Microsoft's future gadgets
Screenshot: news.bbc.co.uk
Dan Simmons about the gadgets Microsoft's researchers would like to see in the future
" Those familiar with the Harry Potter books and films might recognise the first idea - called the Whereabouts Clock.
It shows you where people are, and its inventor Abigail Sellen thinks its best use is in the home.
She said: We noticed in our studies of family life that it was important to know - when you come home from work for example - are my kids still at school, have they left school yet, has my husband left work yet, shall I get the dinner on? This kind of thing. Actually knowing where your family is very important to family life.
This is more a new concept than a new technology, and the real version may still be a year or two away.
It would track the mobile phone signals of loved ones, then cross-reference which mobile cell they were in with pre-programmed locations, like the home, school, or workplace. "