As a device Natal is a thin bar about 12 inches across, with sensors that measure a room's depth, the available light and the size and motion of up to two gamers standing in front of the machine and multiple players taking turns.

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Scanning instead of typing might work since most space-food packages have bar codes, but some are stamped on shiny curved surfaces while others are printed on thin crinkled paper wrapped around freeze-dried items.

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