Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Bxi 2.0 controller senses motion, displays notifications, responds to voice commands

Kyle Wiggers
By

bixi 2 gesture controller bluemint labs 5669ddd26db1b859159136b38c44a7a6 v1
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Every once in a while when you’re using your smartphone, there’s that annoying moment when you need to tap through a recipe, flip the page of an eBook, or skip a video ad but don’t have a finger to spare. Perhaps they’re coated with flour dough — or barbecue sauce. Whatever the reason, the result’s the same: You’re stuck without a way to use your touchscreen — unless you have the gesture-sensing Bixi 2.0, that is.

The original Bixi, the product of the French startup Bluemint Labs, looked a little like a miniature hexagonal hockey puck, and its successor is no different. The Gorilla Glass-shielded black surface, which houses optical sensors and a rechargeable battery that lasts up to a month, is supported by five stabilizing plastic feet. There’s also a key chain ring.

Recommended Videos

Just like last years’s model, the Bixi 2.0’s sensors easily differentiate between horizontal, diagonal, and vertical swipes. The Bixi 2.0 features eight distinct, preprogrammed gesture modes, two of which were demonstrated by company representatives at CES in early January. When paired with an iOS or Android device via Bluetooth LE, you can control system volume by raising or lowering your hand. Within lists and apps that scroll vertically, such as cooking guide Allrecipes, you can swipe up to reveal a recipe’s list of ingredients, for example. Inside eBook readers, navigation is just as intuitive — you can swipe left or right to turn the page.

Related

But the second-generation Bixi features a first: An E Ink display that shows the current temperature, time, and smartphone notifications. Thanks to a built-in microphone and support for Amazon’s Alexa voice service, it can accept verbal commands, too. And it ships with a Wi-Fi connected hub that lets you control smart home devices like Samsung’s SmartThings and the Philips Hue.

The Bixi 2.0 naturally invites comparisons to Leap Motion, an $80 USB gesture controller for Windows and Mac, but Bluemint Labs is adamant that the Bixi is meant to complement rather than replace a touchscreen or mouse. And unlike Leap Motion, which in recent years has pivoted to development for virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Gear VR, Bluemint is maintaining a narrower focus with the Bixi. It’s intended strictly as an input device, company representatives told Digital Trends.

The original Bixi is available in Europe. U.S. customers can pre-order a Bixi 2.0 unit for $99, and it’s expected to ship in March.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Kyle Wiggers
Kyle Wiggers
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kyle Wiggers is a writer, Web designer, and podcaster with an acute interest in all things tech. When not reviewing gadgets…
The 6 best tablets for kids in 2024
Fire HD 6 Kids Edition

Tablets, which cater to a wide range of purposes, are also excellent devices for children. Younger kids will be able to access educational and entertainment apps with a tactile experience because of the devices' touchscreens. while older kids can use them for their schoolwork and recreational activities. However, not all tablets in the market are designed for children, so to help you decide what to buy, we've rounded up the best tablets for kids of all ages.

There are no limitations to the learning and creativity of children, and a tablet will help them develop their knowledge and skills like no other gadget can. While it's still necessary for parents to guide their kids in maximizing the use of their tablets, it can't be denied that the device has the potential to be a useful tool for your children as they grow up. Buying them one of our recommended tablets below will make sure that they get an appropriate device for their age, as we took into consideration several factors that prioritize your kid's well-being above all else.
The best tablets for kids in 2024

Read more
Visible’s affordable 5G plans just got even cheaper
The Visible logo on a smartphone.

Visible has a new offer that can help you save significant money when switching to its service. Both Visible and Visible+ packages are now available for purchase upfront on an annual basis. These new annual plans are available for new Visible customers starting today, while existing customers will gain access to them this May.

With this new deal, the Visible+ plan costs $395 per year when paid upfront instead of $540 when paid in 12 monthly installments of $45 each. This means you can save $145, which is 26%. That's an incredible savings. When paying upfront for the regular Visible plan, it will cost $275 per year, saving you $25. If you pay for it monthly, the standard Visible plan costs $25 per month (or $300 per year).

Read more
iPhone SE 4: news, rumored price, release date, and more
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Apple iPhone SE (2020) together.

While the spotlight always seems to be on Apple’s mainline iPhones, the iPhone SE is a great pick for those who are on a budget. If you want an iPhone that doesn't break the bank, the SE is the way to go.

The original iPhone SE came out in 2016, and then Apple revamped it in 2020 and 2022 by giving it some more modern hardware. The iPhone SE tends to get updated every two or so years rather than annually like the traditional iPhone. This means  that we should see a new iPhone SE 4 this year, but it’s not so cut-and-dried with this particular model.

Read more