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Skin-tillating Possibilities
The Sheer Power That is Amy
April 21, 2010
Carnegie Mellon University graduate student Chris Harrison has created a working prototype of arguably the perfect electronic device. Send text messages, play online games, watch videos--all without ever removing the device from your pocket or purse. Using a blue-tooth connection, the device tracks motion to execute commands. For instance, the user could tap fingers together to answer a call, or touch the palm of their hand to select menu items. When combined with an item called a pico-projector, the device can even project images of a full keyboard and screen right onto the user's forearm. Such a device would have very interesting possibilities, at least, Microsoft thinks so.
With a current accuracy rate of 96%, "Skinput" is not quite ready for market yet, but Microsoft expects it to be ready to go in as little as two years. Skinput works by using an armband to measure sounds--different movements create different sounds that are then translated into commands. With such capabilities, the device itself could be incredibly small, which would be fantastic for today's fast-paced world. Imagine a commute where you could quickly check your email, harvest your Farmville crops, play a quick game of Words With Friends, and listen to some tunes--all without ever even removing the device from your pocket. Misplaced and stolen phones would be much less likely, as there would be little reason to take this smartphone out and leave it lying somewhere. While I don't immediately foresee it as a device for hardcore gamers looking to replace their current handheld--as the graphics would likely not be up to par--the Skinput would be a great replacement for people frustrated with the small screens and fragility of their current smartphones.
Chris Harrison and Microsoft are both on the cutting edge of the current movement to make personal computing more of a natural, on-demand part of our daily lives. When looking at devices such as this that could unlock your front doors, order your pizza, and level up on Mafia Wars all at the tap of your fingers--it is very easy to imagine that the future is now.
