Microsoft's New Way to Interface

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Looking to make things even simplier for the gadget freaks on the go, Microsoft, with a partnership with the University of Maryland, has been researching new ways to use mobile devices using only your thumb. The purpose is to ditch the necessity of two hands; one to hold the device and another to use a stylus. At the moment, Microsoft is looking at two designs.

The first is called AppLens. The screen shows a 3x3 grid of applications (nine in all). Tap with your thumb to select one and the application goes to full view. The system also makes use of gestures; simple movement patterns of your thumb that are linked to specific commands. The other option is LaunchTile. It's also a grid, but it's 6x6 and only shows 4 of the possible 36 applications. Users then have to use a d-pad to scroll around the grid. A study was done at the U of Maryland and users preferred the simplicity of AppLens over LaunchTile. Check the article for pictures of the two designs. Now we just need Microsoft to finish up the fabled xPod/xBoy so we can use this!

From The Chatty
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    April 19, 2005 1:19 PM

    What does this have to do with gaming and shacknews? I mean, I like the additional new content thats being added, but this seems kind out of place. Maybe for a MS handheld gaming system?

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      April 19, 2005 1:21 PM

      It's not your site.

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      April 19, 2005 1:36 PM

      Since posts about yellow bones and ninjas get "interesting"?

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      April 19, 2005 1:37 PM

      User interface research at this level is actually closely related to gaming, in that developers are always trying to immerse us in games, and all too often it's the interface that pulls us out of this experience. Anything that can make things more natural is going to be a positive for gamers.

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      April 19, 2005 1:52 PM

      Shackdot - News for gaming geeks, whether it matters or not

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      April 19, 2005 2:14 PM

      I agree, this news seems out of place. It's just some preliminary research that probably won't go anywhere.

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      April 19, 2005 2:25 PM

      I sort of agree but after all, weeks before E3... not much going on

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