Can’t find your Nintendo DS? Try one of the new Adidas sneakers instead.

Adidas has created a virtual 3-D world that can be accessed using an upcoming line of five men’s sneakers in an idea that ties into one of the technology trends of the year: augmented reality.

“The foundation of augmented reality lies in adding a layer to the real world,” says Chris Barbour, head of digital marketing for Adidas Originals. “That’s what we have done. We have taken a real world item and added a fantastic virtual world on top of that”

All users have to do is go to the Adidas site and hold up their sneaker, which has a code embedded in its tongue, in front of their computer webcam. A virtual world then pops out in front of them and they can navigate it using their sneaker as a controller.

“We are not trying to mimic a real-world look, we have a more stylized, pop-up book creative approach,” says Barbour. “The neighborhood is displayed on a two dimensional computer screen, but you can use your shoe to control the angle and depth of view and zoom in and out, giving a 3-D sense of perspective.”

Over the next few months, Adidas plans to introduce three augmented reality games developed by game developer xForm into the virtual neighborhood. The sneakers will then serve not only as the key to get in, but also act as the controller for the games. Among those available will be a skateboard game, where the sneaker acts as the controller to navigate the virtual city’s alleys, a Star Wars-like game with the sneaker and a music-based game.

The shoes with the augmented reality codes will cost between $65 and $95 and will be available starting February.

Sure, a large part of this is a marketing gimmick and Adidas is not the only company to try out augmented reality in its products. But that doesn’t take away from that this is an idea that makes an ordinary physical object fun and injects some technological pizzaz to it.

The 2009 CPR Reds Xmas Party is looking like a classic already. Fun, mayhem and general chaos looks on the agenda, so please make sure you turn-up on time and ready to have a blast.

Date:               Friday Dec 18th

Cost:                Approx $100 per head (if we can get 20 people – bus seats 24)

Festivities will begin at Central Bar @ 7pm for a few drinks then off in the party bus for a few stops around NYC. Be prepared to bring your ID, some drinks for the bus, dress shoes and shirt and good excuses for the morning. I have the following people confirmed and unlike normal events, your confirmation is needed due to the party bus hire and various other damage costs for the night. The $100 is for bus hire, pizza, entry to clubs and what not, the more people the less the cost.

20 Confirmed: Paul, Nikle, Robbie, Zach, Ben, Matt Bernal, Eric, Phil, Ryan, Willie, Big T, Kayne, Javier, Bola, Porges, Ciaran, Danny, Ilija, Lunney, Ugo

2 ‘on the fence’ aka 50/50 – Mathew and Greg

2 Partial: UK Matt – 10pm Hard Stop (collectively lets make sure this happens, seriously no jokes) Charlie – Central Bar only (these married guys eh!)

1 Miscellaneous: Bernal – 730pm (the time it will take for him to look like a deformed mutant)

Awaiting Notice: Han, Barry, Keogh, Le Matt, Patrizio, Winslow

NOTE TO GUYS WHO CAN’T MAKE IT: While you’ll be missed, and obviously gossiped about all night, it’s not too late to call in a dance to Rick’s Cabaret at (212) 372-0850.

Guys

The end of season awards night is now set. Due to numbers it won’t include spouses or other halves. Please post if you’re coming as well as choice of food. Our very own Nikle is sorting the night out and I’m hoping for a big reds turn out to make the night worthy of the great season we’ve just completed. Award winners will be announced on the night. Details as follows:

Thursday June 11th 7pm – Central Bar Upstairs

$40 dinner and booze
$30 dinner and soda/water/juice/ Kool Aid

Food choices – Select 1 only
Beef brisket
Mac n Cheese
Roast Chicken
Fish n Chips

With time not on our side, it looks like the best night for the send-off is this Thursday, Village Pourhouse. 9pm May 21. 3rd ave @ 11th st. He’ll be having some works and other friends as well so it could be a good chance to make it one hell of a send-off.
Hope many can make it.

due to the yucky weather and all – we’ve moved rafie’s b-day inside.    come round to our apt 150 clermont apt 4e (corner of myrtle above the wallgreens) for some foods and hanging out.  start time – 2pm

Sunday fun in the sun from 1pm onwards in Fort Greene park (changed from Prospect park due to popular demand) 3 minutes over Manhattan bridge. Greg will be bringing grill so bring your foods, gals and Rackets (tennis courts as well). Manhattan newbies check out subway map references below.

Hope many can make it a good day out. Post questions and whatever else, bring foods/wines/beers/balls, frisbies etc

The classic english “Race Night” where you buy a horse and cheer it to victory. If you haven’t been to one before you’ll have a blast. Loads of good clean fun for a good cause – 12 horses per race, with 8 races on the night.

Every Red has to bring a few friends! As we need to fill upstairs at Central Bar we’ll each need to bring along friends and others to help make the night a success. Facebook page link here. Please post at FB and use it to bring others in. Loads of prizes/$ to be won, nibbles and $3 Carlsberg.

A picture tells a thousand words

Guys

It is with great pleasure to announce the details of the clubs 10th Anniversary festivities and hope many of you can make it a good weekend for all – especially the reds squad dinner!

Friday March 13th
6pm-10pm (ish)
Reds Squad “10″ Dinner. Central Bar $40 a head for full foods and all you can drink beer and wine. This is deliberately open for all girlfriends, spouses, wives and partners (and yes Nikle you can bring more than 1 date) and should be alot of fun. PLEASE POST ATTENDANCE IN COMMENTS OF THIS POST

10pm-4am+
Pub Night and Awards (Cash Bar)
The Irish Rogue, 44th between 8th and 9th
Upstairs Party Room

Saturday March 14th

12:30pm
Casual Brunch and Sports; ManU vs Liverpool Replay
Central Bar Upstairs – 9th Street between 3rd/4th Ave

7:30pm – 11pm
Anniversary Dinner
Del Posto’s, 15th between 8th/9th Aves
Approx $130 per head – 5 course dinner with unlimited beer/wine, private party room
(contact Drew for more details @ andrew.faherty@gmail.com )

11:30pm-4am
After dinner Social (all are welcome, cash bar- no advance notice req’d)
Tentatively schedule for Galway Hooker, 36th between 5th and Madison

Sunday March 15th
Full schedule of games and normal Central Bar nonsense