Joined at the Hip

iCognito is the the first iPhone App released by Project.FC!  iCognito is an app that grants two users the ability to practice “Virtual Telepathy”.  This means that you can communicate to each other using basic gestures while your iPhone remains in the front pocket of your jeans.  No need to see, hear or type on your iPhone.  When connected through iCognito, you and your partner are indeed, Joined at the Hip!

Available through the Apple iPhone App Store – Click Here
Price: 99 cents
Initial Release Date: December, 22 2010
Current Version: 1.0.1
Current Version Release Date: January, 21 2011

Device and iOS support

iCognito fully supports all iPhone devices running iOS 3.2 or higher EXCEPT first generation iPhones (Other devices do not support Bluetooth connections or vibration).

How it works

iCognito allows two users to connect via local Bluetooth wireless.  When connected they can send and receive messages just like any standard chat room app.  However, if they enable ‘Hands Free’ mode, iCognito will begin listening to and sending DOT and DASH messages that will trigger their partner device to receive the appropriate vibration signal.  This ‘Virtual Telepathy’ allows two users to communicate without touching, seeing or hearing their device.  They simply need to place it in their pants pocket where they can feel incoming iCognito messages.

Applications

The applications for iCognito are endless.  Imagine communicating secretly to your friend during a double date, or signaling discretely to your spouse when it is time to leave a party.  iCognito is a useful app for any situation that requires subtle, and secret communication.

Practice makes perfect

As with anything that requires physical action, iCognito works best when you and your partner have practiced.  Before using this App in a live situation, be sure to calibrate, and practice communicating in ‘Hands Free Mode’.  It is a ton of fun to think about and practice what combination of DOT and DASH gestures will mean “Time to go!”, or “He’s a dud!”  The more you practice, the more reliably iCognito works, and the more diverse your DOT/DASH vocabulary will become.

Beginner user tactics

At first, your skill with iCognito will restrict you to avoid ‘Hands Free Mode’ beyond just playing with it and practicing with your partner.  However, iCognito can still be used in ‘live’ situations where a one of the users is simply receiving the DOT and DASH signals from the other.  This method can be used in a situation where one user is feeding answers to their partner with this secret method.  Just remember to place the device that is receiving the message in a place where you can feel those incoming vibrate methods.

Advanced user tactics

Once you have your iCognito muscle memory nailed down and have the perfect calibration set configured, you will start to have some real confidence issuing ‘Hands Free Mode’ DOT and DASH messages through the supported gestures.  Now you and your partner can use iCognito at full strength, and implement some “Virtual Telepathy”.   You and your partner can rule at euchre or other team based card games in no time, or simply continue to send secret messages both ways while eating dinner with friends.  However, with great power comes great responsibility.  So, please do not use iCognito for any illegal activities.  Just have fun with it!

How to use this App

iCognito requires that two users both have the iCognito App installed and running on their iPhones.

Forming a Connection

To form an iCognito connection with another user, simply click on the ‘Form a Connection’ button located on the main iCognito screen.  Both users must click on this button in order to discover each other over Bluetooth.  If you do not currently have Bluetooth enabled on your device, an alert prompt will appear asking you if it is acceptable to turn it on.  You must agree and enable Bluetooth for a connection to be established.  Bluetooth has a maximum range of about 100 feet, so make sure you aren’t too far from your partner when attempting to connect and communicate.

Once the ‘Form a Connection’ button is clicked, and Bluetooth is enabled, an alert stating that the device is looking for other devices will appear.  In a few seconds you will get a list of available iCognito partners.  Simply select the appropriate partner to initiate the connection.  Whoever selects their partner first will send a message to the other asking them to accept.  Once this handshake is complete, you will be placed into an iCognito chat room.

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The iCognito Chat Room

The iCognito chat room is where you and your partner will exchange messages.  You can send normal text messages using the text box and on screen keyboard.  You can also use the DOT and DASH buttons to send manual vibrate messages.  Also if your typed message contains ‘.’ and ‘-’ characters, your partner’s device will interpret this string with vibrations.  ‘Hands Free Mode’ is the option to toggle when you wish to have your device begin interpreting supported gestures.  Just remember to get your device in your pocket within 10 seconds of enabling ‘Hands Free Mode’ in order to ensure you don’t trigger any erroneous gestures.

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‘Hands Free Mode’

Correct Posture

‘Hands Free Mode’ is a mode that will allow your device to start listening for supported gestures.  This can be enabled using the toggle switch located in the chat room.  In order for ‘Hands Free Mode’ to work properly, you must position your device so that it is near level.  The best place for your device while operating in ‘Hands Free Mode’ is in a front pocket of your pants on top of your thigh while you are sitting normally in a chair with your knees bent near 90 degrees.  See the image to the right for the correct ‘Hands Free Mode’ posture.  Imagine your device sitting flat on your thigh, as if place on a tabletop.  This position will allow for all of the supported gestures to be easily issued, as well as allow for you to easily detect (feel) incoming DOT and DASH signals.  Also, depending on the case your device is enclosed in, placing it ‘screen down’ will allow you to feel incoming vibrate signals.

Supported Gestures for ‘Hands Free Mode’

The following gestures are currently supported by iCognito.

HEEL STOMP (DOT) – sends a single vibrate burst to your connected partner.  This can also be triggered by sending a text ‘.’ message.
KNEE WAG (DASH) – sends a quick double vibrate sequence.  This can also be triggered by sending a text ‘-’ message.

Calibrating ‘Hands Free Mode’

Since everyone issues a Heel Stomp and Knee Wag gestures with different forces, iCognito has a built in ‘Hands Free Mode’ calibration tool that can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Calibrate’ button found on the main screen.  The calibrate screen allows you to adjust the sensitivity for the supported gestures.  It also allows you to enter into a ‘Test Mode’ where you can change the sensitivity levels on the fly to get them just right.

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Thanks for your support!

The initial release of iCognito is fairly bare bones.  I have some pretty cool ideas for future releases of iCognito, so please let your friends and family know about this cool App.  If the interest exists – you can be sure I will put the time aside to add some great new features!