Microsoft Working on Squishy Interface

[battery]

reminds me of ancient tech in Stargate, most notably the drone defense chair controls.

 

[climber]

This technology is based on magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid). Search the internet, there's lots of literature and many applications. Think a variation of the nano-wall in the movie DOOM. You could for security purposes design devices that will lock down and not allow you to move or flexible rubber like bars that would suddenly become rigid, there are many applications.

 

[zak_mckraken]

Finally, I can do some real-life teabagging!

 

[ethanolson]

This makes a lot of sense for the medical community.

 

[sailfish]

Yeah, like my workspace area has an empty sandbox-sized area to place this new contraption. Also, I'm not sure how used it will get, what with world+dog depositing their microbes all over it.

Talk about a crusty UI!

 

[ssalim]

How do you clean it? um after... you know... ehm...

 

[marsax73]

[citation][nom]Kelavarus[/nom]ENGLISH MOTHERF*#$@&R!! DO YOU SPEAK IT??Honestly, this thing seems designed for porn... And yet, at the same time, I'm not sure how you could use it for porn... Unless those coils can tighten up in which case...[/citation]

apparently, periods are only used for the end of a stream of thought, not for the ends of sentences, this is kind of fun, takes all the work out of forming real sentences, i can switch topics instantly without paragraphs, how about that AT&T case, cool stuff, not really, COD rulez, yeah.

 

[kajohn10]

As I worked through my Masters in CompSci, I had a few classes which explored VR and HCI, and this is something that would be useful, for those whom have visual impairments. Tangible devices enable these people to participate in these environments. If we never explore these areas, evolution will be linear and we may never truely "evolve" in HCI.
I dont want to sound high-and-mighty, but Tom's readers need to be much more open minded. Just because something doesnt fit into todays mainstream or apply directly to you, doesnt mean its plain and simply a bad idea (or is obviously for porn).

 

[NightLight]

This has potential. Cudos to ms! I'm sure Apple is allready preparing a lawsuit.

 

[lyndsaywilliams]

Re possible inspiration MSR saw a demo as here http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=_26hBXbNsGY of an array of magetic control knobs on an lcd and told me they liked it.