How will input devices evolve to help information workers?
Have you ever wondered if touch experiences could be effectively integrated (and be more ergonomic) in standard deskbound computing scenarios? As many users interact with complex content creation applications in various verticals such as tech, finance, design, academics, etc., could the addition of touch input and display capabilities on their keyboard actually make them more efficient?
To explore the potential benefits of a dynamic horizontal input experience we here at Microsoft Hardware and the Applied Sciences Group wanted to expand on these questions. We created a concept prototype in the Adaptive Keyboard (see the above video) that suggests that the display capabilities of high efficiency input devices such as keyboards and mice should be as dynamic and relevant to user context as the UI on the PC screen.
The Adaptive Keyboard concept is now part of the Student Innovation Contest at the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology. We hope the participating students will come up with truly unique and valuable uses for this particular evolutionary input device concept.
In addition to the device itself, a software infrastructure was developed to quickly enable the students participating in the UIST innovation Contest to create their own on-device experiences. .
We here at Microsoft are constantly looking for the future of PC interaction. While touching the screen of your slate PC is a compelling interaction experience for many scenarios we think there is an opportunity to improve the experiences for those of us working at a desk with keyboards and mice all day. We hope the results of the UIST contest will show us if this particular concept has any legs.
Håkon Strande
Asus (Eee Keyboard) and others already have keyboards with touchscreens in production. Some also have a complete PC inside.
What’s so revolutionary/different about *this* particular version?
1:22 am Gregg Eshelman
The touchscreen is underneath the keys, and each key shows a unique and dynamic image depending on the context within the machine itself.
It’s leaps and bounds beyond anything in the Eee Keyboard.
4:19 pm jb
Awesome!
11:15 pm victor
vao se foder
4:37 am george marinho
I wish MS would get interested in the _mobile_ data input problem.
What’s needed is a hand-held keyboard that (a) is operated by the hand that supports it; (b) supports touch typing so you don’t have to stare at it; (c) has a built-in inertial mouse, joystick or whatever; (d) stows in a pocket; (e) is configurable for both USB and Bluetooth ports and (f) is as fast as a qwerty.
That plus a tablet computer or regular old smart phone lets you stop driving to the office every day. That kind of mobility is enough reward to learn to chord.
Chording is just like riding a bicycle. If you’d never heard of bicycles and I described one, you’d think it must be very difficult to master. But it isn’t! It’s a natural talent we all have.
12:08 pm john_3000
I would like to see Windows Slate devices operate in two modes. In standalone mode, retain all the features you can come to expect in a portable computing, media consumption device. The other mode, I would refer to as Windows “Pairing” and is invoked when in proxmity of your desktop PC. In this mode, I want to utilize the Slate hardware to extend the input/output capabilities of the desktop. Utilize the multitouch display as a keyboard and also support pen input. NUI for copying files between desktop and slate.
8:47 pm JohnCz
Windows pairing would be great. Instead of reinventing the wheel, make courier real.
10:10 am Tokamak
The keys on top of the keyboard, I think they should make those removable and compatible with other touch screens.
AND then make an app for the ipad to do what that touch screen did and create the new iKeyboard!!!
7:42 pm Riday
Cute experiment, but this is a real losing proposition on ergonometric grounds. When you’re working at a workstation for any length of time, you want your arms straight and level with the keyboard, and your eyes looking straight ahead. This UI will force you to keep looking down at the keys, which puts tremendous strain on your neck over time.
This is serious issue. My mom spent most of her career as an accountant / finance executive, back when that meant staring at paper ledgers on a desk. She wound up needing corrective surgery for her neck after she retired. I suspect our current “iPhone” generation will be in the same boat, as they hold their phones at their chest and stare down at them.
2:21 am J. Peterson
I was relaly confused, and this answered all my questions.
7:51 am Margie
Hey, kilelr job on that one you guys!
9:24 am Linda
I’m so glad that the itnernet allows free info like this!
3:08 am Linda