Rayquaza
January 15th, 2013, 09:58 AM
Not sure if this has been posted or not;
Touchscreen keyboards could start feeling more like physical keyboards, as Tactus Technology makes its first demonstration for dynamic raised buttons on a touchscreen interface.
Tactus says it uses microfluidic technology to cause physical buttons to rise on the screen when needed, and then recede when no longer in use.
As an example, pulling up a virtual keyboard would cause bumps to form over the QWERTY keys.
The technology can be used for more than just keyboards though, as the dynamic display could allow any virtual button can become a physical one.
Buttons can form in any shape, height, or firmness that the software specifies, with Tactus demonstrating circular domed buttons as well as flat square ones.
The new screen technology won't add any extra bulk to devices since it "replaces a layer of the already existing display stack."
Touchscreens are typically made from display, touch interface, and cover lens layers, with the third layer replaced by a cover capable of dynamic physical buttons.
Source: http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/mobile-computing/laptops/tactus-demonstrates-physical-button-technology-for-touchscreens-1084285
I've seen videos on it and stuff, it looks great but in practice is quite useless. If you want physical buttons, why not just get a Laptop? Also, the time for it to form is about 1-3 seconds, and I'm one of those people that continuously open and close the keyboard due to multitasking. Also, it seems people type by touching the button, as opposed to pressing it, so it's just for the feel. It looks cool but seems useless. It may benefit some people though, and I am watching this closely as the fluid can be used to make game controllers on screens, which may be useful for extended periods of time.
Touchscreen keyboards could start feeling more like physical keyboards, as Tactus Technology makes its first demonstration for dynamic raised buttons on a touchscreen interface.
Tactus says it uses microfluidic technology to cause physical buttons to rise on the screen when needed, and then recede when no longer in use.
As an example, pulling up a virtual keyboard would cause bumps to form over the QWERTY keys.
The technology can be used for more than just keyboards though, as the dynamic display could allow any virtual button can become a physical one.
Buttons can form in any shape, height, or firmness that the software specifies, with Tactus demonstrating circular domed buttons as well as flat square ones.
The new screen technology won't add any extra bulk to devices since it "replaces a layer of the already existing display stack."
Touchscreens are typically made from display, touch interface, and cover lens layers, with the third layer replaced by a cover capable of dynamic physical buttons.
Source: http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/mobile-computing/laptops/tactus-demonstrates-physical-button-technology-for-touchscreens-1084285
I've seen videos on it and stuff, it looks great but in practice is quite useless. If you want physical buttons, why not just get a Laptop? Also, the time for it to form is about 1-3 seconds, and I'm one of those people that continuously open and close the keyboard due to multitasking. Also, it seems people type by touching the button, as opposed to pressing it, so it's just for the feel. It looks cool but seems useless. It may benefit some people though, and I am watching this closely as the fluid can be used to make game controllers on screens, which may be useful for extended periods of time.