HP is the first computer maker to integrate this kind of technology into one of its devices, a special feature that will probably catapult its new ENVY17 ahead of the pack.
The technology
To make this ambitious undertaking possible, HP partnered with San Francisco-based hardware startup Leap Motion. The company is the maker of Leap Motion controller, a small USB peripheral device that uses sophisticated motion-sensing technology to track finger gestures and enable human-computer interaction. Nintendo's Wii was actually the pioneer of this technology; Microsoft improved it further later on with Kinect. It was Leap Motion that pushed the envelope and brought this technology to the next level when it unveiled its much more advanced and sensitive 3D motion control system in 2012. While Kinect's ability to sense body movements makes it great for fighting, dancing, and sports games, its sensing capacity falls short of the precision and accuracy required to detect subtle motions. Leap's 3D motion control system, on the other hand, is more precise and 200 times more sensitive with a hundredth of a millimeter accuracy, so it has the power to detect even the most subtle finger movements.
This is the same technology that is built into the HP ENVY17. Prior to incorporating it into the ENVY17's system, the technology could only be used with a Leap controller plugged into a computer's USB port. In January 2013, Leap Motion partnered with Asus and launched its first bundling deal. A number of Asus computers were packaged with Leap controllers, but the actual embedding of the technology directly into a device didn't come into fruition until the hardware startup struck a deal with HP. The partnership is Leap Motion's first embedding deal; it also demonstrates that the technology can be made into any size and still perform as efficiently. The technology that is embedded into the HP ENVY17 is approximately 70 percent thinner than the existing one. Leap Motion CEO and co-founder Michael Buckwald has this to say about the reduction in size of the gesture-control technology: "We have a new, very small embedded module, which is about 70 percent thinner than the existing components in Leap Motion. But it also has the same performance as the existing motion controller." According to Leap Motion COO Andy Miller, the technology is also "pretty flexible" and capable of being embedded into virtually any device, whether it's a "smartphone or a PC".
The specs
An Intel Core i7 CPU, an 8GB RAM, and a 1 TB 5,400 RPM hard drive are just some of the noteworthy specs of the 17.3-inch Leap Motion-integrated device. These basic configurations are enough to enable the ENVY17 to run and load at a faster rate than most laptops its league. The device also has enough space for two drives, and optional upgrades like a full HD display and Nvidia graphics card are available for better and sharper visuals that are perfect for gaming, VoIP video calling, and watching movies. It comes with a 3.5-mm high Leap Motion microsensor. Buckwald put into words perhaps the most suitable and succinct description of the ENVY17: "… designed for people who are looking for a new notebook and interested in having the latest technology." It will hit stores sometime this fall, with a price tag of $1,049.99.
The embedding pact is indeed a milestone for both Leap Motion and HP. This will hopefully lead to the development of more motion control-powered devices from other computer makers in the near future.
Author Bio
Monique Jones is an Engineer who deals with telephone systems. Besides being an Engineer, she also works as a part time writer. She helps her colleagues and other people about their communication issues, giving effective solutions to address their needs.
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