Doublepoint's gesture-tech can detect micro gestures.

Doublepoint launches gesture-touch tech for wearable devices

Doublepoint Technologies has launched a gesture-tech app on Google Play that shows off its gesture-touch technology for Android wearables such as watches.

Designed for the Android WearOS, the demo from Doublepoint is coming just in time to show off the gesture controls at CES 2024, the big tech trade show in Las Vegas next week.

You can do things like pinch at a virtual object with your fingers and the Android watch will detect your wrist movements and convey to the smartphone or computer that you’re pinching your fingers. The company said it can very accurately detect such “microgestures” and do so much more cheaply than cameras, which are used in devices such as virtual reality headsets. 

An Android watch with Doublepoint’s gesture tech can detect your finger pinches.

The app introduces the brand-new gesture-touch technology, coupled with instant Bluetooth connectivity to a myriad of devices, marking a leap in human-computer interaction, the company said.

The Finnish startup has released a version of its gesture detection algorithm, now compatible with WearOS smartwatches, aiming to elevate user experiences beyond traditional touch interfaces.

Doublepoint wants to add to the gestures computers can recognize.

“Our touch-based gesture tracking redefines the realm of smartwatch interaction, delivering a natural and powerful user experience,” said Ohto Pentikäinen, CEO of Doublepoint, in a statement. “We’re rewriting the rules for human-computer interaction, offering an intuitive bridge between users and their devices. This app heralds a new era, and at CES 2024, we’re excited to reveal the magic behind this technology and explore collaborations with partners and developers eager to enhance their devices.”

The Doublepoint app, available for download on the Play Store, opens the door to an innovative realm of human-computer interaction. Visitors at the CES 2024 Unveiled press event on January 7 and those attending the event at Booth 60637 in Eureka Park, Venetian Expo, Hall G, from Jan. 9-12, can experience it firsthand.

The app has garnered a robust community of over 200 users and developers, showcasing its appeal across various tech spheres.

Doublepoint has 200 users and developers in its gesture community.

At CES 2024, Doublepoint showcases its latest software iteration, introducing human interface device (HID) support. This advancement introduces stationary pinch and hold capabilities, a significant milestone in wrist-based device control, promising users a more immersive experience by blending gesture and touch functionalities seamlessly.

With HID support, the app enables any device to recognize it as a “mouse,” facilitating effortless integration with Bluetooth-enabled devices, the company said. This heralds a new era of intuitive interaction across diverse electronic devices.

Doublepoint said such gesture detection is cheaper with a watch than a camera.

In tandem with the app’s release, Doublepoint has announced pre-orders for the Doublepoint Evaluation Kit. This kit, tailored for companies looking to embed the Doublepoint gesture detection algorithm, includes a wristband, advanced algorithms, and evaluation tools.

The key features of the Doublepoint Kit encompass advanced gesture detection capabilities, licensable software for integration into existing smartwatches, and a reference design for the creation of new device categories, including input wristbands.

Companies keen on exploring the future of gesture detection and integrating pioneering solutions into their products can now pre-order the Doublepoint Kit. More details and pre-order information are available on the Doublepoint Kit Waitlist Form.

Dean Takahashi

Dean Takahashi is editorial director for GamesBeat at VentureBeat. He has been a tech journalist since 1988, and he has covered games as a beat since 1996. He was lead writer for GamesBeat at VentureBeat from 2008 to April 2025. Prior to that, he wrote for the San Jose Mercury News, the Red Herring, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and the Dallas Times-Herald. He is the author of two books, "Opening the Xbox" and "The Xbox 360 Uncloaked." He organizes the annual GamesBeat Next, GamesBeat Summit and GamesBeat Insider Series: Hollywood and Games conferences and is a frequent speaker at gaming and tech events. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.