Could Project Soli Be the Next Evolution in Chromebooks?

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As reported earlier today by +Robby Payne, hover track pad technology is now being tested in Chrome OS. If you haven’t had a chance, check out the original article here. One of our readers, +Dominic Powell, was so kind to point out Google’s Project Soli and the possibility of this technology coming to Chrome OS.

Project Soli is part of Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects program. This is the same program that fostered Project Ara, designed to create devices that can be easily customized by consumers. Project Soli has succeeded in designing a radar-based interaction sensor for mobile and computing devices as well as other “everyday objects”. The sensors will literally allow you to interact with devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets and trackpads with touchless hand gestures.

Imagine an invisible button between your thumb and index fingers – you can press it by tapping your fingers together. Or a Virtual Dial that you turn by rubbing thumb against index finger. Imagine grabbing and pulling a Virtual Slider in thin air. These are the kinds of interactions we are developing and imagining.

-Project Soli

For just a moment lets speculate. As you can see in the video above, this radar-based technology is being tested and applied in multiple platforms. Hover technology is in fact being tested in Chrome OS. Would it be too far of a stretch to think that a new generation of Chrome devices would implement these two technologies together? Can you imagine sitting at your desk and editing photos without a mouse or track pad? Or, navigating in and out of browsers with just the swipe of your hand? I can’t help but envision Tom Cruise in Minority Report. Swiping and scrolling, minimizing and sharing all without touching a thing. Yes, please!

Obviously, at this point, we are just speculating. But, we all love to dream about new technology and cutting edge devices. Hover technology is here and Project Soli is a reality. I, for one, would love to see the two come together in the very near future.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the potential future of Chromebooks and Project Soli. Feel free to comment below.