New Interface for computers - Future is here

Weird ... I browsed the entire site before posting here. Seems something busted since I posted here. That's too bad. Hope its not a hoax.
 
Cool for basic or niche uses but pretty limiting as a UI overall, IMO (similar to touch interfaces). Once you get past the basic motions that are 'intuitive' (like pinch zooming or grabbing and throwing an object) you enter the realm of arbitrary gestures that have to be learned and then it's no more intuitive to learn than keyboard commands. Not to mention the arm fatigue form extended use. I saw the Avengers this weekend and all the eye level touch screens in the lab looked really freakin' cool, but man I can't imagine spending 8-12hrs a day working w/my hands constantly at eye level like that.

I could see using something like this as a possible mouse alternative, especially if you do a lot of work in 3D, but not as compete replacement for hardware UI interfaces.
 
Yeah I'm one of those who just recently got his first "smart" phone. It's not an iPhone, I'll never get one of those.
I seriously miss having actual buttons to press. There's no way of texting without looking at the screen anymore. I used to be able to do A LOT on my old phone without looking at the display, like dial up almost anyone from my contacts or text, but the touch screen killed that.
The games are better though.
 
I think that you might be missing the utility of this thing here. Who says that you have to wave your arms in the air? The thing claims super accuracy: "can distinguish your individual fingers and track your movements down to a 1/100th of a millimeter".

IF that is the case, mounting the side on the desk sidelong, you might be able to simply rest your hands/wrists on the table or lap and wiggle your fingers around to control the computer. There's no need to wave your arms / hands around in the air.

With this kind of accuracy, plug it into any graphics program. Sculpt 3D objects by 'smudging' virtual space around with your fingers and get instant feedback. Or with graphics programs, smudge your finger across a desktop (or in the air) and mix paint together in your favorite painting program.

Remote control of devices / computers anywhere in the world with fine motor control.... For $70.

Dillon
 
FerdMania said:
I see interactive porn coming 
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I love the technology (even though it's not really ground breaking anymore) and I can see a lot of ways that I would really benefit from using it, but I also seee ways that I would benefit from using a mouse and keyboard. It could be helpful for graphics editing. Not useful for typing, so you'd still need a keyboard. Useless for games that aren't specifically designed for it, which would be limiting to the games if they were. As for using finger gestures only, my hands would cramp up pretty quick doing that. Unless I switched between that and the current methods. I know not everyone has carpal tunnel problems, but I still can't seeing it be a replacement interface for everything. I can see it being useful, no question, but not a replacement.

I do really enjoy using a certain terminal at my work, it's a touch screen that I use while standing. Very effective with the exception of the on screen keyboard. So I'm not saying nay to this, just that it won't always be the best choice.
 
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Something like that would make watching porn on your computer very difficult.


"Stop constantly switching windows!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, I still have the interface on."
 
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Maybe some uses on the creative arts side, maybe, and maybe in gaming. Not much use where technical accuracy is required I don't think. The medical area, maybe. I don't know. We'll see where it goes. It's cool that they can do that though, if indeed they can and it's not a hoax.
 
This looks like its capable of capturing motion, and capturing forms of objects with accurate depth measurements too. Link a couple of these together and you have an instant modeler / animation system for 3D content providers? Videos and website information seem to indicate that it is certainly capable.

I think this is as revolutionary as the mouse was when it was introduced.

In my humble opinion, of course.

Dillon
 
dillont said:
I think that you might be missing the utility of this thing here. Who says that you have to wave your arms in the air? The thing claims super accuracy: "can distinguish your individual fingers and track your movements down to a 1/100th of a millimeter".

IF that is the case, mounting the side on the desk sidelong, you might be able to simply rest your hands/wrists on the table or lap and wiggle your fingers around to control the computer. There's no need to wave your arms / hands around in the air.

With this kind of accuracy, plug it into any graphics program. Sculpt 3D objects by 'smudging' virtual space around with your fingers and get instant feedback. Or with graphics programs, smudge your finger across a desktop (or in the air) and mix paint together in your favorite painting program.

Remote control of devices / computers anywhere in the world with fine motor control.... For $70.

Dillon
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For specific uses I agree, but I think it will start to feel limiting pretty quickly the more you take it out of that specific use. If you are working in Photoshop, for example, wouldn't you still want a keyboard under one hand so you could quickly save, change tools, open up the import window, use modifier keys to lock movement to a single axis, etc.,?

If you mounted it the side of your desk would it still be able to accurately track both hands since one is blocking the other?

I think this could be a cool add on for certain situations but I certainly wouldn't toss my keyboard, mouse & wacom out the window just yet.
 
You could be correct, but the site indicates you can stack a few of these together to get a larger capture area ... one for each hand? Just type on the desktop for a virtual keyboard? Possibilities are endless for user configuration and needs.


adkimery said:
For specific uses I agree, but I think it will start to feel limiting pretty quickly the more you take it out of that specific use. If you are working in Photoshop, for example, wouldn't you still want a keyboard under one hand so you could quickly save, change tools, open up the import window, use modifier keys to lock movement to a single axis, etc.,?

If you mounted it the side of your desk would it still be able to accurately track both hands since one is blocking the other?

I think this could be a cool add on for certain situations but I certainly wouldn't toss my keyboard, mouse & wacom out the window just yet.
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i'd kill somone for one of those. but tom cruise would probably show up at my house and arrest me before the murder occurred.
 
While they advertise it as a way to replace the mouse and keyboard, I only see it as an addition. It'll maybe replace the mouse from time to time, making a very interactive screen, but strange as well.

I could see it being a good thing for public terminals, or certain display presentations, even just a dentist checking some x-rays. I think it will either be for show and/or specialized uses.
 
The beauty of the keyboard/mouse is that there is tactile feedback as well as visual. By engaging more senses you increase accuracy and flexibility of application. It might be able to replace the mouse but not the keyboard. I've tried the projected light keyboard and that was only usable if you were trained on a real keyboard and could already touch type. Even then you had to visually centre your hands every minute or two (it was a cool gadget though and very portable). Even after the invention of the mouse power users continue to use keyboard shortcuts extensively because they are quicker.

I guess it's comparable to a tablet (old school, not a *pad) but without the ergonomic comfort. It is very cool and I should be excited and I don't know why I'm not. Maybe it is because of tom cruise (i avoid his movies like the plague and he is the face that mainstreamed this idea) or maybe having bought in to all the gadgets for the last 20 years without any appreciable gain i just can't get excited anymore. Over the years I've found that i've played with technology far more than used it. And paid a premium for the early uptake. Or maybe I'm just getting old!
 
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