Peregrine gaming glove modeled, calibrated, and demoed on video

Now that the Peregrine gaming glove is finalized and taking pre-orders, we had a chance to sit down with creator and company CEO Brent Baier, who guided us through the use of the military-spec'd mitt and gave us our first glimpse at the calibration / key-mapping software (PC only for now, Mac coming later). We're still fiddling with our review unit, and while the gaming aspect is intriguing, we're actually pretty interested in how it could be applied to production and design software. The one issue with that is a conscience decision to limit each finger press to activating only one key at a time -- macros are theoretically possible, but according to Baier that would disqualify the glove from being used in professional gaming competitions. Maybe down the line, perhaps? Video after the break.

Peregrine gaming glove press photos

[stuartgibson Posted Dec 18th 2009 3:31PM]

I love the powerglove. It's so bad.

[eugeneaction Posted Dec 18th 2009 8:32PM]

@stuartgibson

this is no Powergove my friend

[Austin123 Posted Dec 18th 2009 3:31PM]

i liked this when i saw it during the summer. still looks good.

[brentbaier Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:42PM]

@Austin123 Just curious --- where did you see it? PAX? E3? Thx for your interest.

[Austin123 Posted Dec 18th 2009 7:40PM]

@brentbaier

I had a Buddy over, and he wipped it out of his bag at one point.

none the less, what he showed me was quite cool, although it seemed to need a few tweeks, the glove is very nice, the fabric fits onn nicely, it bends, twists, its just very flexible, i loved it. and i tried it onn a game (namely: half life) it seemed too easy to use compared to the keyboard that i use now.

[To Hell Posted Dec 18th 2009 3:32PM]

I imagine the index fingers of these gloves will be up the noses of many gamers soon.

[brentbaier Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:32PM]

@To Hell

Yep that's why it's hand washable...we tested how the glove would fare in simulated urine too...I just hope it never comes to that... :)

[yulebellow Posted Dec 18th 2009 3:32PM]

What if you say, took your favorite gaming controller that isn't compatible with your game/pc...put on the glove and then record your actions for pressing every button/trigger/joystick, then you could theoretically use any game controller for your game right, just use the controller with the glove...

...I dunno maybe I'm way out of line.

[yulebellow Posted Dec 18th 2009 3:35PM]

@yulebellow

oops I failed, I was confused about the functionality

[PATRICKmcnicholl Posted Dec 18th 2009 3:35PM]

I want to see this play a game

[brentbaier Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:35PM]

@PATRICKmcnicholl You coming to CES? Come check it out there. There are also videos on our website but you really got to try it to understand it.

[Exbloder Posted Dec 18th 2009 3:36PM]

The glove doesn't interest me, but damn I love those detachable faceplates.

[brentbaier Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:33PM]

@Exbloder Yeah the detachable faceplates are cool, glad you like them, we are planning to eventually offer customized plates for various games (Zerg faceplate ftw!)

[DeviantmacG Posted Dec 18th 2009 3:57PM]

Is that supposed to enhance gamer experience??? maybe they should look at the 3D thing some posts ago... that's future gaming experience!

[StvDvs Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:01PM]

Sweet! I loved "Tron".

[bitsbite Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:01PM]

You could use this in combination with a keyboard...

[brentbaier Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:34PM]

@bitsbite Exactly! Some games it will replace the keyboard, some games it will augment the keyboard.

[AW82 Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:06PM]

Didja mean 'conscious decision'?
Yep, bored at work again. Want to hire me to proof read for you?

[rusty Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:19PM]

so....what happens when i stick up my middle finger?? :)

[One Love Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:45PM]

@rusty: it goes in your butt. :)

[euxneks Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:47PM]

There's going to be a lot of smelly gloves out there. How do you wash it?

[MVP Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:34PM]

@euxneks
It says hand-washable so I'm guessing you could just wear them while you wash your hands in the sink like normal...

[brentbaier Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:36PM]

@euxneks MVP you got it right. If you have ever washed your hand you should have no problem with this...so...yeah. :)

[Teddylikescomputahs Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:50PM]

Couple this glove with a 3D tv, say goodbye to girlfriends! Yowza!!!

[dumbo Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:16PM]

PC only? aren't Mac PC too?

[miloa Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:21PM]

OK, what I don't get is how is this supposed to make gaming BETTER?

Seems like it would be a fairly big step in the wrong direction trying to hit spots on your finger rather than using a keyboard.

I can't think of a single game where this is a killer app. I WANT to like it, I really do... I just don't see using it. Maybe if they showed it in action I'd have more of an "a-ha!" moment. Don't get me wrong, this is cool stuff, I'm just trying to figure out why I care.

[brentbaier Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:41PM]

@miloa It depends on the gamers play style and type of game, but any game that uses hotkeys works very well with this. You can literally do things with the PEREGRINE that you can't do with a keyboard. I use it to play DotA and Heroes of Newerth alot, and I am able to trigger 4 or 5 actions in a second just tapping my fingers. Its easier and faster than a keyboard because I don't EVER have to search for keys (Unless I somehow lose my fingers...) Normally I would have to hit keys on multiple places on the keyboard and look down to do so --- with the PEREGRINE you just tap your fingers to do your combos and it's magical :) Don't ever have to look down...and it's very comfortable.

Once you try it, it will make more sense...hope this helps. Its quite fast when you get the hang of it (Takes about 5 minutes to learn basics...)

[MasterTab Posted Dec 18th 2009 6:12PM]

@miloa Actually i use this thing pretty much everyday..I love it for HoN (Heroes of Newerth) for those not familiar. i noticed when i use my crappy little mac keyboard that usually a few times per match instead of hitting the "right" key I end up hitting one that does nothing...eg: instead of hitting "q" i hit "tab", or instead of "a" i hit caps. Sometimes it doesn't happen but when it does it usually costs me a death or at least a trip back to town. While wearing the glove these errors are eliminated, i havn't hit a wrong button yet with this thing. Also works well for rts games like starcraft, i have my touchpoints in such away that i can literally slide my thumb along the top or middle of a finger and get 2-3 keys hit in rapid succession, thus making it great for building various building, Canons for example with the protoss. To sum it up once you get used to using the glove, the keyboard really does start to feel a little sluggish. Just my humble opinion. I have also raided in wow with this with much success, nice to not have to look down at the keyboard, keeps your focus on what you have to be doing on various raid bosses. P.S. I wish you guys all a Merry Christmas out there on the interwebs.

[miloa Posted Dec 18th 2009 7:20PM]

@brentbaier

Hi Brent - thanks for the reply! You and the other gentleman make some good arguments. Are there places where people can "test drive" the glove? $130 price tag is too high to buy on spec... I'd love to take it for a spin though.

Thanks,
Andy

[brentbaier Posted Dec 19th 2009 1:19AM]

@miloa Andy, yeah I wish we could offer these initial models for a bit cheaper, because I know more people would take a chance on them. We are seeing orders from what I assume to be the early adopters. As the units filter out "into the wild" and more people get their hands on(in?) the device they will be able to decide if they can justify the price tag. Like anything, as we get into higher volumes our cost to manufacture will decrease and we will be able to gradually drop the price. I would assume that within the next 6 months or so someone you know will probably get one of these then you can take it for a spin! Thanks for your comments, I will be checking back if you have any other questions.

Brent

[dsbilling Posted Dec 18th 2009 5:44PM]

LOL Windows XP on a Mac! :P

[TWiz Posted Dec 18th 2009 6:42PM]

Looks nice but why not wireless? Latency?

Also, what about one for the right hand for movement and other functions?

And why is there no button to post this reply? I must tab, tab, tab, spacebar to post.

[Wwhat Posted Dec 18th 2009 7:48PM]

@TWiz
What? there's a 'submit' button, what are you talking about?

[brentbaier Posted Dec 19th 2009 1:40AM]

@TWiz Yep, latency and we didn't want people to have mess around with batteries and syncing and charging and such. You just plug it in and go. When you are sitting at your computer gaming you don't even notice the wire.

Other models for the right hand with various levels of functionality will eventually release. I commented a bit more on this below.

As for the button thing...well...ask Engadget I guess. :)

[zero1221 Posted Dec 18th 2009 6:58PM]

The Power Glove lives!

[subreyes94 Posted Dec 18th 2009 7:01PM]

Is there persistence in touch? In other words, can I hold down "z" by keeping my fingers together or is it one-touch only? I could see a lot of ergonomic advantage to the glove for repetitive motions in for example explorer games? Also, I couldn't tell by the article, but does it allow macros or not? I'm not a professional gamer so I really don't care.
BTWm I love when they say "mil'spec'ed" like that somehow converys indestructibility. What is it mil-specced to: 30 below zero?" If so, I know of some bloggers in Antarctica that would love this glove :)
Keep it in the parka and not fumble around with keys,.

[brentbaier Posted Dec 19th 2009 1:25AM]

@subreyes94 Yes there is persistence in touch. You can actually set the repeat rate just like you adjust the keyboard repeat rate. When you hold a point down it keeps making characters.

This version isn't designed for macros but you could easily set it up to do macros using third party software. Our reason for no macros was so that the PEREGRINE wouldn't be disqualified for gaming tournament use. (Don't you love how I capitalize PEREGRINE all the time? It's like I am just talking then yell PEREGRINE!!! and switch back to normal hehe)

Our military spec is actually on the sensors themselves. The finger sensors were designed so that a person could dig a ditch or climb a rope while wearing the glove and the sensors wouldn't break. They are VERY tough. The fabric on the military gloves is more durable and bulky, like leather and stuff. I wish I could find indestructible military grade Lycra hehe That being said, it would work well in cold weather too although this particular model isn't designed for that. :)

Hope this answers your questions, thanks for your interest.

[Wwhat Posted Dec 18th 2009 7:25PM]

Looks like a cute gadget, and one were some thought went into it, if the price is right it's interesting but there's a concern, will it come in a righthanded model for lefties? There's a large number of lefthanded people and there will be people who would just prefer this on 'the other' hand.
I like how it also has ventilation btw, that's well thought of, the detachable magnetic, the ventilation, the washability, and 3 sizes, all pretty clever.
One bummer is the price though, it's a bit steep for an incidental gaming device at $130 pre-order and an extra $20 retail, but on the other hand, it gives some exclusivity and if it's quality materials then it might be worth it if you are interested into such a device, it would not be nice to pay let's say $60 and have the thing fall apart after a month, but still, the gaming crowd has a limited budget.

[brentbaier Posted Dec 19th 2009 1:37AM]

@Wwhat Cute?! Don't you mean deadly awesome!? lol j/k

I hear you man, we will eventually be rolling out a right handed glove for the lefties who use the mouse with their left hand. For our initial models we had to stick to a limited number of SKU / versions to keep manufacturing complexities reasonable. We aren't a mega corporation like Sony or something, but as we grow we will be able to offer new types of gloves, and right handed is definitely in the works. Maybe one day we could even launch a Hello Kitty glove...awesome!

If you take good care of it this thing will last you a long time. The pod is nigh indestructible. The glove itself should last quite a while if you don't abuse it, but if something happens replacement gloves will be available for around $30 or $35 dollars.

I know people have a limited budget, I wish it could be cheaper but we put tons of work into this and manufacturing fabrics and electronics integrated together ain't easy! Like anything, as our manufacturing volume increases the price point should drop a bit. I have asked myself --- would I pay $130 - $150 for this? As I click away with my $100 gaming mouse I know the answer. :) Once you have tried it, I think you will find it to be worth it. And nothing is cooler than making an A-Ok sign or thumbs up to finish your enemy off :)

Thanks for your insightful comments, I hope this helped.

[Raziel66 Posted Dec 19th 2009 2:55AM]

Brent, I see you are back again :)

Random question for you! In an old Engadget article about the Peregrine you offered me a free one... just curious if that offer is still good?

[brentbaier Posted Dec 19th 2009 3:03AM]

@Raziel66 Totally remember you, got your name on my to-do list, packaging is just finishing printing, you will not be forgotten! (Don't anyone else ask for a freebie, this was a one of a kind :)

[brentbaier Posted Dec 19th 2009 3:05AM]

@Raziel66 Totally remember you, you are still on my to-do list, packaging is finishing printing and I will get it to you my friend. (Don't anyone else ask for a freebie, this is a one of a kind) :)

[Raziel66 Posted Dec 19th 2009 3:24AM]

@brentbaier Thanks Brent! I'm definitely excited about the Peregrine, can't wait to try it out!

[kLid Posted Dec 19th 2009 2:57AM]

This is one sick product. I'm actually looking forward to give it a try one day hopefully =]

[Alaind Posted Dec 19th 2009 6:54AM]

Hey !

Nice product and well designed ! ONLY one thing ! Why not go wireless since this is a keyboard HID ?

Just snap on a bluetooth module and batteries !

[superaj Posted Dec 19th 2009 11:43AM]

Looks awesome. Looks like it would be great for MMO use. I'll have to get one!

[SkyWay Posted Dec 19th 2009 4:04PM]

Damn, now to get the guys at the game studio I'm working for interested. A room full of artists with these could be a scary sight :P

[incognito Posted Dec 20th 2009 6:41AM]

No glove, no love!

[Jacinth Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:19AM]

Lol... Standard HIV keyboard drivers...

[Bash23 Posted Dec 21st 2009 2:00PM]

That looks like it would be extremely uncomfortable to use.