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Tangible Interfaces for Computers

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the big-ideas-besides-the-mouse dept.

Jesrad writes "A friend pointed me to this impressive demonstration of the SenseTable by James Patten, of the Tangible Media Group project of the MIT. This project aims at conceiving better human-machine interfaces by using the concept of physical objects that the user can manipulate, to represent abstract computer data and commands. The device looks and works a lot like what was envisioned in Minority Report, it uses pressure to track blocks on a sensitive surface, and feeds back to the user by superimposing graphical data. Want to change the volume of your MP3 player? Just put a block on it and turn like you would a radio knob. Menus and commands are accessed by moving a block along command hierarchy, represented in a simple tree, or by touching the command's name. So far it only lacks a device for text input, like a keyboard, but maybe voice recognition will replace it?"

7 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. WTF! - For Crissake! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    For the life of me I can't figure out why the lameness filter cannot block this garbage! Taco are you listening! I can't take it any more! Either block this shit or post the bastards IP address so the slashdot community can take him out. I am not alone in this...

    1. Re:WTF! - For Crissake! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      I don't think that will be any help, due to the anonymous proxy servers.

  2. SIR HAXALOT RAED THIS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Please post the Google cache link!

  3. Re:Keyboard implementation should be easy... by internet-redstar · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    About your 'caring' remark...
    a friend of mine just send a mail messege to one of the OpenSource projects he sometimes sends a bugreport to, with congrats to the other people for their work.

    If we don't pay for our software, we can at least pat each others backs :)


    GNU, bringing the fun back into computing :)

  4. pateNTdead eyecon0meter kode voted mostly user by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    friendly.

    it's also unbreakable, & wwworks on several (more than 3) dimensions.

    did we mention that it's absolutely free? that wouldn't be totally accurate, as with anything worthwhile, it requires yOUR participation, which is equal to yOUR intentions/motives/behaviours. the price is right on this won.

    there is no 'next big thing', particularly if you ignore the creators' planet/population rescue mandate. instead of newclear power, you could very well aggress/propel yourselves backwards to the point of scratching memos on the walls of your collapsing bunkers.

  5. Get it right man! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    It's a YODA doll not Yoshi!

  6. Feature request. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I want a lickable interface. And a big button that, when pressed, releases sharks with head-mounted lasers.

    Sorry. I wish I had something to contribute to this discussion, but I don't.