Off to the high-tech races
Age-old playground games like footraces, tag and relays have remained untouched by modern technology. But might there be a way for gadgets to enhance these backyard pastimes? Hyper Dash from Wild Planet (www.wildplanet.com) is a timed racing game that uses radio frequency identification technology to track a child’s location on a course, which is defined by placing five hockey-puck-size targets around a backyard or park.
The $30 game, due in stores next month, includes a battery-operated tagger that senses which of the targets it is near. It works as a timer and gives voice commands as it is carried through the course. The targets have different colors and numbers, which allow for a variety of game modes that may involve some simple math, or paying close attention to directions, especially in the Simon Says play mode. There is also a multiplayer relay race, where children pass the transmitter back and forth to compare times.
Perhaps baseball players will soon be carrying similar devices, just to make sure they really tag third base.
This mouse has wings
While most computer mice have feet planted firmly on the mouse pad, it takes a special mouse to truly fly. The Logitech MX Air can be wielded in the air and become a gyroscopic pointer with just a flick of your wrist.
On a desk, the $150 MX Air, which has two buttons and a touch-sensitive surface for scrolling, acts like a standard cordless laser mouse. But when you lift it up, internal sensors transmit the position, direction and speed of the mouse so your computer can re-create the motion on the screen.
The MX Air also has gesture commands. While it is suspended, you can press the volume button and move the mouse left or right to control your sound system’s audio. Twirling the mouse skips tracks forward and back.
The mouse includes rechargeable batteries and a charging dock and is compatible with PCs running Microsoft Windows. It will be available online and in stores next month.
Sadly, your other earthbound mice will probably be jealous of this interloper. Just tell them the Logitech MX Air is a bat.
