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Seems as though the folks over there at Microsoft have really been busy as of late. Their Office Labs recently released the the Speed Launch Program , and now Microsoft ‘s Live Labs just released their Photosynth program for consumers.

What was once just a “oh isn’t that so pretty” tech demo, the program is now something that just about anyone can actually go on and use now. While before, the process took weeks of stitching photos together on specially configured server arrays; it is now able to be done by taking groups of photos that you’ve taken with your digital camera or even your mobile phone, and the program then stitches them into a faux 3D environment converted right onto your computer. 

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Net giant Google just revealed their plans to release their version of living in a virtual world with the online 3D social arena “Lively.” Unlike the program “Second Life”, Lively allows users to enter “their world” via IE or Firefox after the initial download and installation of the program. You can make use of integrating the Internet in several ways, bring in your photos or videos that you have hosted online, email your friends inviting them to join, or use the special pre-written widgets to embed your Lively area on your blog. Currently it doesn’t work with MySpace, they are still working on that one.

“It’s integrated with the Internet. It’s not an alternate destination,” said Niniane Wang, Google’s engineering manager for the project. “Our intention is to add to your existing life.”

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Fans of pop phenomenon Hannah Montana would be glad to know that the August release of the Blu-ray Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour will be available in both 2D and 3D viewing modes, which makes this the first Blu-ray release to offer 3D. Both viewing modes will be in 1080p video and offer uncompressed PCM 7.1 surround audio. Disney is scheduled to release the Blu-ray version of the live concert film around August 19 while the regular CD/DVD version is set to hit the market next week. So, parents with Hannah Montana obsessed children may have to negotiate with their kids on whether they would rather have the CD/DVD version or wait a couple of months for the release of the Blu-ray version, or most likely end up purchasing both, thanks Disney. The Blu-ray concert release is expected to retail for $35.98.

Via [High-Def Digest]

Genius has just released their new 3D surround sound quality headphones, the GHP-05 Live. The GHP-05 Live features enhanced true bass levels that contribute to producing that 3D surround sound quality. The GHP-05 headphones also offer a wide acoustic range which should offer good quality with a variety of audio from classical to vocal music.

Genius has built the GHP-05 Live’s true 3D sound quality using precise echo phase control that creates clear and natural sound. This is the same technology that enables engineers to power amplifiers and speakers to make the sound moves around in a super low-bass, upper high-treble and pure vocals. Giving credit to the headphone’s soft velvet padded ear they should offer comfort for extended wear.

With a price tag of $59, the GHP-05 Live headphones come with an extension cable, a 3.5mm-RCA converter and a 6.3mm gold plated adapter that can be connected to any audio devices. The GHP-05 Live looks cool and sporty although some may get turned off by its bulky design, especially now that there are smaller and slimmer headphones available in the market today. But for loyal users of Genius products, the GHP-05 Live would be a good addition to other their other Genius speakers.

Product [Genius] Via [Business Wire]

One of the potentially cool displays that will be, uh, on display at CES is Neurok Optics’ new 22 in. iZ3D Widescreen 3D LCD monitor. Neurok Optics claims the display won’t cause any eyestrain, spatial disorientation, headaches or fatigue, using passive, polarized 3D glasses to complete the 3D effect. It can be switched back to the more standard 2D view, though it requires an Nvidia graphics card (at least that is what the site says, but I’m sure you can use another decent graphics card) with dual outputs. Its resolution seems fairly impressive at 1680 x 1050 with a 170-degree viewing angle, 600:1 contract ration and 16.7 million colors. Available for preorder, the 22 in. 3D monitor will likely cost more than most people paid for their computer. A 17 in. iZ3D monitor is currently available for $1299 and on display in select locations.

Read [Krunker] Site [iZ3D] Eye Test [Vision3D] Locations [iZ3D]

Wired shared one writer’s experience with readers today about Phillips’ newest line of information displays. Their latest venture in the LCD race is making a 3-dimensional display. Information on two models have been released so far, and they both sound promising. Both 3D Intelligent Display Solutions, as the company is dubbing them on their site, utilize WOWvx technology, which places a lens over each subpixel on the 42” screen splitting the light into nine different angles and giving the image a real pop.

Says Wired’s Seán Captain, “I entered a conference room in Manhattan and a woman on the TV tossed a handful of rose petals out of the screen, where they floated in the air before my eyes. At least, that’s what I saw,” describing the effect of the displays powerful graphics technology.

The display also has near-HD capabilities with 2D images as well; and the ability to read the original information on a game file and represent in its original form, instead of flattening it to 2D as many displays do. It can also do the same with 3D movies, as many more have been released and are scheduled to come.

Phillips is selling the displays, but currently only in the professional field. Plans for a consumer based display are in place, however the company deems that the technology isn’t good enough for the consumer market as of yet (and probably too pricey as well). A few glitches require attention, such as a slight fuzziness around objects when playing video games, and a tendency towards double vision-like imaging in certain movies.

Read [Wired]

If you see it here well then it is true* and if I’m telling you this then you better believe it friends. The next Superman, appropriately titled Superman Returns will have portions of it in 3D. As a matter of fact 20 minutes of the film will be devoted to the 1950’s 3D craze in which funky paper glasses with red and blue lenses were worn. Those who care to see Superman Return for the 6th and, doubtfully final time should head to the IMAX which will be the only place you can see Brandon Routh...WHO? Yeah the new Superman, but you might know him better from his roles on “Oliver Been,” “Cold Case,” or “Will and Grace.” Look, we may not know who Brandon Routh is but I’ll shell out the dough to see Kate Bosworth in 3D if you know what I mean. And for those who aren’t so into Kate and more into Spacey, as in Kevin Spacey I’m sure at least 30 seconds of the 20 min 3D extravaganza will be given to him, but I’ll remember to remove my glasses.

*The editors tell me that not everything is true, but we certainly do out best at providing truth, justice, and the American way.

Read [Gadget Review]