The Future PC as a Set of Pens?

Strudelkugel writes "The Wave Report covers a concept PC that NEC is working on, called P-ISM. (Maybe the name doesn't work, but it looks cool.) The design concept uses five different pens to make a computer. One pen is a CPU, another a camera, one creates a virtual keyboard, another projects the visual output and thus the display and another a communicator (a phone). All five pens can rest in a holding block which recharges the batteries and holds the mass storage. Each pen communicates wirelessly with the others."

Comments

Power Rangers Bastardization

[DarkHelmet]

Five pens put together.. Do they do ninja moves Power Rangers style?
Just imagine, one pen a different color (Red, Blue, Black, Yellow and Pink).

Camera!
Virtual Keyboard
Output!
Phone!
CPU!

I can imagine there would also be Green, Purple and White pens. These would be evil addon pens.

I can't imagine what they'd fight against. It would be the lamest thing since Gumby.

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[Anonymous Coward]

I can't imagine what they'd fight against.

Um.. Voltron?
"And I'll form... the head!"

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[thelasttemptation]

So when I get 15, do I get to join the pen 15 club?

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[thestarz]

I can't imagine what they'd fight against.

Pencils?

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[physicsboy500]

No, no you,ve got it all wrong It's: with their powers combined they become: CAPTAIN PLANET

the first pens that are capable of hugging trees on their own, and you thought your show was lame!

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[Anonymous Coward]

Someone needs to take less crack in the morning. This is not going to be the future of anything except toys for the rich.

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[gwayne]

I can imagine there would also be Green, Purple and White pens. These would be evil addon pens.

Funny. Aren't those the colors of the Windows logo?

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[Anonymous Coward]

Hey man, only one guy got the power of 'heart'.

What a sucker.

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[akadruid]

...Green, Purple and White...Aren't those the colors of the Windows logo?

I think you need a new 'display' pen...

either that or your display pen is using WEP... i should check for a SMTP server on it... you might be peddling gen.er.ic V!I!A!G!R!A! to the world...

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[darc]

Yes, but like the power ranger toys, they'd 'upgrade' all the hardware every three months so you'd need a completely different set of interlocking parts to keep up with the tv show.

Our lovely graphics card industry wouldn't dare do that to us!

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[austad]

Word on the street is that Sun is working on a Java implementation of it called J-ISM.

Thanks, I'll be here all week.

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[Asterisk]

He should at least upgrade to EGA...

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[argStyopa]

The prototype version is of course the PRE(a)PISM.

It's expected to be hard to use.

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[Anonymous Coward]

They would fight against swords.
Now we get to really see if the pen is mightier.

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[jred]

What are you talking about? Gumby rocks!

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[SuDZ]

Yeah sure go ahead and make fun of Captain planet. Just like everyone else does when they find the theme song on my MP3 player.

SuDZ

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[Anonymous Coward]

Now helmets on each head
awaiting the first lead
The pageant is named
the pencil rain

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[Chris Mattern]

J-ISM? No such thing. There's only X-ism, A-ism and V-ism.

Chris Mattern

Re:Power Rangers Bastardization

[serial frame]

(quite offtopic) rofl. Capcom geek hug. ^_^

Chew, chew, chew

[Reinout]

Cool, finally a computer I can chew on!

Reinout

Re:Chew, chew, chew

[danormsby]

How shocking!

Re:Chew, chew, chew

[Snart Barfunz]

To make up for the lack of front-panel mounted drinks holder, you can stir your coffe with your CPU. And if your hard drive sticks, you can stick it in your ear and lubricate it with some wax. Bad news when you lose the SQL server down the back of the couch though.

Re:Chew, chew, chew

[CrazyBusError]

Then again, all you need to make your own Beowulf cluster is an elastic band.

I can just see it now. An office stationary cupboard becomes self-aware and takes over the world with the aid of the geometry section of the local office suppliers and a couple of sets of Hot-Wheels...

Hey! That's My pen!!!

[Sir.Cracked]

And you think you get pissed off now when someone walks off with one of your pens....

I'm reminded of the old Kids in the Hall sketch. "Hey, That's my pen!!!"

A little too out there....

[Anonymous Coward]

The take up for this sort of thing will be very bad.

Make it 5 pocket protectors instead

[Anonymous Coward]

If you want to sell to geeks, you have to know your market

Re:Make it 5 pocket protectors instead

[*weasel]

Static bag pocket protectors - be the first geek on the block to properly protect your new portable!

Looks neat, but

[lavalyn]

I can't see the keyboard taking off. I don't know about you, but I like feeling the keys putting up resistance and knowing that I pressed the keys correctly. Well, that's what they've said so far about the infrared projector keyboard, and I certainly don't see anybody using those.

That projector pen would definitely be nice though, I hope they make it project far and wide (and sharp).

Re:Looks neat, but

[Bushcat]

You don't have to use the keyboard exclusively. It just has to be one of the options available to you at any given moment.

Secondly, there are a lot of "keyboards" out there that don't have any tactile feedback yet sell well enough: think of touchscreen ticket machines, for example (ooh er, perhaps there aren't any in the US since there's precious little public transport).

Also, consider decoupling the projector mechanism from the detector: the projected keyboard is simply a guide for the operator. The detector is a robust, solid-state item that can be made extremely rugged. The "keyboard" could be etched on steel for vandal-proof phones with internet access keyboards, for example. Or keypads in extreme temperature/chemical environments. They don't have to be one of NEC's never-see-the-light-of-day toys.

Finally, the sensor doesn't have to be configured as a keyboard at all. It could be a mousepad area, where you don't need a mouse: any object would do.

Re:Looks neat, but

[BoneFlower]

Without tactile feedback it is impossible to use a keyboard effectively without looking at it. I can detect typos by the feel of the keys, I know when I hit the wrong one. without tactile feedback, I'll be looking at what I'm doing rather than what I'm typing from. That slows me down a lot.

No-feedback keyboards have a place, but not for general use.

Re:Looks neat, but

[nutznboltz]

think of touchscreen ticket machines, for example (ooh er, perhaps there aren't any in the US since there's precious little public transport)

There's plenty of them in movie theaters in the US.

Virtual keyboards are so 2002...

Re:Looks neat, but

[HoldmyCauls]

I'm surprised at this. I figured more of the /. crowd was used to typing while looking at the screen. Isn't that the *best* way to know you typed what you meant? Don't you need to know that the *computer* knows that you meant to call the function certainFunction() instead of reference the array cwrtinFunctin[]?

Just typing this, I must have hit the 'i' key 4 or 5 times incorrectly, but you'll notice no typos after I hit "Submit" because I can see what comes up on the screen in *realtime* rather than stare at the keys until I'm done and then search for the typo in the paragraph-stack (I'm a good speller always, but a bad punner on Monday mornings). Then again, this does explain the massive amount of errors in /. posts...

Much love all the same!

Re:Looks neat, but

[ClubStew]

(ooh er, perhaps there aren't any in the US since there's precious little public transport).

Jackass, we have tons of those things around for other things besides public transportation, of which he have a considerable share. Most people here have their own cars.

Touchscreens are used for numerous things. Recently, I was at a restaurant where even the waitresses had a touch-screen at their station. Many restaurants have them. General merchants like Wal-Mart and Target use them at every check-out counter for credit and debit card users. Most larger banks use them in their ATMs. They're everywhere.

So quit your antagonistic and mindless drivel and don't forget who invented touchscreens - and where.

Re:Looks neat, but

[Anonymous Coward]

save it... he's a marine :-P

Re:Looks neat, but

[darkgreen]

I think the argument here isn't that the user needs the keyboard to be tactile /instead/ of looking at the screen, but in addition.

Especially for situations where I've made notes elsewhere, or I'm following direction from someone else, I'm frequently looking at printed copy while I'm typing. Finding my place constantly in two separate places is not as fast as being able to keep a constant flow going.

I agree that it's nice to see the mistakes as you type them, but I find that my muscle memory tells me my fingers have made a mistake /before/ my eyes register the same mistake.

tactile feedback will always be a good part of an interface - not always practical, but certainly useful. I don't always look at my phone when I dial, and I'm not looking at the display when I'm checking my voicemail - If there were no contours to the buttons, and confirmation of button presses, it would still be usable, but not as much so.

think about the rash of flat keyboards that were attempted in the 80s with calculators and even computer keyboards. Other than form-factor goodness, there hasn't been much change from the style of keyboard - there's still a need for distinct buttons, and a definite button-press.

Re:Looks neat, but

[Ateryx]

I figured more of the /. crowd was used to typing while looking at the screen. Isn't that the *best* way to know you typed what you meant?

Of course reviewing the text that you type is the best way to correct typos and errors. However, when deeply thinking and typing at 60+ words per minute its much easier (at least for me) to tactilly feel the mistype of your finger hitting the wrong key than to see it on the screen. Additionaly, you might notice as you type you say the words in your head as well, and by the time you have mistyped the word, you're mind is already on the next word, so without the tacticial feeling of error, it makes it much harder to correct as you go vs. previewing, reviewing, submitting.

Then again, this does explain the massive amount of errors in /. posts...

I think you could also attribute that to laziness, forgetting to preview, not being able to spell in the first place, and just general stupidity.

Re:Looks neat, but

[Anonymous Coward]

(ooh er, perhaps there aren't any in the US since there's precious little public transport)

It's easy to poke fun at the US public transportation system when your country is as big as a typical American back yard.

Re:Looks neat, but

[PhilipMatarese]

You look at the screen to see that the right letter was hit, but you feel the click of the keyboard to know that you can pick your finger up and hit another key.

Re:Looks neat, but

[galtenberg]

Why not actually use the pen for input? There are pens now that store and transmit handwriting to PCs for interpretation. Sure, you can't do 70 WPM with it, but most people probably couldn't with a laser keyboard, either.

I'll bet all of this has been thought of (Pressure Sensitive Pointing Device?), it's so damn obvious. But I didn't see mention of a mouse, which, again, the pen is already perfect for... either drag it along a surface, or use it as a laser pointer to aim at and interact with the projected screen.

Anyway, I'd encourage them to do all the input/interaction with one pen... writing, mouse, voice input maybe. Switching pens to do tasks would be more annoying than Atl-Tab or reaching for a mouse.

Looking forward to what an office could become with a computer like this.

Re:Looks neat, but

[HoldmyCauls]

I hate to respond to my own post, but I need to cover the lot of people who have been responding that "tactical" recognition and "motor memory" are the best indicators of mistakes.

With a projected keyboard, wouldn't one notice in the same fashion that his or her finger moved to the wrong position? And yes, it is a big learning curve, but this sounds like a device *for* people who are willing to overcome such a curve in order to put it to use.

In that case, the output device would be the only way to provide the stimulus (seeing that the wrong thing was typed) to denote the wrong action was made (finger moved to the 'e' position instead of the 'r') in order to cause the processing and memorizing apparati (whichever parts of the brain those are) to link the two.

So the device works perfectly as what it's meant to be.

Re:Looks neat, but

[elf-fire]

True for a fixed place, either office or home. But I would just love one of these devices working properly with a PDA like device while on the road. The stylus thing just does not work for me. YMMV though...

Re:Looks neat, but

[Anonymous Coward]

"Much love all the same!"

Peace out, homey! You got mad skillz, yo!

Re:Looks neat, but

[Anonymous Coward]

that doesn't really explain cities... I live in new york which itself doesn't have wonderful subways, but I am always astonished when I go to other cities at how inconvenient the transportation systems are. new york isn a perfect example of how possible it is to have decent transportation in a large american city without huge amounts of spending

Re:Looks neat, but

[dissy]

So what you will do is replace that particular pen in that hole with one that provides a wireless link (RF or IR) to a real keyboard. Wireless USB may be real soon.. bluetooth exists.. or any of the propriatary things on the market today could work for this. Choose IR over RF if your concerned about easedroping.

Re:Looks neat, but

[BoneFlower]

Looking at the screen is fine when writing code, but when typing something off a sheet of paper for a school assignment or office job, looking at what you are typing is the way to do it. Looking at the screen, back to the original, back to the screen to make sure you are typing properly slows you down immensely.

If what you are typing is all off the top of your head, then look at it, but if you are typing up something off of a hardcopy then you are wasting your time if you can't type without watching the screen.

Re:Looks neat, but

[HoldmyCauls]

So this projected keyboard would still work perfectly in accordance to your looking at the screen and a sheet of paper, rather than looking at the keys (or where they would be, in this case) in order to know what you're typing?

Re:Looks neat, but

[danila]

Detect typos? Who do you think you are, a spell checker? The computers of tomorrow will be capable of detecting common mistakes and correcting them automatically. In this particular case the P-ISM (BTW, "writing" and "letter" [message] in Russian are "pismo") might be able to understand where you think the keyboard is, based on the relative positions of the keys and on valid character sequences. E.g. if I typed "jwtviard" it would understand that I meant "keyboard", but missed the keys.

Check out As-U-Type, a nice piece of software that fixes spelling mistakes in any Windows application (or underlines them with red, which doesn't work in Opera, though...). That's the kind of technology that may be helpful to P-ISM users.

P.S. There may be errors in this post, since As-U-Type is not compatible with another piece of software, which I use to automatically switch from Latin to Cyrillic. :(

Re:Looks neat, but

[BoneFlower]

No, it wouldn't. It would have no tactile feedback, which is how I know I've screwed up when typing off of a hardcopy. Any measures that could be taken to give it tactile feedback would defeat the purpose of having a projected keyboard.

Re:Looks neat, but

[immel]

If you want to sell these to the unwashed masses weaned on GUIs, you're going to have to include a mouse pen, too

Re:Looks neat, but

[jacobrich]

I could really go for one of those projector pens... Don't really care about the others. I'd love a WiFi connected Projector pen.

Re:Looks neat, but

[Anonymous Coward]

I usually look at the screen while I type, but if someone interrupts me, I can usually keep typing out the last thought without looking at the screen. The visual feedback is obviously useful, but with my fingers I can tell if I've hit someplace between two keys quite easily. I don't know about other people, but my fingers' motor memory can't quite guarantee perfect centering every time.

so it's more a difference between "certainFunction" and "vcertainFiunctiomn"

Re:Looks neat, but

[segmond]

You refuse to embrace change cuz you have gotten use to regular computer keyboards. This is how the old people where with computers, the prefered the feedback of a typewriter for typing paper than using a computer. Imagine giving this to an 8-10yrs old, do you think they will care? they will adjust fast, and it will become so norm, that they probably will dislike computer keyboards. Why not sound feedback? everything you hit a key, the pen beeps?

Re:Looks neat, but

[Talinom]

No matter what they do with the pen computer, however, I predict that the hadwriting recognition will still suck.

Re:Looks neat, but

[ttilley]

my touchstream proves you wrong. ha! i just typed that without looking at the screen or my keyboard. trust me, once you get used to a way of doing things, doing it differently is what messes you up. it has nothing to do with tactile feedback. me, i'm used to the bumps on my home row and an exact positioning of my hands. plus with the ability to use this flat keyless surface as a mouse as well.... my hands rarely leave that position. of course, it would be easy to put them back to the way they should be as placing all five fingers on the surface does nothing, and allows you to search for your home row in the dark. it's easy to relax with a touchstream... i tend to have it on my lap when i'm using it, leaning back in my chair.

i cant type without it anymore... keyboards with keys confuse the hell out of my hands for a while whenever i have to use one. i think you should take a peek at fingerworks.com and see a flash demo to see what i'm talking about.

Re:Looks neat, but

[HTH NE1]

Only if the screen is projected on the source paper, or is projecting an image of the paper.

In absence of tactile feedback, you'd need to see the source and destination. Most people haven't learned how to see through each eye independently.

With tactile feedback and reading the source, you just have to worry if your hands slip away from the jp,r tpe... er, home row.

An ideal sixth, OCR pen would be nice instead, that can read any text, including all forms of handwriting.

Re:Looks neat, but

[Ieshan]

I tend to hold my fingers just a hair off the keys to begin with, and I've typed this entire message with my eyes closed.

People need little tactile feedback while writing via pen, I'd be willing to guess that you could type nearly letter perfect if given a desk and an infrared keyboard.

Which brings me to my next point, I think it'd be phenomenal if someone would invent gloves that would record my hand movements and keylog, and after a very long time of collecting data, let me type on the surface of anything and judge the letters by the twitches in my hands.

Re:Looks neat, but

[RevAaron]

But as they point out, this is just a prototype.

Think about it man- in the final version, the keyboard won't be that small. The kb projector will project a keyboard that is approximately 2.5 by 1 meters; you will have the option of either punching or stomping on a key, depending on your own setup. With this configuration, the whole tactile feedback problem solves itself.

Re:Looks neat, but

[HoldmyCauls]

So the problem would be asking the input device to recognize the difference between pressing one key pressing two keys? In other words, the functionality already involved in the device would merely have to be tweaked? Not only that, but assuming you only press one key at a time with a finger, like most people, the tweak involved would be one of the following:

keep track of how many fingers are still
beep if unsure which key was meant to be pressed (not the most elegant solution, but goes with the conditioning needed to mount the learning curve)
figure the key to which your finger was closest is the correct one

It's kind of sad to hear all these lame excuses not to adopt a new technology in a forum where I would expect to find some who revel in climbing these kinds of little mountains.

Looks somebody watches 80's anime.

[Anonymous Coward]

This is just the sort of inprobable usefully useless technology I'd expect to see make the Anime to reality jump.

Sounds interesting, but goofy.

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll stick to my CRTs and AT-style keyboards, thanks.

We've come full circle...

[chinton]

You will once again be able to identify a geek by his pocket protector.

Re:We've come full circle...

[elwell642]

Perhaps... but the scarier thing will be that you *won't* be able to identify the undercover geeks.

Meet Jim, your average cubicle-dweller. But this is a very different type of cubicle... there's no computer! But wait! What's this? Jim seems to be powering up his pen collection! And his necktie is a printer!

Re:We've come full circle...

[qkw]

I don't want to know where the flatbed scanner is...

Pocket Protector Commandoes GO!

[Halloween Jack]

Ichihashi-son used as inspiration James Bond and the future of what technology could be. But Ichihashi-son stated that this is closer to reality than what appears in the 007 movies.

I think he used the Revenge of the Nerd movies. Next up: the slide-rule server.

Re:first

[Anonymous Coward]

Doh off by a minute!

=P

Anyway, at the rate people lose their pens, this is probably not too great...

Needless to say: NO, you CANNOT borrow my pen!

Just what we need

[SFEley]

As often as I lose pens...

Re:Just what we need

[Ateryx]

As often as I lose pens...

As someone who used to lose 2-5 pencils on a daily basis, I found the best way to train yourself not to lose your pencil/pen is to train yourself not to leave it places. Sounds obvious? Yes, but it was the only way I stopped stealing/spending money on pencils on a weekly basis (especialy if you like the $5 PhD ones).

Try this:
Only carry one pen with you when at work. Keep your backup supply in your desk, or if you're at your desk all day, in a drawer that requires work to get to (across room/cubicle). This trains you attune to where your pencil is all the time because it is a pain in the ass to go get another one.

Hope this helps, it was the only thing other than physically tying the pen to my belt via long string (which got in the way) that worked for me.

No Thanks

[UncleBiggims]

People borrow pens without returning them all the time. I don't wnat someone to fo' shizm my P-ISM.

Are you Corn Fed?

Re:No Thanks

[nealrs]

do you even know what that means? 'fo shism my P-ISM' nothing! a poorly constructed slang phrase with no inherent meaning.

do ANY of you actually know the root of "shizzle" etc? of course not. you racists. and here i thought geeks would be the MOST accepting. oh well.

Re:No Thanks

[UncleBiggims]

According to urbandictionary.com, "fo' shizzle" means "for sure". Shizzle can also mean the "s" word, but NOT if used with "fo'". It's "nizzle" that should be avoided by white people.

Besides, my post was just a play on words. Notice I used "shizm" and not "shizzle". And yes, there is no inherent meaning... it just sounded funny to me.

I wonder

[Anonymous Coward]

How much you can overclock a pen. I guess it depends on how hot it runs.

Re:I wonder

[millahtime]

"How much you can overclock a pen. I guess it depends on how hot it runs.

If it gets to hot I wouldn't want that pen in my front pants pocket.

Re:I wonder

[thelasttemptation]

or how fast you can write...

Re:I wonder

[prestomation]

"How much you can overclock a pen. I guess it depends on how hot it runs.

If it gets to hot I wouldn't want that pen in my front pants pocket.

I would.

Mmmmmm

Even Better Than That

[Alan Partridge]

If they make these pens look like crystals, we can start living it up in out own personal fortresses of solitude!

Re:Even Better Than That

[Afrosheen]

Yeah you think it'll be a nice fortress of solitude until some Sleestaks come and tweak the damn things every day. Before you know it they'll do an 'emerge dinosaurs and bad 70's actors' and all hell with break loose.

voice recognition

[fgb]

If they develop good speech recognition then they wont need a keyboard pen, the pen would then just need to be a microphone.

Re:voice recognition

[thelasttemptation]

That's right, I want a dozen people saying:
left right click click left left start run format c: enter yes enter noooooooo!!!!

Re:voice recognition

[kinnell]

If they develop good speech recognition

True. Unfortunately, people have been trying to develop good speech recognition for years, and it is still a long way from being viable as the main input method.

Re:voice recognition

[MajorG17]

I'm sure they'll come out with a separate microphone pen add-on, as opposed to replacing the keyboard one.

Re:voice recognition

[Anonymous Coward]

If I seem short sighted, it is because I stand on the shoulders of midgets

or: "If I seem a bit down, it is because I wade in the excrement of giants."

/carry on

Re:voice recognition

[Inominate]

Speech recognition will never replace the keyboard completly.

Take any action you do on a computer.
Now figure out a way to SPEAK that action, without any ambiguity. Now compare how long it takes to SAY that, with how long it takes to do via a keyboard or mouse.

Virtually every action take longer to explain than to simply DO. And the only way to have voice recognition come anywhere close is to have the computer try and guess what you mean. I don't know about anyone else, but I prefer it doing what I tell it to do, even if I occasionally make mistakes. The last thing I want is the computer misinterpreting something I said through no fault of my own.

As for simple text input, the biggest draw for voice recognition is for people who have bad or nonexistant typing skills. It is a valid issue, however it is one that as time passes becomes less and less important. Keyboard use has become ubiquitous among the young today, who will eventually push out the older people who never developed thier typing ability.

Also, can you imagine programming, or writing out abbreviations, or non-words with voice recognition?

int main left parenthesis int argc comma char asterisk asterisk argv right parenthesis left curly bracket printf left parenthesis doublequotes Hello World backslash n right parenthesis semi-colon right curly bracket

Re:voice recognition

[vidarh]

Yes, because I really want people all around me to hear exactly what I'm "writing" at any moment... And I really want to hear the e-mails and documents everyone around me are dictating...

Frankly, speech recognition has some good uses for AUGMENTING input, but it's useless as a keyboard replacement for nearly every usage area.

Re:voice recognition

[quantaq]

Due mostly to privacy, they keyboard (or some form of it) isn't disappearing anytime soon. Typing allows much more privacy than vocalizing. Passwords, sensitive letters, etc.

Re:voice recognition

[fgb]

While I don't think voice recognition is currently anywhere close to being useful for anyone but the keyboard challenged, I do think that eventually it will be good enough for general use. I don't know if eventually means within 10 years or within 100 years, but I'm sure we'll get there.

As for programming, voice recognition would be ideal, but not for any of the current crop of programming languages which are all designed to be typed and read. I would imagine programming a computer to be more like having a conversion with an intelligent agent. Of course we would not only need speech recognition but some serious AI breakthroughs.

Ya! Polymat!

Re:voice recognition

[mazarin5]

Frankly I think that Dragon can understand my accent about as well as anybody in my department.

Anyways, people often mishear other people or think they say very strange things. The best engines do that well.

I suppose the largest difference is that we know well enough to ask "Did you just say you're going to take a dyke through the woods?!", or to infer from context what the other person probably met.

Then again, do I want a computer guessing what I said? If I need precision, I suppose it's time to dust off the old keyboard...

Re:voice recognition

[yandros]

Your point is very good, but it's not the only serious problem with a primary speech-recog system. It turns out that speech systems are much more tiring to use for long periods of time than keyboards.

So, basically, speech recognition systems are:

* hard to do well (requires new tech, eats computing power)

* hard to use in many environments (they both cause and are seriously hurt by noise polution)

* harder on the majority of users (your speech apparatus gets tired faster than your hands, and the degradation makes the whole problem harder)

There are some good, nifty uses of speech recognition systems, and you're sure to see them in the future (automated phone service systems based on speech recog are starting to get really interesting, for example). `Replacing the keyboard' for complicated tasks isn't likely to be one of them any time soon, in my opinion.

Re:voice recognition

[Haeleth]

int main left parenthesis int argc comma char asterisk asterisk argv right parenthesis left curly bracket printf left parenthesis doublequotes Hello World backslash n right parenthesis semi-colon right curly bracket

I take it the syntax error is deliberate?

Re:voice recognition

[jhkoh]

[C]an you imagine programming, or writing out abbreviations, or non-words with voice recognition?

Yes. I know someone who has had to deal with severe RSI, and he says:

Programming is still more tedious with dictation because of all the symbols and nonstandard word spellings. You can define macros to help with common usage, but even so it's substantially harder to dictate programs than to type them. Nonetheless, dictation hasn't hurt my overall programming productivity that much.

Re:voice recognition

[R.Caley]

I really want to hear the e-mails and documents everyone around me are dictating...

You'd need something which picked up sub-vocalised speech. Combine that with a HUD.

Mind you, the pen idea is a dead loss. They need to put it into credit card or key sized chunks. People lose pens, but most are suitably paranoid about their wallets and keys.

Of course, if you are male and keep you keys in your front pockets, the first good DoS attack you walked through would qualify you for a Darwin award.

Re:voice recognition

[Oligonicella]

Forgot the "doublequotes" after World.

Re:voice recognition

[argStyopa]

Take any action you do on a computer.
Now figure out a way to SPEAK that action, without any ambiguity. Now compare how long it takes to SAY that, with how long it takes to do via a keyboard or mouse.

It may not replace it COMPLETELY but....

"Power on"
"Sort ...uh....hot asian lesbian cheerleader pr0n"
"Power off"

I can see a big potential in hands-free computing, and frankly, this probably wraps up what, 60% of the market and 80% of /.ers?

Re:voice recognition

[DynaSoar]

kinnell (607819) sez: "Unfortunately, people have been trying to develop good speech recognition for years, and it is still a long way from being viable as the main input method."

I see the problem here. Obviously practical fusion reactors, personal flying cars and cheap space transportation require voice input.

Even when voice input is made viable, my money says I'll still be needing a 5 pound Craftsman Ball Peen Input Amplifier to make sure I'm understood. After all, voice input is supposed to work well on people, and I frequently need my 5# CBPIA with them.

Re:voice recognition

[Anonymous Coward]

it's useless as a keyboard replacement for nearly every usage area.

How about when you're driving your car? Speech recognition and synthesis would be perfect for those long road trips.

Re:voice recognition

[danila]

Speech recognition will become useful when computers will become smart enough to do all tasks that are easier done than explained by themselves. Deleting a file is easy by pressing F8. But a system can be made such that you just don't have to delete the files, they are created, backed up, stored and retrieved without your active participation. Same with almost all other examples.

Re:voice recognition

[danila]

Frankly, speech recognition has some good uses for AUGMENTING input.
I'd rather say "EXPANDING". I often talk with people about very interesting and creative stuff, which is generated semi-randomly on the fly, and thus is impossible to recreate later in front of my computer. I would really like to have these talks recorded and transcribed automatically.

Furthermore, it is extremely wrong to think of speech recognition as a keyboard replacement, similar to existing solutions. The interfaces would have to be redesigned with the speech recognition capability in mind, not with it as afterthought (like it is in MS Office today or any other product). Menus were designed for keyboard and later modified for mouse. Using them with speech recognition is going too far.

Re:voice recognition

[Anonymous Coward]

As for simple text input, the biggest draw for voice recognition is for people who have bad or nonexistant typing skills. It is a valid issue, however it is one that as time passes becomes less and less important.

Ah, but it would also help spelling, and eliminate annoying abbreviations 2, u no.

Also, can you imagine programming, or writing out abbreviations, or non-words with voice recognition?

Well, it would make some things more interesting to use, like INITCOMMONCONTROLSEX.

Re:voice recognition

[Rares Marian]

Voice recognition is ridiculous.

Thinking and saying commands is so much slower. The speed at which people can talk as well as pay attention to what they are being told is much slower than being a ble to type and receive visual feedback.

The thing no one has mentioned yet, is the notion of removing the in-between carrier technologies (like a motherboard where there are a lof of chips doing nothing more than routing traffic as opposed to actually processing information).

For all the people likely to lose their $2000 pens I'm sure they can build larger casings.

Size

[Tarwn]

And these will be even smaller then my handheld....or not. Sure you will be able to manipulate them into differant shap[es in your pocket, but what happens on the day you forget one of your pens? And imagine all the wierd looks you'll be getting at the laundramat when you go insane, not because of the ink splotch, but because of the cost :P

Open channel D!

[kinnell]

He was really inspired by the man from u.n.c.l.e. A james bond pen would dispense acid, and have a built in laser, super electromagnet and rocket launcher.

Re:Open channel D!

[Anonymous Coward]

More fittingly, he was inspired by the Star Trek (original series) Mister Seven, Gary Seven, and his pen that would control everything wirelessly.......

Re:Open channel D!

[Anonymous Coward]

The Man With The Golden Pen-PC: he screws them all together, posts a link to Slashdot and dismantles his weapon; no-one suspects he caused the damage.

"He was always proud of his mausoleum; put him in it."

hack

[millahtime]

Wonder if I could hack the wireless connection to another persons pens at their desk.

In Brief

[Anonymous Coward]

The Japanese like building schoolgirls and molesting giant battle robots

(that's the right way round, yeah?)

R2D2

[Brahmastra]

In addition to that, there will be a little droid with pens embedded in it's head to project messages from Master Obi-wan

yea but

[WormholeFiend]

when it runs Lin---s, will we have to call it...

PdashISM?

The problem with that

[Threni]

is that `virtual keyboards` are horrible. The idea just doesn't work. I have a friend who plays the piano and you should hear the BS that people with cheap, shitty keyboards come up with when they try and get him to play the piano on their horrible $200 midi keyboards.

Re:The problem with that

[Anonymous Coward]

what does a virtual keyboard have to do with a real piano vs a midi keyboard

Re:The problem with that

[Threni]

> what does a virtual keyboard have to do with a real piano vs a midi keyboard

Both a virtual keyboard and a midikeyboard are shitty versions of what they're based on - they both have feedback mechanisms - which let you know which key you've pressed and how hard you've pressed it - which are simply not up to the job of serious typing or piano playing.

Re:The problem with that

[thelasttemptation]

So how does a $200 shitty keyboard compair with a virtual keyboard? They are different. A keyboard makes the same char no matter how you press the key, a piano makes different sounds depending on how you press a key. I just don't see how you can compair them.

Re:The problem with that

[RetroGeek]

which are simply not up to the job of serious typing or piano playing

A real piano has a feedback kick. You press the key, the key lever hits a hammer, the hammer hits the string, then BOUNCES. The bounce hits the hammer, which hits the lever, which hits your finger.

When I first played an electric piano, it sounded right, but something was missing. It was after a few months that I figured out I was missing the slight "kick" against my fingers when I hit a note.

The new high end electric keyboards have a built-in kickback. They feel MUCH better.

I also prefer real keyboards. There is a new virtual keyboard system I saw on TV a few days ago. A light displays a keyboard on any flat surface. A sensor watches where your fingers hit on that flat surface, then translate the location into the key. I would hate this as I like to have that feeling of something being depressed when I type.

Re:The problem with that

[vidarh]

Of course of those of us that actually look at the screen and not the keyboard while typing, feedback about whether or not we pressed the right key comes from what we see and not the tactile feedback anyway, so how would a virtual keyboard be a problem?

An informal "test" with a sheet of paper felt a bit strange, but my finger movements felt natural. But then I don't have a problem switching between multiple keyboard types with very different levels of feedback either.

Re:The problem with that

[Threni]

> feedback about whether or not we pressed the right key comes from what we see
> not the tactile feedback anyway, so how would a virtual keyboard be a problem?

I think we're talking about two different types of feedback. I look at the screen, not the keyboard, but obviously you can't really feel that you've hit the right key - you see it appear on the screen. But real keyboards provide a sort of cushion against the impact of hitting keys. I'm sure secretaries and other people who type all day every day would get a lot more RSI and related damaged if they were typing on their desks rather than a keyboard.

Re:The problem with that

[aastanna]

Try moving one of your hands away, as if to get a mouse, then move back to start typing again. I find I need the little nub on the J and F keys to centre my hand.

Re:The problem with that

[Haeleth]

Of course of those of us that actually look at the screen and not the keyboard while typing, feedback about whether or not we pressed the right key comes from what we see and not the tactile feedback anyway, so how would a virtual keyboard be a problem?

Well, those of us who continue to type while looking at hard copy, say, do actually rely on tactile feedback to know whether we pressed the right keys or not. Even when I'm looking at the screen I generally know I've made a typo from the feel of things before I spot it in the text. It's quite useful to be able to, for example, glance back up at the previous paragraph without having to stop typing the current one.

Re:The problem with that

[Anonymous Coward]

I would hate this as I like to have that feeling of something being depressed when I type.

I felt depressed while reading your post.

Re:The problem with that

[Anonymous Coward]

I like to have that feeling of something being depressed when I type.

I'm depressed when you type. Is that sufficient?

--Marvin the Paranoid Android

Re:The problem with that

[RetroGeek]

All these people who think they are something, rather than people.

Sad really...

Re:The problem with that

[danila]

I would hate this as I like to have that feeling of something being depressed when I type.

- I would hate to use mouse for navigation as I like to give the computer exact commands.
- I would hate to have a scroll wheel on the mouse as I can accidentally rotate it.
- I would hate to have shut down key next to the up arrow key as I might accidentally... Err, that's a valid one.

How about trying it? You don't know whether you will like it or not until you just try using it for an hour. I thought online shooters would suck on my setup, because my net connection would be too slow and the games would be too cumbersome to set up. Turns out UT2004 it's a breeze on my ADSL, easy to use and extremely addictive. Who would have known... :)

There is good tech and bad tech, but let's judge it after trying, ok?

Re:The problem with that

[RetroGeek]

Well, I have tried it. And I don't like it.

But to add to your list:
- I hate to have extra keys beside the space bar, because my thumb is trained to only go over so far....

Re:The problem with that

[Anonymous Coward]

Solution: displays the virtual keyboard on the face of a broken old keyboard and type away as usual.

pens???????

[Anonymous Coward]

i can think of better <a href="http://www.virtualstapler.com/office_space/<nobr>i<wbr></wbr></nobr> mages/milton_looks.jpg">stationery</a> to put computers in

pocket protector

[millahtime]

Can I also get a pocket protector that acts as a firewall to prevent my pens in my pocket from getting hacked?

Re:pocket protector

[FuzzyShrimp]

Buh Dump Bump - Shzzzz (rim shot)

New Sylvester Stallone movie

[JeffHeatonDotCom]

Demolition Man II. Hey, HE doesn't know how to use the five pens!!!

Jeff

What is the benefit of the CPU in a pen?

[oneiros27]

I can see the need to put the other components into a container that can be easily moved and repositioned -- but the CPU?

Unless they're planning on making a 9 slot base, so I can have the 4 I/O pens, and 5 CPU pens, I don't see a real benefit. And I'm guessing I'd see more benefit out of having the storage be more expandable than the CPU power. [I could always replace the CPU item, but having the storage segregated makes more sense to me, so I have my work documents on one, personal stuff on another, music on a third, etc.]

Re:What is the benefit of the CPU in a pen?

[nutznboltz]

When you get down to this level of miniaturization design decisions can't be arbitrary. I'm convinced that if we had more information about the product a reason for a "CPU pen" would be clear, especially if the actual contents of the "CPU pen" were known.

Re:What is the benefit of the CPU in a pen?

[mog007]

I'm more concerned with upgrades. When you want to upgrade just one componant, do you just replace the CPU pen with the new one? How does it operate at the same frequency as the other componants? If all models operate at the same frequency then a LAN party, or computer lab of these things is a big impossibility.

Re:What is the benefit of the CPU in a pen?

[cattail.nu]

Put the CPU in the base of a coffee cup so it at least keeps the coffee warm! Or maybe a coffee stirrer? Butter knife? Ice cream scoop?

Countless ways to use heat generated by a small cpu! They're really limiting themselves by putting it in a pen.

Workplace theft

[clemster]

Think how easily supplies disappear from the workplace..... this just makes it easer to fit a "box" of computers in your briefcase/purse. Clemster.

This is a good idea why?

[MadDog Bob-2]

I can't help but think this is nearly as poor a design as the three sea shells...

Re:This is a good idea why?

[Anonymous Coward]

uh, what was teh 'poor design' of the three sea shells? or are you just trying to make a movie-reference in an attempt to be hip?

Call me a traditionalist...

[WegianWarrior]

...or even a luddite, but: one creates a virtual keyboard?I happen to like the idea of having some sort of tactile feedback when I write. If I'm going to write so much on this sort of future PDA so much I need a keyboard to do it, I would much prefer either a keyboar like the Psion Series5 or a good system for transforming handwritting into input (hey, if they are going to add a camera anyway, why not put it to good use?)

Sorry NEC, but 'hammering' my fingers into the desk isn't high on my list of things to do... which isn't the same as to say that it is a stupid idea for everyone.

Re:Call me a traditionalist...

[chihowa]

a good system for transforming handwritting into input (hey, if they are going to add a camera anyway, why not put it to good use?)

When speaking of good handwriting recognition, I think the fact that a camera is included should take back seat to the fact that say...

there are 5 pens included!

Re:Call me a traditionalist...

[danila]

Did I miss something? Is retro-luddism a new IT on Slashdot? No longer favourable to bash SCO and praise Linux?

Call me a luddite, but why do we really need the next nVidia card or an Athlon CPU? Call me a luddite, but why do we need robots driving cars? Call me a luddite, but why do all those people need to go to space? Can't they just stay at home and watch TV, like God intended.

Call me an intolerant asshole, but people like you and RetroGeek make me sick, as well as those who upmoderated you. Nobody is forcing to use these products and it's not like they are using your money. So, would you please shut the fuck up and let others proceed with the progress. I would be much obliged.

Re:Call me a traditionalist...

[delphi125]

You are a luddite.

Although the PEN would have to be able to do the keyboard interface, that doesn't mean it can't do a pen interface too. Pick the pen up, and write, using long-hand or some kind of shorthand (i.e. gestures). The projector pen (of course this one needn't be pen-shaped) can be set to display what you have written where you are writing it - since the writing pen knows where it is, and thus where your hand is (calibrated for size of hand and angle the pen is held), you can even make sure your hand isn't illuminated.

The input device is the only one which has to be pen shaped; and there is no reason for it not to allow 'traditional' keyboards etc. to be slaved to it. If projection is not feasible (or desired), a cigar box model could be chosen, containing the CPU and display - if this has a touch-screen LCD, the writing could still be done easily. Alternatively, a HUD goggle could be used for video and audio feedback, perhaps with a wire to somewhere else if bluetooth next to the skull is a problem. Or a watch, though this would be less easy to write on! No reason that the pen shouldn't be able to shed ink (or heck, pencil lead) of course, either.

Where I would disagree with them is having 5 pens. Too much to lose. Of course further miniaturization requires more tech we don't quite have yet, but looking a bit further ahead with all the necessary assumptions (miniaturization in particular) how about this instead...

A normal pen, with ink for normal paper, a small CPU, rechargeable cell, some storage, bluetooth (or whatever), and a widened top - rather like an old-fashioned goose quill - which has a (LCD?) display - perhaps 7cm wide (along the length of the pen) and 3cm high, at relatively high resolution (254 dpi would be 700x300).

Remember that such a pen would use roll, pitch and yaw - put it in front of you at the right roll angle and it will scroll text in front of you at almost paperback width - although of course you can hold it and pitch, yaw, or move in any dimension for other functions. Let alone gestures.

As for everything else - including processing power beyond that required for basic browsing, those would be peripherals.

Lets assume that we can do the miniaturization, but power requirements remain a problem. We can't expect a pen-sized item to support Terabyte storage, multi-Gigahertz processing, or continuous long range signal without recharge. But we can hope that a (few) gigabyte(s) of storage, an efficient asynchronous 100MHz processor, and short-range low-power communication at video levels and above are possible on a days charge. That means the pen can hold all the personal data (including some hours of video and many of audio) and display and take input on its own.

But the peripherals are assumed. Everything is a peripheral. Your TV will become your monitor. Rest the pen on a keyboard, and you can use that. Your home, office, and most public places will be able to link you to the internet - or take a cell-phone equivalent to get longer range. The pen will not be expected to do real-time video compression, and of course this is a bad example because you will have the choice of compressed (lossy or not) or raw data for broadcasts (hoping no DRM, but perhaps they will use the compression to help that). That is an example, if you need that kind of power, you again get it as a peripheral.

I don't use X myself, but what I have in effect described is a miniaturized X terminal on steroids. It should probably have a little mike and speaker too, although in practice the user would only use these for old-fashioned phone calls - they might normally use a peripheral (headset, or even old-fashioned phone, but dialing using their pen).

In summary, 5 pens is a bit silly. But a pen is a much better device than say a credit card for being the ultimate personal computer. I agree that the pen shape is not ideal for all 5 functions, but the input device is the one it is best at, for obvious reasons. So I disagree with some of the article referenced, but also with the parents complaint to it.

Already slashdotted....

[The Fun Guy]

I always thought the old "exploding pen" trick was a lame joke left over from Get Smart.

Plus ca change...

Re:Already slashdotted....

[NeoThermic]

Could it be possible that their webserver is also a collection of the said pens?

Ironic if so...

NeoThermic

Re:Already slashdotted....

[Anonymous Coward]

Would you believe an exploding fish?

(missed it by | | that much)

New market for pen porn fetish?

[Anonymous Coward]

One pen is a CPU, another a camera, one creates a virtual keyboard, another projects the visual output and thus the display and another a communicator (a phone).

One word. Internal. Actually, 2 words. Ewwww as well

Be honest!

[Lurker McLurker]

Who else saw the headline as

The Future PC as a Set of Penises

Come on, I know it wasn't just me.

Re:Be honest!

[dapyx]

Uhh... I did... Hey, where's that "Post as Anonymous" checkbox ?

Re:Be honest!

[Anonymous Coward]

I thougth that too.
Too much spam lately!!.

slashdotted

[Ween]

16 comments and slashdotted already. There doesnt appear to be a google cache either. I guess I must make the obligatory comment about them running their server on one of these pens.

Personally...

[Metal_Demon]

I'm waiting for the one marker to rule them all!

Re:Personally...

[LifesABeach]

wouldn't be the 'pocket protector to rule them all'?

Crap!

[Turd Rippleton]

Instead of losing pens, now I'm going to lose computers!

~Turd

i have to say it....

[millahtime]

Imagine a beowolf cluster of these. The supply closet could be the most power computing system in a company.

Projected keyboard

[Bushcat]

Odd that the NEC article would show links to a Canesta solution, with a news release way back in 2002. I hesitate to post the links because both sites will get slashdotted instantly, and the latter site has a silly activex, but this shows a VKB solution for a PDA. VKB itself can be seen here.

I've seen and used VKB technology. It's very compact and an elegant solution. Unlike Canesta, it doesn't need a stereoscopic view of the target area, which means it really could fit into a pen sitting in a charger or other holder.

Re:Projected keyboard

[vidarh]

The slashdot effect only works from the front page. Seriously. Links from comments draw just a small, puny, trickle of hits compared to a link from the front page, driven by the fact that most people reading Slashdot rarely even click on the comments section, and even then few people will bother going through all the comments. So don't worry about posting links....

Remember

[mikeophile]

My pen is

is mightier than the sword.

Re:Remember

[physicsboy500]

But my pen is only running at 900MHz, my sword is OC's to almost 2Ghz

Good heat dissipation I guess!

Re:Remember

[Anonymous Coward]

He's being clever. I wonder how many people will see what he did?

Re:Remember

[NewbieProgrammerMan]

I'll take "The Penis Mightier" for $500, Alex....

Ink?

[glpierce]

Imagine your embarassment when you reach into your pocket, grab your pen, and realize it's of the ink-less variety. If it's got no ink, there's no point in calling it a pen. But then...what happens when you bust the tip and the computer is fried by it? Worth the risk, I'd say.

Re:Ink?

[cdyson37]

... and realize it's of the ink-less variety

Why should it be ink-less? Is this another wallet-lightening opportunity for Epson or Lexmark?

voice recognition in 'hand', not 'pen'

[dpilot]

Reference to "The Demon with the Glass Hand," an Outer Limits episode starring Robert Culp.

His hand was a computer, and the fingers were computing elements. He needed to get all five fingers in order to make the computer whole and save Mankind from the aliens. He talked to his hand, and it answered.

Re:voice recognition in 'hand', not 'pen'

[nucal]

As Senior Wences used to say, "Eeesy for jou to say, for me, ees deeficult!

Re:voice recognition in 'hand', not 'pen'

[Endive4Ever]

Umm, Harlan Ellision wrote it. Who cares who they hired as the meat puppet to act in it?

Re:voice recognition in 'hand', not 'pen'

[dpilot]

Because I forgot who wrote it, and wanted to include something besides just "Outer Limits."

Re:voice recognition in 'hand', not 'pen'

[Endive4Ever]

That's okay. I had to plug the search term 'ellison' into google, not just the title of the show, before I could find a web page that confirmed Ellision wrote that one. I knew it, but wanted to confirm before I flamed. Harlan must have pissed somebody off again, and they're leaving his name off websites about that show.

Re:voice recognition in 'hand', not 'pen'

[dpilot]

Did you ever read Roddenberry's version of the backstory behind, "City on the Edge of Forever?"

New market for games envisaged

[Operating Thetan]

Upcoming titles include "Poke the Guy Next To You In The Ribs", "Ink Flick Mayhem" and "Draw on The Unconscious Drunk Guy". Still, it's better than the N-Gage.

Computers under the bed or behind the fridge?

[dapyx]

That means that I'll find a few computers under the bed or behind the fridge every time I clean.

Ha! One-upped!

[NoData]

P-ISM? A computer built into pens?! That's nothing! I invented a computer that's built into your jeans! I call it J-ISM, naturally.

What? It comes in your pants!

Accidental pen washing...

[mic-dk]

You'll be sorry as never before, when you discover your pen-puter hanging out to drip-dry with your best shirt ;-)

Great! Just when geeks...

[Chris_Stankowitz]

Just when geeks were gettin away from pocket protectors and becoming socially aceptable. Now I'll never get laid. Nevermind, wasn't much chance of that anyway.

Chorded keyboard instead of projection?

[Reinout]

Not that those things have taken off, but this might be an possibility for chorded keyboards. Typing on a projected keyboard on your desk surface won't be so much fun either...

(A chorded keyboard is something you hold in one hand. You have to press a few keys at the same time (just like a piano chord) to get a character. With just a couple of keys you can apparently type pretty well. Perhaps you could fit this in an overlarge pen...)

Reinout

Wizardry

[dapyx]

I propose replacing "pens" with "magical wands".

Ordinary people think that computing has to do with magic anyway. (must be those pesky "wizard interfaces")

Re:Wizardry

[ivan1011001]

I propose replacing "magical wands" with "magical wang

Hmmm, sounds like an idea I had

[heironymouscoward]

But where the components of the computer are small bricks that fit together like Logo. Assemble anything you like out of a pile of bricks, plug it in and it boots and does something fun. Ideally the bricks should be plastic and unbreakable, and made to a standard so that different vendors can produce speciality bricks.

Apart from the minor technical details involved in implementation, this would make the use of computers much more flexible. Not to mention fun, as we replace the computing brick in the boss's PC with a fish tank, and build ourselves entire walls of disk brick to hold our movies.

Now, only if I'd noted this in my journal.

Imagine:

[physicsboy500]

Can they run in a cluster?

saying "my bics are pulling 5Tflops" could be quite amusing

Even though they look cool...

[flogger]

Even though they look cool, to impress me, they should be able to run a web server that doesn't go down when mentioned on /.

#1 rejected name and catch phrase

[Anonymous Coward]

Pen Information System (PenIS)

"Size doesn't matter"

I guess the Pen is TRULY mightier than the...

[cmay]

... Desktop and/or laptop.

Argh... worst..joke..ever.

I quit.

What about Storage?

[Lurker McLurker]

The storage seems to be in the base unit, which would seriously reduce the portablity, as the unit also contains a power supply. So it's really 5 pens and a brick.

Of course, there could be some sort of storage in the CPU pen, but not that much, surely.

Re:What about Storage?

[CProgrammer98]

I dunno.... 256MB pen that actually writes too... 256MB is a decent size for a portable device and it wont be that long before they get up to GB sizes. There are GB size USB memory "pen" drives but they are somewhat chunkier than your average pen...

are they joking?

[Anonymous Coward]

I can't keep up with my one pen for class!
They expect me to keep up with Five now??
Put the whole thing into one pen, that writes too, and i'll buy one.

No "Beowulf Cluster" Joke yet?

[chendo]

Well, here it goes:

Imagine a Beowulf Cluster of those!

Although I'd imagine you could find a pretty big cluster if you walked into a stationary store ;p

And anyone feel like telling me what a 'pocket protector' is? It's almost 1am, I haven't touched my homework, and I'm about to fall asleep on the keyboard.

Sour Grapes

[Catbeller]

Damn. I cam up with the computer-in-the-pen idea a few months ago. Input by penstroke, display by an intelligent led projector in the top of the pen, above the hand, that could compensate for hand movement. I was going to use it in a SF story. If I had been smart as a yoot, I would have an EE and made the bloody thing. The prototype would probably have weighed ten pounds, which would have been amusing in itself.

A pen-as-PC makes design sense, for utilitarian and human reasons. People can deal with a pen. We've used them for millenia.

They also could be cell phones as well, with voice, video, and internet capabilities. Wireless, of course.

I was seriously considering applying for a patent on the idea. Ya know, sometimes working for a living gets in the way of living. No time, no time.

Photonic circuitry can someday make them cool and powerful. Should be a pretty thing to see.

Ah, well. Run with the idea, guys! I want to have one.

I can just see the pocket protectors now.

[nlinecomputers]

Like geeks don't have enough baggage stuck on our image. I can just see the pocket protectors with cooling fans and neon lights on them....*shudder*

Printer?

[Anonymous Coward]

Is the printer pen just a regular Bic?

I just hapPENed to wonder....

[hardcode57]

... if configured as servers, will they be mightier than the blade?

Re:I just hapPENed to wonder....

[Anonymous Coward]

nice...

Mitch Hedberg

[DanThe1Man]

This article remindes me of a standup line by Mitch Hedberg.

"I bought an expensive pen the other day because I keep loseing pens and I was tired of not careing"

Am I the only one...

[Anonymous Coward]

... who read that as "set of penis" ?

And if you assemble them sllightly differently...

[ptomblin]

...it becomes a gun that shoots a golden bullet.

Uh huh

[Dark Lord Seth]

Has anyone even looked at the "Realizability" ??? "Near Term" and "Slightly Farther Out Than the Phone and Camera" both equate to "Not in your lifetime, bozo!" in my book. Pretty much like diamond-based processors, solid state storage, quantum computing and DNF.

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but

[jrockway]

my CPU needs a 600 gram heatsink to run cool. This CPU pen is going to melt it's casing before the OS even thinks about starting up.

Assuming it manages to start, I think this is going to become a lot more common! (Oops! Time for a meeting. Better pocket m' pens. OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!)

Re:I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but

[thelasttemptation]

That's funny, my clie doesn't need a heatsink to run at all...

Re:I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but

[Endive4Ever]

Yeah, but you're not a 'leet renegade 'socking it to the man' by running a shitty third-rate processor from a minor vendor.

In fact, it sounds like you didn't even use a phillips screwdriver to assemble your own computer. *snort*

(hehe)

Re:I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but

[thelasttemptation]

Exactly, and why should I when there has been a wonderful invention called a thumb screw :P
My entire computer uses thumb screws, so no need for a screwdriver :P

What they are really working towards...

[El]

the pocket-protector Beowulf cluster!

Count me out

[lortho]

Considering how often/easily I lose pens...

Hey, are you happy to see me or is that a....

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh, nevermind.

It's a TRAP!!!

[LittleBigLui]

" Three Pens for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Five for the Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Pen to rule them all, One Pen to find them,
One Pen to bring them all and in the darkness bind them,
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. "

(emphasis mine)

Yeah but - what if?

[twoslice]

The size of your pen is too small?

original info at NEC

[snub]

Here is the info directly from NEC:
http://www.nec-design.co.jp/showcase/

and a quote: "These are concept models and not planned to be commercialized at this point"

The first one of you ...

[Anonymous Coward]

... to create a solar powered pocket protector to charge these babies officially graduates from "geek" to "nerd".

Conceptualization Stages

[subjectstorm]

Man: Dude . . . i just had a sweet idea.

Dude: Lay it on me man.

Man: You know how superman has all those crystals that he can like, plug into stuff in the fortress? and it like . . . does stuff?

Dude: That is totally sweet.

Man: Oh yah, i know - but what if, like, EACH one of those crystals was also . . . A FULLY FUNCTIONAL PEN!!!!

Dude: . . . . You have just totally blown my mind man.

--- and if you don't like that, how about this ---

Infinium Labs: Behold the majesty of our new, always on, super-terrific awesome badass pen computer thingy!

Person: um . . . that's just a bunch of ball point pens shoved into a styrofoam block.

Infinium: LIES! don't you see the battery?

Person: It's just held on with scotch tape. you don't even have a wire running to it or anything.

Lawyer: You will cease and desist from disparaging Infinium Labs.

Person: whatever.

Darl: excuse me gentlemen, but . . . would that be running linux by any chance?

Right...

[Anonymous Coward]

but a pen with a 2GHz processor and a built in LCD projector is right around the corner.... ????

One pen to rule them all...

[DC1]

One Pen to rule them all, One Pen to find them, One Pen to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

Horrible, horrible name

[ajlitt]

What will the name change to if they decide to give it a Java interpreter?

Re:Hey! That's My pen!!!

[zephc]

that would be here :)

Not pocket protectors, think Japanese management

[panurge]

Before computers, no Japanese manager was complete without his box of brushes on the desk. In those days, hand-crafting a memo really meant something. And then, what of the US middle manager with his hideous onyx block on the desk with the pen holder? Remember the days (most of you won't) when the VP would slowly draw out his Mont Blanc (huge, cigar sized phallic substitute) to sign things impressively?

No, this isn't about pocket protector land. It's about fitting the retro needs of management. The projection keyboard will suck, the projection video will require a roll screen to descend from above that constantly jams, but the guy behind the three acre desk will once more be in his comfort zone. Result: no more problems with the Japanese economy, no more Enrons, as execs get their self-esteem back and no longer have to do illegal or fraudulent things to feel wanted.

I for one welcome the dawn of sociological computing.

hmmm

[Anonymous Coward]

so if they made a computer out of an array of juiceboxes, would they call it the J-ISM?

if you don't get it, watch more anabolic videos.

Revenge of the pen geeks!

[kabocox]

Oh, NO! The pen geeks are back. Everyone run and hide. We are cool now. We don't want the pen geeks back. Quick someone trick some famous actors into using these.

Smaller Not Always Better

[Dun Malg]

In the future, computers will be made out of small, disconnected, easily lost parts.

Anyone else see anything wrong with this plan?

Re:Smaller Not Always Better

[TwistedGreen]

Yeah, but it's wireless! So it doesn't matter if you lose it.

"That pen must be around here somewhere... it's still hosting my web page, I just have no idea where it is!"

The Pen is Mightier than the Dell

[BloodSpite]

Dude,

Your getting a Cross!

too complex

[fermion]

It is certainly cool that can fit a CPU in a pen, but it seems to be complex. I mean five separate components for a simple computer. Most of us can barely keep up with a stylus for the PDA or power-supply for our portable. We now need to keep up with three pens to have a functional computer. Will not fly. Most of us could barely make it out of the house with all the parts.

There needs to be a single pen for the Cu/Display/Keyboard combo, and then optional pens for peripherals. This would also alleviate security issues of nearby keyboard loggers.

Obligatory

[Anonymous Coward]

My pocket protector serves as the ultimate chassis for my Beowulf cluster!

I have a better idea

[drinkypoo]

Instead of five pens, which you are not going to carry on your person, make it a couple pens, some glasses, a watch, and a wallet or something. (Remember all the fuss about e-wallet technology? h0 h0) Who the fuck carries five pens? Given that they're also computers, if they actually work as pens, I'll bet a dollar they're shitty pens. (And no, I didn't RTFA. It's a dumb idea.)

The next step

[mnmn]

is to have one pen have a keyboard, projector, 802.11b, running Linux or BSD, and running off one AAA battery for at least a few hours.

So in the meetings I'd say 'lemme jot that down' pull out the pen, start it up and type it up. That pen will accompany me to all exams.

Heck the Japanese might even put ink in it.

Alright, who stole my pen?

[Channard]

Pen computers? Anyone here must know how hard it is to keep a pen in an office. But seriously, the security implications of this aren't good. All someone would need to do would be to slip a pen-unit into their pocket, walk off, and they've got your project data.

Darn!

[Anonymous Coward]

I read it as Penis... duh!
hahahaha

Why pens?

[Anonymous Coward]

By the time the technology is ripe to be able to develop these devices, will pens be still of any use? I suspect I wouldn't even need to carry a single one, let alone five of them.

Now this is why I think its a stupid idea

[geesus]

Im constantly loosing my pens. Im always being yelled at for constantly loosing other peoples pens. Im also loosing my mobile phone too but I can ring that to find out where it is. Sure, one of these pens can be located, but what about the other 4? :) and what happens when somebody asks you for a pen? do you lie and say "no sorry I dont have one", do you hand them your cpu and fixate your stare on them untill they hand it back, or do you avoid the entire situation in the first place by not having a 5 pen computer, but having a palm with a stylus? hand them the stylus, and what could be funnier then seeing a person trying to use a piece of plastic to jot down a phone number? hahahah

Alternate site for P-ISM information

[nutznboltz]

since we're all slashdotted and stuff...

http://www.nec-design.co.jp/showcase/

Re:Alternate site for P-ISM information

[WillAdams]

There're some pretty cool design concepts on that page.

The title in the graphic is important to keep in mind:
Resonantware ::Near-Future Ubiquitous Networking Devices Visualized by Designers::

These aren't even prototypes, but rather concept explorations.

The duo-PC is something along the lines of an alternative tablet computing form factor I was thinking would be appropriate for Apple to do (short version, the ``itablet.com'' domain is taken, so an Apple tablet would probably be called the ``eBook'' to fit in-between the iBook and PowerBook as the eMac fits between the iMac and PowerMac). Essentially you'd have a clamshell laptop which would open up flat, but in place of the keyboard there'd be a second, touch sensitive display which could display a keyboard in laptop mode.

William

Voojagig

[foxhound01]

Perhaps they shall call it the Voojagig...or Veet for short.

Wow.

[Endive4Ever]

This is simply amazing. Now the case modders will have to focus all their time on newer, snazzier, pocket protector designs.

'Shannon cut a window in his pocket protector, now I'm gonna hafta install a neon tube in mine.'

Geez...

[sczimme]

I don't know about you, but I like feeling the keys putting up resistance

someone has control issues...!

:-)

There is no "CPU pen"

[nutznboltz]

P-ISM :
A Pen-style Personal Networking Gadget Package
It seems that information terminals are infinitely getting smaller. However, we will continue to manipulate them with our hands for now. We have visualized the connection between the latest technology and the human, in a form of a pen. P-ISM is a gadget package including five functions: a pen-style cellular phone with a handwriting data input function, virtual keyboard, a very small projector, camera scanner, and personal ID key with cashless pass function. P-ISMs are connected with one another through short-range wireless technology. The whole set is also connected to the Internet through the cellular phone function. This personal gadget in a minimalistic pen style enables the ultimate ubiquitous computing.

Wow! Somebody should tell Microsoft that

[the_skywise]

Pen Based Computing is back!

(rim shot)

My webserver...

[crawdaddy]

is hosted on a TI-86, but I'm sure as hell not going to post a link to it on here!

The Ultimate Nerdpack

[stuffduff]

This could give a whle new impact to the nerdpack. Imagine what could be in all those bowls and fishtanks at convention displays! Or how about pen hacking! Maybe the new security feature will be a pocket protecting firewall!

Obligatory

[wed128]

Talk to the hand...

Ok That Was Bad...

What if

[crawdaddy]

What if you're hosting a webserver on your pens and some jerk posts it to /.? Does it squirt ink all over you to let you know that it's died?

keyboard

[wed128]

so wait...i'm picturing a keyboard kinda like this...

i wish i had 100 bucks to blow on a gadget right now...

Lord of the PC?

[cryptor3]

Why don't you make it out of rings?
Haha, my Rings of Power are faster than your Rings of Power.

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for the Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

And Quad Xeon rings for the geeks.
I can just feel the power dissipating through my hand!

Hey Guys!

[nanojath]

Hey Guys! Is she statisfied with the size of your P.E.N.S.?!

Is that a hard drive in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

The possibilities for jocularity seem endless. Oh, and I'm really looking forward to a computer I can lose 1/5th of through a moment of innatention. "No, waiter, I REALLY need MY pen back. It's got all the third quarter earnings numbers on it!"

Writing

[wed128]

now if they could make them actually write...like maybe in 5 different colors...THEN we would have a product...

Get Crayola on the phone!!!!

P-ISM

[doru]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the Russian word pis'mo (letter, writing).

Re:P-ISM

[drinkypoo]

P-Diddy.

Add ons ?

[Naut]

A virtual keyboard like this one would make a great accessory for that . Maybe even glasses like these . I know what I want for christmas !

Old news

[DavidLeblond]

I have a bunch of pens here that act as I/O pens. $10 says mine are cheaper too. :P

One pen to rule them all

[Anonymous Coward]

But they forgot to mention the built-in Caveat, the operating system pen:

One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Redmond where the shadows lie.
One pen to rule them all, One pen to find them,
One pen to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Redmond where the shadows lie.

New Computer, New Name

[Simonetta]

We should call these 'interactive pens' or 'pen-i'.

That way we can truthfully say:

"I do all my productive work now with my pen-is!"

Re:New Computer, New Name

[Walt Dismal]

If the pens are small enough, we could call them 'tiny pen-i'.

Re:New Computer, New Name

[RevAaron]

Hey kid

Do you want to join the PEN 15 club?

You do?

Ok, them come here. To be a member, I just have to write the name of the club on your hand. Yeah, that's it. PEN 15.

huh.

Haven't asked anyone to join that club for a couple years.

(I can't be the only one who heard that shit in elemtary school!)

ads

[thejck]

What dreams can bring..This world is moving ahead at breakneck speed. Hang on cause we dont know what the future brings.

One Question.......

[vwjeff]

Do they come with a pocket protector?

At CeBIT last year..

[Anonymous Coward]

These pens were on display in the NEC monter at CeBIT last year.

Then, it was just the design idea, now they seem to have made some prototypes. Cool. Way to go NEC.

40 years ago on "Outer Limits"

[Anonymous Coward]

This reminds me of something I saw on the original "Outer Limits" TV show back in the 1960's. Robert Culp played a person sent back in time from the future. His right hand was a computer and each finger was a detachable memory/processing unit. At the start of the show he had only one finger and couldn't understand what was going on. As the show progress, he "acquired" more "fingers" by killing invading aliens. As he plugged in each additional finger, the computer could reveal more about what was going on. When he had killed all the aliens and trashed the time portal, he plugged in the last finger and the computer told him...(surprise ending). Very good episode.

Check

[Anonymous Coward]

Are we designing for the future here or are we simply redesigning the past?

In the future, starting, oh, about now, the display MUST BE a primary input device. The Microphone is also a primary input device. Keyboards, including virtual keyboards, are secondary, optional input devices. Of course, everyone at Slash--- disagrees, but when did reality matter at Slash---?

Re:Ha! One-upped!

[NeuroManson]

Just wait, the truly 1337 are going to make a run on it when they release the inevitabe PEN15 model.

solution for you.

[Anonymous Coward]

learn to fucking type.

A new class warfare begins

[digrieze]

Hey folks, remember when laptops and pdas came out and companies started charging $50 - $100 for "leather like" " (i.e. vinyl)cases? I can't wait for the "nappa leather Franklin-covey pocket protectors". Plastic just won't be enough for the PHBs, the $1.00 pocket protector will be so out of it no one will want it, it'll die for lack of sales and the laundry business will have a revival as people try to figure out how to keep pencils from messing up their shirts.

Life is a trip - pack your parachute.

surely this means...

[enrico_suave]

That the pocket protector will come back in style!

e.

My pen!

[brightloudnoise]

will the use the Kids in the Hall skit for marketing purposes?? My pen!!!

Pen computer?

[lonb]

How many pens would a web site need to not go down when it gets /.ed?

forget the pen - think small wireless components

[Anonymous Coward]

A pen is super small, what about components the size of mice? I have been trying for years to find small modular PC components hopefully using bluetooth. You can almost do it cheaply with the new miniItx form factor. A car stero size box for the cpu, separate storage, wireless input (keyboard/mouse) and a small LCD monitor, or even one of those projection eyepieces. Anyone know the tranfer rate for bluetooth? If I could boot up from a bluetooth drive it would be great.

Slashdot: wah, wah, I don't like virtual keyboards.

Alternative Suppliers

[BenBenBen]

Apple Version
Microsoft Version
Eric S Raymond Version

Slashdotted - pictures here

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.nec-design.co.jp/showcase/

All depends on the typer I suppose.

[SmallFurryCreature]

I personally can't blind type properly (real typist look neither at the screen or the keys but at the input). I only use a few of my fingers mostly the index and the thumbs. But if I am at an odd angle and can't see the keys I notice that once I find the first correct one I can type with one hand without error (bash cli not english). Of course for this I use the feel of the keys. A is very easy to find because of the gap between A and caps lock.

That is what these people are complaining about I guess. Personally my typos are due my amazingly bad spelling. I hit the right key it just isn't the right letter.

What they are missing is that a physical keyboard takes up a lot of space. A projected keyboard is very small, the size of a pen I think :), and is therefore far easier to take with you.

Some people just don't seem able to think outside their own frame of reference. Oh that is not how I use my pc so it must be useless.

I doubt this will see the light of day as it is far easier to fit this into a regular form pda and therefore a lot cheaper. But it is an intresting idea. The main part of the computer is perhaps handing from you belt. You take a pen sized object from you pocket unroll it like a miniature projection screen (thanks to those flexible screens they been promising us) a keyboard is projected from the top and voila, instant workstation. Beats a laptop anyday for those who are on the move and need fast and easy access for short times.

That solves the mystery of...

[R.Caley]

Why Zaphod Beeblebrox's second hand pen business was so profitable.

less action

[chocolatetrumpet]

Take any action you do on a computer.
Now figure out a way to SPEAK that action, without any ambiguity. Now compare how long it takes to SAY that, with how long it takes to do via a keyboard or mouse.

The computers of the future will hopefully be smarter, so instead of "start->run->programs->outlook->file->new->message "

You would say something like, "Computer, send this message to my grandma: dinner is at 6, please pick up some bread on your way!"

The computer would then of course contact grandma in the most efficient way - phone, or whatever.

The computer would also be taking care of everything - insurance, bills, etc... with nearly no human intervention.

That is the good [technology] life.

Re:less action

[immel]

While you're at it, just make a mind reading pen, so the computer could read your mind (just like every luser wishes it could)! Seriously, it's a good idea, but no matter how intuitive you make an interface, there will always be a luser who thinks it is too hard.

Sounds like....

[Oligonicella]

a pen in the ass to me.

In other news...

[Anonymous Coward]

...IBM presented their new series of rock-paper-scissors servers claiming a more intuitive and color-blind friendly installation procedure then NEC's 5 pen solution, while Dell introduced an extension to their much heralded line of high end multi-media shoelaces which starting next month will also be available in buckle form as recent consumer research showed that nerds prefer loafers.

Imagine that call to your plumbing professional

[Billnvd65]

Plumber: "Joes Plumbing, can I help you?" You:"I need help, and I need it now, I dropped my computer monitor in the toilet as I was flushing it. I need you to send someone over here and fish it out!" Plumber: 'CLICK!'

And you thought getting help from Dell was a bitch!

Ah Yes...

[holzp]

But can they write?

Could this mainstream nerds?

[ProppaT]

I think this is the only invention that could ever popularize pocket protectors to the main stream.

I can see it now, $100 "static-free" pocket protectors...

Handwriting Recognition

[thebitboy]

Why not use handwriting recognition? Use the display pen to project a virtual page on whatever surface you're using and use the handwriting pen to write virtual ink. I would think it would be much more intuitive and require less space.

SNL Reference

[Anonymous Coward]

Sean Connery: I've got to ask you about the Penis Mightier.

Alex Trebek: What? No. No, no, that is The Pen is Mightier.

Sean Connery: Gussy it up however you want, Trebek. What matters is does it work? Will it really mighty my penis, man?

Alex Trebek: It's not a product, Mr. Connery.

Sean Connery: Because I've ordered devices like that before - wasted a pretty penny, I don't mind telling you. And if The Penis Mightier works, I'll order a dozen.

Alex Trebek: It's not a Penis Mightier, Mr. Connery. There's no such thing!

Nicholas Cage: Wait, wait, wait.. are you selling Penis Mightiers?

Alex Trebek: No! No, I'm not.

Sean Connery: Well, you're sitting on a gold mine, Trebek!

--Borrowed from http://snltranscripts.jt.org/98/98pjeopardy.phtml

Insert phallus comment:

[aznxk3vi17]

At first, I thought it said "Penises." Then I thought to myself... "Maybe I can finally get laid!"

"Hey there hot stuff, how YOU doin'?"

"Get away from me you creep."

"My penis is overclocked to 2.4 ghz (giga humpz)..."

"Take me!"

Lord of the Pens

[gabraham]

One pen to rule them all, One pen to find them,
One pen to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

Sounds cool, but...

[dnahelix]

At the rate I lose and break pens, I don't think
this would be for me, unless, of course, they
are as cheap as a regular pen.

I've already had to replace a Wacom stylus to
the tune of about $80 and that really
pissed me off!

Re:Hey! That's My pen!!! (OT)

[mekkab]

Great link!

Printer Pen

[xray_dude]

As usual I have caught this story after a million billion replies, so my apologies if this has already been expressed, if not I'm rich!!!

Sure it's a bit slow and print quality may vary, but it's available now and it's cheap! There's also a four-color option, a bit more bulky and slightly more expensive. Three major competing formats (fountain, ball point and roller ball), but all cheap :)

- Xray

I would rather prefer cards than pens

[Anonymous Coward]

Future computer as pile of credit-card-sized cards.

P-ISM

[MuParadigm]

I'm just wondering, if P-ISM is the name of this product, what are they going to call the Java-enabled version?

The Return of the Nerd Pack?

[pilgrim23]

5 pens in a holder? All the guys in the computer room circa 1975 had that, plus the HP calculator holster on the belt. Does this mean I must re-learn Reverse Polish Notation?

Existing technology

[vurg]

I believe this has already been done by some people in India. They call it the "Shankara" stones. History said that the evil Mola Ram tried to gain control of them.

losing it

[GerritHoll]

I always lose my pens in very puzzling ways, so this is nothing for me ;-).

Too slow

[SuperKendall]

When I type, of course I'm looking at the screen but I also know when I've made a mistake by the feel of what I've hit, so I can be on the way to correct it before I see it on the screen and process what I am seeing - sort of a previsualization of what I am typing which is much faster than responding to what the screen says.

Who needs feedback in a keyboard?

[Valdrax]

Both a virtual keyboard and a midikeyboard are shitty versions of what they're based on - they both have feedback mechanisms - which let you know which key you've pressed and how hard you've pressed it - which are simply not up to the job of serious typing or piano playing.

How exactly does knowing how hard you hit a key affect typing? I can see someone saying that virtual keyboards "don't feel right," much like I say about that horrid keyboard in the original iBooks, but feedback has nothing to do with the actual performance of the tool for its job -- just for comfort.

Those russion enginerrs are erevywhere .....

[BlackShirt]

"Pismo" means letter in russian

whew that was a close one

[Anonymous Coward]

For a second there I thought I read "The future PC as a set of PENIS".

Re:whew that was a close one

[Epsillon]

Yes, I had to do a double take, too. Perhaps I need to get out more...

Re:Those russian engineers are everywhere .....

[BlackShirt]

.. could there be possibility to edit your own comment

like
24h

after writing?

I don't have to imagine

[pjt33]

Due to serious RSI, I wrote part of my final-year dissertation (in LaTeX) using voice-recognition software. It was very slow, but (I kid you not) faster than dictating it to my mother.

I wish I worked there...

[Angst Badger]

...so I could spend millions of dollars of someone else's money on ideas that are fucktastically stupid.

I don't know about you, but me and everyone else I know lose pens all the time. The only way this could be dumber would be if they made a computer that required you to keep three perfectly matched pairs of socks together in the dryer. Why not make a computer out of clothes hangers. At least that way, you'll end up with more computing power than you started with.

Gary 7

[jhoger]

Well, Gary 7 was able to fit enough important stuff into just one pen.

-- John.

They Forgot the Most Important Pen

[EverlastingPhelps]

One pen to bring them all and bind them in darkness...

In other words, the pen that runs Windows.

no-feedback keyboard solution

[poopie]

So.. the solution to the no feedback keyboard issue is to have the keyboard projector project down onto a rubberized keyboard map that rolls up. This way, you've got your feedback problem solved, and everyone will be happy using it.

Re:no-feedback keyboard solution

[Gaijin42]

If you have a piece of rubber to cary around, why not just stick some bendable circuits in there and type right on the rubber?

Like Iso-Linear chips?

[putch]

some nerd's spent too much time with TNG.

Need 10 More Though...

[Mojolectro]

Then you'd be a member of the Pen 15 club...

Wow... Fortress of Solitude, here we come...

[plaidlad]

Anyone else remember Superman's Fortress of Solitude and its slick crystal-based video system in the first Superman movie?

You pull out a crystal that contains the image or data you need and poof there it is. I always thought that would be neat... need more video, add a video crystal, need more CPU cycles, add a cpu crystal, etc... hmmm....

Now if only we could get that whole Krypton Sun Tanning Booth thing he uses in Movie #2.

Tactile Feedback Device

[Anonymous Coward]

I've got an idea for another pen. It's a vibrator, controlled by the CPU, or networking device. Good in combination with the cam pen.

People, people...

[UrGeek]

...of course these pens will be able to help locate the lost one. Wireless trianglion would be one of the first killer apps for this setup.

What I do not understand is why the CPU would be in a pen. Why not the base with the mass storage, charging supply, and "earth station/gateway" to the Net. Also, a good nanonuke in each one would cull the population of thieves.

A return to Morse Code?

[sadomikeyism]

Nope, abstracted languages like that were made for typing. The fastway will be learning to program in machine code, by either tapping the pen to a binary cadence, or learning to speak binary.

1) Look for Extended Morse Code to communicate a 256 character set.

2) Whistle Code in octets. Two notes equals a letter or number, four notes is any of 256 characters.

3) Color Code with 16 colored keys on the side of the pen. Two Color Keys depressed, one by finger on right hand, the other by a finger on the left hand, equals 256 character possibilities.

Tarkin

[wideBlueSkies]

Seems that Lucas predicted this development a long long time ago:

http://www.voidalliance.org/STO/Tarkin.jpg

wbs.

Re:Tarkin

[wideBlueSkies]

Sorry. Should have posted as a link.

Look at the uniform. Wonder if those are supposed to be pen shaped computers there.

wbs.

Battery powered *projector pen*???

[roadrash608]

ppppphhphphtttBAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! The other 4 pens are well and good but the 'projection display' pen is going to be sci-fi for a while. I hope you like your 10 minute battery life....ok maybe 20 mins with a nice fuel cell...

As seen in the film...

[Seft]

Kinda reminds me of the gadget they come up with in the film 'The First $20m is always the hardest'

Dumb idea

[Fig1a]

Excuse me, I think i just lost my CPU.

CPU Pens

[Bullseye_blam]

Maybe these can double as hand-warmers in the winter?

Great, a new thing for my pocket protector!

[Anonymous Coward]

Look smart, be smarter :>

ballpoint or rollerball?

[kaltkalt]

Because I really prefer rollerballs. They just write so much nicer... especially the good ones. Ballpoints, well... they're okay I guess, but I mean, given a choice and all, I'd much rather have a rollerball pen.

salut

[ArcticCelt]

Wow! those will look great in the front pocket of my short sleeves white shirt. The same pocket where I put my calculator. At last we nerds will star to look cool and all those stereotypes will go away... ;)

Voltron:

[Anonymous Coward]

which was a G-Force (GeForce?) ripoff.

Duck and Cover

[sglines]

The whole world is getting radio active. Where is my tin foil hat now that I need it?

Re:first

[Cyber Dugie]

no, actually, you missed off the first post by 2 minutes. oh well... better luck next time :p

Don't you ever insult Gumby you bastard

[Anonymous Coward]

n/t

"Yeah, nice pen...but does it WRITE?"

[ScaldedTauntaun]

Obscure Silver Spoons reference, for those who care.

=)

-ST

5?

[WiggyWack]

People those their one Stylus pen all the time. Now they have to keep track of FIVE of them?

Not to mention I probably lose a pack of Bic pens a month. Not a big deal when they're 10 cents each, but when I lose the one that projects my vitual keyboard....

Other cool gadgets?

[t0ny]

Now they just need to make me a shoe-phone, and I'll be all set.

Running out of ink?

[ivan1011001]

So what happens when you run out of ink? Imagine the mess of changing processor and hard drive as well as a new ink cartdride.

The problem of feedback . . . solved!

[vortexau]

Hasn't ANYONE figured out how to couple Feedback with a Virtual Keyboard?

ALL you need is a Medium-to-High Density foam pad positioned where the V-K appears. Some mouse-pads have this kind of structure.

(If my 'keying' comes out fast & accurate, it is because my V-K appears on the shoulders of Foam)
.

Re:Chicken Means You Won't See

[fm6]

Dude, you are stuck in a rut! You need a new schtick. You could make fun of Vietnamese necrophiles.