Interface Archive

  • RIM working on a Blackberry for the blind

    RIM working on a Blackberry for the blind

    Posted on May 13, 2010 | No Comments
    RIM recently filed a patent application showing a very interesting change to their basic Blackberry design. The patent talks about something called a "multi-tap keyboard user interface". The intent appears to be adding auditory feedback when pressing keys to help visually impaired users.

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  • Guitar/headphone interface for iPhone

    Guitar/headphone interface for iPhone

    Posted on March 11, 2010 | No Comments
    The slew of music recording / creation apps for the iPhone all share the same weakness. They rely on the internal microphone, and a recording quality microphone it is not. The Guitarbud from PRS Guitars gives you a direct input into your iDevice without taking away headphone capability. It’s a simple, yet effective little cord. All [...]

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  • Puyocon: Ball-shaped, squeezable input interface (videos)

    Puyocon: Ball-shaped, squeezable input interface (videos)

    Posted on January 12, 2010 | No Comments
    The Puyocon wants to be for PCs what the Wiimote became for game consoles: An alternative input interface that doesn't require pressing buttons but arm movements from users in order to control what's going on on the screen. The small device is the brainchild of the so-called Entertainment Computing Laboratory [JP] at Japan's Tsukuba University. The Puyocon is a ball-shaped, soft and wireless controller that users can roll, throw, squeeze or move with both hands in order to trigger an action on the screen (for example, moving a cursor around). It features a total of 14 pressure sensors, a three-way acceleration sensor and Bluetooth.

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  • Windows Mobile 6.5 ’second edition’ bringing slightly revamped UI?

    Windows Mobile 6.5 ’second edition’ bringing slightly revamped UI?

    Posted on November 26, 2009 | No Comments
    We've already gotten a glimpse of an updated on-screen keyboard seemingly set for inclusion in the next update to Windows Mobile 6.5, and it now looks like Microsoft might have even more changes on tap to keep folks satisfied in the buildup to Windows Mobile 7. Apparently, something that may or may not be called Windows Mobile 6.5 'second edition' adds a number of UI updates that are supposedly designed to make it more usable with capacitive touchscreens. The biggest of those changes, it seems, is that the clickable buttons from the top bar have been removed in favor of a larger, more finger-friendly bar at the bottom -- which, judging from appearances, is not quite ready for prime time. Of course, of all this is still just based on what's been turned up in an early build of the OS, but at least one unnamed Microsoft representative has reportedly confirmed that the updated UI does indeed come from Microsoft, but he apparently wouldn't confirm much else.

    Windows Mobile 6.5 'second edition' bringing slightly revamped UI? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Nokia patent app reveals dreams of pressure-sensitive multitouch interface

    Nokia patent app reveals dreams of pressure-sensitive multitouch interface

    Posted on October 24, 2009 | No Comments

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    Nokia's no stranger to the patent application process here in the United States, and while we've certainly seen some strange ones emanating from its R&D labs, this one looks like something that should be implemented on the double. Explained as a "user interface for controlling an electronic device," the multitouch solution would essentially allow you to pinch, zoom and rotate objects as usual, but it would also employ an array of pressure sensors in order to give your motions a sense of severity. If executed properly, one could theoretically envision the use of a strong push to simulate a double tap (for example), or as a means to activate a secondary function that generally requires another button press or the use of a 'Function' key. Hit the read link for all the mumbo jumbo, but be sure to keep your expectations within check. Or not.

    [Via UnwiredView]

    Nokia patent app reveals dreams of pressure-sensitive multitouch interface originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Get your hands on the wall now! …with this multi-touch projector

    Get your hands on the wall now! …with this multi-touch projector

    Posted on October 5, 2009 | No Comments
    What if, instead of a touch screen, you could reach out and touch (and manipulate) an image on any surface? Seems like a cheapskate alternative to buying a touch-screen white board to me.

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