A touchscreen-crafting company has created a new type of display that sees physical buttons bubbling out of the usually-flat surface.
US-based Tactus reckons its blistering screen adds no extra thickness to standard touch-sensitive panels, as it replaces an existing layer within regular touchscreens.
That thin layer deforms to create buttons or shapes of a certain height, size and even firmness. "Users can feel, press down and interact with these physical buttons just like they would use keys on a keyboard," Tactus promises. Once dismissed, the buttons become flat again.
Tactus boss Craig Ciesla says the company got started in 2007, looking at the first iPhone, but wanting to preserve the physical feel of a BlackBerry's Qwerty keyboard.
Tactus has shown off the tech running on a prototype Android tablet. I can see it proving popular, especially when it comes to playing games on a touchscreen gadget -- a common complaint is that on-screen buttons offer none of the physical feedback gamers get from a traditional gamepad.
The company isn't limiting its scope to smart phones and tablets, also mentioning ebook readers, remote controls, vehicle displays and medical devices as potential recipients of its bubbling panel.
Existing mobiles try to offer some physical feedback by vibrating a tiny bit when you tap on-screen keys. That helps, but I know some people who don't like the sensation, which does make holding a smart phone feel like cradling a terrified mouse.
Those days may soon be behind us. Tactus says its first touchscreen will be ready in the middle of 2013.
The technology is certainly intriguing, so here's hoping a major manufacturer or two has taken note. Would you like to see Tactus' tech in every mobile and tablet? Or are touchscreens better left flat? Let your opinions bubble their way into the comments, or rise up on our Facebook wall.
Image credit: Tactus
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Comments 11
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anonymous 7 June, 2012 15:26
That is just too cool - lets hope Apple don't try to shut them down by making false claims they invented it first.
samuelc 7 June, 2012 16:34
In theory this would be amazing. In practice however, with current technology I think it will be impossible to make the buttons completely disappear when you're not using them. I bet you any money that on this model, even though the buttons are flat, you will still be able to feel them, and that would really annoy me.
Matteo Paparoni 7 June, 2012 20:27
I hate videos that don't let you skip / show you how long is left...
anonymous 8 June, 2012 10:38
@samuelc that was what i was thinking. But it would be great if it did work. I do not like the keyboards on BB or touch screens and my G1 is getting a little past it now!
anonymous 8 June, 2012 10:47
Agree with samuelc, but i would totally want a phone like that, would help tons :D.
anonymous 8 June, 2012 10:55
But the screen would be much more unprotected right? I mean you cant use this on gorila glass and similar glas screens, so i would scratch quickly or atleast quicker.
Marvin Gifford Oclima 8 June, 2012 11:14
That'd be cool!! ^_^
anonymous 8 June, 2012 14:42
That looks cool.
And I also like hint of concept they displayed in first image: completely flat monoblock without "permanent" hardware buttons, but buttons popping up where they are needed and when they are needed.
anonymous 8 June, 2012 23:20
yea, every device EXCEPT apple! if apple gets it then the world will never be the same. they'll steal the patent and make the world think they made it then blame ALL the other manufacturers and android for stealing it. Tactus should be careful with their business dealings
anonymous 11 June, 2012 06:46
this is sick
anonymous 20 June, 2012 11:43
Just because we're used to pressing keys doesn't mean it's a good idea to make touch devices behave the same. Touch is a reiteration of technology, we're moving forward and I can't help think this sounds like a great idea in theory but in practice keeps us stuck in a certain age. Gesture movements is already here for smartphones, I think we need to continue thinking outside of the box instead of harking back.