Are people ready for a Minority Report style interface?

With the 360 dev kit, (Silverlight for XBOX?) and Kinect Mash ups the potential for implementing this kind of interface has never been greater.  But is it just a tech fanboys dream? 

Under what circumstance might we actually use this kind of interface in the real world?

also demoed yesterday

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/developingfordynamicsgp/archive/2011/04/13/microsoft-convergence-2011-atlanta-day-2.aspx

they also did a demo with the AR drone controlled by both kinect and surface2

doesnt seem like they whent into any kind of detail on the kinect control used though

I kinda fancy it for replacing the delete button. Reach out to grab a file/email and then throw it over your monitor as if throwing it into a bin. Would give me a lot more pleasure when deleting spam emails and the like

I think that people find motion controls fun at first but then tedious. Look at all of the Wiis sitting collecting dust.

The only non-keyboard/mouse controlled computer I can see getting popular is a Surface-like device embedded in a desk or countertop with multi-touch and stylus support.

What about virtual clippy, he waits until you move then tries to interpret what he thinks you are going to do next .. and ..

@Michael Butler: have you considered getting yourself a GMail motion account?

On a serious note: there are a few markets where this would make a lot of sense; for instance 3D modelling, where a mouse is usually inadequate. Even just being able to switch views, or rotate a model using - say - your free hand as a complement to the mouse would open a number of interesting scenarios.

For the general public, I'm not sure it would have a lot of traction. Aside of the (somewhat paranoid) perception that geturing may not provide the same level of privacy we have with a mouse or similar devices, I'm not sure I would want to be caught in public miming in front of my laptop. This might become socially acceptable someday, but I already got my fair share of stares when bluetooth earpieces weren't all that common, thanks.

I still occasionally say things like 'sorry, are you talking to me?' to people on their bluetooth headsets

@Ian2: I think it can be useful, but it will take a while for everyone to figure out the best use for this kind of thing. Nobody is going to want to go to work and gesture at their computer 8 hours a day. But it could be useful in more transient situations - I could imagine shared whiteboards in development offices eventually being replaced with displays that could be manipulated through touch and gestures, for example.

@Ian2:...and I give him the finger and he bursts into flames and evaporates with a pitiful wail.

Yeah, I could get used to that.

I think people are ready for a Minority Report type interface, I just don't think they're ready to pay for it.

i think gesture will be as important as the mouse, allthough mice and motion will complement each other. we already use alout of touch on phones and tablets

i think for more peripheral in motion and touch can be really useful, like for using aero peek, zooming, scrolling or similar stuff. i think motion will be like our left [or right if you're left handed] hand

MIX Keynote: Hey, lets find out guys!!

(Cool demo, well done).

kinect sdk, HELL YEAH

now dan, clint, i appologize in the advance for all the spam you'll get from me bugging you for details

Whats exciting is we have a brand new learning experience that we can dev for - its like designing the driving experience for the first time!

Can't wait.

I think it is possible. In combination of Hologram technology, this would be possible, but, costly at Hologram display.

someone at msr (or anywhere) needs to build a glove that can read all the angles from the users hand. basically a powerglove but without the need to position the whole hand in 3d space (since that is done by kinect)

minority report really did show a pretty realistic solution

Kinect should be a great fit with a decent size 3DTV (or projector) - with the demos I have seen on stage  so far it is necessary to interpret a 'penetration point' (for want of a better term).  What would make this easier is some kind of 3D 'liquid layer' that reacts when you reach out (through) it.

Imagine a vertical pool of water a few feet in from of your TV screen where you can reach in and grab a fish.

From there we can start using less obvious visual depth cues (maybe like the laser through smoke effect we have all seen in sci fi films?)

Lots to think about ...