The Gaming Den

So in the fiction for Shadowrun, I often see references to people making notes in or affecting AROs (augmented reality objects--windows like tabs in a browser basically to my understanding) while using actual gestures. This makes sense to me if they have an implanted commlink, or are using AR Gloves, or trodes (or are a technomancer), but how would they be able to affect AR stuff without actually manipulating their commlinks otherwise? I'm curious as to your interpretations!

Maybe you want a direct neural interface with your commlink - I think you could implant a data jack for the DNI, and then jack your commlink into that, or maybe you could add skin link to the commlink and keep it against your body. Both those would probably need some kind of display (glasses, contacts, cyber eyes) that's also connected to your commlink through your PAN.

I think you've covered the angles here. Your options for AR interface are DNI, gloves, or pulling the commlink out of your pocket and using it like a smartphone. If you've seen or read something where someone appears to not be using any of those, it's merely an oversight on the part of the writer or artist. Or perhaps not, since cyberware is pretty common and literally ANY cyberware can have a cheap link integrated to give you Facebook-grade DNI.

That said, SR4's nanotech is at a state where AR gloves aren't necessarily bulky obvious things. The sensors could be in ANY sort of handwear, and if the prose isn't spending paragraphs gushing about how cool the tech is they might just not mention it if it's not otherwise relevant to the scene. If I write a character pulling the collar of their jacket up against a cold wind, but don't mention what color their pants are, does that mean they're not wearing pants?

you can get trode nets by painting nano paste onto your head, there is basically nothing you can not do anymore in this regard.