Researchers use cameraphones as 3D mice, foresee interactive ads

For what it's worth, marketing firms have been encouraging folks to interact with billboards and the like with their cellphones for some time now, but prototype software developed by gurus in the UK has enabled a cameraphone to control a desktop computer. As expected, the application enables users to "move and manipulate onscreen items simply by waving a handset around in front of a [display]," but giving mobile owners a second-rate 3D mouse is just the beginning. There is promise for it (or something similar) to one day be used in more public settings, but while it's still locked inside the house, we'll probably just continue using our entirely more comfortable Wiimote for any atypical mousing exercises. Hit up the read link for a video demonstration.

[Via NewScientist]

[Rich @ Jan 22nd 2008 8:24AM]

Wow, that's a retro Symbian phone!

[Esat @ Jan 22nd 2008 8:28AM]

That phone needs to go easy on the carbs; Cut down on the microchips.

*yes i know the last sentence ruined it, but I am what I am*

[Fernando @ Jan 22nd 2008 8:52AM]

SX1! Hardcore!

[lmsam @ Jan 22nd 2008 11:04AM]

sx1 was soo crap. i had the maclaren sx1 and siemens managed to ruin it despite copying the a nokia that worked amazingly

[Munish @ Jan 22nd 2008 10:05AM]

Check this out:
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v3291450HGJTbkHx

[dukemang @ Jan 22nd 2008 10:53AM]

Researchers spend money to find another use for Cell Phones. In an unrelated note, people are still dying from AIDS and cancer.

Seriously? Do cell phone need to do something else that doesn't at least improve call quality...or cure cancer.

[Bobs @ Jan 22nd 2008 10:53AM]

Great tech like this comes out, and its instantly put to work as some kind of advertising machene. i want to use a very fast computer to punch buildings to bits, with the wiimote, or my cell phone, either way, wouldnt that be freakin sweet? watch as glass and chunks of brick go flying as the building crumbles. then smash the second story into the basement.

[Steven @ Jan 23rd 2008 2:44AM]

You know the ability to control your desktop mouse using a nokia Symbian series 60 has been around since oh...atleast 4 years ago? Maybe later than that...

[Reader @ Jan 22nd 2008 11:27AM]

Yes, because that's exactly what I want the future to be like. Why just have boring old annoying ads when you could interact with them, making them 10 fold the annoying?!

[Hansi @ Jan 22nd 2008 1:10PM]

Looks like the same thing MS has been showing at CES the last couple of years