Toshiba take the touch screen to the next level

Since the arrival of the iPhone the touchscreen phone has gone from strength to strength. However, many people still don’t like the idea of pressing buttons that they can’t actually feel. The latest technology from Toshiba not only hopes to satisfy peoples’ desire to feel buttons, but hopes to take touch screen experiences to a whole new level.

The video above demonstrates a revolutionary screen that provides sensory feedback to a range of touch screen experiences. The technology known as a “New Sensation UI Solution” provides feedback without using mechanical vibration, but by controlling the electric charge on a film affixed to the touchpanel. This technology allows users to experience the feeling of real buttons to that of wood or stone on a flat screen.

The technology could allow for richer mobile experiences adding an extra element to gaming, or mobile shopping, perhaps allowing users to experience something like the feel of a new carpet before they buy online. At a simpler level feedback could improve the user experience for those who prefer the feel of a tactile keyboard, and allow people to use a touchscreen phone without them having to actually look at it.

Of course as with all new technology the key will be whether it will actually work as it is supposed to, and how people react. Should everything go to plan, the technology could have major implications for the way people use touchscreen devices in the future.

Source: DigInfo