Wristwatch phone turns your finger into an earpiece

Yahoo News ^ | 11/6/2003

[Amityschild]

A Japanese company has invented the world's first wristwatch phone which works by transforming the user's finger into an earpiece, it was reported.

The prototype gadget, Finger Whisper, consists of a wristband that converts digital signals into vibrations that are transmitted into the bones of the hand New Scientist says in next Saturday's issue.

The user puts his finger into his ear for the vibrations to be picked up by the eardrum, which then transcribes them back into sound signals for the brain.

To talk, he or she simply speaks into a microphone on the wristband.

By touching forefinger to thumb, the user starts or ends a call, and uses voice recognition technology to dial the number. There is no keypad.

Japanese telecommunications giant NTT DoCoMo is developing the idea, which is the brainchild of a research engineer, Masaaki Fukumoto.

[Amityschild]

Now you can really reach out and touch someone!

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Bump!

[verity]

I always have been able to communicate with my finger.:~)

[Kenton]

Wow... I can see the day coming when everywhere you go, people will be standing around talking loudly with their fingers stuck in their ears!

I don't think I can wait. I think I'm going to start doing that now...

[mywholebodyisaweapon]

Sounds like a good way to develop an arthritic hand. I wonder if such a malady would qualify for a workman's comp claim.

[AAABEST]

Just don't go to bed with itchy hiney.

[Amityschild]

And imagine, if you will, answering a call and proffering your finger "it's for you"...

[smith288]

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/SIGNS/SIGNS_4/M2404.MOV

Deaf people worldwide will be signing back saying "No thanks"

[Founding Father]

Pull my finger.

[lwd]

This is neat but I'm guessing the sound quality is probably comparable to communicating with two soup cans and a string.

[lwd]

I also have to wonder how the virbrations affect people with arthritis.

[general_re]

And imagine, if you will, answering a call and proffering your finger "it's for you"...

[Amityschild]

Ping!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Call for Philip Morris...

[Lazamataz]

Okay, this is just plain weird.

[punster]

Geez! Now, when you get a phone call, you will be told to: "Stick it in your ear!"

[GingisK]

My finger has always been able to act as a "mouthpeice". The transmitted message suffers limitations.

[joesnuffy]

just make sure you dont use the same finger
ya pick your nose with

[Hondo1952]

Come on, you made this up didn't you? I'm kidding. How would we use hands free phones if we have to put a finger in our ear?. What about if you have to rotate your fingers?