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2012-07-12 19:41:09


Leap represents an entirely new way to interact with your computers. It's more accurate than a mouse, as reliable as a keyboard and more sensitive than a touchscreen. For the first time, you can control a computer in three dimensions with your natural hand and finger movements.

To learn more, pre-order, or apply for an SDK, please visit http://www.leapmotion.com.


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2012-07-12 19:44:01


The Leap uses a number of camera sensors to map out a workspace of sorts — it's a 3D space in which you operate as you normally would, with almost none of the Kinect's angle and distance restrictions. Currently the Leap uses VGA camera sensors, and the workspace is about three cubic feet; Holz told us that bigger, better sensors are the only thing required to make that number more like thirty feet, or three hundred. Leap's device tracks all movement inside its force field, and is remarkably accurate, down to 0.01mm. It tracks your fingers individually, and knows the difference between your fingers and the pencil you're holding between two of them.

Holz showed off a number of different use cases for Leap Motion's technology. The simplest thing it can do is simulate a touch screen, so you can interact with any display as if it were touch-enabled — we were slicing pineapples in Fruit Ninja in seconds, without a moment of extra development or additional software.

Developers that do take advantage of the Leap's SDK will be able to do much more, however, and the possibilities appear to be limited only by your imagination. All kinds of different apps are being developed: some could improving remote surgery, others allow easier navigation through complex models and data, and others might put you square in the middle of a first-person shooter. It's like holding the Mario Kart steering wheel, but on a whole new level.


More . . .



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2012-07-12 19:52:30
last modified: 2012-07-12 19:54:01

For one, to use Leap Motion, you only have to plug it into your computer's USB port and install a piece of software. That's right! And it will only cost $70 when it comes out later this year. What more, there are indications that the technology will be integrated in laptops and other devices in the future.

But Leap Motion has the potential to be much more than the next iteration of the mouse. A quick walk-around in the official forum and you'll be exposed to a myriad of great ideas, some incredibly innovation and others just plain fun. Here's a rundown:


1. 3D scanning. Since Leap Motion can essentially track and map anything with supreme accuracy in the workspace, it can easily be devised to scan an object in 3D. Now if you connect a 3D printer to the Leap Motion device, you can actually get a full-blown replicator!

2. Interaction with virtual 3D models. This is an obvious use of Leap Motion. Architects and engineers can easily explore a 3D model on their computers by virtually rotating, zooming in and out, etc. Perhaps surgeons may also find this useful though as they can explore scans and other records without removing their sterile gloves.

3. Sign language. As an accessibility tool for deaf people, Leap Motion may allow for a more intuitive experience.

4. Gaming. Angry Birds and chopsticks is just the beginning.

5. TV remote replacement. The couch will be our home.

6. Directing a virtual orchestra. This can be fun but can also be the perfect tool for conductors.

7. Dental opportunities. You can stick in a smaller iteration of the Leap Motion device in your mouth and spin it around a little to get a full model of your teeth. This is a subset of 3D scanning but I could not not mention such dentist fun.


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2012-07-12 21:16:43


Microsoft's Kinect motion controller initially for the Xbox 360 and now also the PC, has been very successful and shows how computers can be controlled by gestures rather than just with the traditional keyboard and mouse. This success hasn't been lost on competitors, who are now starting to make similar products. Enter Leap Motion's Leap controller, an affordable $69.99 device that the company is starting to take pre-orders for. If you pre-order a unit, you'll be waiting a bit as they aren't going to ship until December 2012 or January 2013.

Note that as of this writing, Leap Motion haven't revealed the specifications of the device or gone into any significant detail into how it works. The video below demonstrates what the device can do and does look impressive. However, it would probably be wise to wait for a review or two before spending hard cash on a new, unproven product from a new company.


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Index :: Gadgets, Games and Gizmos :: Leap Motion
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