Creepy Wall-E webcam records your soul in pseudo 3D
I'm in your room, watching, waiting and projecting your soul in pseudo 3D.Thanko’s latest webcam -- the Wall-E 3D webcam -- is a good example of a personal device hoping to ride the tails of the 3D boom. In the tech realm, as we all know, the ranks of gadgets with a clear purpose are far outnumbered by those whose sole raison d’etre is to jump on whatever bandwagon is rolling fastest.
Thanko, the Japanese master of all things wacky, brings us the 3D/2D Webcam –- yes, that’s really what they call it -– for ¥7,980, or $87. It comes all manner of image-tweaking software to go with six pairs of blue-green 3D glasses and the vaguely creepy USB camera.
As you might guess from the Wall-E-meets-cutesy-lapdog appearance, the webcam uses the classic stereoscope/anaglyph technique to produce two close but separate images that the brain combines into a pseudo 3D effect via the supplied glasses.
We’re duty bound to point out that other 3D webcams are available, though none are as cheap as Thanko’s offering. James Cameron probably wouldn't buy one, and these poor guys hopefully won't either. Nobody wants to see them in 3D.
The 3D/2D Webcam is Windows-only and can also function as a normal 2D snapper at QVGA resolution. Although currently available only in Japan, many Thanko products do eventually find their ways overseas via third parties, so if you're outside of Japan expect to see the creepy Wall-E 3D webcam at some point.
