HKI's "clicker" links paper and PCs

HKI SYSTEMS HAS CREATED an interesting new gadget that could potentially save truckloads of time for impatient web surfers and buyers.

The device, called "the clicker" allows the clickee to click on website URLs from paper, such as in catalogs or magazines. The premise is, a tiny TIF picture file marks each item in the catalogue - each image having a unique URL. When you pass your clicker over whatever item you want, you click down and the particular URL will show up on your computer screen.

A possible use for the item is acquiring products online. Say you're looking through an Argos catalogue, but you can't be bothered to go down to your local branch, so you fire up the trusty internet. You'll have to load the homepage, enter in product codes and all that palava. It would be miles easier if you could click your clicker on the catalogue page and be pointed to your product directly.

This could save time for companies as well as your average customer, for example, a staff member needs to order a bunch of generic office supplies. No more unnecessary searching and scrolling through sites.

If this catches on - which is entirely possible, if it's priced reasonably and marketed properly - then it could save us all a lot of unnecessary effort. µ

L'INQ
The Clicker