Touchscreens with physical tactile buttons demo by Tactus Technology (videos inside)

[arta]

Supposed to be in certain mobile devices by the end of 2013, though who exactly is getting it is secret for now.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/13/this-is-the-future/

This actually works. I touched it. I played with it. And I fantasized about a bubble wrap app.

Tactus Technology stopped by our CES booth for a short demo of its crazy touch-screen technology. Using microfluid technology (and a bit of magic), Tactus’s solution produces honest-to-goodness buttons that raise out of the touchscreen. And then, just as quickly as they appear, they disappear when not needed. There wasn’t another technology or gadget that drew as big a crowd at our booth. Not the Pebble Watch, not the Oculus Rift, not the Razer Edge. All of our staff had to touch what we all hope will eventually become standard in touchscreens — real buttons.

In the video above, Tactus’ CEO and Founder, Craig Ciesla, explains the technology better than I can. Here’s a white paper (PDF) on the subject, too. But never mind how it works. What’s special at this point is that it works. And it works well, too.

When, in this case, Android calls for a keyboard, the buttons raise out of the screen nearly instantly. They have a small amount of resistance, just enough to survive the occasional accidental touch. Then, when Android no longer needs a keyboard, the buttons instantly melt back into the screen. Ciesla states that it can be configured into any design; it’s not limited to just a QWERTY keyboard form. For instance, these buttons could be used for a gaming pad configuration, too.

Tactus is aiming this system at OEMs rather than producing Tactus-branded tablets and smartphones itself. Ciesla assured me both on and off the camera that his company already has partnerships in place, and the world will see gadgets with this technology by the end of the year. No word on a bubble wrap app, though.

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[JBRUU]

WOW. The times we live in...

[MasterChief3624]

This is a breakthrough in touchscreen technology

I can't wait to see if the implementation can truly be limitless, though. I noticed in the TechCrunch video, you could see the boxes that would fill up with fluid, so this leads me to believe it's not something that can be done randomly.

I don't know though. Still awesome, however! Can't wait for its consumer arrival!

[tygamr]

This has been around for a while now. Read about it on Gizmodo over 6 months ago.

[ninjackid]

What.... Crazy!!!

[tygamr]

Originally Posted by MasterChief3624

I can't wait to see if the implementation can truly be limitless, though. I noticed in the TechCrunch video, you could see the boxes that would fill up with fluid, so this leads me to believe it's not something that can be done randomly.

It is supposed to be able to do almost any shape anywhere you want on the screen. It isn't completely random, in the sense that the shape, size, and location of the buttons need to be coded, but it is supposed to be capable of forming anywhere on the screen. The technology will be pointless if app developers don't utilize it.

[coconutbowling]

Youtube link | Pop Up

[MasterChief3624]

Originally Posted by coconutbowling

YouTube: video

That was an awesome video, but I'm curious what it has to do with this thread?