BT trialing motion-powered computing

As if the influx of products like the Wiimote, SIXAXIS controller, and DoCoMo D904i series of handsets hadn't yet convinced you that motion control is the future of PC input (well, either that or knuckle rapping), BT is currently field testing a USB dongle that promises to bring the excitement of gaming to boring computing tasks. Like other implementations before it, the so-called Balance technology uses a small accelerometer to translate various tilts and movements of a connected laptop or UMPC into certain commands, letting you violently shake your expensive gear to do something as simple as empty the trash. Actually, the current trials aren't meant to enable an even lazier lifestyle for your average geek -- at least in the short term -- but rather to give disabled individuals a way to hop on the mobile computing bandwagon without having to deal with finicky trackpads, control nubbins, or onscreen thumbboards. While no specific plans for a commercial launch have been made, BT anticipates that a product stemming from this research will hit the market in two to three years, just in time to be replaced by the thought-controlled input devices that are once again being trailblazed by the cutting-edge gaming community.

[Via Reg Hardware]

[D. Lambert @ Apr 30th 2007 3:40PM]

Hey - Someone finally built the Dilbert PHB etch-a-sketch PC! Fantastic!

[James @ Apr 30th 2007 3:43PM]

I think you meant "turning it upside down and shaking it to clear the picture you've been drawing".

[RDD @ Apr 30th 2007 7:02PM]

Since when is "trial" a verb? There's "try" and "test." "Trialing" new words like this just muddies the waters.

[Secret Asian Man @ May 1st 2007 12:43AM]

People tried that with the MacBook Pro and the best they can come up with was the SmackBook and a Mac Saber.