Electromagnetic Fields Offer Next Big Controller Gimmick

[Not-here-anymore]

Interesting in theory, terrifying in practice. That makes everyone (or will eventually lead to everybody being) trackable, all the time. The only way to avoid it would be to leave any remotely electronically active area (and even then you'd be found upon re-entry) or having 2 people get close enough to confuse the hell out of the system.

Actually, combine it with the increasingly sophisticated electronics we all carry on our person, and you probably end up with a near perfect system for finding out where absolutely everyone is at all times. Identification would be tricky at first, mind.

 

[spartan231490]

why? why? why? why? . . . How long will it take these people to realize that any kind of motion control is bad. It increases the delay between thought and on-screen result, this is the worst possible thing in video games. Just stop.

 

[k-ossuburb]

This makes me think of the evolution of technology recently in relation to the apparent signs of madness.

I mean, think about it. Starting off with one of the more recent bits of kit; the Bluetooth Headset, we've got people wondering around in public talking to themselves. Now we're not only going to have a bunch of people talking to their invisible friends, but they're also going to be waving their hands around presenting their invisible friends with imaginary pictures or links to a funny video while pointing at vending machines and getting confused and flustered when it gets all rude and doesn't recognize you pointing at it.

As soon as people start having actual conversations with inanimate objects through their headsets it'll be pretty difficult to tell the difference between a normal guy talking to his friend via awesome technology and then ordering a coke from a vending machine with a simple hand gesture or some madman talking to his pet invisible unicorn and expecting a vending machine to grant him wishes if he points at it for long enough.

PS. I should point out I'm only being half-serious about this, I think it's a great idea, I just found the comparison amusing when it occurred to me.

 

[gunner1905]

If you want a motion controller with magnetic fields there's already one
http://www.razerzone.com/minisite/hydra

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

As soon as people start having actual conversations with inanimate objects through their headsets it'll be pretty difficult to tell the difference between a normal guy talking to his friend via awesome technology and then ordering a coke from a vending machine with a simple hand gesture or some madman talking to his pet invisible unicorn and expecting a vending machine to grant him wishes if he points at it for long enough.

This is why I'm all in favour of issuing streetwalking mad people with bluetooth headsets as part of a social integration project focusing on the destigmatisation of mental health issues.

 

[Findlebob]

Coz you cant get up and walk to it. It will be handy for criples but other than that.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Interesting in theory, terrifying in practice. That makes everyone (or will eventually lead to everybody being) trackable, all the time. The only way to avoid it would be to leave any remotely electronically active area (and even then you'd be found upon re-entry) or having 2 people get close enough to confuse the hell out of the system.

You can already buy clothing that has farraday meshing weaved in. It's for people who work in high EM radiation environments and also for those who feel tinfoil hats just aren't cutting it anymore.

 

[Antari]

Looks like the finally found a use for the Theremin outside of hollywood.

 

[Ddgafd]

Here we go again...

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Again, that sounds badass, maybe my dreams of being able to say "TV ON" will come true.

For people with excess amounts of money to spend on avoiding getting off their arse, that sort of tech has been around for a while now.

 

[RA92]

Yahtzee must be thrilled.

 

[SteakHeart]

F*CKING MAGNETS HOW DO THEY WORK

OT: Using my hands to control everything and interacting on a virtual reality kinda level actually sounds pretty awesome. Although I'm wondering how much an electromagnetic device might cost.

 

[Baldr]

Get to the real stuff. Force-Feedback tactile gloves is needed and they already exist. Wanna pet your kinectimal? Feel it fur in your hands or it tongue lick you? How about hold an imaginary gun that you can feel the wood of the stock or measure the ease of the trigger, is it a hair trigger or does it require a good squeeze? The feel the kickback when it goes off.

 

[Eolon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnZeI8uLJnw&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

You mean like this. I'm calling another failure, kinect sold more to modders than gamers.
Oh yeah, i think there was something like this on the NES. Correct me if I'm wrong, please.

PS: How do you put links?

 

[fierydemise]

So Microsoft is building a theremin?