Scientists Develop Electronic Skin Sensors For Controlling Mobile Devices 12
MojoKid writes: Wearables seem to be the "Next big thing" when it comes to consumer electronics devices. But while most current devices put a new tech-infused spin on an old idea like a wristwatch, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarland University and Carnegie Mellon University are developing a different type of wearable that actually sticks to your skin. Dubbed iSkin, the silicone rubber-based product is loaded with pressure-sensitive sensors, can made into limitless sizes/shapes and safely adheres to your body. For example, iSkin can be stuck to your forearm, wrapped around your finger, or even attached to your ear. What makes iSkin interesting is that it can be used for "fast and direct control of mobile devices using touch input even when the hands are busy." The researchers see iSkin being used to control smartphone and smartwatch functions like a stopwatch during sports activities, adjusting music playback and volume, and answering phone calls.
The E-Porn Interface (Score:2)
"Next big thing"
the silicone rubber-based product is loaded with pressure-sensitive sensors, can made into limitless sizes/shapes and safely adheres to your body.
For example, iSkin can be stuck to your forearm, wrapped around your finger, or even attached to your ear.
"fast and direct control of mobile devices using touch input even when the hands are busy."
Right...people are going to use this to control their I-Pods, nothing else.
Re: (Score:2)
Internet rule 34.
Re: (Score:2)
Just like all the other times, porn and gaming will be drivers for this new technology.
Doesn't seem all that great of a concept (Score:3)
From experience, silicone rubber tends to pick up a lot of gunk really quickly - body hair, dead skin cells, dust, that kind of thing. This seems like something the manufacturer intends for people to use on a daily basis the way you might use a pair of earbuds, taking them off and putting them on several times a day. I'd be interested to see how they intend to combat the gunk buildup, as well as how they expect it to stick in the middle of summer or at the gym when sweat becomes an issue.
Re: (Score:2)
From experience, silicone rubber tends to pick up a lot of gunk really quickly - body hair, dead skin cells, dust, that kind of thing. This seems like something the manufacturer intends for people to use on a daily basis the way you might use a pair of earbuds, taking them off and putting them on several times a day. I'd be interested to see how they intend to combat the gunk buildup, as well as how they expect it to stick in the middle of summer or at the gym when sweat becomes an issue.
Exactly, bleah.
This might be good for my son, who doesn't have hands, but "wearables" do not appeal to me at all.
Pamela Anderson (Score:1)
Why is it always iSomething? (Score:2)
Are they hoping for some big payout from Apple? Can they really not conceive of a name that starts with one of the other 25 letters in the English alphabet?
What we *really* need... (Score:2)
are functional Turanga Leela armbands.