http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/04/19/microsoft.skinput/index.html
Seriously, everybody should go read this article…it literally talks about a working prototype Microsoft has developed of “Skinput,” a way to use your hand and arm so it basically becomes an iPhone. It actually looks EXACTLY like the Sixth Sense video we watched in class; that’s what I thought it was at first.
But there is not one single mention of that video anywhere in this article. And I have a hard time believing Microsoft could plead ignorance since their new prototype is so similar to the one in that video. So now I’m wondering if Microsoft stole the idea from whoever it was at TED that came up with the Sixth Sense.
Oh, and just in case you forgot, here’s the original video for comparison:
http://www.ted.com/talks/pattie_maes_demos_the_sixth_sense.html
Anybody else thinking this might be blatant piracy?
Well, in any case, Dr. Syb was right–the Sixth Sense wasn’t just some crazy, mind-blowing idea that would never catch on. Skinput was developed by one of today’s most powerful companies, and I can bet you any money they’re not planning to just produce it for a tech-savvy niche market. It can’t do all the other things the Sixth Sense could do, like shoot pictures or recognize people’s faces, but let me put it this way…it can’t do those things YET. I’m sure the people at Microsoft are already well on their way to Skinput 2.0.
-Tara-
Wow. Skinput…even the name sounds creepy. And, hey, this wouldn’t be the first time Microsoft stole something.
-Will Hoekenga
I agree with Will the name does sound creepy. This is also crazy and very interesting. Piracy in its finest form, like you said. Microsoft is known for seeing something and pirating it, but the TED video we saw was several years old and it still hadn’t been released or put into motion. The public is waiting for the next big thing technology wise and microsoft is the first to give it to us. I look forward to seeing how the public responds to this!
Good catch Tara. Indeed, the devices are probably already in the hands of the innovators.