Microsoft builds Kinect into Asus laptops
Prototype PCs test future of UI interaction
Microsoft and Asus have built a laptop with Kinect motion-sensing technology on board.
Two prototype machines were recently seen, but not used, by The Daily, the website says. The two notebook PCs feature extra, Kinect-oriented distance sensors built into their screen bezels alongside their regular webcams.
Microsoft is keen to get Kinect into PCs, and will be releasing software to add Kinect to Windows next month. It's also expected to offer PC-centric sensor hardware.
Do you really want motion control in a laptop though? We can't see many folk happy to sit waving their arms around, even to make small gestures for manipulating a UI, with a notebook perched precariously on their knees.
And laptop screens - even 17-inchers - are too small for the kind of gaming at a distance that the Xbox incarnation of Kinect makes possible.
Microsoft should stick to trying to get Kinect built into TVs - a more appropriate use of the motion-control tech. ®
COMMENTS
"It looks like you're masturbating.
Would you like some help with that?"
This isn't XBOX version...
it's been tweaked work at smaller distances. Your FAIL is a FAIL : D
As a 3D CAD user, this might have potential for 1, scanning 3D objects, and 2, maybe developing a 3D gesture-based 'digital clay' interface for CAD software - using my hands, not my limbs. Anything that allows you to swap away from one input device to another can only reduce (the chance of) RSI.
Hell, it would stimulate the 'little grey cells' if the designer were able to stand up and pace about whilst designing. ( see recent studies that suggest foreign languages are learnt quicker if the student is moving around )
We've already seen software that allows Solidworks to be manipulated with an XBOX 360 controller.
However, Kinect would be more flexible in its current stand-alone form.
I'm excited to see what software comes along.
Eye tracking
I've seen a superb demo of similar technology, it tracks your eyes to see where you're looking on the screen.
Web pages scroll as your eyes move, icons can be selected by sight and the advertising possibilities are endless (sadly).
This was with low resolution cameras too. I'd imagine kinect style technology would have no problem with it.
The days of the scrollwheel could be nearly over.
Not sure how this would work - I guess they'd have to scale down the technology considerably.
After trying Kinect at other people's houses, and barely being able to get it to register us by standing right at the back of the room, I concluded that my house is just too small for it. I think it's designed for massive empty American living rooms, like in the adverts, not for a standard British room.
