Diving into the Leap Motion Controller (pictures)

The Leap Motion Controller, $80, tracks your fingers and hands through 3D space. But it's a little device, and it comes in a little white box.

A mini-unboxing: the Leap Motion Controller, a USB cable, and a link to download installation software. That's it.

The Leap Motion Controller is the size of a USB stick and is rimmed in aluminum.

The glossy top has infrared sensors and cameras underneath.

USB plug-in requires its own cable.

It's so small, you almost wish it was somehow wireless...but it isn't.

This is where it sits: in front of your computer, on your desk. The green LED is lit when connected.

An brief orientation takes you through your first setup.

Graphics show you the Leap Motion's virtual sensory field; it extends about 8 cubic feet around your desk, above the Controller.

A skeletal hand demonstrates finger tracking: all 10 fingers can be tracked at once, along with the bending of individual joints.

A brief finger-painting exercise to show you how your fingers can "dip" into space to press into or pull back on your brushstroke.

Airspace Home, the Leap Motion's app launcher, keeps track of all your Leap Motion-capable applications and links to the Airspace Store.

One app, Touchless, allows you to use the Leap Motion Controller to control Windows or Mac OS X directly. It also works with multifinger gestures, but the 3D gestural language isn't as easy to use as simply reaching for a touch screen. Seen here with a Dell XPS 18.

Games offer some of the Leap Motion's best experiences: BoomBall, seen here, is a 3D block-busting game using your finger as the paddle. Small finger bends can angle the paddle's shots.

The Leap Motion Controller connected to a MacBook Air. Since Macs don't have touch screens, there's arguably a little more benefit to what the Leap Motion brings.

The Leap Motion's low profile makes it easy to pack in a bag and take with you, although you'll need a table or flat surface to use it properly.

Playing around with grabbing glowing polygons in Lotus, an art-music app. The Leap Motion Controller has a fair share of beautiful but experimental artsy apps in its Airspace app catalog.

More Lotus space-fiddling.

Another Lotus mini-experience: spinning a weird head with your fingers.

Spinning many heads. Did I mention a lot of the Leap Motion experiences were artsy?

A closer peek at the nicely laid-out Airspace Store, which already has around 75 apps. A good handful run on both Mac and Windows, but some are Mac/Windows only. Categories include Education, Games, and Productivity.

Will the Leap Motion Controller ever replace your touch pad or mouse? No, not right now. But could it be a useful accessory? Well, that depends on whether you think you'd use apps with motion control. You probably already know the answer.

Playing Dropchord, a game that uses a finger from each hand in a series of arcade-like musical challenges. Games like this show how well the Leap Motion can be used for precision controls. Google Earth also works to impressive effect.

The Leap Motion's sense of 3D space begs for 3D computing. Maybe wearing an Oculus headset would result in a better experience.