In the coming months, PV makers and other companies will begin selling gesture-powered devices that will allow people to flip channels on the TV or move documents on a computer monitor with simple hand gestures.

Stand in front of a TV armed with a gesture technology camera, and you can turn on the set with a soft punch into the air. Flipping through channels requires a twist of the hand, and raising the volume occurs with an upward pat. If there is a photo on the screen, you can enlarge it by holding your hands in the air and spreading them apart and shrink it by bringing your hands back together.