Can’t get enough of futuristic peripherals? Hey, neither can we — so it’s a good thing we’re here at SXSW this week. We’re kicking off a series of liveblogs today with a conversation with Leap Motion co-founders David Holz and Michael Buckwald. Utilize your favorite input device and join us after the break, won’t you?
Filed under: Peripherals
It’s entirely possible to build motion aware apps if you’ve got the know-how to wield a tool like the Kinect SDK. But what about the rest of us? IntuiLab may have the solution through an upcoming version of IntuiFace Presentation. The Windows software will let would-be developers create gesture-driven apps for the rapidly approaching Leap Motion controller using a simple trigger system. The results are self-evident in the video after the break: a basic app can react to finger pointing and swipes with comparatively little effort. While we’re not expecting any music games or other truly sophisticated releases, the updated IntuiFace could give us at least one avenue for our creativity when it launches in sync with the controller itself.
Filed under: Peripherals, Software
Source: IntuiFace Presentation
Emerging technology often needs a halo app to lure us in. For the upcoming Leap Motion controller, that app could come through the unusual (if welcome) channel of Double Fine’s Dropchord. The game’s exact mechanics are a mystery, but the music focus and exclusively gesture-based input should finally reward those who’ve spent years shredding invisible guitars. Gamers who don’t want to spring for a peripheral just to get one game will have the option of an iOS version sometime after Leap Motion gets first crack on May 13th. Knowing Double Fine’s reputation in motion gaming, the extra hardware just might be worthwhile — see Giant Bomb‘s proof after the break.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Source: Dropchord
Hacking Kinect might get you access to an audible air guitar, but Stephane Berscot can do you one better — tweaking the pitch of a tangible axe via Leap Motion’s virtual work space. Berscot configured a Leap tweak his guitar’s pitch based on the instrument’s position over the device. That’s not all, either, the makeshift MIDI controller also functions as a keyboard equalizer and a set of functional air drums. Combining all three tricks together scored Berscot a pretty mean demo track, but it’s apparently a lot harder than it looks. “It wasn’t easy to play drums with it,” he said, explaining how he had to detect beats based tracking the upward and downward velocity of the drumstick. “My method is pretty basic and still needs some work.” Even so, the demo definitely shows the device’s potential. Skip on past the break to see Berscot kick out the jams.
Filed under: Misc
Via: Make
Source: Gratoo (YouTube)
Ever since we first saw Leap Motion’s hyper-accurate gesture control system in person, we’ve been waiting for the time when we can walk into a store and buy one. Sure, devs have been able to buy Leap controllers for some time and it won’t be long before Leap’s tech is baked into retail laptops, but now the general public’s going to get the chance to grab the standalone controller, too. That’s right, folks, this spring, the Leap Motion Controller will be available nationwide at any Best Buy store, with pre-orders starting in February. So, it won’t be long before you can stroll on down to the nearest big blue box and pick one up — assuming there’s still one within strolling (or driving) distance.
Continue reading Leap Motion goes retail: motion controller to be sold exclusively at Best Buy
Leap Motion’s been working hard to get its 3D gesture control technology in the hands of developers — 12,000 thus far — since it was first revealed back in May of 2012. Today marks a big step towards getting it into the hands of consumers, as the company has announced its first OEM partner, ASUS. The Taiwanese firm plans to put the technology into new high-end notebooks and premium All-in-One PCs packing Intel’s Haswell silicon.
As a quick refresher for those unfamiliar with Leap, its tech has a 150-degree field of view that tracks individual hands and all 10 fingers at 290 frames per second to provide ultra precise motion controls. This news got you itchin’ to ditch that old machine with its archaic touchpad or mouse interface in favor of a gesture-controlled ASUS? We can’t tell you how much they’ll cost, but ASUS promises the PC’s will be available around the world later this year.
Continue reading ASUS partners up with Leap Motion, PCs with 3D motion control to debut in 2013
Filed under: ASUS
Apple’s former iAd VP (and Quattro co-founder) Andy Miller only just took a job as a general partner at Highland Capital last year after leaving the gang in Cupertino, but he’s now already moving on to another fairly high profile gig. Leap Motion has announced today that Miller will become its new President and CEO COO, placing him in a central role at a company that’s facing the rather difficult task of actually delivering the goods after wowing most everyone with its new gesture control technology. As Fortune notes, however, the move doesn’t come as a complete surprise. Highland Capital is backing Leap, and Miller himself has reportedly been spending about 80 percent of his time on the company over the past few months. In a statement, Miller said that he’s “been fortunate to work with some of the most influential figures and companies in the technology industry, and I’m as excited about the Leap as I’ve ever been about a technology,” adding that the “potential for the Leap is limitless, as it is going to fundamentally change the way we interact with so many devices in our lives.”
Update: Leap Motion has reached out and informed us that Miller will be President and COO, reporting to current CEO and co-founder Michael Buckwald. The official press release can be found after the break.
Continue reading Leap Motion taps former Apple iAd VP Andy Miller to be President and COO
Filed under: Peripherals
Leap Motion taps former Apple iAd VP Andy Miller to be President and COO originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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