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CES 2014: Laptops to get Intel 3D depth sensing cameras CES 2014: Laptops to get Intel 3D depth sensing cameras
(about 5 hours later)
Intel has said that laptops featuring 3D-camera technology developed by the chipmaker will go on sale this year.Intel has said that laptops featuring 3D-camera technology developed by the chipmaker will go on sale this year.
It said seven firms would release products that contained its software and hardware, which would be indentified by the RealSense brand.It said seven firms would release products that contained its software and hardware, which would be indentified by the RealSense brand.
At a press conference in Las Vegas, Intel showed how one of its depth sensors could be used to interpret gesture controls and to separate foreground objects from the background.At a press conference in Las Vegas, Intel showed how one of its depth sensors could be used to interpret gesture controls and to separate foreground objects from the background.
The idea itself is not new.The idea itself is not new.
Microsoft's Kinect and SoftKinectic's Depthsense cameras already offer such functions. Apple recently bought another firm, PrimeSense, that also makes depth sensing hardware.Microsoft's Kinect and SoftKinectic's Depthsense cameras already offer such functions. Apple recently bought another firm, PrimeSense, that also makes depth sensing hardware.
But one expert said Intel's intervention could help the innovation go mainstream as a built-in component.But one expert said Intel's intervention could help the innovation go mainstream as a built-in component.
"This tech has been knocking around for a while, but Intel's move will give it fresh momentum," said Tony Crabtree, from the consultancy Juniper Research, who is attending the Consumer Electronics Show where the announcement was made."This tech has been knocking around for a while, but Intel's move will give it fresh momentum," said Tony Crabtree, from the consultancy Juniper Research, who is attending the Consumer Electronics Show where the announcement was made.
"It needed a big player to help the market take off. Having said that, I don't see it as a transformative technology in the same way wearables or ultra-high definition screens will be.""It needed a big player to help the market take off. Having said that, I don't see it as a transformative technology in the same way wearables or ultra-high definition screens will be."
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Intel named Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo and NEC as the first manufacturers to release RealSense branded kit.Intel named Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo and NEC as the first manufacturers to release RealSense branded kit.
At CES it gave a demonstration of the tech using a version of Skype in which the camera was used to isolate the user's video image, extract it and superimpose it over a different background in real-time.At CES it gave a demonstration of the tech using a version of Skype in which the camera was used to isolate the user's video image, extract it and superimpose it over a different background in real-time.
This mimicked an effect that would normally require a green screen and special compositing software.This mimicked an effect that would normally require a green screen and special compositing software.
It also showed how the software could turn the majority of a video feed black-and-white while leaving one of the objects in colour.It also showed how the software could turn the majority of a video feed black-and-white while leaving one of the objects in colour.
In another demo a member of Intel's team played a pinball video game by moving a real paddle in front of the computer's camera.In another demo a member of Intel's team played a pinball video game by moving a real paddle in front of the computer's camera.
The company said that it believed that the use of other possible gestures could help educate children by making software more immersive.The company said that it believed that the use of other possible gestures could help educate children by making software more immersive.
Several "edutainment" titles for Nintendo's Wii consoles are based on the same principle.Several "edutainment" titles for Nintendo's Wii consoles are based on the same principle.
Intel added that it had formed a partnership with 3D Systems - one of the leading 3D printer makers - to let its kit be used to create real-world objects by shaping them in the air.Intel added that it had formed a partnership with 3D Systems - one of the leading 3D printer makers - to let its kit be used to create real-world objects by shaping them in the air.
3D Systems had previously worked with another firm, GeoMagic, to offer this facility for its printers using the Kinect-to-3D-Scan app and Microsoft's sensor.3D Systems had previously worked with another firm, GeoMagic, to offer this facility for its printers using the Kinect-to-3D-Scan app and Microsoft's sensor.
Intel is likely to make further announcements when its chief executive Brian Krzanich gives one of CES's Keynote Addresses later in the day. Wearable tech
Intel's chief executive Brian Krzanich also unveiled several new concept wearable technologies that the firm is developing, during a separate Keynote Address.
These included:
Mr Krzanich also unveiled a computer called Edison, which is the size of an SD card but can run Linux-based operating systems and connect to wi-fi networks.
The company also confirmed it had developed a technology to allow a Windows computer powered by one of its chips to run certain Android apps under software emulation.