I’m sure there are some potential benefits to placing IR or 3D human sensing cameras in TVs, DVRs, and game consoles, such as the ability to change the channel without a remote control or play games via body movements, but any gains in convenience are quickly eliminated when one considers some of the other possible uses for these “eyes”. Already, Microsoft’s Project Natal for XBox and Sony’s Eye for Playstation are offering users a “revolutionary new way to play” via an “interactive gaming and online communication experience“. These camera based devices, integrated into TVs or DVRs, as proposed by Comcast in 2008, could identify you as you watch your favorite programming, allowing advertisers to directly market products and services to you based on your age, gender, or even your mood.

A product offered by PrimeSense, with whom Comcast experimented, uses thermal and 3D imaging to scan a room for occupants. The device would recognize hand gestures and motions which when coupled with third party applications could offer a range of enhancements over conventional interaction and control.

This is great until someone ultimately finds a way to use misuse the technology. The last thing we need is someone gaining access to a live video feed of our living rooms. I guess I’ll have to stock up on stickers to cover the lens.