FRIEZE NEW YORK 2013
INTERNATIONAL HOME + HOUSEWARES SHOW 2013
TOKYO DESIGN WEEK 2012
BEIJING DESIGN WEEK 2012
From an interface perspective, the analog-to-digital evolution I've had the hardest time adjusting to is touchscreens replacing buttons. I used to be so fast at banging out texts on my old Motorola, and the perfectly-calibrated click of each button provided tactile satisfaction. In contrast, I've been a daily iPhone user since 2007 and still make errors literally every time I type. It's maddening, but a trade-off I live with because there's so many other things I love about the phone.
If a company called Tactus Technology sees uptake, perhaps I'll be able to have my cake and eat it too. Tactus has developed a new touchscreen where buttons can physically morph up out of what seems like flat glass, then disappear when not needed. They manage the trick by incorporating tiny channels within the substrate, through which a liquid is pumped into button-shaped chambers, providing volume on demand.
The demonstration video doesn't provide as clear a view as we'd like, and the opening voiceover sounds like something James Lipton wrote, but it should give you the idea of what they're going for:
Tactus Technology Introduction from Tactus Technology Inc. on Vimeo.
Comments
This is amazing! I think this is incredible based on the thickness of the screen, however my concern is that the button layout for any application that uses the tactus buttons will have to share the same area, constricting the presentation of the interface.
According to the white paper on the site, the position of the buttons is pre-configured at manufacture stage; obviously say, a numerical keypad and a qwerty keyboard will share some of the same screen area, so they will have to share the same buttons (for instance a large square button cannot cross over a small circular button). This means the 10 digit numerical keypad you would dial a number with would have to be within 10 of the smaller keys of the 26+ button qwerty interface that you would use to send a text.
Any other application that uses this tactus technology will have to design their interface around the position and size of these 26+ qwerty buttons.
Until there is a way to direct the flow of the fluid around the screen to allow differently shaped and sized buttons in the same space, I can't see a phone manufacturer picking this up (unless for an almost novelty value, and I imagine fluid control at that scale would make a handset fairly expensive), and that sort of control would mean lots of independently controlled valves, which would mean taking up helluva a lot of space.
Simpler interfaces though, and this could be wonderful
I have been anticipating something like this to happen soon or later. I think this is going to be a really big thing, especially when they completely smooth it out a bit more. When I found out about this technology I immediately wrote them to find out more info. Apparently, it is possible to customize the activation force needed to press the keys down. Another important thing to notice is that is doesn't register a key press whilst resting your finger upon a button. Lastly, they informed me that it's in the pipeline to develop customizable button shapes that can pop up, since now they are still pre-defined.
Sean,
The qwerty keypad could be on one end of the device and the numerical keypad on the other. Just hold the phone "upside down" to text.
I see how they can get blister-like buttons, but how do they make square buttons with edges and corners as shown in the images above? Are those just concept mock-ups, or are they Tactus examples?
wow really..this poor company has no clue that they will suffer the same fate as RIM in a few years. The CEO actually thinks he is on to something.
No body exept old dinosaurs will want tactile interface.
havent you seen minority report. Even though its a fictional movie, its a great indication of our future for electronics and communication.
The future is not tactile touchscreens. I'm 30 and I have no problem with touchscreens. I see 4 and 5 year olds using iPad's. They see zero value in physical buttons.
but good luck. lol
Fantastic technology. At our invention development services firm we have seen different ideas for improving keypads; however, this will take the cake if it works well and is a reasonable cost. I imagine there will be a lot of spin-off inventions as well in other industries.
Kids may see zero value in physical buttons, but one of the big problems with touchscreens, as compared to other input devices, is that blind and visually impaired people cannot use them. They have a right to equal access, you know (just put yourself in their place to see that). A visually impaired person really needs that "click" feeling that indicates that a keypress succeeded. Imagine being blind and having to use a touchscreen POS terminal! There is really no substitute for physical buttons on the horizon yet.
Also, blind people who use braille need a cheap way to feel output in braille (which is presented in six-dot cells). So, both tactile input and output is needed for them. Wouldn't it be neat if some advanced technology could provide inexpensive arrays of dots that could be used for both input and output? Sounds simple, but such technology can't even be imagined yet.
I would readily welcome this. I love the touch screen, however its really high maintenance because you have to be looking at the screen the whole time, whereas a phone with buttons you are able to memorize the button placement so you have he freedom to look around a little instead of having your eyes glued to the touchscreen so you dont make a mistake.
I read about this technology a while ago although at the time it was getting developed for braille.