Category: Interface
HTC Vive is a tech breakthrough
We have some HTC Vive VR systems at the Department of Design at the Aachen University of Applied Science. This system is a game changer for consumer grade Virtual Reality applications. I have to admit that I am awed by the engineering feat that Alan Yates and Valve have pulled off with the HTC Vive. I was not…
G-Speak
(Via Dynamic Information Design Seminar Blog) Minority Report science adviser and inventor John Underkoffler demos g-speak — the real-life version of the film’s eye-popping, tai chi-meets-cyberspace computer interface. Is this how tomorrow’s computers will be controlled? G-Speak is a really interesting concept. Right now I do not feel it is where it should be to…
10/GUI & con10uum
10/GUI (by Clayton Miller) is an novel approach to human-computer interaction. But it draws attention to the fine line designers will need to walk to effectively create physical human-computer interactions. The video demonstrates the potential advantages of navigating within a desktop interface with up to ten fingers, rather than via a single cursor: [More on…
Mouse 2.0?
These research prototypes for future computer mice by Microsoft are very interesting approaches:
GPS + Compass + Motion sensors = Augmented Reality
The new iPhone 3GS adds a compass to the set of sensors. Combined with the GPS, the motion detection sensor and some image change detection via the internal video camera, this enables a new breed of “augmented reality” applications. NearestWiki for example displays WikiPedia entries about buildings and places in the vicinity. NearestWiki is not…
Introduction to HTML5
Here is a very good introduction to HTML5 by Brad Neuberg that is a must see for web designers and developers – at least if you are new to HTML5: Introduction to HTML 5 from Brad Neuberg on Vimeo.
Thoughts on Google Wave
I am just collecting some thoughts about some observations and issues – while I am trying to understand Google Wave. (see a demo on their site) Google Wave is an integrated set of technologies (with protocols that allow semi-synchronous editing of outlines and their federation across several servers). With this approach Google Wave solves some…
WebKit adds 3D
The developers of the Webkit HTML rendering engine (the one that is used in the Apple Safari Browser) have added 3D styles to CSS. It allows layers to be rotated, scaled and moved in a 3D space. You need to download a nightly build of the browser to see it working. There are quite a…
Project Natal – the first true innovation from Microsoft
I have been thinking about Project Natal over the weekend. I do not want to discredit some of the innovations Microsoft has created over the last two decades – but for the most part Microsoft has not been able to create innovations on its own (but rather mimicking or buying stuff from outside). There may…
Project Natal
Obviously Microsoft feels the need to claim back some market share the Nintendo Wii took away with a new controller type. Project Natal is utilizing a range of biometric sensors for body motion, face and voice recognition. The video is more a vision than an actual feature presentation. But it is clear what the goals…
Copenhagen UI concept
Via blogblog: Here is a user experience concept study that is a mockup of a new Windows UI – and it is not designed by Microsoft but by a guy named Cullen Dudas. Looks good. Would love to see more. I hope Microsoft comes up with some UI innovations in Windows 7 that really serve…
Future of Interfaces
DesignReviver (via @blogblog) has compiled a categorial list of aspects that drive future UI development: Better and more intuitive devices interaction Everyday devices connected to the Internet Multi-touch, without touching the screen Interactive and intuitive user interfaces for better browsing Gesture based interfaces Interfaces aware of context New materials that will influence UI While I…
Competing with the iPhone
Ingo Hinterding wants to have a Plam Pre. The multi-touch, turning UI is clearly attacking the iPhone market share. I think the Palm Pre will not succeed as an “iPhone killer”.
3 components of good web design
Actually the site PSDTUTS has great tutorials for Web Designers. But one of the recent articles about what design roles that constitute a good web design discipline did not convince me.
Low-cost multipoint interface with a Wii Remote
John Chung Lee made an interesting software that uses a Wii remote to allow interaction with multiple pens on any screen or projection. Very interesting!
Design for discovery
One of the most interesting topics for information architecture is search. There are ways to find, explore, browse and discover things in digital domains. The value of information increases with the possibility of being found. So design for findability becomes the most important strategy to increase the value of information. One of the distinct experts…
Naturalism vs. explicitness
There constantly is a discussion about making the computer feel more “natural” to the user. I do think that this approach led to the graphical user interface we are all used to today and it is philosophically the right approach to deal with technology. But I also do believe technology is not yet ready to…
UI Design and market success
While researching some information about user interfaces for video sharing websites I stumbled over a statement in an article at news.com by Alonso Vera of NASA Ames Research: »Design is starting to change who succeeds and who fails. A few years ago that wasn’t true. If I had a better algorithm, I would win!« I…
Multi-touch screens
Tobias Jordans pointed to a new astonishing video of a 8-by-3 inch two-panel multi-touch sensitive wall mounted screen: The video makes evident, that the interaction feels continuous and natural. And since Apple has shown with the iPhone that multi-touch can improve small interfaces as well, I think this technology could replace the mouse one day.…