Forget crosswords and Krugman, because the
New York Times has
created a new bathroom companion that looks infinitely more entertaining
than either of them. Like some of its Snow White-style
predecessors, the
Times' "magic mirror" prototype uses
Microsoft Kinect
to detect and follow your movements, while deploying voice recognition
technology to execute your commands. With this omniscient slab affixed
to your wall, you can surf the web, flip through your wardrobe and send
reassuring e-mails to your teenage daughter, whom you should have driven
to school a good 30 minutes ago. An RFID reader, meanwhile, can
recognize tagged pharmaceuticals or other products, allowing you to
instantly access information on your prescription meds by placing them
in front of the reflective LCD. You could also use the mirror to browse
through the
Times' full slate of articles and video content,
meaning you can read about extravagant weekend getaways and urban
gentrification from the standing comfort of your sink. Unfortunately for
all mankind, the magic mirror is still in the prototype phase and the
NYT's Research & Development Group has yet to offer a timetable for its release.
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