Microsoft Proposes Thumb-Driven Interfaces

bonch writes "Microsoft Research has demonstrated examples of two thumb-driven interfaces for handhelds proposed a few weeks ago. Today's devices require the use of two hands; Microsoft wants to reduce this to one. Usability tests showed, however, that some users had difficulty adjusting to the thumb movements. Full researcher's report here."

Comments

TDA?

[Bananatree3]

This sounds extremely familure to the already-on-market TDA (Tactile Digital assistant). Is this a Microsoft copycat?

Thumb-driven interfaces?...

[meringuoid]

... Like a mobile? Like an iPod?

I bet when they patent it it'll be broad enough that both the above are covered.

Treo 650 is already very close.

[Ira Sponsible]

The PalmOne Treo 650 pda-phone is already very close to being a thumb-operated device. You can navigate almost everywhere and select almost anything using the 5-way navigational keypad, then there's the built-in hardware keyboard. I routinely use this device single-handedly, using only my thumb to navigate and enter text. It's actually pretty rare that I HAVE TO break out the stylus and tap something on the screen (usually my thumbnail is good enough). The bigest limit is the size of the keyboard is larger than the range of motion of my thumb, requiring slight shifting of the way I hold it in my hand as I'm using it, but I would not categorize that as a problem with the design as it's not something that is a nuisance to work with. Bottom line is, what is the innovation we're seeing from MS? We already HAVE this.