GRID The Remarkable Touch-Friendly Spreadsheet

I've been saying, for a long time, that the touch-friendly Apps we've seen so far are just the tip of the iceberg, and that the real touch computing revolution is yet to come. Why so? The issue is that there are still a lot of preconception ideas engraved in developer's minds, as to how things "should" work, based on decades of experience using keyboards and mouse pointer interfaces. That's why so many people out there still think there are things that aren't "suited" for tablet/touch devices.

But the truth is that we simply need complete new interfaces that make all that possible using touch devices. Better yet - not only possible - but easier to use. Just take a look at this GRID which allows you to create amazing multimedia spreadsheets in a way anyone could understand. It uses a system called "Maestro" that allows easy introduction of data and interaction in each cell.

Using it, you can not only enter numbers or text, but also images, movies, contacts, locations, etc. and share it and edit it collaboratively with your friends and colleagues.

This is but one of the many examples I've been waiting for, that will prove that there's still a lot to be done, and that no matter what kind of productive work you think is not suited for a touch-based device... it's simply a matter of someone coming up with the right interface.

Handwriting Recognition on Kindle Touch

Handwriting recognition isn't new. It's being done for over a decade in mobile devices like the old "pocket PCs" of yesteryear's. But, some might be surprised to see it show up in an eBook reader like Amazon's Kindle Touch.

But that's precisely what Puzzazz has done with its latest Sudoku puzzle eBook, allowing you to scribble directly on the puzzle itself.

It's something that is so logical that makes us wonder why hasn't anybody done it before - but... someone has to be the first anyway. I just imagine that it won't take long before others take the hint and start using the same trick in their own "eBook apps". (And not only on the Kindle, but other mobile platforms as well - I really wonder why there's still so few apps that do this kind of thing on the iPhone, for instance. Particulary for single number/letter input, there's lot of places where this kind of input could be more efficient than popping up the standard touch keyboard.)

Microsoft PocketTouch

Touchscreen devices are all around us these days, but no matter how convenient and versatile they are... there's also some things you can no longer do: like using or operating your cellphone through a thick layer of clothing...

But now Microsoft is working on a system they call PocketTouch. A multitouch detection system that can work even though thick fabric and will ultimately allow you to operate your smartphone even when place in your pockets - or inside a protective cloth bag.

You don't even have to worry about remembering which position its in, as the unlock gesture will automatically "align" it in order to properly recognize the following gestures.

HP Reclinable Touch Computer

It doesn't take a genius to notice how impractical it is to frequently use a touch monitor in a vertical standing position. That's probably why HP has now decided to make it easier... with a reclining touch computer.

The new HP TouchSmart 610 and the HP TouchSmart 9300 Elite (for consumers and business markets) can recline from an upright position to an almost flat position, allowing the user to adjust the screen for maximum usability and comfort.

The 23" screens have LED lit LCD panels, while the processing power comes from second-gen Intel Core Processors (and can handle up to 16GB of RAM.)

Prices for the TouchSmart 610 consumer PC start at $899 and it will be available on Feb. 9.

Toshiba Double Tablet

Toshiba is celebrating their 25th anniversary and they've shown us a dual touch-screen tablet/netbook: the Libretto W100; as well as the hype of the moment: a 3D screen gaming laptop.

As for the W100, I doubt it will fare well, with an estimated $1000+ market price, and running a not very touch-friendly Windows 7.
But... maybe they can actually pull it out, if they can manage a decent touch-interface/OS till they actually launch it.

Synaptics Fuse

"Touch" interfaces are all around use, growing by the minute thanks to devices like the iPhone and Android. But there's still lots we can do to achieve a truly physical computing interface. The Synaptic concept, Fuse,was developed to remind us of that.

In the future, we'll be able to squeeze, flex, and tilt your devices and interact with it in a much more physical way (watch the following video.)

Touch-Friendly Windows Mobile 6.5?

Is it possible? After all these years... is Windows Mobile 6.5 finally becoming a touch-friendly OS that can be used without a stylus?

It's no secret Windows Mobile hasn't seen much change throughout the years. But it seems that's about to change. Just check the screens: on the left you have the traditional settings screens, with it's "stylus-friendly" tabs; on the right you have the new touch-friendly ones that you can simply swipe across to flick through.

And several other elements seem to have been redesigned to make it finger-friendly.

... Better late than never?

Stantum Touchscreen

Just the other day I told you how not to make a touchscreen, today I bring you exactly the opposite: a touchscreen that is really amazing!

The secret behind this touchscreen is all about the software and was created by Statum... a company that knows its way around multitouch.

Although it uses a conventional resistive touchscreen (made according to Stantum's guidelines) it has unprecedent precision. I mean, it has accuracy greater than what the LCD can display!
Unlimited touch points, touch area recognition (used to implement pressure-like functions), gestures (rotation, scroll, zoom, etc.) are also supported.


Now, there's no excuse to keep "untouchable" touchscreens on the market, is there?

Follow the link to watch it a video demo.

Touchproof Touchscreen?

When someone is trying to market a touchscreen cellphone, you'd think the least it would do would be to recognize your "touch", right?

Well, it seems sometimes that simple basic (but essential) operation is harder to get right than you think:


How Not To Do Touch Technology from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

This bad example comes from Samsung, which has had similar issues in past models. It's a shame they haven't fixed these issues by now. There's nothing more annoying than not being able to rely on your "touch" to operate a touchscreen device.

Multitouch Sphere from Microsoft

Another technological demo, this time with a "Surface" on a sphere which certainly opens up a lot of possibilities in interactive display technology.
(Reminds me of the time I spend, as a child, playing with a earth globe - the ones with a tiny dot of light you could move to pinpoint a location on the map - how could I imagine that a few decades later I could zoom in on Google Maps to see my own car parked in front of my home. :)


[Youtube video]

iPhone Remote TouchPad

At last, an excuse to buy an iPhone. :)

Why not use your iPhone as a WiFi touch sensing remote control?
It certainly would come in handy to control my Media Center, check the video:


[Youtube Video]

More info at Touchpad iPhone.

Andrew Fentem Multitouch Interfaces

I've read this interview on Gizmodo, and I was fascinated with the projects of Andrew Fentem in the field of multitouch interfaces and kinetic surfaces. It is precisely this type of work that will revolutionize the way people interact with computers in the future.

Check this multitouch cube, which can be used in many more ways than a simple 21st century Rubik Cube puzzle (it can also be used to play Pac-Man, by the way:)



Or this High-speed detection "air-hockey" virtual table.


Though you can certainly find similar projects, keep in mind this one was built in 2001, and still beats current touch technologies when it comes to fast response times. Current systems need to improve their speed and work in such large areas.

If you visit his website, you'll be impressed with some of his projects.

I was mesmerized with his kinetic table, which blends virtual and physical action in a way that seems almost impossible:



But don't forget to check the interactiv floor surface, and the Led Eyes... who knows, maybe will see them in action in real applications before we expect it.

PointUI - Improve your Windows Mobile

PointUI is the perfect example of how you can easily use existing hardware in much better and easier ways.

You may have a lot of good things to say about windows mobile - but no one can deny that its interface is not very useful. It's basically a mini-version of the same interface you have on a desktop PC, with the same menus and drop-downs options that are not suitable for mobile operation (not to mention requiring a stylus or multiple cursor key pressing.)

PointUI is a free program that shows how it could all be a lot simpler, and that it's time to invest in innovative and useful interfaces - just like Apple has been doing with its iPhone and iPod Touch.

Just watch this Youtube video:



You can download PointUI for free.