Computer interfaces are getting weird. Just when I’m starting to get used to my keyboard, DARPA introduces a tongue interface. Right now it’s for front line soldiers but it will show up in your mouth soon enough. They have a saying in the army: “In my mouth today, in your mouth tomorrow.” I’m not sure if that’s about computers but it applies.
This doohickey will allow us to keep our hands free for other things. Like pumping our fists to someone’s favorite song on Myspace. Or twiddling thumbs. Does anyone still do that? Did anyone ever twiddle their thumbs? If so, why?
But I digress. The problem with tongue based interfaces is that I, like most people, drink coffee, eat popcorn, smoke, shout at my cats and generally use my mouth for other things. Even while I’m on the computer. With every sip of my breakfast martini, can I now expect my computer to go berserk? I hope not. Given the choice between my computer and my breakfast martini, the computer can go straight to hell. If anyone is going to go berserk around here, it will be me.
2 comments
HBH
April 26, 2006 at 3:17 pm (UTC -5)
I really need to get my hands on a tongue like that.
Marcia
April 26, 2006 at 11:55 pm (UTC -5)
that tongue kind of scares me. And kind of intrigues me.