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I’m not sure if this is an example of the real world going virtual, the virtual world going real, or something in between or some combination of the two. In any case, it looks like you can now go window shopping in a new way at the Ralph Lauren store in Manhattan — meaning you can browse and purchase Ralph Lauren goods via a touchscreen interface and credit card reader built into the window of the store. The window was reblogged by SharkRide from a FutureLab post, which says it was apparently developed in-house at Ralph Lauren. The future of shopping? Or just a good way to avoid long lines? Couple this with a bodyscanner that produces an avatar that can try on the clothes, and you’ve really got something.

If things are a bit slow around 3pointD on Wednesday, it’s because I’ll be on my way to San Francisco for the second annual Second Life Community Convention, which should prove to be a hoot, if last year’s event was any indication. This year’s will feature a number of announcements that could help spice things up, we hear (see below).

I’ll be chatting on a panel of journalists who cover virtual worlds, headed by New World Notes’s Wagner James Au, who’s probably been doing it longer than anyone. We’ll try to make a SecondCast out of the conference on Sunday, as well, despite the fact that Lordfly and I will be the only cast members in attendance, everyone else being kept away by work, money or gall-bladders. (Feel better, Torrid!) (more…)