04-07-2005, 09:00 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Microsoft's New Smart Phone Interface: Your Thumb
"Microsoft Research scientists, in cooperation with University of Maryland researchers, have designed two interfaces to support easier use of PDAs and cellphones. The interfaces allow users to operate the devices using a thumb on one hand. The interfaces target screens from 2 to 5 inches, measured diagonally, with resolutions ranging from 176 x 220 to 800 x 600 pixels. The researchers detailed the two different interface approaches in a technical paper delivered at this week's Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Portland, Ore."
I've seen some research in zoomable user interfaces, and I think the potential for this is huge. One of the main problems with a PDA, a mini-Tablet PC, or a Smartphone is that the physical screen is small, and as a result a lot of scrolling is required to view content. Zoomable interfaces are an alternative to scrolling: imagine being able to pan around a webpage, or between different programs, without having to repeatedly hit extra buttons or use a stylus. I really, really hope MSR's work is productizable and goes into some of their future product platforms, because I think we're still in the early period of handheld user interfaces.
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04-07-2005, 09:12 PM
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Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 749
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Although there weren't any screenshots or other pictures provided, the description sounds very much like a product called 'DateLens' that I reviewed a little while back. link to DateLens review
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/drt
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04-07-2005, 11:25 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 204
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hmmm
Is this the reason that a person with hp/ms inside knowledge said in Brighhand forums that the HX4700 touchpad potential will be unleashed with Windows Mobile 2005(or whateven it will be called)???
Maybe the zoomable interface will be controlled via a synaptics touchpad? or even a tingy like the one found in IBM laptops?
Its interesting if we see such a breakthrought in PDAs.
The main idea of a mobile phone is that it can be controlled with one hand and small enought to hold near your ear. The main idea of a PDA is to have a large touch screen which you can use with a stylous using both hands. Now if an innovative aproach will remove the both hands bottleneck in PDA phones then we are step forward.
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04-08-2005, 12:47 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 469
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That is of course if HP releases and update for your 4700. Don't hold your breath.
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04-08-2005, 02:51 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 578
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Dell, HP and others could improve one-handed operation by just bringing back the jog wheel or lever most early Pocket PCs had. It made reading an article or a book so much easier.
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04-08-2005, 07:44 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 174
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Don Tolson
Although there weren't any screenshots or other pictures provided, the description sounds very much like a product called 'DateLens' that I reviewed a little while back. link to DateLens review |
Both were developed by the same University of Maryland researcher (Dr. Bederson). 8)
Actually, even the naming convention matches (the CHI paper concerns AppLens)
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