Leap Motion is sure to impress at holiday get-togethers

Special to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette - 11-01-2013 - The Leap Motion controller allows users to control apps on their computer with just a wave of the hand. The controller works with the latest Windows and Mac operating systems.

Special to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette - 11-01-2013 - The Leap Motion controller allows users to control apps on their computer with just a wave of the hand. The controller works with the latest Windows and Mac operating systems.

Monday, November 4, 2013

I have a reputation among my family and friends of dazzling them with some odd or high-tech toy at holiday gatherings.

Surprising, I know. And, with several get-together opportunities coming up, I’m prepared to do some serious dazzling this year. Last week, I found just the product with which to do it.

The Leap Motion system is just the gadget to elicit oohs and aahs from just about anyone. The crux of the Leap Motion system is the controller, a rectangular device about the shape of a pack of gum, and only slightly bigger. It has a glass top and a rubber bottom. It comes with a USB cord to plug it into a Windows or Mac computer.

The Leap Motion allows users to control their computers. With the right apps, a user can move the cursor, play a few games or zoom around Google Earth. Doesn’t sound like much, does it? Did I mention you do all this with just a wave of your hand?

Leap Motion controls the computer using hand gestures, rather than moving a mouse or sliding fingers over a track pad. The controller works in conjunction with Airspace, which organizes apps that work with Leap Motion. Airspace includes a store where users can download apps for free or for a fee.

The controller gets users started with an orientation program. It allows users to figure out exactly how and where to move their hands to get the best results. I found that the controller works best if you’re several inches away. The sensor doesn’t read as well if your hands are right over it.

The controller includes several free apps, including a screensaver that simulates water (and creates waves as you move your hands over it). It also has a couple of games and a program to help orient users further with the Leap Motion system.

The Leap Motion won’t work perfectly right off the bat.

It will take some practice to figure out how to get the motions to do what you want. Once a user has it down, though, the Leap Motion is a blast to use. I probably had the most fun using it with Google Earth. Those who have used this program know how you can “fly” over the Earth, or even Mars, using the mouse. Imagine using it by tilting and waving your hand in the air, then making a fist to stop the movement wherever you want. Yes, it is as cool as it sounds.

Leap Motion works, with a little practice and a few dollars. The apps that allow users to control a computer properly cost money. The app I found to control the computer like you would with a mouse or trackpad was called AirInput.

The app is $3.99, and it takes a bit of time to get it to work as well as a mouse. However, it does the job, and after a while, it is kind of fun to use. The apps can be paid for with a credit card. I’d prefer to use something like PayPal, which provides a bit more protection. Unfortunately, the Airspace Store doesn’t accept PayPal.

One of the problems I found with Leap Motion is that there are different gestures for each app, and in some cases, you have to program the gestures into the apps. I think Leap Motion would work a lot better if there were universal gestures for every app.

Granted, most apps have a few basic gestures that are similar, but learning all the different gestures was a bit cumbersome.

Users who would like to see demonstrations of how the Leap Motion works can take a look at the Plus video accompanying this column. There is another video available on the “Tech Spotlight” Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ pages/Tech-Spotlight-column/143770982301273.

The Leap Motion is a lot of fun to play with, and it’s very close to being practical for everyday use. The apps need a bit of refinement first, and universal adoption would be ideal (though Hewlett-Packard has announced it will release a computer this fall with Leap Motion technology built in). I’d love to see some of the Web browsers configured for use with the Leap Motion. In the meantime, Airspace provides some great apps, both free and paid, to utilize Leap Motion.

If nothing else, Leap Motion is a great device to dazzle your family and friends over the holidays.

Melissa L. Jones can be reached via email at [email protected].

Where it’s @

The Leap Motion controller works with Windows 7 and 8 and Mac OS 10.7 and 10.8. A USB port is required. The product retails for $79.99. App prices vary. More information is available at leapmotion.com.

Business, Pages 23 on 11/04/2013