New Powerbook controlled with a shake

The latest Apple PowerBook laptops can be controlled with a gentle shake. Standard models come with a motion sensor that locks the hard drive to prevent it being damaged if the computer is dropped. Now Silicon Valley programmer Amit Singh has written code that lets him use the sensor to control software on the computer. The code, published at www.kernelthread.com/software/ams/, tells the sensor to detect when the computer is moved up and down, or turned upside down, allowing Singh to start programs and manoeuvre open windows with a deft shimmy.