The world's first "lumpy" tablet.

[*BlackFox]

When you can't feel individual keys on a touchscreen device it can be hard to type at speed.That is why Tactus, a company based in California, has developed technology which can turn a typical flat tablet screen into a real keyboard with bumpy buttons.

Video in the link

OMG... what's next?

[Ganja]

That's pretty cool, unnecessary if you ask me, but maybe cool non the less.

[poehalcho]

Wow. That really is amazing :O.
That almost makes tablets useful...

but on a serious note, this is a very important step in improving touchscreens, and not just that.
This kind of technology isn't limited to just touchscreens. Depending on how far they can take this, this could essentially be like a new sort of 3D, a real 3D.
Imagine for instance how a game like Q*bert could be played on a medium that can change it's shape on the spot like that.

Edit:
if anyone's curious btw, here's their explanation for the technology. Just head over to page 9.

[BuDo]

Admirable and impressive but I feel this raised keyboard feature wont be fully appreciated because the current flat screen key pads aren't garnering any complaints.....

On a side note: Some people like to put screen protection on their touch screen devices...will this technology not work with screen protection?

[Love]

Really cool and i would like this in my devices in the future but to begin with they need to charge less than 100 bucks couse thats how much cases with keyboards cost and that works better for me at least.

[DarkJackal]

Wonder if it could work in the opposite direction, making dents. Or other shapes eventually.

[Toshiharu]

Wonder if it could work in the opposite direction, making dents. Or other shapes eventually.

Probably since it's just a fluid add more of the fluid layer

screen | fluid | top layer

Which I would guess would require more power.


It's neat and honestly could do something great with it for touch based games. Suddenly you want a controller? POOF. It appears. Even beyond that, but I can't think anything off the top of my head. I'm sure you can easily make games with something like that if it's not tile based and the tablet can control it without any holes. Real world use? Braille.

[penfold1992]

in my opinion, this is definitely not unnecessary. Something that prevents me buying any tablet or touch screen device is the keyboard (my phone is touchscreen but it has a physical keyboard too)
i still make mistakes on touchscreens and accuracy is not the problem its the tactile feedback i get from a keyboard that I prefer so much more then a touch screen keyboard. I would get used to it but still makes mistakes because of the little feelings I get with a keyboard. Even the newer "slimmer" keyboards are much better for me then a touchscreen. Cant wait for this to hit it off!

[inky]

Porn nipples you can feel.

[Bartic]

Porn nipples you can feel.

Give this guy a medal.

[*BlackFox]

Porn nipples you can feel.

I think you misunderstand the article. It's about a tablet not a nipple... xD

[poehalcho]

Porn nipples you can feel.

I think you misunderstand the article. It's about a tablet not a nipple... xD

You lack an innovative mind Blackfox, think of the possibilities!

[*BlackFox]

You lack an innovative mind Blackfox, think of the possibilities!

Damn! ROFL... Don't be so sure!

[Mirosuke]

Creepy yet cool! Gonna leave marks on screen tho :/

[MrTwilliger]

Personally, I like touch screen keyboards. I really don't need the physical feedback and speed/accuracy isn't really a major issue for me. I don't think I'd ever use something like this.

[DarkJackal]

Maybe this is the beginning of nano suit armor/stealth from Crysis :3.

[0l3n]

First thing to get made outside of the tablet would be something like a strap-on pantie. Porn will take over!