Love it, but wasn't the software tricorder app shut down by CBS on the basis of trademark infringement? How on earth will this project survive that?

The tricorder app was apparently shut down because CBS claimed it infringed upon their graphical interface, not because of the name itself. The app has since been relaunched.

http://code.google.com/p/moonblink/wiki/Tricorder

I can't find it in the market. Looks like it's dead again. I guess all the source code is there.

I've missed that app. The LCARS interface was neat but just showing off the sensor capabilities to people, especially kids, was great.

Which is sad, because a Tricorder without LCARS interface is kind of... lacking something.

I think he'll be fine. You can quickly rename it with minimal fuss. Kudos to an open source project and possibly using the preexisting science setup for the medical Tricorder XPrize.

Get notoriety, be forced to change name amid flurry of press. Speaking of which, did that other app come back to life?

Pretty cool, but I always imagined it would be easier to build a "tricorder dock" for smartphones (with drivers for the new sensors and the necessary software/apps) - there's a lot more you could do with it, as well...

Yeah I think that trying to emulate the design of the TNG tricorder might be limiting in a way and probably isn't the best design for a mass produced version.

This guy needs to start a company and develop the idea. Even if it's just a package of easy to get sensors (as opposed to the advanced sensors in the show version) it's still cool enough to be an awesome gift for Christmas.

I think YC should proactively recruit this guy for the next round ;p

It's very cool though it feels like I'd rather have some dongle with censors to plug into my smartphone than yet another device.

That's exactly what I was thinking :-)...

Oftentimes I find myself wondering what temperature it is outside and instinctively glancing at my watch...this seems like a great solution. I remember having a "Tricorder" program for my Palm Pilot but all it did was make Star Trek sounds, lol.

Sure, a smartphone add-on would be cool, but as the developer says, this device intended to be used by inquisitive children, not the kind of people who own smartphones.

I hope he can start producing these more efficiently soon; I wouldn't think twice before laying down a decent amount of money to have one of my own.

Most of my friends' kids all have iPod Touches. I expect that trend to continue to increase so something for the more generic handheld devices seem like they'd get into the hands of a lot more children.

There's a video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3sHTKrGdKI

Thanks for sharing. I was really excited by the website, but there's nothing like seeing the device in action.

Actual technology that will bring about "tricorder-like" sensing: http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsN...

Hyperspectral imaging also introduces the possibility of identifying all the objects in a scene. Terahertz waves can even "look through walls" of most material. Heck, we can do that with simple radio waves and enough computing power.[1] The only thing keeping that bench-top from being miniaturized into a handheld device are further electronic miniaturization and a phased array software antenna.

[1] http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/ll-seeing-through-walls-1...

I guess I didn't realize that a device with all these capabilities was within reach. This is brilliant. Looks like a very fun project to build, too.

I want this. I would carry it everywhere.

i'd keep it in my bag next to my towel. :-)

but it would be really useful. have used the metal detector in the android tricorder app to find metal in places where we were planning to drill.

if somebody builds them in bulk the price will come down. even an expensive version will sell to geeks, nerds and hackers.

I want it, but only if Home Depot sells it for under $30.

Great! now i will be sure those stainless steel trinkets i buy online are actually aluminum.