After a delay that saw the Leap Motion release pushed from May to July, the company is now working on the final preparations for its touch-free motion tracking device that allows users to control computers via hand gestures.
As of this week, the Leap Motion beta will be expanded, giving more than 10,000 developers access to a new developer portal (via CNET) and a new app discovery platform, known as Airspace. When Leap Motion launches, the company plans to have approximately 100 apps from different companies in its app store, though some of those will be for Windows while some will be for Mac.
Developers who are part of the beta, or those who access the developer portal, will see that the company is offering two APIs that it had not previously disclosed publicly, one that tracks users’ palms, even when they turn their hands over, and another designed to track users when they grip with their hands.
The APIs available for developers include support for both Windows 8 and Mac OS X and allow access basic tools like scrolling, zooming, and pointing and clicking. There's also an advanced set of controls that provide access to more complex operations.
Last week, Leap Motion paired up with Highland Capital Partners to launch the Leap Fund, a $25 million investment that is designed to fund future development on the platform.
Leap Motion is expected to be released on July 22.
Top Rated Comments
HAHAHAAHA I cannot fathom this question. Maybe I see the brilliance of it because I have kid brothers that are in lower elementary school. This isn't a toy for adults (though it could be) its a toy for kids. Its the hot wheels of this generation. If you question its potential success, take a look at the $1 billion revenue brought in in a years time by Activision's Skylanders game. Similar market, same trade/collect potential.
That sneak peak of ankai was not a preview of a glossy point-of-sale product, it was a glimpse into the future of play. I don't think, in the end, advances like the leap will be as impactful in the long term as ai + robot interface.
Innovation is guided by consumer interest, if you can't make a hot product, it doesn't matter how brilliant or groundbreaking it is, it needs to be "massively marketable" to really shape the future of tech. Leap has a longer way to go to accomplish that than Ankai, and of course, I am of the opinion that Ankai's tech and philosophy is more profoundly impactful -- even if it is disguised in a familiar and "silly" package.
Just my thoughts.
Except that this wasn't a Kickstarter project.
The cars were a proof-of-concept on what an AI program can do in real life; imagine them cars as full-size cars on a real road.
Still better than touch screen and like all new things this is optional.
I would have loved it if Apple has bought the rights and started putting it into the iMac and maybe laptops and the new LED to go with the next Mac Pro.
My biggest gripe with the 27" iMac is keeping the screen clean, with over 2500 square centimeters to keep clean the last thing I want it finger prints. Also I've notice just how easily the screen moves when cleaning, I'd be for ever cleaning and setting the right angle!
Is anyone planning on getting those cars? Is anyone planning on getting this? Is anyone planning on developing for this? (I'm thinking about this - the car is silly, end of story.)
The point of the "silly" cars wasn't to show off a potential revolution to the R/C car industry. It was to show how powerful the iPhone (and entire iOS platform) can be. The AI behind the cars is impressive given that it's all based off a mobile phone. The research gone into developing this AI system opens doors to all sorts of applications where the main "brain" can be a modern smart phone instead of a traditional desktop or specialized embedded computer.
Sure the application may be a little "silly" in your opinion, but if you take the time to understand the technology behind the "silly" cars, you will really gain an appreciation for the iOS platform.