Scientists, engineers, and tech geeks are loving Microsoft’s new Kinect controller. The hackers are using the Kinect to: draw pictures on a computer by merely swiping at the air; manipulate holograms by hand; and to control robots that recognize and react to gestures.

But really, this is why they love it:

Building a device with the Kinect’s capabilities would require thousands of dollars, multiple Ph.D.’s and dozens of months…You can just buy this at any game store for $150.

Summary: the article is about a variety of apps for phones designed to be used in the car

One app caught my eye in particular:

…Carbonga, a $4.99 iPhone program, works with a $99 cable to connect the phone to a car’s diagnostics port (the OBD II plug under the dash that mechanics use). Plug in the phone, and Carbonga will tell you why the check engine light came on and why it is or is not a problem.

How cool is that?

I love instapaper, and I want a kindle. This combo of tools will be in my future on day.

Cap tip to lifehacker

Summary:

[Kosaka’s] hopes for a mining comeback lie not underground, but in what Japan refers to as urban mining — recycling the valuable metals and minerals from the country’s huge stockpiles of used electronics like cellphones and computers.

This Is Important Because:

…rare-earth elements and other minerals that are crucial to many Japanese technologies and have so far come almost exclusively from China….which mines 93 percent of the world’s rare earth minerals.

Reason to Worry:

Although China has not specifically blocked shipments to any place but Japan, it had already tightened its overall export quotas of the minerals [world wide], announcing in July that it would reduce them by 72 percent for the rest of the year.

Summary: a new device that plugs into your smart phone will allow you, the reader, to take credit card payments where before you could only take cash.

Summary: Ecosquid is a sight where you can either sell your old gadgets or if they are worth nothing, the company will recycle it. Genius!

An interesting read about technology and homeschooling.

Could be a useful tool if you are a big fan of the Win 7 taskbar.

Answer: it depends on where you live or how the judge interprets a 1986 communications law.

Cap tip to lifehacker for the lead

The article is not all that interesting, but I love the headline. It sounds like something out of the Onion.