You know what they say about big gloves...
We have seen a host of funky contraptions for PC gamers. We have seen force-feedback flak jackets, custom keyboards, gyroscopic 3d joysticks and 3d glasses. Never before have I encountered a gaming gadget like the Peregrine USB glove.
That’s right… a USB glove. It’s a new way to control PC games that you wear on your hand, and the company claims it makes complex tasks easy in real-time strategy, MMOs, and even first-person shooter games.
 
You can have quick access to 30 additional controls by completing gestures with your hand, which can be pre-programmed through software.
First impressions
The glove is very stretchy and appears to be made from a spandex-like black material. Snaking around the fingers are metallic ribbons (conductive traces) which connect the contact point to the logic board on the back of the glove. The glove is secured around your wrist by tightening and securing a Velcro strap. The glove was designed to be used in conjunction with a PC keyboard, as it is made thin so that it will not hinder keyboard use.
 
 
Gamers can program macros to certain gestures, which are executed by touching two or more of the sensors together. There is a sensor on your thumb and each finger, and there is a pad in the palm of the glove. Users can make gestures such as touching the tip of your thumb to another finger, touching the tip of your middle finger to your palm (total Spider-man style), and several other combinations.
A little pod fits onto the back of the glove, which has a long wire that connects to any standard USB port. The guys at Peregrine say that the glove isn’t machine washable, but can be cleaned with a damp rag and soap.
The Borg have landed
A PC gamer could have all sorts of wires connected to their body if they go overboard on the whole virtual-reality gaming gear. Imagine a gamer with one of these gloves, a force-feedback flak jacket, headset, microphone, and virtual reality display glasses. I’m sure the Borg would take you in as one of your own. The point I’m trying to make with this exaggeration is that the glove might benefit from wireless technology.
 
Unanswered questions
We didn’t get a chance to look at the software, so hopefully it’s easy to use. The USB device appears as another HID (Human Input Device). Since it emulates keyboard commands, I’m assuming it will appear as another keyboard. If this is the case, it is unclear if the glove can use mouse commands in its macros.
Peregeine told us that the samples at the booth were still prototypes, and the actual production gloves should be ready early next year.
That's right... Touch for the Win, baby!
Peregrine wouldn’t comment on an official price point, but said that it should cost about the same as a “good gaming mouse or keyboard”. We estimate that this gaming glove should cost anywhere from $70 to $100.
We hope to have an official review on this interesting gaming product when it gets close to launch. Hopefully it is actually useful rather than gimmicky.
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