Because haptic feedback just doesn't cut it!
As convenient as touchscreens may be, there is still one fundamental flaw that every modern smartphone and tablet has failed to solve: touchscreens just aren't capable of providing the same tactile satisfaction as keyboards. Sure there are a few phones out there with both a physical keyboard and a touchscreen, but now it looks like we might finally be able to get the best of both worlds.
California based Tactus Technology is working on an incredible new touchscreen that can physically mold buttons out of a glass-like surface as well as make them disappear when not in use. Utilizing tiny channels within the surface, a liquid is pumped into button-shaped chambers creating gel-like buttons that can appear and disappear on demand.
For more information on the Tactus Technology project, head on over to the Tactus webpage for more information and to tune in for future updates. No word on when we might see this technology reach our touchscreens, but we're hoping its sooner rather than later. Haptic feedback can only do so much...
Imagine how a platformer would be vastly improved on a tablet with this.
1 - Don't know if the button depresses. Should be since its a pocket of fluid. It would still be an improvement.
2 - I think what they have now, the button areas are defined. In other words, it won't form a button because a software displays one. Only for a numeric keyboard or alpha keyboard, not both.
I do miss the days of a physical keyboard, I could dial a phone number without looking. But in a world in which we rarely actually dial a number, that isn't as big of a deal. I think we tend to just call back whatever is on caller ID.
I'll still take the full-screen size keyboard we have today over a Key9/10key text entry. Many times, I just use voice for text.
I doubt so. The screen overlay uses microscopic channels to pump fluid into chambers to form the bubble and it takes almost a second to fill/empty them, which is much too slow to give such a feeling. It might be possible to pump faster but then that would require a more powerful pump and increase battery drain.
The most convincing feedback might be a small spring-loaded magnet with a solenoid to emulate a 'click' feel like some phones already do.
I'm the same way - I'd said that I'd prefer a phone with a physical keyboard, though I ended up getting the Galaxy Nexus instead for stock Android and updates. The software keyboard is definitely annoying here, even on a 4.65" screen. (I also have fairly large hands btw.)
When ever you add mechanical motion to a product, you get increased wear. and thus endurance details are a must.
(for example a hard drive will have a load/ unload rating of 300,000). How many times can the screen surface deform before it refuses to deform anymore or loses it's ability to hold any shape including flat?
when shaped as a button, how many times can it be pushed before the material cracks or gets some kind of wrinkle?
This tech is great but it will be more expensive and I wont want something that wont last as long.
(that screen also will not work with a screen protector (at least not in their current form)
Honestly, I don't think it's worth it. Wait for newer / better tech to give you tactile response. Hint:
http://www.google.co.uk/patents?hl=en&lr=&vid=USPATAPP12706205&id=orHrAQAAEBAJ&oi=fnd&dq=simulate+touch+ultrasound&printsec=abstract#v=onepage&q=simulate%20touch%20ultrasound&f=false