Mobile World Congress - PointGrab Ltd., the leader in advanced hand gesture recognition solutions currently deployed in Samsung, Acer and Fujitsu consumer products, brings the gesture control experience to mobile phones and tablets by releasing its Software Development Kit (SDK) for iOS developers. The new gesture SDK enables app developers to incorporate human interface input through the mobile camera and allows interaction and device control from distance, without the physical contact required with touch control. The application identifies and responds to hand gestures and shapes including tracking, swipes, drag and drop, zoom, thumbs up, and mute up to a 10 foot distance. PointGrab’s iOS SDK provides developers with an easy way to incorporate the successful hand gesture algorithm including UI and control capabilities into any mobile and gaming applications and is available for developers starting today.

PointGrab’s hand gesture solution enables users to control, interact and play with mobile devices in a natural and universal language. This new way of interaction can be applicable for core mobile functionalities such as snoozing the alarm clock, muting the device, answering calls and controlling media applications. In addition, hand gesture adds a totally new dimension to mobile gaming by using the real 3D space and extending the gaming experience beyond the actual screen, providing gaming environments with new concepts and opportunities to use real space as an extension of screen space.

“PointGrab is excited to introduce a new dimension to the consumer mobile experience by adding hand gesture capabilities to tablets and smartphones. We believe gesture control can be implemented as core functionality as well as in a large range of applications,” said Haim Perski, CEO of PointGrab. “We invite the developers’ community to take part in bringing this innovative way of interaction to consumers worldwide by implementing great ideas for gesture based apps and games.”

Two new mobile apps were developed using the PointGrab’s gesture SDK and will be available for consumers:

CamMe – a unique gesture-controlled camera app that enables users to take pictures from distance, without the need to hold the device, use a timer or have a person behind the lens. The user just has to raise a hand to operate the camera and smile. CamMe does the rest. The CamMe app can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store here.

PlungaShot – a gesture-based game that simulates bow and arrow actions in a real 3D space created by using hand gestures. By incorporating gesture control into games, PointGrab’s technology enables movement beyond the X and Y axes to include a real 3D experience along the Z axis. The PlungaShot app is currently available only for demonstration.

Mobile developers can apply to join the developers program to receive the new iOS gesture SDK by emailing PointGrab at: developer@pointgrab.com. PointGrab will be at Mobile World Congress in Hall 2, Booth 2D50 in the Israeli Mobile Association (IMA) Pavilion.

About PointGrab

PointGrab is a pioneer in advanced hand gesture recognition solutions offering a natural and intuitive way of interacting with consumer devices. PointGrab’s software solution enables TVs, PCs, tablets, and smartphones to be operated by a natural user interface using hand shapes and movements.

PointGrab’s sophisticated machine-learning algorithm for hand recognition, tracking and motion is superior in its ability to work with the widest range of gestures, accuracy, reliability, range and lighting conditions. The maturity and flexibility of the solution enables PointGrab customers to offer a unique customized gesture based experience to end users, leveraging standard cameras with minimal impact on processing resources and power consumption. PointGrab’s advanced software can be integrated as an end-to-end solution or as SDK, and is available on Linux, Android, Windows, iOS, and OS X platforms.

PointGrab‘s market-leading solutions have been commercially available since 2010 and are currently integrated into millions of consumer devices through many of the world’s top OEMs, brands and developers such as Samsung, Acer, Fujitsu, Haier, Intel and others.

Founded in 2008, PointGrab is headquartered in Tel Aviv, with representatives across the globe. For more information: www.pointgrab.com.