The above video shows off a pressure sensitive computer keyboard from Microsoft. Basically, the harder you press a key or keys, the more varied the output on the computer screen. For example, say you are working on a paper in a Word document. If you hold a key down with more pressure than usual, you can output a capital letter without the need for a shift key. Microsoft demonstrated changing font size by the amount of force you exert on a key. Also shown was accelerated backspacing, which is where a user can delete words or sentences at a time rather than just letters depending on the amount of pressure applied to the key(s). There’s also a gaming demo; the harder you press down on the key, the faster your character runs in-game. It is exciting to know that this type of technology is being experimented with and that new methods of computer input are being tested.
According to CNET: “Microsoft is also holding a contest for student developers to coincide with the UIST conference. Contestants get a sample keyboard and a month to come up with an entry. $2,000 prizes go to programs deemed the most useful, the best implementation, and the most innovative.” Let the creativeness flow! (Check out a second video of this implementation after the break.)
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