Be all Captain Kirk with Siemens' wearable communication badge
posted March 17th 2005 9:30AM
Now you, too, can look like an idiot talking to your lapel in your own home, thanks to Siemens' new wearable communications device. It hooks into a central home communications server (server not included…) via Bluetooth to send voice commands that get translated by software into controls for the integrated systems of your house. The speech recognition technology developed by Siemens does appear to be an improvement over some earlier systems we've seen in that it doesn't need to be "trained" to recognize the user's voice, but can understand 30,000 words, as well as predefined commands, right out of the box. But Siemens wants you to don this outrageous brooch to handle functions like controlling the house intercom system, instructing the master lock system to open the door (when did electronic master lock systems take off?), and of course to handle typical phone duties without the need for a headset. We'll keep our Jabra for now and come back to this next time we're shopping for geeky jewelry.
Uh, I think you mean Captain Jerk. :)
Though you do realise, Captain Picard is more appropriate than Captain Kirk? :)
That sound you just heard... the rushing of wind... the simultaneous altering of tides... that was the relief sigh of a billion Trekkies seeing a lifetime dream fulfilled.
I am a little "intrigued" by Siemens design decision. Is it just me or would incorporating a similar device in every room sounds like a better idea? This way you can talk directly to the integrated system without worrying about looking like an idiot, you may sound like one, but that is a different story: "Computer, please flush the toilet!"
At least, it is one less thing to misplace.
@Tom: look at that thing, man. Picard wouldn't be caught dead in that! That is Kirk all the way. :)
Funny how similar that design is to the badges worn in Minority Report...
TK
I think I must be alone in saying: I really like it. Lots.
If it can be rigged as bluetooth full-duplex audio device (ie, intergrated speaker too - they mention loud-speaker, but not intergrated) with headset profile then I actually see serious potential in the concept. Leave your phone in your pocket and have the "widget" announce who's calling - tap to answer, tap to hand up. Tap to voice-dial.
Sure I don't want to crane my neck to use it but as a hands free loudspeaker kit (in true ST:TNG style) it'd be absolutly fine.
It's first generation, after all - think how klunky G1 Bluetooth headsets were - give them a few rounds of development to refine the design and drop the concept that we're all going to buy into home automation and you're sorted.
All you need now is to be able to reprogramme your VoiceDial phone to accept the phrase "Picard to" to mean "Dial" and you're sorted.
(trys to ignore visions of tapping badge and saying, "Picard to Mum" or "Picard to local curry place")
-D
Whoa dramjo! Should they call it HAL too? ;)
Forget about this Captain Kirk badge action - I would keep that thing in my pocket and handle it Batman style. That way you could be all sly and quiet using it.
*Batmobile pulls up. "Shields."
I have always wondered why no one ever made a "limited edition" STAR TREK (original series) styled telephone in the shape of a communicator. I'm a big enough nerd that I'd get one.
On a related note, be sure to check out http://www.vocera.com . It's a wifi badge (although larger), which seems to make more sense than Bluetooth in a large building.
#8, Someone rigged on up recently and sold it on eBay.
oops, I meant #9.
I would get one if and only if Majel Roddenberry’s voice responded to commands, ie when you get a call Majel Roddenberry’s voice says "John Doe calling"
8: Why not just install one near your voicebox so you could subvocalize commands?
@#6: WHY AREN'T YOU AT YOUR POST??
#13, so would I. She needs to record every word in the dictionary in her voice so that future generations can live in a TNG world. This thing is pretty cool!
I don't know if recording every word in the dictionary will help the thing speak the name of every place and person in the world. :-)