The trend for using technology in Halloween decorating appears to be catching on these days. From orange and purple laser lights, frightening 3-D window projections to giant blow-up pumpkin inflatables, people are putting the ‘scare’ back into Halloween more than ever. Lets have a look to see what tech tips and tricks you can do to maximize the fun and the super wicked awesome factor of decorating digitally.
Lets start off with Sneaky Pumpkins. Most people know that figures hanging near the door (like a witch or a ghost) are likely to make noise and start moving once you get near enough to set off the motion sensor. But few expect that harmless jack-o-lantern to give them a fright. So, with the LittleBits hack-o-lantern product (you can find them at http://www.littlebits.cc/halloween) you can create a digital pumpkin that lights up whenever it hears a noise. So you can hack your pumpkin into a sound-triggered jack-o-lantern! It’s the perfect way to keep trick-or-treaters on their toes.
Next are Digital Decorations people can use. Draping cobwebs, plastic spiders… It’s all so drap and normal. Want to take your decorations a step further? If you have a projector handy, the company AtmosFX (you can find them at: http://atmosfx.com) has digital 3-D videos that will transform your doorstep into a mind bending fright stage. From beckoning witches to ghostly apparitions, these kits will leave everyone trembling as they approach your door and look into one of your windows. So the only thing about this type of digital decoration is that you will need a digital projector and a DVD player or a computer/laptop with a display out option for it to work. Now, the good news is that there a lots of affordable cheap projectors available that can be found either at Staples or BestBuy. One other thing you will have to keep in mind for these mind-bending 3-D window effects is that you will need a translucent white sheet to hang in front of your window frame. A thin-white bed sheet or shower curtain will do as long as it is not too opaque or transparent.
Next is a Ghost Drone. If you already have a drone at your disposal, you can have a ghost flying around your house in no time. With a quadrocopter, a cheap ghost costume from a dollar store, and some red lights, you can have a ghost fly after the kids as they approach your house. If this interested you and you don’t have a drone, then BestBuy currently has a sale on the Parrott MiniDrone for $169.00.
For the most part you can also use your tablet, laptop, phone, or even computer to get in on the action as well. If you have an Apple device a company called Cookie Balloon has many free apps that plays all kinds of scare audio customized to scare your friends or anyone at your door. Just do a search for Halloween Spooky Sound Box on the App store.
So, one neat thing about Android devices is that they allow you to use animated or display live wallpaper right in the background of your phone or tablet. And if you search the Google play store there are tons of free and paid live Halloween wallpaper that will spook-up your device.
Finally, if you like taking selfie’s and want to turn one into a Zombie to send to your friends then Zombify is the app for you. It will take a normal photo from your phone and turn it into a realistic zombie guaranteed to gross out your friends. It’s available on the Apple App store, is free but does offer in-app purchases.
AtmosFX Tips & Tricks #1 – Window Projection
