Finnish startup Doublepoint has launched its innovative WowMouse app for the Apple Watch, allowing users to control devices with hand gestures, a technology that could revolutionize the way we interact with our devices. Unveiled at CES 2025, WowMouse utilizes the Apple Watch's sensors, compass, and accelerometer to turn the user's hand into a mouse, enabling seamless control of devices.

The concept is not entirely new, as Apple introduced a similar technology in 2023 with its double tap feature, which detects micro-movements in the wrist to register a click on a device. However, Doublepoint claims its technology is more accurate and takes it a step further by allowing users to point their hand at their Mac and control the cursor on their computer's screen using a companion app.

The startup plans to expand its technology to Bluetooth-enabled devices, enabling users to control smart lights with a simple hand gesture. In a demonstration, the chief technology officer of Doublepoint, Jamin Hu, showcased the app's capabilities by controlling a floor lamp across the room with a point of his hand. The lamp turned on, off, and adjusted its brightness with a mere rotation of the palm.

The technology behind WowMouse relies on a deep neural network trained on a large, custom dataset of hand gestures. This allows the app to understand the user's intent, despite individual differences in finger tap and hand gestures. The app has already gained popularity, with 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store since its launch at last year's CES, and a few thousand users on the Apple App Store since its expansion on Sunday.

Doublepoint's technology has significant implications for the future of human-device interaction. While big tech companies and hardware startups are building smart glasses that use voice as an interface, these devices still require a handheld component. Doublepoint CEO Ohto Pentikäinen believes that WowMouse could work seamlessly with smart glasses, utilizing the sensors already present in popular watches.

Founded in 2019, Doublepoint initially focused on developing its own hardware but pivoted to creating software that works with smart watch giants, such as Apple, Google, Fitbit, and Whoop. The company has raised $6.5 million in funding, partly from the government of Finland, and expects to close another funding round in 2025.

Ultimately, Doublepoint aims to license its technology to smart watch makers, which could unlock the full potential of WowMouse. Currently, the app operates within the closed ecosystem of the Apple Watch, limiting its capabilities. For instance, users need to disconnect and reconnect WowMouse to control different devices. If integrated into the watch's operating system, WowMouse could provide a seamless and intuitive user experience.

As the wearable technology landscape continues to evolve, Doublepoint's WowMouse app is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of human-device interaction. With its innovative hand-gesture control technology, WowMouse has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with our devices, making it an exciting development to watch in the years to come.