AikonLab Launches With HandWave and nAlertMe Applications
Recently, S60-developer Samir announced that he was launching a new site, dubbed ‘Aikon Lab‘ for his applications, and would also have a few new applications to offer. Since then, there have been two videos available on the AikonLab site, for HandWave and nAlertMe. While HandWave appears to work on any S60v3 smartphone, nAlertMe uses the phone’s accelerometer, which means it’s limited to the N95, N82, E66, and a few others.
HandWave is rather exciting, in my opinion, as it finally offers a real-world use for that front-facing VGA camera that we’ve all had on our phones for years. If you’re in Europe, you’ve likely used this camera for video calling, but here in the U.S., it’s only been useful for taking self-portraits and MMS pictures. The application seems to use this camera to detect movement, and translate that to the phone’s d-pad, allowing you to wave your hand in a certain direction to cause an action. The most obvious use for this is shown off in the video – scrolling through photos. On phones with TV-Out, this will be an even cooler application, and really offer a true ‘wow’ factor.
nAlertMe is an accelerometer-based application that sounds an alarm when any movement is detected. This is great if you spend alot of time in public places such as the coffee shop, restaurant, or bar, and like to leave your phone out on the table. The alarm sounds much like a car alarm, and seems to be loud enough to quickly gather attention. Disabling the alarm is done by moving the phone through a pre-set pattern of positions. Personally, I don’t much see the use for nAlertMe, though it seems to work well, and there’s no doubt tons of people who would love to have this security for their expensive S60-powered handset.
Neither of these applications are available right now, though the site has said, “Opening in a few hours” all weekend.
Many of us are waiting with baited breath for the site to come live. We just have to be patient, after all, the final applications from Samir are indeed free.
Yeah I have been waiting very anxiously, I check the site 3 times per day!!!
I’m waiting… I’m waiting. This has got to be the most innovative use of the front camera! As much as I have been cribbing about the S60 becoming boring, I have to agree that it is also one of the foremost platforms when it comes to innovation!
Very exited about the apps and al the respect for Samir. But i really don’t like the hype creation. Why announcing a new app on 5 september, then delay it to 12 september and then let people stare at a site whiches says “opening in a few hours’. Not a nice way to treat people. But then again he has created some very awsome (free!!!!) apps, so i forgive him.
He is sick atm.. So he cant post the software yet.. He is probably very ill though he has not done anything to inform us.. Be patient and lets hope he gets OKEY!!
omg!!!
its now the 6th of october and the apps still arent available! >.<
its already been a month about! oh well… not my prob i guess
I love the applications but where is it though! The funny thing is a lot of companies are now trying to compete with Aikon lab and before they launch this, a better application has been introduced or a far more better version . The competition will be tough!!!
I love the applications but how i get it