Google has acquired a gesture recognition tech startup, Flutter, to integrate the technology in to its wide array of services.
Google Inc., the world's largest search engine, continues its shopping spree by acquiring a gesture recognition tech start up, Flutter. The web giant has not officially announced the latest acquisition but Flutter has updated its homepage with a message that confirms the news.
Google's agenda behind the acquisition has not come to light but since the web giant has a wide range of services that can fit in the hand gesture technology, the new deal will be a profitable outcome. The deal will not affect the startup's research and it will continue its work at Google.
Flutter is a San-Francisco based startup backed by Y Combinator Andreessen Horowitz, New Enterprise Associates, Spring Ventures and Start Fund . It raised nearly $1.4 million in its initial phase.
The startup specializes in gesture recognition technology, which requires no separate hardware, in fact, it uses the computer's built-in web cam to control certain apps with basic hand gestures on Windows and Mac OS X. It was started nearly 18 months ago but did not gain as much popularity as the company anticipated. Hopefully, after coming under Google's wing, the technology might find wider acceptance.
Flutter app for Windows and Mac can be used to control navigation for iTunes, Spotify, Rdio, VLC, Keynote, Winamp, Windows Media Player, and with a Chrome extension, for Youtube, Netflix, Pandora, and Grooveshark. Simple gestures like placing the hand in front of the webcam from one to six feet away will pause the video. Similarly, pointing the thumb to your right will change the media file to "next" and for a previous file, point the thumb to the "left".
"Today, we are thrilled to announce that we will be continuing our research at Google. We share Google's passion for 10x thinking, and we're excited to add their rocket fuel to our journey," Flutter CEO, Navneet Dalal, wrote in a blog, Wednesday.
Similar technology has been integrated into Samsung Galaxy S4, which allows accepting calls, changing music and browsing through the gallery with hand gestures. Considering Google is working vigorously on its Nexus lineup, it wouldn't be surprising to see the acquired technology put in to use in its next smartphone. The gesture control tech might also be used in Google's Chromebooks or as an extension for its Google Chrome browser. However, it will be exciting if Google can bring support for new gestures to control services beyond media players.
