Jeff Han, founder of Perceptive Pixel, has brought the future closer to the present. Jeff Han is the inventor of the “Multi-Touch” computer screen that is similar to the touch screen that Tom Cruise used in “Minority Report”. Perceptive Pixel’s Mult-Touch screen uses both movement from multiple inputs to convey information to the silicon chips under the display.

Here’s a demonstration of Perceptive Pixel’s Multi-Touch screen.

Yourminis.com is a community website where you can download widgets for your blog, website, or desktop. You can also use Yourminis.com as a Startpage. There are many widgets to choose from including widgets featuring videos from YouTube, Veoh, and Brightcove. You can test the YouTube video widget in tightbrain’s video section. Some of my other favorite widgets include “The Best Week Ever” and the new “Diggest” widget that leverages the Digg API to create a continous feed of videos with comments from Digg users popping up. Place the mouse over the video to stop, pause, or play the feed.

Yourminis is on the cutting edge of widget development. Visit Yourminis.com, download a widget, and let TightBrain know what you think.

Today, Research In Motion (RIM) introduced “The Curve”, the newest Blackberry that will feature a full keyboard, a trackball to navigate menus, and a 2 megapixel camera with digital zoom. The Curve will also feature a 3.5 millimeter stereo headset jack instead of the smaller earphone port found on most cell phones.

The Curve will be sold through AT&T. RIM will announce pricing and a launch date in a subsequent press release.

MediaConverter.org is a fantastic website where anyone with an email address can convert video, audio, and office type files for free.

The website conversion tool is very easy to use, first, sign up for a free account and then browse your hard drive for the file that you intend to convert. Second, select one of the following file types to convert to:

Video Files
3gp, avi, flv, mov, mp4, m4v, mpg, rm, wmv, psp

Audio Files
mp3, wav, ogg

Office File Types
doc, ods, odp, odt, pdf, ppt, xls

YouTube Videos
With a registered account, users will have the luxury of converting YouTube videos directly from YouTube.com.

Converted File
After selecting the file type to convert to, you must enter an email address in order to receive a link to the converted file.

Who Created MediaConverter.org?
MediaConverter.org was created by Pascal Beyeler, a 21 year old Computer Science student living in Switzerland.

Here are 5 gadgets that have changed the way people enjoy music, watch TV, organize everyday life, and get around town. Add the following gadgets to your shopping list:

1. Sonos

Sonos is the #1 digital music system of 2007 and many of you probably never heard of it. Sonos is a wireless multi-room, whole house digital music system that allows you to control digital music in 32 different zones from a wireless remote control. Sonos can access music located on your PC, access music from Rhapsody, access XM Radio, and many other internet radio stations. I own a Sonos and it is absolutely one of the best gadgets that I have ever purchased.

2. Slingbox

I have read nothing but great reviews about Slingbox. Slingbox allows you to control and watch TV anywhere you want including your PC, laptop, or even your Pocket PC. There are two main components to the Slingbox: the Slingbox Tuner and the Slingbox Player.

Slingbox Tuner:

The Slingbox Tuner connects directly to your cable outlet and your home network. The Slingbox Tuner will broadcast your cable television signal over your home network allowing you to watch cable on your PC. Laptop, or mobile device.

Slingbox Player:

Slingbox player is the interface that will allow you to watch cable on your PC or mobile device. Slingbox is a must have gadget for 2007. Visit the Slingbox website for more information.

3. G-Tech Wireless Keyboard

The G-Tech Wireless Bluetooth Fabric Keyboard can transform your PDA or your SmartPhone into a mobile office. Take the G-Tech keyboard with you anywhere you want by rolling it up and placing it into your pocket. This is a great option for road warriors.

4. iPAQ rx5900 Travel Companion

Hewlett-Packard and Tom Tom have created the best hybrid PocketPC/GPS device on the market. The HP rx5900 Travel Companion has a 3.5 inch touch screen which gives you more than enough room to view maps and spreadsheets in landscape mode. The iPAQ rx5900 Travel Companion is the next must have gadget on my shopping list.

5. Pioneer AVIC-Z1 In-Dash Navigation System

If you are looking for an aftermarket navigation system, the Pioneer AVIC-Z1 In-Dash Navigation System may be for you. Here are several key features:

The AVIC-Z1 is a double-DIN sized, all-in-one navigation system that uses a 30GB hard disk drive (HDD), to deliver information, entertainment, and convenience to drivers. The large-capacity HDD stores the entire Tele Atlas database, including nearly 11 million points of interest (POI) in more than 341 categories. The large 7-inch screen shows a high-resolution map with easy-to-recognize icons, and touch-panel operation permits quick access to navigation functions and audio-visual sources.

Learning Capability
The AVIC-Z1 is the first system that “remembers” frequently traveled roads and uses historical information to help you navigate. The system can suggest which routes will be most familiar to you.

Smart Routing Algorithm
The AVIC-Z1 uses a “smart routing algorithm” to analyze and assess routes by taking into account current road data — such as posted speed limits, number of turns to the destination, etc. — and recommends the most efficient path.

In addition, the Pioneer AV1C-Z1 has voice recognition and bluetooth capabilites. I own the Pioneer AVIC-D3 Navigation system (an older model) and I have been very happy with it.

Unable to access MySpace from school or work? Cingular has released a new MySpace mobile application that will give users the option to access MySpace accounts, upload pictures, and respond to e-mails directly from their mobile phones. Users will be able to access all services and view all areas of MySpace with the exception of MySpace videos. According to Cingular, MySpace videos will be available to MySpace mobile subscribers by the end of 2007. The MySpace Cingular service is currently $2.99 per month. Go to Cingular.com for more details.

Imagine not being able to access any music or video files on your iPod because of a corrupted drive.  Oh, the horror!  Thousands of files lost at a blink of an eye.  What are the options?  Should you spend another $300 for a brand new Video iPod and transfer the files from your backup to the new iPod?  Should you send it to one of those expensive iPod recovery services? You have another option: recover the files yourself by using the following software utilities.   Read more »

What is a Nerd Quest? A Nerd Quest is a search for nostalgic or outdated technology.  During a Nerd Quest, I may search the internet for the first home personal computer, the first PC mouse, or a video game console that was released 30 years ago like the Atari 2600.  Read more »

This week TightBrain.com is showcasing Wordpress step-by-step video tutorials. This video series will show you how to install, publish, and optimize Wordpress. Everything you need to know about Wordpress is right here. Enjoy! Read more »