I'm a really big fan of technology that makes my life easier. Any dull task that I can get a piece of software or robot to do for me sounds like a good thing. That said, often my favorite uses of life-easing technology are the ones they don't use in promotional videos. XKCD does a Roomba-related strip that I still find pretty hilarious (especially 'import soul'. I want a python library with that name...). Questionable Content also does a great Roomba skit, with the added value of Marten being accused of bird-dogging by a robot. 

I'm not sure how to express an idea related to the one above, except to describe it as 'physical remixing'. How awesome would it be to take all the various electronics in your house and wire them into new and crazy machines? What if your Roomba could be wired into your router and follow you, so you always had perfect signal? This is trending into the category of crazy techno-hippie talk, but I believe in the Maker culture, and I wish I could wire all the physical and digital bits of my life together to suit me best.

Changing tack completely, I have deliberately carved out some time recently to actually play some video games. I've been meaning to do this for a while, and over the weekend fired up Anodyne, because it sounded interesting and was part of the latest Humble Bundle. I'm not too far into it, so there's not much I can give away, but so far I'm really enjoying it. It's a classic-style pixel art rogue-like, with a fantastic soundtrack and some serious thought put into effects, animations, and flow. By the time you read this, the Humble Bundle will probably be over, but its still worth picking up at full price through your favorite game distribution system. If you have other games you think Allison or I should play, let us know in the comments!

Thanks,

Philip