SmackBook and MacSaber -- best two reasons to buy a MacBook?

If you've already grown tired of impressing your friends and family with that iAlertU car alarm app for your MacBook or MacBook Pro, you might be interested in a couple new apps that should make you even prouder to be a MacBook owner. They're both based on the MacBook's sudden motion sensor, and both have the honorable distinction of not really doing much at all to improve your quality of life. The SmackBook, as demonstrated in the video, allows you to switch desktops by smacking the side of your precious MacBook. If you don't think that's enough potential endangerment of your MacBook, you might be interested in MacSaber, which makes light saber noises when you swing your computer around, and light saber clashes when you swing it really hard (peep the video by Metafilter founder Matthew Haughey). We just can't wait for reports to start flooding in of far flung laptops. Now if you'll excuse us, we're going to head down to an Apple Store and try this stuff out.

[Thanks to everyone who sent these in]

Read - SmackBook
Read - MacSaber

[comrade @ May 25th 2006 4:56AM]

Um... You're switching virtual desktops by smacking it, not users. Do you guys even use computers?

[WOW @ May 25th 2006 5:01AM]

Wrong site Paul


this is not TUAW

[Khaeos @ May 25th 2006 5:23AM]

"The SmackBook, as demonstrated in the video, allows you to switch users my smacking the side of your precious MacBook." - My smacking the side?? pls correct the typo Engadget.
No comment on the usefulness of the apps..


Khaeos

[Ryan M @ May 25th 2006 6:40AM]

I'm just waiting until someone makes a 3d version of that "Labyrinth" game, where you tilt the board for the ball to roll through a maze.

That would rock.

(If anyone is reading this and takes the idea, naturally I want a slice of the profits.)
:P

[Gr1zz @ May 25th 2006 7:21AM]

I want a smack book for my PC! (Starts chanting "Port-Port")

You know someone is going to go a step further and apply it to Mac games, then they will use the built in cam, then they will use the microphone....Wii-book anyone?

[Eric @ May 25th 2006 7:56AM]

That beats the hell out of alt-tab!

[Kit @ May 25th 2006 8:36AM]

"They're both based on the MacBook's sudden motion sensor -- a Sony-esque ripoff of the Wiimote don't you know"

The PowerBook G4 also had an SMS; well before the Wiimote, but let's not get into semantics

[Shawn Starkey @ May 25th 2006 9:04AM]

Hmmm... If they could pair the motion sensor to a security setting, that would be cool. Say you set the motion "alarm" on and someone swipes your Mac at a cafe, the motion sensor would automatically trigger a user logoff. It might at least protect your data from being used in an identity theft, too.

[Elliott @ May 25th 2006 9:08AM]

SmackBook honestly is a great idea that could definitely increase productivity. I can't wait to get my Pro back to try it out.

[luuk @ May 25th 2006 9:11AM]

there is also a game that works with the motion sensor system...

BUBBLE GYM.

http://www.balooba.se/baloobasoftware/texts/bubblegym.htm

[Ender @ May 25th 2006 9:20AM]

How is the motion sensor a ripoff of the wiimote? Considering it's been in previous iterations of the powerbooks before the wiimote was even revealed......

[Olalekan Joseph Akintande @ May 25th 2006 9:32AM]

what happen if my xbox asked me to connect my DVD playback kit receiver to a controller port?please it is urgent.

[Cedric @ May 25th 2006 9:41AM]

Ryan M:
http://graphics.stanford.edu/courses/cs248-videogame-competition/cs248-05/#labyrin3d

[will chen @ May 25th 2006 9:49AM]

"11. How is the motion sensor a ripoff of the wiimote? Considering it's been in previous iterations of the powerbooks before the wiimote was even revealed......"

"a Sony-esque ripoff of the Wiimote don't you know"

I think they mean Apple ripped off IBM like how Sony ripped off Wiimote.

[dimitri @ May 25th 2006 10:04AM]

I'd call that AbuseMac... just sad!!

I am happy with Expose... :)

[Stephen Yu @ May 25th 2006 10:58AM]

Actually, the Apple SMS is a rip-off of the IBM/Lenovo Thinkvantage Active Protection System. IBM had it before anyone else, including Apple and Nintendo.

[Randall @ May 25th 2006 11:14AM]

Hey,

I'm pretty sure that's some sarcasm being lobbed our way about the wii-mote.

Relax.

[Sam @ May 25th 2006 11:47AM]

There is also an script now that will run expose upon smacking your macbook.

I have had this running since yesterday and it's actually pretty nice. You don't have to smack the screen, you can lightly tap the front side of your macbook to trigger a change, or tip it to one side and watch the screen melt away.

It only works really well on a flat surface like your desk, you get a lot of false positives using it on your lap. But with a little adjustment to sensitivity you could use it on your lap and switch screens by tapping your foot.

[vectorbug @ May 25th 2006 11:54AM]

holy shit do you guys even know how to read/write/use computers/macs/nintendos? lol ill let mygones be mygones lol ino rite? GOD IM SO FUNNY

[Gomi @ May 25th 2006 2:44PM]

How is the SMS a rip-off of IBM, exactly? Some car manufacturer decides to put seat belts into cars. Other manufacturers think this is a good idea and start adding seat belts. Is that a rip-off, or just basic product development? How about including mice in computer design? Or even a GUI? Someone starts the technology, and other people pick it up, until it becomes commonplace.

Anyway, by the phrasing in the entry, "a Sony-esque ripoff of the Wiimote don't you know," they're implying that Apple ripped off Nintendo, which is factually wrong, as everyone has said.

[kelly @ May 25th 2006 3:28PM]

can anyone post anything on the net without an argument breaking out? nerds are crazy these days. The flippin' apps are cool use of tech who cares who first put motion sensors in a laptop.

[stb @ May 25th 2006 4:17PM]

Damn, Bill Murray:

http://a.wholelottanothing.org/2006/05/behind_the_vide.html

(scroll to the last paragraph)

[BiG? @ May 25th 2006 5:25PM]

Does anyone have a link for the app to run SmackBook?! I know there is the smacking risk to it all, but it would be so cool to show off!

[Tim @ May 25th 2006 8:01PM]

That's it, Nintendo better make WarioWare: Twisted for the MacBook Pro or else! If they didn't it would be a complete waste of a good thing!

[meike @ May 25th 2006 9:56PM]

where can you find this SmackBook software? Is it for sale?

[BiG? @ May 26th 2006 2:24AM]

Maybe done using:

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/17684

and a applescript written to switch desktops?

[Eamonn @ May 28th 2006 9:54AM]

I have taken some tools off of the next and made a package.

grab it from http://eamonn.designandsolve.co.uk/Projects/462C4CE6-0DF2-4DAA-9C78-EC4C98083DB6.html

Eamonn

[Bryce @ Aug 11th 2006 12:51PM]

My buddy at RIT already made the labyrinth game in 3d with his iBook using java of all god damn languages. Looks sick though.

[John Seamann @ Jun 2nd 2007 3:58AM]

Does anybody know if the SmackBook works to change desktops while using a virtual machine? It would be nice to smack the still-necessary Windows desktop out of your MacBook :D

[Bullitt @ Nov 5th 2007 4:36PM]

Just like the wii motes flying everywhere.