Tag Archives: input

Microsoft demos new pen & touch input on Surface

Technology, Video, , , , , , , , , ,

Microsoft Research is back with a new way to interact with their Surface multitouch table.

Manual Deskterity is a prototype digital drafting table that supports both pen and touch input. We explore a division of labor between pen and touch that flows from natural human skill and differentiation of roles of the hands. We also explore the simultaneous use of pen and touch to support novel compound gestures.

The combination of pen and touch input makes for a wide range of gestures like holding, tapping, dragging, and crossing that can be used in ways you likely have never seen before.  Check it out in the video demonstation above.  I smell a hint of Courier here.

[Via MyMicrosoftLife; Engadget]

Scratch input

Technology, Video, , , ,

Following the recent news of the upcoming pressure sensitive keyboard is this new way to input information on a computer screen or some other device.  The video above shows off the implementation of creating sound by scratching a surface with your fingers that, in turn, generates sound waves which are picked up by a receiver.  The receiver sends the signal to the device it is connected to and viola!  For example, you can “write” a letter on a flat surface, and the sounds waves from your scratching will output the desired letter on screen.  Or, you can create your own personal gestures to answer a phone call, enable speakerphone, and close out your email application all at the same time.  Cool stuff.  Keep it coming, innovators.

[Via Gizmodo]