A First Look at the AirTurn Bluetooth iPad Page Turner Prototype

In many ways, the iPad is a terrific device for reading music, thanks to its slick design, light weight, and excellent battery life. However, one drawback has been the fact that you still need to use a finger to touch or swipe the screen to "turn" pages, which can be a distraction for musicians who need both hands to play their instruments.

At AirTurn, we're developing a Bluetooth version of our wireless, hands free automatic page turner that will be compatible with computers equipped with Bluetooth, including the iPad. You'll be able to turn pages by tapping a footswitch to turn pages forwards, and another one for turning pages backwards. Expected availability of the Bluetooth AirTurn is Q4 2010.

Be sure to visit http://AirTurn.com for more details and sign up for our newsletter for updates and specials on our line of hands free automatic page turners!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• bluetooth
• airturn
• blue tooth
• air turn
• iPad
• automatic page turner
• footswitch
• foot switch
• musician
• music reader
• sheet music
• digital sheet music
• hands free
• wireless
• page turner
• page turning
• Hugh Sung

[SELG88]

isnt the ipad to small to read sheet music?

[hughsung]

@SELG88 There are several apps that give you the option to either crop the music to remove the borders, or to view the music in landscape mode, which really helps to zoom the score comfortably.

[SELG88]

where can i get it?

how is it called

[hughsung]

@SELG88 You can get the new Bluetooth iPad page turner at AirTurn (dot) com - look at the store section of the website to order. The official model is called the BT-105

[LionelHUANG]

why not just design an app that can use the iPad's MIC to detect the notes that's being playing, turn the page when it matches the last measure of the page with personalized setting of the turning delay time setting and adjustable turning animation time length, it's good for the people that have busy feet...

just a though...lolo

[hughsung]

@LionelHUANG That's a great idea, but an entirely different (and extremely complex) technology, that doesn't really take real-life performance situations into account or the flexibility to be able to turn pages of more than just music. We designed a simple, fast, and effective page turner that you can use immediately. To have the computer "recognize" the music means either re-transcribing the sheet music image into MIDI or time coding a recording ahead of time - lots of extra work for the user.

[klavierspielerin83]

do this airturn work for thoes with low vision. i currently am forced for memorize everything i play. its a pain!!! does it 'zoom' in like a word document and i could still move around on the page???? im going to college to study piano and i dont think i can memorze EVERYTHING i play or would even like to play! i just dont want to waist my dollars before buying it. thanks for your time.

[BladeDC5]

Duh, accidentally hit send on iPad... My question is what ap are you using to display half a page in landscape mode for larger music notation. I find the notes too small to read in portrait mode given the iPad's smallish screen. Thanks, looks like a great product but would like to see the Bluetooth built into only pedal unit rather than have two boxes at my feet.

[BladeDC5]

Which music ap for

[freim93]

Very cool device!!! Ingenious using your foot!!

[cloverstreet]

@LionelHUANG and many others.....

This is still very far off! If you are playing a midi keyboard and the score has been midified it is possible. But doing realtime note detection on a real-piano just isn't there yet, except for single note music, especially in real-time. Everyone seems to think it is possible, just because they want it to be. My guess is it is still at least 5 years away. (And I am an audio programmer/musician.)

[jcbpark]

any updates on availability and pricing?