The Leap Motion Controller has the potential to add intuitive 3D and gestural controls to any of the myriad visual tasks that we do on our desktop and laptop computers. To get the most out of the device, you'll want to explore the offerings in Leap Motion's Airspace Store, where you'll find 80 or so apps that show off all of the controller's gesture and motion capability. Many of these apps are little more than technical demonstrations and toys, giving you a nifty trick you can use the Leap Motion Controller for. But if you want to go beyond what the controller can do and really dig into what the controller can help you get done, you'll want to look at each app a little more closely.
Here is the Top 10 Apps from the Airspace.
1. Dropchord :
Dropchord mixes fast-paced two-handed action with intense visuals and sets it all to a thumping electronic soundtrack. Developed by indie-game-darling DoubleFine Productions, Dropchord lets you control the action with two fingers, scoring points and dodging obstacles within a neon-hued circle to the beat of the music. It's a game uniquely suited to motion and touch controls, and the frenetic pace and graphics worthy of a seizure warning make it extremely entertaining.
2. Molecules :
Molecules is a Mac-only app that lets you view and manipulate 3D renderings of molecules. Pan around the molecule for a better understanding of its shape, and zoom in and out for a hands-on understanding of the structure and chemical bonds.
Molecules is free for Mac only.
3. Cyber Science - Motion :
Cyber Science puts anatomy knowledge in three dimensions with Motion 3D, which lets you explore, dissect, and reassemble a human skull while learning the names and locations of all 28 bones. Explore the skull's structure in a relaxed mode, where you can pan, dissect, and reassemble at your own pace, or enter one of 13 challenge modes that pit you against the clock while you reassemble the most macabre of jigsaw puzzles.
Cyber Science Motion 3D is free.
4. Exoplanet :
Mac-only Exoplanet puts the Milky Way in your hands, letting you explore within our own solar system or explore the extensive catalogue of all known planets, a growing list that is updated as new discoveries are confirmed. Soar through space and examine the universe on multiple level, all with interactive navigation via the Leap Motion Controller.
Exoplanet is available for $1.99, for Mac only.
5. Frog Dissection :
Revisit biology class without the need for rubber gloves using Frog Dissection. Whether you want to dissect a frog, right down to pinning the specimen before marking incision sites, or just learn more about the anatomy and life cycle of frogs, Frog Dissection lets you wave and swipe your way through a rich educational experience.
Frog Dissection is available for $3.99 for both Windows and Mac.
6. Block54 :
A variety of scenarios and unique physics that vary from level to level keep things interesting. It's a game that will look familiar to anyone that's played Jenga, but the motion controls make this a uniquely challenging game of steady hands and delicate motion.
Block54 is available for free in the Airspace Store, and is available for Mac and Windows.
7. Boom Ball :
Add explosions, and mix thoroughly, and you'll get Boom Ball. A straightforward game for the Leap Motion Controller, Boom Ball has you poking and bouncing a ball through the air to destroy stacks of bricks, helping you get more comfortable with the Leap Motion Controller while also letting you gleefully destroy the offending block structures through 50 unique levels. It's simple, but it's fun.
8. NYTimes for Leap Motion :
With so many apps having limited appeal, the New York Times app will have you coming back day after day for the latest headlines.
9. Corel Painter Freestyle :
Corel Painter Freestyle combines the Leap Motion Controller with a full-featured paint program, letting you create unique artworks by painting in mid-air. With 15 brush types, 6 different canvas textures, and the option of painting with fingers or implements, Corel Painter Freestyle puts digital art within the reach of any set of hands.
Corel Painter Freestyle is free from the Airspace Store, for Windows only.
10. Touchless :
With both basic and advanced interaction modes, Touchless lets you scroll, tap, zoom, and more, with all of the hand-wavey goodness seen in Minority Report or Iron Man. Of everything we've seen the Leap Motion Controller do, this is the most impressive. It won't replace your keyboard and mouse, but it will give you a whole new way to interact with your PC.
There's still a lot of unexplored ground for developers to uncover with the Leap Motion Controller, but the batch of apps available right out of the gate already give users a good taste of all the ways this sort of technology can be used. We could see more and more apps in near future.
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