One of the hidden “features” of the Apple portables (iBook, Powerbook, and Macbooks) is the Sudden Motion Sensor (SMS). According to Apple:
The Sudden Motion Sensor is designed to detect unusually strong vibrations, sudden changes in position or accelerated movement. If the computer is dropped, the Sudden Motion Sensor instantly parks the hard drive heads to help reduce the risk of damage to the hard drive on impact. When the Sudden Motion Sensor senses that the PowerBook position is once again stable, it unlocks the hard drive heads, and you are up and running within seconds.
Amit Singh was one of the first to have fun with this feature by providing an interface to make the SMS a Human Input Device, essentially making the tilting, scrolling, and g-force applied on the portable an input device — kind of like a virtual joystick. Imagine tilting your laptop to the left/right, forward/back, and raising/lowering to handle the x, y, and z coordinates, respectively. Once this API was discovered more guys made use of the API as an input device.
One of the more popular uses is the MacSaber. If you own a compatible Apple portable, the Mac Saber illustrates the SMS audibly by making the movements of your powerbook into the sounds of a full-blown Jedi Light Saber! My only advice is that you don’t get carried away and have your Mac end up looking like this guys.
Be careful when you swing your Mac around!
[UPDATE] Here’s a video clip of the MacSaber in action:
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