visibility

Take a peek at this iPhone app by Casio called PicapiCamera, which works as 21st century version of a signal lamp. Users of the app can receive data in a specific pattern of flashing red, green, or blue (RGB) lights found on digital signage or other PicapiCamera users' devices simply by pointing their iPhone in the right direction.

Currently, you can download PicapiCamera free from the Apple App Store. The app enables you to take a photo and send it other users of the app through the aforementioned visible light communication technology. … Read more

I have "a friend" (who is no way whatsoever me, no sir, mm-mm) who recently got so excited about her new smartphone case she couldn't stop looking at it for days. Point being that accessories can hugely boost one's enthusiasm for gadgets, even the most humdrum ones.

Take these Dexim Visible Green illuminated charging cables that use electroluminescent (EL) technology to display the current flow from the power socket to your device. They function like any other charging cable, but they do it with such pizzazz that you (and by "you," I mean "me") can't help but feel energized watching them. Suddenly, charging a smartphone feels like going to a rave. … Read more

The separation of files by user accounts in OS X negates much of the need for hiding files and folders, at least for security purposes; however, there are times when you may still want to hide a file or two.

Unfortunately, hiding a file makes managing it much more tedious, since you can no longer access it directly in the Finder.

The easiest way to manage individual hidden files when you need to access them is to toggle the Finder's ability to reveal hidden files, instead of making specific files visible again. For multiple hidden files, there's an even easier method.… Read more

Body scans may be controversial, but visitors to the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai seem to be having great fun stepping up to them--at least the ones being displayed by General Electric.

GE's "Visible You" installation offers digital simulations of the body's nerves, muscles, and cardiovascular systems--all while mimicking your every move in real time.

When a visitor steps up to the interactive booth in the USA Pavilion, the image on the life-size vertical display scales to his or her general height. It then mirrors participants' gestures (lifting arms and legs, jumping, running in place) in … Read more

The creative director for an image line at Polaroid was on Wednesday named as the first to achieve 1 billion views online.

Did this creative director remove clothes before achieving such astonishing Web fame? Why, yes. This creative director once removed all clothing and replaced them with plastic bubbles for a magazine cover.

Did the shareholders know? Perhaps only one or two. For this creative director is the sprightly alleged homage queen to, well, Queen, Bowie, and Madonna: Lady Gaga. Your (oh, yes, I'm blaming you for this) Fair Lady is quite an aficionada of tech, having wafted through CES earlier this year … Read more

As we all know by now, over the past week (or so) the East Coast has recently suffered one of the worst winter storms ever. In fact, some have referred to this blizzard as "Snowmageddon" due to the turbulent, unforgiving nature of this regional weather system. Despite the hazardous conditions, many antsy, adventurous drivers have documented their attempts to brave the elements and drive around in these icy and snowy conditions with the end result being a video on YouTube. Because of their valiant efforts, parts of the world that are not having to endure this commuting nightmare … Read more

Visible Technologies, a company that monitors online social activity and packages the findings for clients, has forged a "strategic partnership" with In-Q-Tel, the CIA's not-for-profit investment arm, to give the organization insight into social media.

The deal was first reported on Monday by Wired.

According to Visible Technologies, In-Q-Tel is also investing in the company through a "technology development agreement." It did not release more details than that.

However, examining Visible Technologies' work may offer insight into what In-Q-Tel has in mind.

Visible Technologies, which is based in the Seattle area, provides services that allow … Read more

Vomit throws up viral views.

At least that is the conclusion of the strangely anal examiners of viral video at Visible Measures.

Perhaps some of you may have avoided the splashback from the Internet Explorer 8 vomit ad, featuring a husband, a wife, and former Superman Dean Cain.

The ad was slipped online and was pulled shortly afterward, as some people thought watching a housewife throwing up in the kitchen after seeing something untoward on her husband's laptop was not entirely edifying.

However, the Visible Measurers have offered some pleasantly risible measurements.

Apparently, 57 percent of all the views … Read more

There are not many stars who have had the good fortune to have their toenails inspected by the media. Yet such an honor was bestowed this week on Susan Boyle.

Yes, she came to the door of her house in her dressing gown and the media had her at hello. With one lens focused on her outgrowing toenails, a story was born.

Yet this was merely the latest in a veritable joyride of coverage that might, perhaps, make Ms. Boyle wish that YouTube had taken its YouBiquity and shoved it.

Cybersquatters have leaped on her digital back in an attempt … Read more