scientists develop video games for cats

Sicher, haben Sie das Wii, das PS3 und das Xbox 360 gespielt, aber jetzt kann Ihr katzenartiger Lieblingsfreund in die Tätigkeit dank das späteste in der videospieltechnologie - das CatBox 360 erhalten.

Sure, you’ve played the Wii, the PS3 and the Xbox 360, but now your favorite feline friend can get into the action thanks to the latest in video gaming technology — the CatBox 360.

Each time kitty steps into the automatic litter box, a new game is activated and a random music track starts to play. Colored indicators scroll down the flip-out LCD screen much like they do in a game of Guitar Hero or Rock Band. As each paw scratches across the litter, it triggers the notes, and every time your cat leaves a “present” in the litter box, the game enters a bonus multiplier mode for extra points.

The system includes such cat-friendly tunes as Cat Scratch Fever, Stray Cat Strut, and of course, Cool for Cats.

The makers of the CatBox, Pawsitivity Games, say they’ve tested the device with hundreds of cats. With time, most of them do start to scratch to the rhythm of the music. An unfortunate side effect, however, is that a handful of cats have started “doing their business” any time they hear music playing — so beware when you crank up your stereo — you might get an unexpected surprise. Hopefully, they’ll work out this minor kink before the CatBox hits the market.

Pawsitivity hasn’t announced a release date or price for the system yet, but my cat can’t wait to get his paws on one.

Linux pic frame gets an upgrade

Vor fast einem Jahr machte ein RedPost Schlagzeilen mit ihrem hackable Linux Bilderrahmen, das RedPost/Kit. Heute verkündeten die Kerle bei RedPost des besseren Installationssatzes, schnelleren, stärkeren Zickleinbruders, das Signbeta.

Almost a year ago a RedPost made news with their hackable Linux picture frame, the RedPost/Kit. Today, the guys at RedPost announced Kit’s better, faster, stronger kid brother, the Signbeta.

While it certainly can be used as a digital picture frame, RedPost’s real mission is to replace wasteful paper-covedred bulletin boards with an electronic version. Pretty much anything that can run in Firefox can be displayed as a Sign.

Like its predecessor, the Signbeta packs a substantial 19-inch LCD screen and looks great hanging on a wall. But this year’s model runs much faster, has 4-times as much memory and comes in a sexy polished aluminum case. Oh yeah, it also is ready to go out of the box.

Within minutes of plugging in the Signbeta, you’ll be up and running. It runs RedPost’s Wicker, a customized version of Ubuntu Linux which boots off a USB flash drive.

The $599 system is powered by a speedy VIA C7-D 1.5 GHz NanoBGA2 Processor, and has 1GB of memory this time out. Under the hood, there’s a VIA UniChrome Pro AGP graphics chipset to power the display. Connectivity is provided by built-in 802.11b/g wireless networking, as well as 10/100 Ethernet, USB 2.0 and PS/2 ports.

You can check out all the details over on the RedPost website. Let the hacking begin!