Sony turns a human into USB

New Orleans, USA: Ericsson CEO Hans Vestberg used his Consumer Electronics Show keynote to demonstrate the company's Connected Me concept, which turns the human body into a bridge between gadgets, he was met with lackluster applause.

Part of the problem was the audience didn't fully grasp what Vestberg was trying to show. He was on stage holding a smartphone in one hand and the sensor for an audio system in the other. The data signal shot through his body, playing an MP3 from the phone on the speaker system. In effect, he became a replacement for a USB cord or Bluetooth connection.

People watching the presentation, however, were underwhelmed. The company showed it off at its giant booth at Mobile World Congress, and again this week at the CTIA Wireless show, where it largely went unnoticed.

But the project has fairly wide applications beyond turning a person into a human stereo system. People can shake hands and exchange digital business cards. Or you can tap your printer and have print out your document. Surprisingly, Ericsson is bullish about the technology, and Chief Marketing Officer Arun Bhikshesvaran believes it could go commercial as soon as next year.

Connected Me is just one of many projects that Ericsson has fostered over the years. It has been on a campaign to re-brand itself as more than just a supplier of telecommunications and wireless equipment. From its work with developers to its various media content services, the company has tried to establish itself as a cutting-edge company on par with any on Silicon Valley.