Gizmodo: The Matrix

Japanese Matrix Trilogy Blu-ray Collection Arrives in the Nebuchadnezzar

Jack Loftus — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Japan, not content to be our betters with just internet service providers, is upping the ante again with this extravagant Ultimate Matrix Collection Blu-ray limited edition set. Available only in the Land of the Rising Sun, this set includes a 7-disc collection, which can be stored inside a 2-foot model of the Nebuchadnezzar. The seven discs include Blu-ray versions of The Matrix trilogy and The Animatrix, as well as three standard-definition DVDs featuring "making-of" documentaries. The Ultimate Matrix Collection is currently slated for a Japan-only release on December 17 for about $375. [WHV via OhGizmo]

Ultimate Matrix Collection On Blu-ray October 14

Jason Chen — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:39:59 EDT

The previously DVD and HD DVD-only Ultimate Matrix Collection is headed to Blu-ray October 14, which will be pretty much the same as the HD DVD version. It'll have 35 hours of extras, picture-in-picture commentary and a price tag of $130. If you were that big a Matrix fan to spend $130 on this, you probably already own it on HD DVD. [high Def Digest]

Scientists Working on Matrix-esque Brain-Computer Interface

Kit Eaton — Wed, 28 May 2008 08:20:00 EDT

A team at Caltech is working on a MEMS-based robot probe that will be able to slowly creep electrodes into your brain to connect up to specific neurons. Creepy indeed, but with potential uses for advanced control of prosthetic limbs, Luke Skywalker-style. But the idea has greater potential for "state-of-the-art experimental techniques for electrophysiology." according to team-leader Michael Wolf. And that's just got me picturing the neural probes of The Matrix.

The device would sense its way in, using MEMS motors to carefully push in multiple electrodes into the brain and detecting electrical activity at their tips. When the system senses an activity spike, the robotic probe would adjust microscopically, and then either stay put or move on to find a better signal. The micro-mechanical part is still in development, but the team says the software side of the device (that would enable it to find the right neurons and adjust the probes locations if signals faded) is all but complete. It uses an algorithm inspired by one the US military uses to track aircraft.

It's heady stuff, but apparently a real Matrix-esque brain probe is a long way away, as even this first-gen version of direct neural interfacing is "far off" from a ready-to-insert in brain device according to Wolf. [Make via Medgadget]

FrogConcept Facemask Makes Any Dystopian Future a Happy Funtime Land

Jack Loftus — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT

When the future goes to crap in the next 10 years or so, and anarchy rules as humanity falls into a deep, dark pit of despair, this alternate reality mask concept from Frog Design will be there to soften the blow. Invoking mental images of cowed sheep, Aldous Huxley's soma and even the Matrix, Frog Designs describes its FrogConcept mask as an escape for the doomed people of the future, complete with a "re-skinned" reality.

The visual design casts the mask as a lifestyle product of the future, as it plays with a glaring, exaggerated coolness of the wearer. It gives an almost robotic appearance, and suggests a diversion from what we define today as "normal" physical human interaction.
Within the mask, smells, sounds, even air quality would be imitated to create a full sensory experience. The facial expressions of those wearing the device would be detected and projected onto personal avatars visible to others also living behind the shield of the mask.

I don't know about you guys, but I've been wearing my own version of this "next-gen" technology for a while now. It's called beer goggles, courtesy of my good friend Sam Adams, and it's been turning the bar scene into a beauty pageant for the past seven years. [Frog Design via Boing Boing]

Family Guy Enters The Matrix

Mark Wilson — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:30:00 EDT

If someone had asked me right when I woke up this morning if I expected to see an superb Family Guy/Matrix trailer mashup—I'd probably have searched YouTube for it later—but I'd have done so quite incredulously. [via newlaunches]

Super Soaker Inventor Working on Way To Harvest Heat From Humans Matrix-Style

Jason Chen — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:30:33 EST

Who didn't like Super Soakers as a kid? You pump it a lot, it builds pressure, then it shoots liquid. In many ways, they were very similar to humans, which is why Lonnie Johnson, its inventor, is looking for ways to use harvest waste heat from humans to power a tiny Johnson system. The full name is the Johnson Thermoelectric Energy System, and it could be up to 60% efficient (standard car engines are only about 30% efficient) at the right temperature.

Not only could it be used to harvest waste heat from humans, it can be used to harvest heat from regular engines or combustion turbines, and has no moving parts at all. The National Science Foundation has granted Mr. Super Soaker funding, which means that we could soon have stuff attached to siphon off our waste heat. Or be connected to the Matrix by robots. Either/or. [Popular Mechanics via Treehugger]