I've often wondered whether the hi-tech gadgets that I've seen in films, would actually one day make it onto the open market.
I'm sure that fans of the Star Trek films thought the same when they saw Kirk using his flip communicators. You only have to look in any of our high street mobile phone shops now to see the cooler equivalent.
But I have to admit, never did I imagine that something like the security system in Tom Cruise's epic futuristic flick 'Minority Report' (in which police arrest the perpetrators of future crimes predicted by psychics) would ever become part of our unassuming world.
Such a system is currently being developed in the US to remotely screen air passengers who might be considering a terrorist attack.
The aim of Project Hostile Intent (PHI) is to find a way of catching would-be terrorists when they are just thinking of committing a crime.
A battery of lasers, cameras, eye trackers and microphones would be used to spot tiny changes in facial expression, pulse, perspiration, and gait that give away "current or future hostile intentions".
After tests at a handful of air and sea ports and border checkpoints the system could be deployed at all US entry points by 2012.
But critics claim Project Hostile Intent is unworkable.
The system is being developed by scientists working for the US Department of Homeland Security, New Scientist magazine has reported.
It would employ some of the techniques already used in polygraph lie detectors and by security staff trained in recognising body language.
But PHI would have to operate remotely, screening thousands of passengers having their bags checked or waiting to show their passports, most of whom will be innocent.
Computers would be used to carry out a rapid assessment of all the data received. Identified individuals would be apprehended and led off to be interviewed by security officers.
Since 2003, a system called Screening Passengers through Observation Techniques (Spot) has already been used at airports in the US. It uses trained "behaviour detection officers" who have been taught how to recognise suspicious "micro-expressions" in people milling around airports that may signify guilt or deception.
Spot has had some success and ensnared drug dealers, money launderers and one double murderer.
However it is expensive, labour intensive and time consuming. PHI is intended to automate Spot while at the same time increasing the number of signals that can be investigated.
Other experts pointed out that airports are high-stress places filled with people who are bored, tired, saying goodbye to loved ones, carrying upset children, late for flights or perhaps scared of flying. Any system that flagged up signs of stress was likely to target innocent people.
Hmmm... the mind boggles.
Other ideas generated in 'Minority Report' have also been adopted by the likes of technology giant Microsoft.
Microsoft Surface uses the same idea of dragging files around either a vertical or horizontal screen. To transfer files between mobile phones, all users have to do is place them on the table-style screen and drag (using your finger) photos, music or video files or files in text format between the phones.
By placing a digital camera or video camera on the screen it does the same, bringing up all the images and files for the viewer to see.
Microsoft Surface boasts to being the future. In a Microsoft world people will be able to pay for their restaurant or bar bill by simply placing their credit cards on the screen and rotating a circular icon up or down to decide how much of a tip to leave. To order more food or drinks you would simply touch an icon on the screen.
Visit: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/. Impressed? You should be.
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Oh, before I forget... welcome to Game On's new look page. Pretty funky ain't it?! Any ideas for features, reviews, competitions or anything else for that matter, drop me an email at tnichols@eveningherald.co.uk.
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Here's this week's best games:
Title: Guitar Hero: Rock the 80's
Platform: Sony PS2
RRP: £39.99
Hit count: 4/5
Guitar Hero is undoubtedly one of the best ideas for a video game in recent years. While the concept of the Wii is spot on with its interaction, there's something ultimately a lot cooler about wielding an 'axe' rather than a box controller.
This latest version sees you perform countless hits from the age that brought us luminous socks and Madonna.
While there's no doubt that the children of the eighties will love this, those that find it difficult to appreciate the likes of 'Flock of Seagulls' and 'Asia' will be hard-pressed to appreciate this.
While I can wholly support rocking out to the likes of Alice Cooper or ACDC in the original Guitar Hero version, this just doesn't feel quite right.
Title: Bioshock
Platform: Xbox 360
RRP: £49.99
Hit count: 5/5
It's always hard to review a game having already a review with it being given 10/10 on all counts. I almost feel a necessity to mark it down just for it being so darn good... but sadly I can't.
Bioshock is what a fast-paced all action shooter should be. Full of weapons, Doom-like playability, creepy music and sound recordings and, well, action.
The Bioshock plot places the player in Rapture, a world deep underwater where scientists were supposed to create a new and improved world for human kind.
As is always the case, something went wrong along the way and it's the main character's bag to fix it.
This is an awesome game worthy of the top marks. Buy it NOW.
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