Related Sections: Cellphones
Black Box phone concept is one big touchscreen
This slick little number is a concept phone from BenQ that's basically one big touchscreen. Dynamically changing based on what application you're using, the Black Box looks pretty stunning. A keypad appears onscreen if you want to make a call, while a viewfinder appears when you go to take a picture, and so on and so forth. One issue keeping touchscreen concepts like this from becoming a reality is the tactile-feedback issue, meaning the fact that you won't be able to feel when you push a button. That seems like something I could get used to if I had a phone as hot as this, but that's just me. But the Black Box is, like most insanely cool things, just a concept product, so don't expect to see it popping up at your local Verizon store anytime soon. But we're hopeful they'll figure out how to get similar products (like a touchscreen iPod, perhaps?) out to us in the near future.
Mobile Mag, via Oh Gizmo!
By erocker at 12:09 PM ON 10/04/06
This is cool. I can probablly never afford one.
By MENINBLK at 4:22 AM ON 10/05/06
There is a Remote Control made just like this.
It is called the Chameleon.
BenQ should check out their technology before copying others...
By SpenceJT at 7:34 AM ON 10/05/06
Regarding the Chameleon remote? Um... first of all I need to point out that is a "remote" and not a "phone", so the comparison and accusation of "copying technology" should end right there.
The Chameleon relies on an electro-luminescent face plate with predetermined functions that change depending on the mode. This limits the Chameleon to only displaying pre-programmed "functions".
The BenQ is an actual touch screen "display" in that it can display generated images, numbers etc.
Next time do a bit of homework before you start slamming on products!
On another note, without a tactile interface or a highly functional voice dialing system, I don't think this phone will work for people who favor "functionality" over "fashion".
By lamontb1 at 9:06 AM ON 10/05/06
As for the tactile-feedback issue they could just add sound for key presses.
By misplacedtexan at 10:15 AM ON 10/05/06
You're a little off on tactile. Tactile is based on touch or feel, not sound.
By SciFiCharley at 11:33 AM ON 10/05/06
Well, looks like SpenceJT told off MeninBlk and misplacedtexan corrected lamontb1 here, so back to the Black Box phone comment. Looks like its concept will be a smash hit for the techies out there. Not being presumptuous here, but using a touchscreen when you can't feel a button being pushed may cause one to push the wrong "button" at a time when it's not needed or when its not the right time; could get confusing for the non-techies. I like the sleek design, the new savvy tech feel, but I bet the price will not be so "savvy" for people who can't afford this. I'll wait 'til they come out with another update.
By HighJumper1978 at 11:41 AM ON 10/05/06
Cool toys.
Sounds like we have some people that are jealous they didn't think of it first.
If all would stop and just look at these instead of criticizing, maybe some good R&D can come out of all this.
I am sure the company is working very hard on trying to make the phone touch screen determine if a finger or an ear is on the screen.
By bpitas at 3:54 PM ON 10/05/06
The whole tactile feedback thing is not a new issue - try any current fullscreen PDA phone and you have the exact same problem. (Cingular 8125, Tmobile MDA, etc)
And yes, it's a pain, not to mention prohibitive to use when driving a car or whatever because there's absolutely no way to do it by feel.
Not only that, but touchscreens suck when you're not using a stylus, and it's a pain to pull out the stylus every time you want to make a call. You can eventually get used to using your fingernail to hit the onscreen keys, but you almost never get 10 digits out without either skipping one or hitting a wrong digit.
Voice-dialing with a good BT headset can definitely help but the technology isn't quite there yet. My last job was at the leading embedded speech-rec company, and I'll be the first to admit that it's not there yet. :-) Still, since I use an 8125 now, I'd buy the blackbox if it were out and used windows mobile, because it's 10x sexier than the grey brick I'm carrying now. Having an onscreen full-sized keyboard would be even cooler than the 8125's slide out keyboard too...
By jaericho at 8:15 PM ON 10/05/06
Wow. Finally a calculator that won't take for ever to figure out my gas milage. And Looks nice, if no one touches it. Fingerprints galore!
By shootingfish86 at 10:09 AM ON 10/16/06
I am looking to buy a touchscreen phone and i can tell you i LOVE the look of this one, shame it is only a concept. On the subject of this tactile interface thing, i used to have a Motorola A1000 (it's a touchscreen phone also) and it seemed to get round that nicely by using a very low pitch sound... coming out of it's built-in stereo speakers this acted as a gentle "vibrate" feature. it made one feel as though the buttons were that little more, well, there.
My biggest fear with any touchscreen device is that the screen does tend to be a little greedy with the battery life so that may be something to think about. Also, the screen itself on the A1000 was slightly inset into the body of the phone which made cleaning those fingerprints a little hard, something more to think about.
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
shootingfish86:
I am looking to buy a touchscreen phone and i can tell you i LOVE the look of this one, shame it is only a concept....More »