The Leap Motion Controller Is a Tiny Gadget Poised to Change Computing

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The Leap Motion Controller is small but powerful. It has yet to ship but, if it works as advertised, it will change computing forever. That’s not hyperbole. I mean, seriously, the Leap promises to let you scroll by simply waving your hands, use your finger as a gun while playing a first person shooter or draw by waving a pencil IN FRONT of the screen while never actually touching it… how cool is that?

Sure, it looks and sounds a bit like Microsoft Kinect on speed, but that’s not a bad thing. Here’s how the company describes their invention.

For the first time, you can control your computer in three dimensions using just your hand and finger movements and Leap Motion enabled software. We know, it sounds too good to be true. But that’s what we specialize in around here.

And here’s a look at it in action.

Paul from Technabob showed me the Leap over coffee this morning, and I couldn’t help but place a pre-order for the $69.99 device. Developers are actively being solicited for app development which suggests the final product is close to release. Let’s hope so since I can’t wait to get my hands on this… and off the keyboard. Pre-orders are currently being accepted here.

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.

4 Comments on "The Leap Motion Controller Is a Tiny Gadget Poised to Change Computing"

  1. This is a really fascinating concept. I’m pre-ordering as well as I’m really curious if this will work as well as suggested with Windows 8. If this takes off, it could have a HUGE impact on personal computing the way capacitive touchscreens changed user interfaces.

  2. Wow. Intriguing!

  3. I’ve been looking at one of these for awhile. My boyfriend said he pre-ordered one awhile back. (I think?) I would really like one since I’ve had problems with my hands from an MS flare I had last summer.

  4. Peter Schott | January 16, 2013 at 9:40 am |

    Definitely looks interesting, though not sure I have the spare funds sitting around to pre-order. I’ll definitely keep an eye on this one. I can see it being really useful with Windows 8 if it works.

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