Google's Star Trek communicator badge is the smartphone of the future

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It is no secret that folks at Google are huge "Star Trek" fans. They took their fanboying to the next level when they made the franchise's signature Communicator Badge.

This prototype wearable technology is supposed to work like the franchise's communicator which could be the smartphone of the future.

In an interview with Time, Google's senior vice president and software engineer Amit Singhal demonstrated how the prototype worked.

The device is as big as a casino chip and can be activated with a tap. It runs on voice commands directly and was intended to make life easier without going through a cellphone. The voice command can be picked up via an embedded microphone on the Google lapel and relayed via Bluetooth to a smartphone where it can search the query through Google. It can reply back through headphones or speakers.

"I always wanted that pin," Singhal told the outlet. "You just ask it anything and it works. That's why we were like, 'Let's go prototype that and see how it feels.'"

However, the pin communicator never made it out of the testing phase. New York Daily News reports that the company is looking for ways to make seamless voice searching a reality for users.

According to CNET, Singhal is a fan of "Star Trek" and his admiration for the series transcended through his work. It was also noted three years ago when he dedicated a Google Doodle for the anniversary of Star Trek's 1st broadcast.

"Working on search at Google has brought me ever so close to realizing my childhood dream of turning science fiction into reality, and Star Trek has played a special role in my journey," Singhal wrote.

"Yes! The destiny of search is to become the Star Trek computer, a perfect assistant by my side whenever I need it."

Google has never had a shortage of innovative ideas that make communication faster, easier and effective as evidenced by Cortana, the company's digital assistant.

According to PC World, the company has a penchant for converting fictional movie devices into a reality such as the Google Car, a self-driving automobile. Although the company never said where they got the inspiration, the outlet claims it is similar to "Sleepers," a futuristic movie by Woody Allen.

For Star Trek fans, would you have wanted your own Communicator Badge if the company was selling it? Tell us below.