|
Remotely Interesting: RIP TV Clicker? |
|
|
|
Dr. Samuel Says -
Smart Design
|
|
Written by Dr. Samuel Centralia, Ph.D., D.D.S., Esq.
|
|
Friday, 26 September 2008 |
Hello from fabulous Berlin, where I've been refreshing my old Cold War connections and basically hanging around after attending the ginormous IFA consumer electronics show. The Germans know how to do these things right, I'll tell you. As a people, they have a flair for organizing, have you noticed? In fact, I just went to the cinema to see their latest comedy blockbuster, "Efficient and Efficienter." (Yes, I stole that joke. Sue me.)
Among the new technologies on display was an experimental flat panel TV
from Toshiba that viewers can control, not just wirelessly, but
remotelessly. (Yes, I know that's not a word. Again, sue me.) The TV
uses something called "gesture control," which basically means you
control the onscreen navigation options by waving your hands around. A camera on the TV itself tracks your movements and responds accordingly.
 “The
gesture-control research is extremely exciting and is opening an array
of possibilities for consumers, such as new interfaces for TVs and
interactive displays in shop windows and information kiosks,” said
Professor Roberto Cipolla of the University of Cambridge, who is
heading up the project. “The gesture interface may not replace a remote
controller, but can provide an alternative way to interact with a PC or
display. Imagine never having to search for the remote controller to
turn the TV volume down when receiving a phone call."
Ah, such
high-class problems we have these days. But Roberto is a good guy. Back
in the day, we were a mean double-play combo on the Information Engineering
International Softball Team. And there is something appealing about the
idea of phasing out the cultural artifact that is the television
remote. I'm always losing that stupid thing. Here's an idea. Instead of
a tetherless remote, what about putting the TV controls on the TV
itself? That way, you'd just have to get up and walk over to push the
buttons. Or better yet, why not use dials?
Always thinking!
Trackback(0)
 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
