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Wearable Computer

Wearable Computer As the name suggests, wearable computers are electronic devices which you can wear on you like an accessory or apparel . It can be a pair of gloves, eyeglasses, a watch or even a suit. The key feature of wearable UI is that it should keep your hands free and will not hinder your daily activities. In other words, it will serve as a secondary activity for you, as and when you wish to access it. (Image Source: sonymobile.com ) Think of it as having a watch that can work like a smartphone. Sony has already released an Android-powered SmartWatch earlier this year that can be paired with your Android phone via Bluetooth. It can provide notifications of new emails and tweets. As with all smartphones, you can download compatible apps into Sony SmartWatch for easy accessibility. Expect more wearable UI in the near future as microchips bearing smart capabilities grow nano-smaller and be fitted into everyday wear.
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Tangible User Interface

Tangible User Interface (TUI) Imagine having a computer system that fuses the physical environment with the digital realm to enable the recognition of real world objects . In Microsoft Pixelsense (formerly known as Surface), the interactive computing surface can recognize and identify objects that are placed onto the screen. In Microsoft Surface 1.0 , light from objects are reflected to multiple infrared cameras. This allows the system to capture and react to the items placed on the screen . In an advanced version of the technology (Samsung SUR40 with Microsoft PixelSense), the screen includes sensors, instead of cameras to detect what touches the screen . On this surface, you could create digital paintings with paintbrushes based on the input by the actual brushtip. The system is also programmed to recognize sizes and shapes and to interact with embedded tags e.g. a tagged namecard placed on the screen will display the card’s information. Smartphones placed on the

Brain-Computer Interface

 Brain-Computer Interface Our brain generates all kinds of electrical signals with our thoughts, so much so that each specific thought has its own brainwave pattern. These unique electrical signals can be mapped to carry out specific commands so that thinking the thought can actually carry out the set command. In a EPOC neuroheadset created by Tan Le, the co-founder and president of Emotiv Lifescience, users have to don a futuristic headset that detects their brainwaves generated by their thoughts . As you can see from this demo video , the command executed by thought is pretty primitive (i.e. pulling the cube towards the user) and yet the detection seems to be facing some difficulties. It looks like this UI may take awhile to be adequately developed. In any case, envision a (distant) future where one could operate computer systems with thoughts alone . From the concept of a ‘smart home’ where one could turn lights on or off without having to step out of your

Project Fiona

Meet the first generation of the gaming tablet. Razer’s Project Fiona is a serious gaming tablet built for hardcore gaming. Once it’s out, it will be the frontier for the future tablets, as tech companies might want to build their own tablets, dedicated towards gam ging,, This beast features next generation Intel® Core i7 processor geared to render all your favorite PC games, all at the palm of your hands. Crowned as the best gaming accessories manufacturer, Razer clearly knows how to build user experience straight into the tablet, and that means 3-axis gyro, magnetometer, accelerometer and full-screen user interface supporting multi-touch. My body and soul are ready.

SmartThings

The current problem that most devices have is that they function as a standalone being, and it require effort for tech competitors to actually partner with each other and build products that can truly connect with each other. SmartThings is here to make your every device, digital or non-digital, connect together and benefit you. With SmartThings you can get your smoke alarms, humidity, pressure and vibration sensors to detect changes in your house and alert you through your smartphone! Imagine the possibilities with this. You could track who’s been inside your house, turn on the lights while you’re entering a room, shut windows and doors when you leave the house, all with the help of something that only costs $500! Feel like a tech lord in your castle with this marvel.

Eye Tribe

Eye tracking has been actively discussed by technology enthusiasts throughout these years, but it’s really challenging to implement. But Eye Tribe actually did this. They successfully created the technology to allow you to control your tablet, play flight simulator, and even slice fruits in Fruit Ninja only with your eye movements. It’s basically taking the common eye-tracking technology and combining it with a front-facing camera plus some serious computer-vision algorithm, and voila, fruit slicing done with the eyes! A live demo was done in LeWeb this year and we may actually be able to see it in in action in mobile devices in 2013. Currently the company is still seeking partnership to bring this sci-fi tech into the consumer market but you and I know that this product is simply too awesome to fail.

Leap Motion

Multi-touch desktop is a (miserably) failed product due to the fact that hands could get very tired with prolonged use, but Leap Motion wants to challenge this dark area again with a more advanced idea. It lets you control the desktop with fingers, but without touching the screen. It’s not your typical motion sensor, as Leap Motion allows you to scroll the web page, zoom in the map and photos, sign documentss and even play a first person shooter game with only hand and finger movements. The smooth reaction is the most crucial key point here. More importantly, you can own this future with just $70, a price of a premium PS3 game title! If this device could completely work with Oculus Rift to simulate a real-time gaming experience, gaming is going to get a major make-over. thank you guys..