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Knock some sense into your Lenovo ThinkPad

by Bob Crabtree on 31 July 2006, 13:01

Tags: IBM (NYSE:IBM)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qagf6

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Smack your laptop and get a meaningful response!

We don't pretend to understand the Perl scripting behind it but, still, how could we not tell you about how to knock some sense into your Lenovo ThinkPad, using Linux and HDAPS kernel drivers?

This truly batty idea is explained by Nathan Harrington, a programmer at IBM - the company that sold its laptop interest to Lenovo. He says,

For the first time, you can hit your computer and get a meaningful response! Using Linux and the Hard Drive Active Protection System (HDAPS) kernel drivers, you can access the embedded accelerometers on Lenovo (formerly IBM) ThinkPads, then process the accelerometer data to read specific sequences of "knocking" events -- literally rapping on the laptop case with your knuckles -- and run commands based on those knocks. Double tap to lock the screen, and knock in your secret code to unlock. Tap the display lid once to move your mp3 player to the next track. The possibilities are endless.


Rapping Lenovo laptop to enter commandsHow often have you felt like doing this?

If you want to know more, check out the page that Nathan created, where the resources include loads of scripts and tips, plus links to various version of a demo video.

Thanks to Slashdot for the heads up.

Thoughts - batty or not? Let's hear 'em in this thread in the HEXUS.community.

HEXUS.links

HEXUS.community :: discussion thread about this article
IBM Devworks - knockAge



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