10/GUI : The Video - Interesting concept in user interaction
This is a very interesting approach to user interaction. When we saw Minority Report, this type of interface looked like Sci Fi and just more Hollywood magic but the truth is, reproducing the touchable interface that is truly usable isn't that far away. The iPhone and iPod Touch have already showed that touch screens as the only method of input is possible.
One of the key elements of making that work on the desktop is the software interface. Microsoft XP Tablet Edition failed because it was just the same old Windows with a touch interface. What is needed is a new approach and an interface made for a touch interaction. Windows 7 has a few improvements but personally I think we need a completely new approach.
The iPhone and now some Android based phones are making headway but that is a different use model. The iPhone was was designed to be used with one hand where as a desktop with a touch interface requires the movement of your wrist, arm and possibly even your shoulder as pointed out in this video. The approach in this video shows one way you could not only get around the ergonomic issues but also add tremendous improvements in interaction bandwidth.
The last thing one might consider is how this type of interface could be applied in a portable environment. I'm writing this on my Mac Book Pro watching TV. If you could turn the surface into your keyboard as well, new design options for laptops or tablet devices could really be explored.
What do you think?
