Granted, the resemblance to Spaceship Earth might be unavoidable when the Technosphere is meant to represent the state of Earth's ecosystem, now and in the future. But considering that everything in the building will be solar-powered with minimal waste due to water recycling, it's definitely a few steps ahead of the real thing though. [WAN]

Using prerendered chunks of track and a digital ruler, you can shape the path of their virtual roller coaster, bobsled track or jet flight. (Should you draw something that's impossible to perform, the system will guide and correct you.)

As for the simulation itself, your fate is in the hands of an industrial robot arm from Kuka Robotics, like you've seen in car plants. We can only assume that the robot shakes you at high velocities until you feel dizzy or sick, all while fans occasionally blow air at your face to simulate velocity.

Several years back, I tested a similar build-your-own coaster ride at DisneyQuest. Some effects were actually pretty wonderful, but the customization was fairly limited and the simulators were far more typical. Knowing my well-being is in the grasp of a robot that could literally destroy me makes the whole prospect sounds a lot more exciting. [CNN]

But if we had to call it one way or the other? Our money's actually on Woz. And we Photoshopped a side-by-side and everything, just to prove our point.

Just look at the figure. It's not lanky like Steve Jobs. The man has some heft, strength even, and that little bit of extra Woz scruff. And stripes. Both pictures have striped shirts! Have you ever witnessed more conclusive evidence?

But what do you think? [lifthill]

That's right, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak reportedly does not make an appearance in the scene (though we're guessing he and Kathy Griffin may be necking in the back of the ride). Also of note: Distant Creations reports that the bearded figure may or may not actually be referred to as Mr. Jobs himself, but that it's inarguable who the figure represents.

Sorry Woz. Methinks that groups of Apple haters and lovers alike will never visit Epcot again. [distantcreations via boingboing]

JVC has designed a round speaker that isn't just for poor decorating taste. The "pulsating sphere" surface (all 12 patents-worth) actually produces the sound and distributes wavelengths equally in all directions. The result is supposed to be a highly natural sound that you don't link to one particular speaker. We are interested to see how they expect these speakers to fall into the standard surround sound system built on principles of directional sound. On one hand, strict speaker angles may be a thing of the past. On the other hand, too many spheres in a small room could be acoustic chaos. JVC's first sphere speaker was from 1967 - did they even have spheres back then? I thought it was just circles. – Mark Wilson

News Article [via therawfeed]