Imagine a world where the “digital world” merged with the “physical world”. Combine a mini-lcd projector, a ccd camera, a cell phone, and a micro-processor in a device the size of an iTouch. And then add software that support “multi-touch gestures”. What you get is the vision of Pranav Mistry (a MIT professor) for what he calls a “sixth sense” device. Check out the video presentation on TED.com (or click on the link below in the article).
The vision of Pranav is mind blowing. Imagine projecting a number pad on your hand and dialing your phone with your fingers. Imagine converting a blank piece of paper into a gaming device. What he has done is expand the vision and role of computers beyond the “devices” into something that is ubiquitous and integrated into the real world.
The implications of his breakthroughs, and whether they are “ready for market” can be debated. But you need to see these videos to regain the “gee wiz” about computers. He gives new meaning to “gestures”. Just as the invention of the mouse and the GUI (graphical user interface) revolutionized computing in the last 3 decades, so to will the gesture technology put into concrete form by Pranav revolutionize computing in the next fee decades. Check it out.