Magic Black Box

As I previously introduced, for the Austrian last business travel I prepared a device as to impress my colleagues ;-) From this aim resulted the Magic Black Box, also known as I.M.W.V.S. (Integrated Mobile-Webcam Visualization System) :-D. Is basically a device to display in a computer screen a Mobile Handset display. It is useful to beam this screen and make live demos with big audiences.

In the following picture you can have and idea of the external look of the MBB.



Here a screenshot of how a beamed screen would look like.



Components

There two main components for building this device:

* Lifecam VX-3000
* Cardboard Box

The webcam original look



The displaying software and webcam features can be found at the Microsoft Website

The original cardboard box look



Assembly



This is the camera with its base unscrewed as to reduce the volume occupied. Note that there is a piece at the bottom of the camera, where the screw was attached, that may be used to pin the camera vertical if a suitable hole is done at the bottom of the cardboard box.



This is the cardboard support as to keep the camera fixed even when the box is moved.



These are views of the situation of the camera inside the box. The clips in the sides are removable so if the box must be transported unfolded it is easy and fast to unmount it.



These slits are where the folding handset is put in. They are, of course, in the side in front of the camera.




Final views of the present Magic Black Box configuration with a folding handset. Note the hole to pass the webcam USB cable by.
Further Developments
It would be quite interesting to improve it allowing to suit different handsets thant the folding ones!!!

Google Phone

In my previous post I talked about the conference I recently assisted. Well, this event has become a bit famous because when asked about the possibility of the GPhone Isabel Aguilera replied with an statement collected in my event notes: "Google follows the 70-20-10 rule: Invests 70% on core business, 20% in related business and 10% in far related business". It has been seen as a confession on rumours saying Google was planning a cellular phone development.
It's interesting seeing how a mere comment on a speech- actually an answer to a question - can become so important in this digital era we are living. I'm sure a lot of stock exchanges this days have been related with these words... the networking between facts in this 21st century world is really astonishing!

Google & Cuatrecasas

Yesterday morning I was in an event of APD at the WTC of Barcelona. The event was on Internet and its integration in the business strategy. The panel was exceptional, Isabel Aguilera, CEO of Google Spain and other high ranked personalities.
Unfortunately I just could attend the one of Google and Cuatrecasas. The first one was the most interesting although the second one was the most fun. They both were very complemented and made a good combination. The first one talked about the Google Philosophy and what it has to offer to the companies interested in doing business in Internet. Like always its point of view is fresh and challenging, notwithstanding they converted billions of webpages in just a rectangle in the middle of a white page - and it worked. That's the most important contribution from Google to the world, simplicity and ease of use. I think no one using Google Applications has ever read a manual. Even programming through the APIs of its applications is made simple!
The second one, by a member of the board of Cuatrecasas, a lawyers buffete, talked about the legal aspect of doing business in Internet. Nothing new under the sky, just some requirements because the environment, but the rules are the same. Interesting a comment he made on security: "Security is like love, you always want more but if you push too hard, it breaks".

Here are the notes (in Spanish and Catalan) I took in the event.