Published in Mobiles

Windows phones and Tablets could get Invisible touch

by on09 May 2016


Pre-sensing touch takes control and slowly tears you apart

Microsoft Research has developed a pre-sensing touch system where the technology allows a touchscreen to anticipate touch input before you lay a finger on the display.

This is a similar idea to Cypress Semiconductor's TrueTouch, but Microsoft Research's self-capacitive touchscreen appears to be the first time pre-touch sensing and grip detection have worked together.

The prototype detects movements within a certain field above the screen and can bring up new menus and interaction options accordingly. If you are watching a video and move your hand up to the screen it will bring up volume, playing and pause controls. You then tap or drag the menu as normal. If you change your mind and move your finger, the menu fades away.

The device can determine if you're using one or both hands to hold it, and can bring up custom menus depending on which fingers you use and which part of the screen you hover over.

If you hold the phone one handed and use your thumb the screen will bring up a smaller thumb friendly menu. Hover a second finger over the screen, and you get more options.

Of course the technology may never see the light of day, and if it does it will be in phones and tablets which use Windows which are pretty thin on the ground.

You can see it action below

Last modified on 09 May 2016
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