Using a front facing camera like the one built into the HTC EVO, an Israeli company adds an amazing interface to control the Android OS and applications.
eyeSight Mobile Technologies develops software that uses a phone’s camera as a way to interface with the phone. For instance, a hand jesture over the camera could mean you want to swipe to the next picture in a photo gallery. Or hand gestures can be used to play video games. Or navigate GPS maps. Or go to the next email. (Video demonstrations below do it more justice).
eyeSight has been working on Nokia, who have had front side cameras for a year, but only has four apps to show for it including the hugely important “Fart Control,” according to Engadget.
That may change with the just-announced ‘eyeSight libraries for Android’ as there is a much more thriving development community attached to the platform, which just passed 70,000 apps in the Android Market.
Google (GOOG) could make eyeSight’s technology more mainstream and more attractive to developers by officially licensing it, and including it in their SDK or even an outright purchase of the company.
“A good technology is an invisible one. eyeSight’s Touch Free Interface technology for Android-based devices introduces exactly that — a new level of interaction that is natural, intuitive and simple to use,” said Itay Katz, eyeSight’s Founder & CEO. “Users are looking for ways to ease, improve and enjoy their day to day interaction with their mobile phone, ideally aiming to gain effortless control of the device’s applications and functions, which is where eyeSight’s solution comes to place.”
eyeSight divides its technology into two separate platforms:
eyeCan – enables a Touch Free Interface to phone applications. A simple hand gesture will silent an incoming call, navigate between GPS menus, activate the MP3 player and more. eyeCan software allows intuitive interaction with many of the mobile phone’s applications and functions.
eyePlay – control mobile games using Real Life hand motions in front of the phone’s camera. Throw a ball, catch a boomerang, block an enemy with your shield or even control the speed of your hit in tennis. All this is possible and more using eyePlay software.
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Apple (AAPL) has applied for a patent on a more a more rudimentary application use for this type of technology.