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Look Out Leap Motion, Google’s New Tablet Can Motion Track Too!

June 18th, 2014 | Posted by Michael Luciano in Android | Rental | Tablet - (0 Comments)

tangoI’m the type of tech nerd that is all about embracing the future of technology. I look at new ideas with hope and wonderment, wishing that they will do something that has not been done before. Some may call this wishful thinking, and to an extent, I’d have to agree with them. There has to be something really crazy created in order to change the mobile technology game, especially in the tablet market. Every tablet has the “latest processor” or microSD storage on top of their 128GB of storage. There’s not been too much to add… until now. Google has decided to come in and stir things up a bit.

So what is it that Google has decided to do to shake up the pot? Four words that have me pretty excited: 3D and motion sensing.

Now I know this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this. The Leap Motion Controller is a device that is able to track depth and user hand motion, basically a way to control your computer without the need of a mouse. This is a cool concept if done correctly with adequate responsiveness. Google has decided to add their own version of motion sensing and 3D-sensing technology into a brand new tablet that they have in development.

Google has recently come up with a tech project called Project Tango that is slated to bring us new mobile technology with the addition of motion and depth tracking/sensing capabilities. Currently, the new tablet is in the prototype stage, so there isn’t much that can be determined. What can be confirmed is that it will come with 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a decent number of cameras. The cameras are where this new tablet starts to take flight. If you take a look at the new promotional video for the tablet, you’ll see that there are three cameras and an integrated depth sensor. The two cameras on the back work with the integrated depth sensor to allow for applications that can implement full 3D motion tracking directly on the tablet. In terms of processing power, this new “Project Tango” tablet will have the latest NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor.

Since the tablet is still in the prototype phase, it’s being distributed to a select developers with a software development kit just to see what can be created. There will be some 4,000 (rumored) prototypes delivered before the Google I/O conference later this month. Hopefully during that conference, the developers will have come up with something to show us. Needless to say, I’m a bit excited for this.

The price tag just for the prototype of this tablet is $1,024, so if developers are interested in working with this new tech and putting the software development kit to good use, then they’d better be ready to spend a pretty penny to make it all work. Even still, it would be a small price to pay if something incredible were to blossom from it.

Motion tracking technology is just an all-around cool concept. Who doesn’t want the ability to feel like their device is more an extension of their body rather than just a…. device. We will be able to see what this new tablet could be all about and how the software could work (hopefully) later this month at this year’s Google I/O.

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3D Gensture Sensor’s For Your Tablet: Practical Or Not?

December 13th, 2013 | Posted by Michael Luciano in Android | iPad | Tablet | Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

leapmotionRecently we have seen a big rise in motion control and 3D gesturing and sensors. Take the Xbox Kinect and the Playstation Move for example. Both are using 3D motion control technology to accurately capture and process your movements to make games more interactive. A fun an and entertaining concept no doubt. But, what about this? What if you were able to use the same type of technology on your smartphone or your tablet? Would it be worth all the commotion it would cause? Would it be practical? Or, would it be just another cheap gimmick to try and reel customers? After, touch screens were designed for, well… touch.

The company, Leap Motion, has already seen its motion control product utilized on desktop computers an laptops alike. For those unfamiliar with the device, the Leap Motion Controller, is a sensor that plugs directly into your computer and allows you to take control of your PC’s or laptop’s functions with just simple hand gestures. Well, now they have plans to expand their market.

Leap Motion is doing it’s best to see mobile devices, such as your tablet, using its 3D motion control interface. The CEO of the company expects to see this be implemented in new mobile devices by the end of 2014.

Since the Leap Motion Controller is a separate device, it would need to be somehow integrated into the hardware of a phone or tablet itself. Recently, the challenges that were faced with integrated the technology into smaller hardware has been overcome and has since seen its way onto an actual product. The HP Envy 17 laptop has actually put the motion control sensor created by Leap into the laptop and has put it out for consumer use. Now the object is to see the same type of technology put into mobile devices for commercial and consumer use.

When asked about the possible new functions for the technology, Leap had mentioned that they were working with manufacturers to make the transition as seamless as possible. They are doing their best to make specific gestures fitted for mobile devices. With the ability to use your tablet as a TV remote with gesture-based control functions, Leap has definitely opened up a whole new market with their product. The chance to actually have different devices’ functionalities coincide with one another based on the embedded technology is quite remarkable, but then comes the question on whether or not it could be viewed as practical.

When looking at it from a marketing standpoint, having this technology embedded into tablets and other mobile devices already is reason to believe that it is important enough to see proper use and practicality when utilized. It still brings back the thought of, touchscreens being for touch. The “pinch” and “spread” motions are already there for us on the touchscreens. This technology will just allow us the capability to do it in free space above the sensor. The company to trying to see this technology on the mass market anywhere from July to December of 2014, so be on the look out from summer to winter of next year.

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