With new built-in features, dedicated apps, and multiple connectors, a TV today is much more than a simple boob tube. However, the idea of adding touch support hasn't gained much ground among manufacturers. Luckily, there are external solutions that allow us to change that, and one of them is Touchjet Wave, which basically left no stone unturned in its crowdfunding campaign.
Obviously, touch screens have their time and place. Mobile devices have made them one of their most critical features, but in the case of computers, the story is very different. Undoubtedly, Windows 8 was the most significant effort to accelerate touch screen adoption among laptops and desktop systems. The theory had several positive aspects, but in practice almost everything went wrong, and the gap widened. Then came devices like Leap Motion, which has enormous potential combined with virtual reality, although it left much to be desired in its original launch. Now, what about TVs? They're getting smarter, have a wide repertoire of preinstalled apps, and receive updates like a computer. How would touch support work on such a device?
How Does Touchjet Wave Work?
The Touchjet Wave aims to find out. An infrared sensor is installed on the top of the TV (whether 'smart' or not, between 20 and 80 inches), connects to an available HDMI port, and after a brief calibration, the screen is ready to recognize our touch. We shouldn't mistakenly imagine the Touchjet Wave as a simple accessory, because inside it has specs worthy of any smartphone, and Android 4.4 as its operating system. This also means that touch interaction is only with Touchjet Wave's apps, not with the ones already on the TV. One of the most interesting aspects (besides the touch capability itself) is the ability to turn a compatible smartphone or tablet into a remote control thanks to the official mobile app. If you want to send an image from the device to the screen to see it in higher resolution, a quick drag is all it takes.
Availability and Price
Apparently, the Touchjet Wave campaign on Indiegogo has pressed all the right buttons, and in a matter of days it shattered the original goal of one hundred thousand dollars. Its ease of installation and use, combined with Android compatibility, make it very attractive, but we shouldn't forget the price. With a 40 percent discount off its future retail price, interested buyers can get a Touchjet Wave today for $119, plus another $30 for international shipping (excluding taxes). The first shipments will go out next March.
