CES 2014: HAL *Can* Do That, Dave (More or Less)

Remember that all-seeing, all-knowing, all-controlling computer with the creepy voice, HAL 9000, that ran amok in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey? He’s back (sort of), and now he’s running your living room.

No need to panic, this new $199 version of HAL (for Human Algorithm LTE) doesn’t have access to your life support systems—just your TV, Internet, music, movies, games, cable box, Skype and social media. It’s on hand for debuts at CES 2014.

Since some of us have more active imaginations than others, let’s just say that HAL will be able to handle commands like:

Streaming movies and music in from Netflix and Pandora Changing channels by calling out the channel number or specific network.

Setting your DVR to record Placing video and phone calls over Skype or on a cell phone, and set picture-in-picture so you can talk while watching a movie

Bringing up your Facebook feed Conducting Internet searches Playing Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja Setting calendar reminders

It also has facial recognition, so it can tell if you’re you and deliver your preferred content – while keeping the kids locked out of it all.

And just in case you’re still haunted by the voice of the movie HAL, this one uses a Siri-like female voice. It’ll shut off your oxygen supply in the fall of 2014.

 

CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show; 1/7/14

 

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