Musica Flo Browser from Hellocomputer on Vimeo.

In November 2010, Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 Kinect, providing a “controller-free gaming and entertainment experience”, similar to the Nintendo Wii. Fast forward a mere 6 months and HelloComputer has created an interaction system straight out of Minority Report. We call it the Flo Browser.

The Flo Browser uses simple hand gestures, allowing you to interact with a screen without ever having to touch it. No gamer’s pedigree is required to understand how the system works, because all interaction is highly intuitive and easy to get to grips with.

Recently, the Flo Browser was used inside Musica, allowing people to browse the entertainment retailer’s catalogue of CDs, DVDs and games, entirely through gestures. The first of its kind in Africa, the Flo Browser is also one of the first international live and in-store motion-controlled retail platforms.

The Flo Browser allows us to merge online and offline experiences for consumers, opening up many exciting possibilities for in-store retail and taking the idea of window shopping to the next level.

Production of the Flo Browser and its development environment was done in 2 weeks- testament to the team’s ability and passion. The customised development environment allows for even junior Flash developers to work on the system and also lets to run it off any Kinect.

The Flo Browser is built using the same robust CMS and scalable used to manage www.musica.co.za, meaning access to the full 400k+ product catalogue is only an ADSL connection away.