Maybe it's an aesthetic/coolness thing, but why a ball and not a brick? Will my computer roll over to me when I whistle for it? "Come here 'HAL' I need to imdb a famous robot name"

All you need is a paranoid sadistic AI and you have yourself Guilty Spark

actually, HP or Toshiba (I forget which) had the projected keyboard on a high-end PocketPC at least two years ago, so that part's taken care-of; meanwhile, anybody looked at one of VIA's micro-ITX motherboards with built-in DIVX & MPG4 encoder/decoder?

This is the greatest thing i have ever seen! Well done! :)

I LOVE IT,IT SOOOOO AWSOME I GOT TO KNOW WHEN IT WILL COME OUT, THE DESIGN IS AWSOME

check this out! this is cooler than the vaio!!!!

It is an awesome idea and design but I have one problem, How does one carry it? It is not like they make bags foor those things (to my knoledge). Personally I think that carrying a labtop is a little easier. Also those legs dont look like it is sturdy enough to stop it from being knocked off a table and breaking into multiple chunks.

First thing I thought when I saw this was how cool it would be to screw around with one of these on a table with buddies.

Secondly, I considered the interface applications of a completely virtual keyboard interface. Custom keyboard for every game. So much awesome...

i lov it.............

OMG! It looks just like the Archivist from Halo!

It's even the same color!

OMG! It looks just like the Archivist from Halo!

It's even the same color!

And it's really works?

Well, this has a coolness factor of 10 thats for sure, even without the halo reference. As far as carrying it, heck, you could just use a bowling ball bag lol. There are just a few things about it that could bother me: one, the projector on a piece of paper could create an ackward viewing angle, and projecters suck in very bright conditions, you could really only use it effectively in fairly dark rooms. Second, as we have learned from the iphone, tacktile feedback is a kind of important, though I could live without it considering the cool factor.

DO WANT =D

I bet we find out in the next few days this is a HOAX or "school project" for an art student, the concept is ok, but there are a few items that are still not possible in this configuration. and I don't play Halo, but I bet the artist does. does anyone remember the Cyber pets of last year? cute little pets in plastic packages, they looked real, a week later we found out they were an art proect, this feels the same!

3 Months late! Doesn't anyone remember the Apple "I" parody on College Humor just three short months ago? See http://tinyurl.com/6z72z7

I'll like to see someone carry this in there pocket!

I for one would like to see an actual picture of the thing...not a drawing. Probably fake in my opinion...Neat idea though.

this is for a design contest. IF it comes to be I will get one (or build it). here's a link
http://www.nextgendesigncomp.com/entrydetail.aspx?id=938

boy this would be awesome to have! if i could only keep my dog mags away from it

Doubt it will ever see production, but it sure is cool. If nothing else, it would fit into a lot of post-modern office decor! As for the projected keyboard, I've used one with a PDA, they work ok, but throw a bluetooth keyboard in and you've got a package everyone can work with.

this is all great and stuff but what happens when it breaks, or i need to upgrade it. from what i've seen it looks like i have to buy specific parts. I don't like that one bit. its hard enough working on the acer slimline and hp's mini towers let alone laptops. they all have special parts and which makes it expensive to repair. although it is a cool concept i don't think it will last.

Yeah, this is cool...but I want a body comp...you know the eye peice viewer, virtual keyboard, net access, cool Batman knockoff utility belt, sexy female hologram AI, and cool earpeice communicator - all portable and stylish. What am I going to do with a big green ball, does it hover and follow me around like in Tron? Well, what good is it then? Piece and keep dreaming.

The latest version of the Apple Macintosh desktop computer has a motherboard which should fit inside this case easily with room to spare for the laser projectors, LCD projector for the display, and necessary sensors to make the laser controls work.

As far as the concept, though, I see a mistake in prospect - what's so great about the sphere that we have to lock up all the parts of the computer inside it?

As an old-line computerist, I'd rather have a computer system I could open up and work with, maybe unroll like a bag of tools - which is all a computer system is, in the final analysis. Even Apple came around to that way of thinking for its newest desktop design - a little box which contains all that is necessary for a central processing unit in very small compass - about twice the size of an Altoids tin - into which all the peripherals needed to operate the computer are jacked. When better ones come along, you plug the new ones in and freecycle or sell the old ones off.

This sphere is just the iMac writ small. And like the iMac, it makes it difficult to change the display and input devices when they're all closely fitted inside a nice little plastic ball.

And like the iMac, it'll be technologically static and incapable of being upgraded apart from things like changing the amount and type of RAM installed - unless RAM evolves to a type which is not plug-compatible with the connectors inside the ball, of course. But like the iMac, you're locked into a single kind of display, of keyboard, of mouse. The only bright note would be if the designer thought to install Bluetooth and wi-fi into the system to permit wireless connections to telephones, all sorts of external devices.

While I like the concept this is nothing more then a supped up console system. There is virtually no way to upgrade this thing with out getting a new one. Part of the appeal of the "brick" Is hobbist such as my self can upgrade it. Why would i want something I cant upgrade. If I wanted something that was all smooth and nifty looking wouldnt I buy a mac which has a proven track record over this thing...And also HOW THE HELL DOES IT NOT OVER HEAT. You got a projector a cpu and god knows what else crammed into a ball which fyi isnt the greatest shape to dispense heat...All in all this thing is a one trick poney and not really worth the time, effort, and Money.

Is it me or does that guy's hand in the picture look .. off... like its the wrong hand for being his left based on the photo....

I think it is cool, but it won't take off. People are not ready for it. I think that instead of a sheet of paper it should have it's own projection panel. The keyboard thing is a nifty idea. No extra hardware.

I agree with the above comments about it probibly being a art project or some such. but as a proof of concept design, it is very, very cool. hopefuly this can move people away from the feeling of "this should look like this".

Wow, I'm going to start doing 3D renders of completely impractical devices without paying any attention to their technical feasibility. Then I can be a cutting-edge designer, too!

I'd prefer a green cube--then it could look like the little green cube in the ST:TOS episode Assignment: Earth. Of course, that didn't seem to be a full-fledged computer, more like a terminal or special interface. But I'd still like either one on my desk.

It's definitely someone's concept artwork. It's got that "just been photoshopped" look, you know?

But still, it's got strength as an idea-piece, in that it gets us to challenge our preconceptions and consider alternate solutions to common problems. I've seen laser keyboards, and while I prefer some sense of feedback when I type, I could see that part of it working. Take the small iMac Coonass wrote about, and most of this would work. Don't know how big or small it would be, but the technology for a ball-computer *does* exist. I suspect you'd have to put ports for a standard monitor though. The display technology is still a little far for us at this point.

Although... What about that "laser light display" thing also being displayed today? The "Flowlight"? Combine the ball with the display emitter and you have something really interesting... even if it takes a few years to make reality.

So how much memery does it have??? How big is the harddrive????

Since Im the original designer, and was fired from the R&D department , they said I was taking too many trips to the water cooler. I Didn’t know there was another water cooler in the hall and the one in the ladies room was just for them. So let me go no and explain how it work’s since most of my managers and boss are viewing this site they can learn how to use it . The data will be stored in your head with an imbedded wafer at the base of your brain, a wafer with tiny wires connected to the part of the brain that is least used For most of them that would be almost all of the gray area The projection on paper or wall is an option, it will normally be project to the retina of your eye via a “Serlamprofe” [that’s pronounced sir-lamp-pro-fee] or known by us as a serial amp projection we just threw in the “fe” so when you pronounce it, it will roll off your tongue like one of those big words. It is also implanted ,much like every thing I’ve described. {I can provide all of these services in my office garage , Sears shed or basement office} The keyboard is just a learning tool to coordinate for the hand gestures input that the computer will recognize, example; a thumbs up should mean UP, if you want the letter "A" you make a gesture that you /your brain will remember as the letter. An example is; rubbing your chin for the letter A, then if you want the letter S then you might rub your eyebrow. If you want to repeat that letter just repeat the gesture and the memory in the your brain/computer will remember and recognize the gesture ,much like a Catcher giving signals to the Pitcher ,The letter O you might rub your right elbow or/and L you touch your left elbow and H might be the left ear lobe and the E might be placing your hand between your legs like a catcher does when he adjust himself before his signal . In the right sequent it will spell your words for you. And take your dictation Also you can use a single gesture for a single word or combination of, much like a Bronx cheer does for most people. Now learning the location for installing upgrading of the ram. You can install by referring back to the hand gestures I mention earlier, that was : one chin gesture and two eyebrows, If you want to be more specific you can add a Bronx or a thumbs up. Than you can ram it up all the way to your Hearts content I hope we have cleared up any questions on the subject , this product will be coming out in kit form for the DIY guys . Franchise are available to open your own learning and instillation centers , requirements include a deep desire to motivate your employer and managers, to improve there performances and response time [ initiate by the ram ] and the location . A Sears shed or dugout basement with assorted garden and kitchen tools at hand. Town permits may vary to location. Check with your local zonings dept. for laws in your area. Good luck and happy probing !

First, Bozo; give up the meth, it's bad for you! I don't really understand the appeal of a round PC since the American population seems to be fighting for the biggest and baddest flatscreens systems available.

Great, now next time my computer crashes, I really CAN drop kick it out the window!

...Bond, James Bond.

e-ball is very interesting..but i hav a dbt.. how much it weights? and how long the charge exists in it?

plss giv me a reply......