Coolest Gadgets

I was on TechEBlog the other day and found this great YouTube clip from Nextfest 2006. It’s an interactive installation of an Atari touch-sensitive “Pong Wall” game. No video displays or game controllers needed. You just touch the wall and use your hand to position your paddle. The Pong Wall detects hand movement by using embedded sensors on the wall. And the game interface/score is projected on the wall with LEDs.

It’s fun to watch this technology in action but unfortunately the two guys playing in this clip aren’t very serious competitors. Actually, they look a little tired. So don’t expect to see riveting game of Pong. Just marvel at the geek fun of it all and not the sleepy players.

If you’re really itching to play Pong again, Atari released a retro game system called the Atari Flashback 2 ($30). It features the same wood grain paneling and look of the Atari 2600. Games include Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, Lunar Lander, Millipede, Missile Command, Combat and…. Pong.

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