Marc Cieslak looks at three new ways to use a computer that go beyond the traditional mouse and keyboard.By ditching that basic interface for touch, gestures or mind control inventors hope to improve the way people can interact with a machine.
TOUCH SCREEN
Users could one day manipulate applications through touch |
Some handheld devices such as MP3 players and mobile phones have already embraced touch screens.
While their usefulness is apparent with pocket-sized devices it is, so far, less clear that they would work well with a desktop computer or a laptop.
In 2007, Microsoft showed off a touch screen interface it imaginatively named Surface. Ultimately it wants to go beyond a table-mounted touch screen to something bigger such as a wall-mounted display.
Jeff Hann from Perceptive Pixel has come up with a multi-touch screen that lets a user manipulate several applications by making simple gestures.
He believes “intuitive” interfaces could make tech more accessible to “non-computer experts”.
“We are all familiar with the mouse, but it still takes a degree of skill to use it. Touch is so intuitive that it’s able to be used by children, by grandparents, and people whose job it isn’t to be able to use a computer,” he said.
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