Vooks Take E-Reading to a New Level

Ever heard of a vook? I hadn't before this week. To understand what they are, think e-books but a little cooler and more interactive.

The vook's official website says the product "blends a well-written book, high-quality video and the power of the Internet into a single, complete story."


This opens up all kinds of creative possibilities. The vook website currently offers a decent selection of genres for people to browse, so if you're still having a hard time understanding the concept of a vook, here are some various examples with descriptions and trailers:


Thriller Fiction:
"The Master of Rampling Gate" by Anne Rice


Spirituality:
Sages and Scientists by Deepak Chopra


Cooking:
The Breakaway Japanese Kitchen by Eric Gower


I think this is only the beginning of where books are headed. Who knows? Maybe someday there will be a fully interactive reading experience that incorporates scents and textures as well as video and audio clips. I haven't purchased any vooks yet, but that Anne Rice story is definitely on my radar (love her to death!). But if any of you get one, do let us know your experience.

Aside from vooks, many people now have an e-reader (myself included). Do any of you have e-readers? If you do, how are you liking yours?

Have a great Futuristic Friday, and thanks for stopping by!

What's Cooler than a Seal? A ROBOT Seal!

When I think of robots, I don't normally think of seals. But someone else did! That's why on this Futuristic Friday, the spotlight is on the robot seal. What a super-cool invention!

This Real Seal gives his...(I'm sorry I can't help it)...seal of approval to the robot seal.

Apparently a group of scientists got bored with the human model and decided to put their thinking caps on. I imagine their aha-moment went a little something like this:

Scientist 1: "Hmm, human-looking robots are so 2010. We need something fresh."

Scientist 2: "Yeah...something a little less human...and a little more...oceanic."

Scientist 3: "We could do a fish?" 

Scientist 1: "No, no, no. That's not cool enough."

Scientist 2: "What about a crab?"

Scientist 1: "No, no. That's not quite it either." **thinks** "Oh, I know! We could do a seal!"

Scientist 2: "Oh, yeah! And have it play basketball!"

Scientist 3: "Yeah!"

Scientist 1: "Perfect!"

And they all high-five one another.

Or...something like that.

Anyway, to see the robot seal for yourself, click here. 

I think if I could, I'd invent a robot hedgehog, and I'd create a little track for it so I could have a real-life Sonic experience.

So if you could make a robot animal, what would you create, and why?

Have a great weekend, everyone!