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On May 2, a blog post on Fast Company lamented the lack of an interface that allows a user to drag files from a computer  to a smart phone with the swipe of a finger, eliminating the sometimes-convoluted process of transferring data between devices.

The story highlights a conceptualized interface developed by designer Ishac Bertran, but ultimately concludes that, for the idea to become reality, major developers like Amazon and Apple would have to seriously revise their devices. Not long after being posted, the story caught the eye of a surprised doctoral student in the MIT Media Lab.

From Fast Company:

Last week, we reported on a cool, if seemingly far-fetched, UI concept that’d let you drag files from your phone to your computer with a swipe of the finger. The idea is “so simple and clever, you wonder why it doesn’t exist already,” we wrote. Hours later, an email appeared in our inbox, subject line: “it exists!” The message came courtesy of Natan Linder, a PhD student in the Fluid Interfaces group at the MIT Media Lab.

The “it” referenced by Linder is Swÿp, an open-source software device created by Alexander List ’15 that facilitates a cross-app, cross-device data exchange using physical “swipe” gestures.

[vimeo 34976677 w=450 h=253]

The Fluid Interfaces group exploited each device’s existing capabilities (no hacking) and used information such as the devices's approximate  WiFi location and social media and email account details. The information is then tied to a real-time gesture, in this case a swipe.

From Fast Company:

Hold up two Swÿp-enabled devices next to each other, and they’re able to communicate in a language both understand: a hybrid of the digital and physical worlds.

Swÿp, which is still in its early research phase and not yet available as an app, could have potential applications ranging from photo swapping to sharing large files previously available via Dropbox or YouSendIt.

So, if you're not sure a technical interface has been developed yet, check with MIT.

Would a device like this be valuable in your everyday professional or personal life? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.

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Comments

Joe Blow

Fri, 05/11/2012 12:50pm

Ever hear of Dropbox? and the bazillion other such services? Other than the swipe gesture, really what is new here?

Typical useless attention seeking crap from the Media Lab.

SAP Project Manager

Wed, 09/05/2012 7:26pm

This would be great to drop files across portable devices without having to connect, wifi, etc. I right now use WiFi to transfer files between my PC and iPad.

John Q

Fri, 05/11/2012 7:45pm

Other than the main feature being presented, really what is new here?

I mean, seriously. People already invented smartphones, and people already invented electricity, and people already invented the concept of a document. All this does is help you get a file from one mobile device to another device instantaneously without having to invite someone to a Dropbox or upload and share a public link or do other cumbersome stuff.

cp_cat

Fri, 05/11/2012 11:55am

jep... already there... but great idea:
http://hoccer.com/

Niaz

Fri, 05/11/2012 9:51am

too bad that you guys forget to mention the original inventor Pranav Mistry. Please visit: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_technology.html to see it yourself and pay attention to the date

Monica Harris

Wed, 05/09/2012 9:40am

I would like an inexpensive portable 12 lead EKG machine which is less than 1 lb, wireless, and the tracing stored in the computer.

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