaller tasks, the X-300 might come in handy for large-scale architectural presentations.

A display such as this one could really revolutionize gaming, even though it could be awkward in the beginning for players to get their hands wet while playing. The smaller version is said to use 400 ml of demineralized water per hour, while the larger one can turn into mist 4 liters per hour.

The manufacturer is willing to lend such mist displays, not just sell them. However, the prices are available on request, so I can’t make a comment on how affordable this technology is. If you want to stand out from the crowd, though, using the Leia Display System is guaranteed at one of your shows or presentations could really make you look different, regardless of your field of work.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the colossal Rube Goldberg machine 3D projection mapping, and these eerie projections of deities on trees.

HTC Re Is a Periscope-Like Smartphone-Compatible Handheld Camera

Posted: 09 Oct 2014 01:07 PM PDT

It looks like HTC is testing new waters with its handheld Re camera, a device that was quite a surprise for the entire world, given this Taiwanese company’s history.

HTC Re is a standalone camera that’s compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones, so no one can accuse the manufacturer of discriminating anyone. The premise for making this camera is that smartphones are not always as convenient as standalone handheld cameras, and a prime example of that includes underwater photography.

This camera is waterproof, so it can be used while swimming or even when scuba-diving, should you be in the mood for taking pictures then. Having a lot of things in common both with GoPro cameras and with smartphone cameras, HTC Re proves to be a worthy companion when it comes to taking spontaneous pictures (just take care who you’re photographing). Judging by the promotional pictures that were used for the launch of this camera, the HTC Re could become the next best camera for selfies.

One of the most interesting features of HTC Re is that it doesn’t have a power button. Its integrated accelerometer is used for turning on the camera as soon as you pick it up. The 16 MP Sony CMOS sensor can capture 1080p video at 30 fps and slo-mo 720p at 120 fps. According to HTC, Re’s 820mAh battery should last for 1 hour and 40 minutes of video recording in full HD, or just about 1,200 still images. In case you’re not satisfied with the 8GB microSD card the camera comes with, you’re free to get a 128GB card, assuming you are willing to pay that much to extend the capacity.

There are a few problems with the HTC Re camera, though. First of all, this device must have one of the most uninspired names in the history of cameras, and of gadgets, in general. Secondly, it’s small (which sometimes is a good thing, but…) and therefore quite easy to misplace or lose. Not at last, HTC Re costs a whooping $200, which is a bit of a steep price, especially for a product of its kind. My advice is to get a compact camera for that money, as its sensor would produce much better pictures than the HTC Re ever could.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the HTC Nexus 9 photos from the FCC, and the metal HTC M8 that was launched on March 25.

Thanko thumb extension: regular sized thumb for people with small hands

Posted: 09 Oct 2014 10:59 AM PDT

Japan surprises us again with a clever idea aimed at users with small hands: now that phones seem to be getting bigger, so should your thumbs.

There was a time where smaller phones were the most desirable. Not anymore, though, as every smartphone developer out there seems to be trying to outsize one another, with the Galaxy, Nexus and iPhone families being the main offenders.

Japanese manufacturer Thanko, aware of just how big the iPhone is in Japan and how users’ hands are way smaller in average came up with a concept to reconcile them. The Thanko thumb extension is, as it name indicates, a large thumb extension made out of soft silicone. This extension adds some 15 millimeters (a bit more than half an inch) to the user’s thumb, ensuring they can reach the total area of the phone without having to grab it awkwardly. Also, it has a stylus tip at the end for those users who prefer it.

Although the thumb extension is not being sold outside of Japan (where it retails for a bit less than $14 USD), Thanko has been quoted as being open to expand if the product proves to be successful, and we sincerely hope it does. It looks just adorable, if the video below is any indication.