Wii Vitality Sensor detailed in patent application, fires righteous beams of light

How does Nintendo's oft-delayed Wii Vitality Sensor work? According to a new patent filing, it's actually quite simple -- the unit fires infrared light right at your fingertip and reports how much passes through, just like the pulse oximeters the pros use. Games then translate the result to the unfortunately-named "relax fluid" number, which is the Vitality Sensor's equivalent of your Brain Age -- the more fluid you've got, the calmer you are. It's also allegedly sensitive enough to detect when you're breathing just by measuring the changes in your fingertip, as evidenced by a concept game where you have to closely adjust your inhaling and exhaling to get an avatar safely through a tunnel without hitting the presumably deadly walls. And now you know.

Take a look: http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/wii-vitality-sensor-detailed-in-patent-application-fires-righte/

Wireless body area network allows your body to send status updates to your cellphone

Dutch researchers recently demonstrated a new type of wireless body area network, or BAN for short. A BAN essentially gives the human body its own IP address, and the new techniques demonstrated at IMEC based in Eindhoven incorporate a dongle that plugs into the SD card slot of a cellphone, enabling the streaming of data from the sensors to the cellphone in real time. The demonstrated software, which runs Android OS and uses the nRF24L01+ radio wireless standard rather than Bluetooth. So what does this mean for the future of medicine? Well, with just a few EKG-like sensors, people with medical conditions such as heart problems, or athletes in training, will be able to monitor their own body on their cellphones. The technology is still in the demo phase, but it's one we look forward to seeing in practice.

Take a look: http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/10/wireless-body-area-network-allows-your-body-to-send-status-updat/

Shinobii's table tennis bat for Wii hitting shelves soon for $70

Remember that prototype Wii tablet tennis controller that was reviewed (and adored) recently? You know -- the one that had no official maker and no official release date? Turns out that very device is made by Shinobii Technologies, and the outfit is finally coming clean with a bona fide version that's suitable for public release. The TT Champion Bat is said to be a true 1:1 replica of an actual table tennis paddle in both size and weight, and the electronics required to interact with the Wii console are all integrated; in other words, this is your Wiimote when playing a tennis or ping pong title. There's also a rechargeable battery within to keep things humming along, and best of all, it'll soon be available online and at traditional video game retailers throughout the EU and North America for $69.99. Hello, stocking stuffer.

Take a look: http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/17/shinobiis-table-tennis-bat-for-wii-hitting-shelves-soon-for-70/

Podcast

Uploaded our latest Using Technology in Physical Podcast at http://www.pesoftware.com/podcast/index.html

The New Xbox.com Is More Than Just A Pretty Face

Tomorrow morning at 5AM Eastern Xbox.com will be going down. When it comes back, it'll have a fresh new look and some extra-added functionality. Let's take a look!

Major Nelson uploaded a set of pictures of the new Xbox.com website redesign this morning, giving users a look at how they'll be interfacing with Xbox Live via the web tomorrow morning. Xbox.com and the forums will go down at 5AM Eastern time, and when they come back up, this is what we'll be seeing.

New features introduced in the redesign include the ability to edit avatars via the website; a combined view for messages, friend requests, and game invites; improved account notification; family reports so you can keep tabs on your household; and the ability to play web games with friends via the website or Windows Phone 7. The Xbox.com Marketplace is also scoring a robust new search system, making it easier than ever to find the games you're looking for.

Check out the screens at http://gizmodo.com/5667776/the-new-xboxcom-is-more-than-just-a-pretty-face/gallery/ to see what we'll be seeing once Xbox.com is reborn tomorrow morning.

Nintendo announces Wii Remote Plus with built-in MotionPlus tracking

We have confirmation from Nintendo that they are indeed building the Wii Remote Plus, which combines a Wii Remote with its Wii MotionPlus gyro add-on into one Wii Remote-sized package. We spotted the controller in a FlingSmash bundle, the telltale "smile" text below the Wii logo, and now all we really need is a price and a launch date.

More Good News from Target Stores

Starting October 17, holders of Target store credit cards will be eligible for a 5 percent discount on an iPad purchase—taking $25 off the purchase of the basic 16-GB Wi-Fi-only model of the device. Target will sell the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models of both the Wi-Fi and 3G versions of the iPad.