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Inflatable buttons could drastically improve touchscreens
Finally, one weakness of touchscreens could soon be addressed with these inflatable buttons. You know how you've gotten used to the buttons on your remote control, able to operate just about any function in the dark? Carnegie Mellon University is figuring out how to give you that same convenience with a touchscreen.
It's done with an inflatable surface made of latex, raising specific buttons so you can use them by feel, rather than looking at the screen at inopportune moments. This could be useful in cars and touchscreen remote controls, but this doesn't mean you'll soon be able to safely text on the iPhone while driving.
Here's a video of the bubble buttons in action:
Via Newlaunches
By Maj at 2:08 PM ON 07/20/09
Customer support nightmare in the making:
"I love to pop those little shipping wrap bubbles and I couldn't resist the urge to pop my screen."
By tecnoblix at 2:18 PM ON 07/20/09
They didn't even mention putting it under a flexible OLED display. They would be great for a tactile feel to your smart phone display.
By go-4-it at 9:56 PM ON 07/20/09
Maybe good for little kids, but it looks kinda strange. It sort of takes away from the sleek touch screen look too :(
By TechEnthusiast at 3:24 AM ON 07/22/09
I see positives and negatives with this. First the positives.
- Easier to use
- Convenience
- Added functionality
- Good for the older generation
Now some negatives:
- Bubble pops, unrepairable?
- Could be flaws with certain features
- Software/hardware bugs
Just some things to think about.
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TechEnthusiast:
I see positives and negatives with this. First the positives. - Easier to use - Convenience - Added functionality...More »