Inexpensive 3D Camera to Control Second Life

Mitch Kapor and Philippe Bossut are developing body language mirroring with 3D cameras. The exciting Handsfree 3D demos use a 3D camera to navigate and work in Second Life. They plan to use the camera so that avatars can directly mirror body language and facial expression. Kapor expects that 2009 will see mass availability of inexpensive 3D cameras which could be used to control virtual worlds.

Check out the impressive innovation on the video.



The Hands Free 3D blog features more info such as:

• Price of the camera, time to market
• Applications Beyond Games
• “Hands Free” Object Editing

Facebook Leads Top Tech Startups List

Silicon Alley Insider has published the list of the World's most valuable digital startups. In the SAI 25, they value and rank some of the world's leading private digital companies.

So far, the SAI 25 ranks the world's 25 most valuable digital companies and 25 additional "Contenders." More companies are expected to be added to the list.

The current list of the most valuable technology startups and their estimated valuations:

1. Facebook - $9 billion
2. Wikipedia - $7 billion
3. Craigslist - $5 billion
4. Betfair - $5 billion
5. Mozilla Corp - $4 billion
6. Yandex - $3 billion
7. Webkinz - $2 billion
8. LinkedIn - $1.3 billion
9. Habbo - $1.25 billion
10. Oanda - $1.2 billion
11. Linden Lab - $1.1 billion
12. Kayak - $1 billion
13. QlikTech - $850 million
14. Ning - $560 million
15. Slide - $550 million
16. TheLadders - $500 million
17. Stardoll - $450 million
18. Ozon - $450 million
19. Thumbplay - $400 million
20. Glam Media - $400 million
21. Rock You - $325 million
22. Tudou - $300 million
23. Efficient Frontier - $275 million
24. Zazzle - $250 million
25. Spot Runner - $250 million

Contenders

Federated Media - $245 million
Yelp - $225 million
Meebo - $220 million
Indeed - $200 million
Zillow - $200 million
LoveFilm - $200 million
Metacafe - $200 million
Adconion - $200 million
4INFO - $175 million
Photobox - $150 million
Vibrant Media - $150 million
Gawker Media - $150 million
Mahalo - $150 million
56.com - $150 million
Youku - $125 million
Digg - $125 million
Etsy - $115 million
LinkExperts - $100 million
Powerset - $80 million
Trialpay - $80 million
Huffington Post - $75 million
Associated Content - $65 million
Live Gamer - $60 million
Twitter - $75 million
Mint - $50 million
Prosper - <$50 million

Who would you add to the list?