Apple has filed another patent for a screen capable of dynamically representing virtual buttons as physical buttons. With recent reports of Steve Jobs not only being happy with the much rumored Apple Tablet, but that we’d be surprised to find out how we interact with it, this doesn’t seem so far fetched.
The problem with multitouch screens, like those of the iPhone, is that the user can only perceive the buttons displayed on the screen as images. Over time, we get used to this idea, and it’s not a problem, but it’s also not ideal. What would be ideal is if every program we used was actually a physical interface. Real buttons where virtual buttons are. Real switches, real knobs, real everything. Labels would be printed onto metal, and buttons would be made of plastic. It would also disappear into the ether as needed. This isn’t going to happen, but Apple’s recent patent is as close as we’ll be getting until we discover worm holes and time travel.
What the patent details is a multitouch screen, very similar to the type currently employed in iPhones, but with a special frame that allows for some pretty interesting tactile feedback. This frame sits under the screen waiting to raise points on the screen, and potentially depress others. This would make it possible to create a physical representation of a button on the surface of the screen. This system aims to fix some of the difficulty of typing on a multitouch screen, but it’s difficult to know just how much this technology can really do.
I’m imagining that a standard button would be created by making a square with four points raised (one in each corner), and a small depression in the center. Your finger would naturally gravitate towards the center since the surface tension of the screen would likely cause this “bump” to be fairly smooth. I’m guessing this technology’s ability to “raise the roof” is fairly minimal, likely no more than a millimeter, but I’d be happy to be wrong.
Still, a technology like this has every possibility to blow the minds of consumers everywhere. Or be laughed out of the room for its inability to function correctly or do anything but impede the effective usage of the device it is attempting to improve. But that’s what we have Steve for, right?
Other patents have been filed in the not so distant past that outline some of the other potential capabilities of our favorite rumor. It’s possible Apple’s tablet may be able to track (at least) ten fingers and ignore resting palms and the like. This would likely be necessary, or at least desirable if we are intended to use more than two fingers to type on such a device.
As always, it will be interesting to see how much of this technology actually sees the light of day. I think it’s safe to say this is an exciting time to be watching Apple.
Via AppleInsider
Seems like a temporary fix to a bigger problem: multitouch itself. In order to interact with anything on the screen, I have to obfuscate it with my finger first. It's very difficult to "click" anything smaller than my whole finger because as soon as I put my finger into position, I can't see what I wanted to "click" anymore. 10/GUI has a great solution. Also, a delete key under the left thumb? Someone must be smoking crack, 'cause that's a terrible idea. Not only are we used to reaching up to the delete key (it makes it more intentional, less likely to happen on accident), we're also used to the freaking spacebar.