Four Good Links

The Spark Socket takes a modular approach to home automation (and the slow route) one bulb at a time. 

Science (according to this article) shows that brainstorms can activate a neurological fear of rejection and that groups are not necessarily more creative than individuals. Brainstorming can actually be detrimental to good ideas.

Answer: a lot of exercise. It's cool that it translates things like housework into exercise, although I don't know if my method of squirting cleaning solution on the counter and forgetting about it counts towards burning any calories. Probably not. 

The new SparkFun Kickstarter project aims to show educators how the DIY technology available today can fulfill state and federal science, technology, engineering, art and math requirements. If they reach their funding goal, they’ll be able to visit as many as 300 locations. Most importantly, it means our future CT class of 2023 will be HUGE. 

How often do people just listen to music from their iPads? I know the sound on mine is usually muted, and if I want music, I play it through my stereo. I guess this is the solution for people who want everything on one device.

I've been wondering how far Google Street View and maps would take it. There are some shops that have street view entrances, and now we've got legit maps of airports and malls. I think it's a great idea, but the question always is, "When does it get creepy?"

Ryan showed me this one. It's digital and analog. It's cause related but funny. And it's Christmas. It's all good in my book. From a website, try to place ornaments on a physical tree with a robot. If you do, they don't $5 to Toys for Tots. It really looks like a Brandcenter Project. I love it.

Pinch, pull, tap and doubletap are now just the basics of what our devices can recognize. I see this working well for artists.

Hot on the heels of the Windows 8 launch comes the surprising news that the head of the Windows division at Microsoft Steven Sinofsky has resigned.

The director of development at Echo Nest has used their API to create an "Infinite Jukebox", which will play any song infinitely. The first song tested? Gangnam Style. 

Projecteo is a pint-sized projector that uses an internal LED to project your Instagram photos. It's bringing back the traditional slideshow with a twist!