I am attending Microsoft TechFest 2008 where Microsoft’s research labs from around the world will showcase their best work (36 demos). At the opening dinner we had a demo of the impressive Worldwide Telescope that was presented on February 27 at the TED conference (see the video). Curtis Wong, principal researcher of Microsoft’s Next Media Research group presented the project. Users can browse this virtual universe and get some information either from top scientists by launching audio files from pop up windows or by accessing other related sources on the Internet. The site allows them to create their guided tour of the universe by recording a video of their browsing experience with their personal comments. We saw a tour done by a 6 years old boy. And of course (we are in the social web era!), users can share with others. Socializing within the universe, wow!

The website will be available for Spring: www.worldwidetelescope.org

Tags: gadgetry, hi fi, cool gear, video game