The Future PC as a Set of Pens?

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The Future PC as a Set of Pens?

Posted by michael on Monday February 23, 2004 @02:20AM from the pocket-protectors-back-in-style dept.

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."

62 of 327 comments (clear)

Power Rangers Bastardization by DarkHelmet · 2004-02-23 02:22 · Score: 5, Funny

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.

--
/^[A-Z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Z0-9.-]+\.[A-Z]{2,4}$/i
1. Re:Power Rangers Bastardization by Anonymous Coward · 2004-02-23 02:25 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  I can't imagine what they'd fight against.
  
  Um.. Voltron?
  "And I'll form... the head!"
2. Re:Power Rangers Bastardization by thestarz · 2004-02-23 02:30 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  I can't imagine what they'd fight against.
  
  Pencils?
  
  --
  
  c++; /* this makes c bigger but returns the old value */
3. Re:Power Rangers Bastardization by physicsboy500 · 2004-02-23 02:35 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  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!
  
  --
  The original generic sig.
4. Re:Power Rangers Bastardization by akadruid · 2004-02-23 03:10 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  ...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...
  
  --
  "Those who cast the votes decide nothing; those who count the votes decide everything." (attrib. Joseph Stalin)
5. Re:Power Rangers Bastardization by austad · 2004-02-23 03:44 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  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.
  
  --
  Need Free Juniper/NetScreen Support? JuniperForum
6. Re:Power Rangers Bastardization by argStyopa · 2004-02-23 05:09 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  The prototype version is of course the PRE(a)PISM.
  
  It's expected to be hard to use.
  
  --
  -Styopa
Chew, chew, chew by Reinout · 2004-02-23 02:22 · Score: 5, Funny

Cool, finally a computer I can chew on!

Reinout

--
Reinout van Rees
1. Re:Chew, chew, chew by danormsby · 2004-02-23 02:44 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  How shocking!
  
  --
  Omnis amans amens
2. Re:Chew, chew, chew by Snart+Barfunz · 2004-02-23 03:03 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  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.
  
  --
  --- Yx3 = Delilah ---
3. Re:Chew, chew, chew by CrazyBusError · 2004-02-23 04:31 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  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...
  
  --
  -Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience-
Hey! That's My pen!!! by Sir.Cracked · 2004-02-23 02:22 · Score: 5, Funny

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!!!"

--
Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?
Make it 5 pocket protectors instead by Anonymous Coward · 2004-02-23 02:22 · Score: 3, Funny

If you want to sell to geeks, you have to know your market
1. Re:Make it 5 pocket protectors instead by *weasel · 2004-02-23 02:32 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Static bag pocket protectors - be the first geek on the block to properly protect your new portable!
  
  --
  // "Can't clowns and pirates just -try- to get along?"
Looks neat, but by lavalyn · 2004-02-23 02:22 · Score: 5, Interesting

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).

--
Doing the Right Thing should not be preempted by making a buck.
1. Re:Looks neat, but by Bushcat · 2004-02-23 02:58 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  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.
2. Re:Looks neat, but by BoneFlower · 2004-02-23 03:13 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  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.
3. Re:Looks neat, but by HoldmyCauls · 2004-02-23 03:35 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  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!
  
  --
  Emacs: for people who just never know when to :q!
We've come full circle... by chinton · 2004-02-23 02:23 · Score: 5, Funny

You will once again be able to identify a geek by his pocket protector.
1. Re:We've come full circle... by elwell642 · 2004-02-23 03:21 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  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!
  
  --
  <insert witty linux comment here>
Pocket Protector Commandoes GO! by Halloween+Jack · 2004-02-23 02:23 · Score: 3, Funny

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.

--
I looked into the abyss, and the abyss looked into me--and we both winked.
Re:first by Anonymous Coward · 2004-02-23 02:24 · Score: 5, Funny

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 by SFEley · 2004-02-23 02:24 · Score: 5, Insightful

As often as I lose pens...

--
ESCAPE POD - The Science Fiction Podcast Magazine
No Thanks by UncleBiggims · 2004-02-23 02:24 · Score: 3, Funny

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

Are you Corn Fed?
1. Re:No Thanks by UncleBiggims · 2004-02-23 03:25 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  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.
Even Better Than That by Alan+Partridge · 2004-02-23 02:25 · Score: 3, Funny

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

--
That was classic intercourse!
voice recognition by fgb · 2004-02-23 02:26 · Score: 5, Interesting

If they develop good speech recognition then they wont need a keyboard pen, the pen would then just need to be a microphone.
1. Re:voice recognition by thelasttemptation · 2004-02-23 02:34 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  That's right, I want a dozen people saying:
  left right click click left left start run format c: enter yes enter noooooooo!!!!
2. Re:voice recognition by kinnell · 2004-02-23 02:37 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  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.
  
  --
  If I seem short sighted, it is because I stand on the shoulders of midgets
3. Re:voice recognition by Inominate · 2004-02-23 03:23 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  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
4. Re:voice recognition by vidarh · 2004-02-23 03:31 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  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.
5. Re:voice recognition by Haeleth · 2004-02-23 04:01 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  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?
Size by Tarwn · 2004-02-23 02:26 · Score: 3, Funny

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

--
Whee signature.
Open channel D! by kinnell · 2004-02-23 02:27 · Score: 4, Funny

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.

--
If I seem short sighted, it is because I stand on the shoulders of midgets
The problem with that by Threni · 2004-02-23 02:28 · Score: 5, Interesting

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.
1. Re:The problem with that by Threni · 2004-02-23 02:37 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  > 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.
2. Re:The problem with that by RetroGeek · 2004-02-23 03:13 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  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.
  
  --
  
  - - - - - - - - - - -
  I am a programmer. I am paid to produce syntax not grammar. Deal with it.
pocket protector by millahtime · 2004-02-23 02:29 · Score: 4, Funny

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

--
Evolution or ID?
What is the benefit of the CPU in a pen? by oneiros27 · 2004-02-23 02:30 · Score: 5, Interesting

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.]

--
Build it, and they will come^Hplain.
Workplace theft by clemster · 2004-02-23 02:30 · Score: 4, Insightful

Think how easily supplies disappear from the workplace..... this just makes it easer to fit a "box" of computers in your briefcase/purse. Clemster.
Call me a traditionalist... by WegianWarrior · 2004-02-23 02:31 · Score: 4, Interesting

...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.

--
Everything in the world is controlled by a small, evil group to which, unfortunately, no one you know belongs.
Be honest! by Lurker+McLurker · 2004-02-23 02:33 · Score: 3, Funny

Who else saw the headline as
The Future PC as a Set of Penises
Come on, I know it wasn't just me.

--
Mod parent up!
Personally... by Metal_Demon · 2004-02-23 02:34 · Score: 5, Funny

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

--
Trust Your Technolust
Projected keyboard by Bushcat · 2004-02-23 02:37 · Score: 4, Informative

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.
Remember by mikeophile · 2004-02-23 02:38 · Score: 4, Funny

My pen is
is mightier than the sword.
1. Re:Remember by physicsboy500 · 2004-02-23 02:47 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  But my pen is only running at 900MHz, my sword is OC's to almost 2Ghz
  
  Good heat dissipation I guess!
  
  --
  The original generic sig.
2. Re:Remember by NewbieProgrammerMan · 2004-02-23 03:03 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  I'll take "The Penis Mightier" for $500, Alex....
  
  --
  [b.belong('us') for b in bases if b.owner() == 'you']
voice recognition in 'hand', not 'pen' by dpilot · 2004-02-23 02:40 · Score: 4, Informative

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.

--
The living have better things to do than to continue hating the dead.
1. Re:voice recognition in 'hand', not 'pen' by Endive4Ever · 2004-02-23 03:36 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Umm, Harlan Ellision wrote it. Who cares who they hired as the meat puppet to act in it?
  
  --
  ---
Ha! One-upped! by NoData · 2004-02-23 02:41 · Score: 3, Funny

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!
Great! Just when geeks... by Chris_Stankowitz · 2004-02-23 02:41 · Score: 4, Funny

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? by Reinout · 2004-02-23 02:42 · Score: 5, Informative

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

--
Reinout van Rees
Wizardry by dapyx · 2004-02-23 02:43 · Score: 4, Funny

I propose replacing "pens" with "magical wands".
Ordinary people think that computing has to do with magic anyway. (must be those pesky "wizard interfaces")

--
I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is an imaginary number. Please rotate your phone 90 degrees and dial again.
What about Storage? by Lurker+McLurker · 2004-02-23 02:45 · Score: 3, Insightful

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.

--
Mod parent up!
I can just see the pocket protectors now. by nlinecomputers · 2004-02-23 02:50 · Score: 4, Funny

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*

--
Slashdot, home of supporters of free software, free music, and free speech.Except for Moderators that disagree with you.
I just hapPENed to wonder.... by hardcode57 · 2004-02-23 02:51 · Score: 5, Funny

... if configured as servers, will they be mightier than the blade?
original info at NEC by snub · 2004-02-23 03:05 · Score: 4, Informative

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"

--
"Shredded cabbage and mayo go good together." Cole's Law
Conceptualization Stages by subjectstorm · 2004-02-23 03:08 · Score: 4, Funny

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?

--
** Chigusaaa!!! You're the coolest girl in the WORLD!!! **
Alternate site for P-ISM information by nutznboltz · 2004-02-23 03:28 · Score: 5, Informative

since we're all slashdotted and stuff...

http://www.nec-design.co.jp/showcase/
New Computer, New Name by Simonetta · 2004-02-23 03:50 · Score: 5, Funny

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!"
One Question....... by vwjeff · 2004-02-23 03:53 · Score: 4, Funny

Do they come with a pocket protector?
P-ISM by MuParadigm · 2004-02-23 05:12 · Score: 4, Funny

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