The San Francisco-based company's device connects to a "normal" (HDMI-capable) TV and cable box, and displays additional web content on the edge of the screen.
SeeSpace's InAir attempts to "enhance" the experience of watching a television program on an otherwise regular television with additional material from the Internet .
Unlike the so-called "smart" TVs that have already begun to be commercially available, the San Francisco company's device connects to a "normal" (HDMI-capable) TV and cable box, and displays additional web material related to the TV program the user is watching on the edge of the screen, which the user can navigate through.
Its creators call it the first case of an "augmented" television experience in the world and believe that InAir can eliminate the need for multitasking experienced by many mobile device users, who use their tablets and smartphones for corresponding functions while watching television.
As for control, it is possible through gestures (through cooperation with Kinect and Leap Motion), or through a free application for Android and iOS. It is also noted that, while "smart" TVs connect to the Internet thanks to their own, built-in capabilities, in the case of InAir the device connects independently to existing wireless networks when operating with a "conventional" TV.
“With InAir connected, your TV becomes an “Augmented Television”. You can transform your TV into a new, wonderful medium, filled with dynamic content from the Web. InAir uses your screen and passes additional content from the Web and social networks in “layers”,” its creators say, noting that the device also works with 3D TVs, in which case the additional data is presented “in front” of the screen, giving the impression of “holograms”.
InAir uses your screen and passes additional material from the Web and social networks into “layers.”
Its creators are expected to make the software development kit available to interested developers, to further exploit the device's capabilities. Currently, the InAir is on the Kickstarter fundraising service, having raised $89,321 of the $100,000 the company is seeking. There are 33 days left to complete the process.
