Sure, touchscreen phones look great, but when it comes to typing on the touchscreen most of the phones are lacking. Without having the feedback that a keypad provides, users often have to type slowly and frequently make errors on devices such as the iPhone.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow are trying to solve those problems by using actuators (the things that make your phone vibrate when a call comes in) to replicate the feel of a keypad.

Using existing haptic feedback software, the scientists are trying to squeeze more out of the actuators already present in cell phones. Their modifications provide a single pulse for the feeling of a button being clicked, a longer buzz to provide a “rough” feeling when the user has moved to a different key, and a buzz that ramps up and down when sliding a finger across a button to give that button a rounded feel.

The researchers found that users’ typing speed and accuracy were much closer to a standard keypad when using their haptic feedback software. The team will present their findings at the Computer Human Interaction conference in Italy next month, and hopefully we’ll see cell phone manufacturers picking up this software to make their touchscreen phones that much more usable. [via New Scientist]

The folks at Studio Roosegaarde have designed an interesting contraption called Liquid Space 2.1. The sculpture is an interactive artwork that changes its appearance in response to humans.

Studio Roosegaarde’s description: “Liquid Space 2.1 is an interactive space which physically changes its form in relation to human sounds and motion. This interactive fusion of mechanisms, embedded electronics and software creates a real-time dialogue with its visitors. In this play of defining and letting go the space evolves its behavior towards the visitors, creating a sensual co-existence.”

Liquid Space 2.1 uses a variety of LEDs and electroluminescent lighting to create the effect of movement. Sensors, embedded electronics, and special software combine to control a mechanism which responds to the presence of humans. The sculpture measures in at 4 × 4 × 4 meters.

It will be interesting to see what this work of art will look like when humans are interacting with it. Liquid Space 2.1 looks like a great addition to a museum of modern art, or even as a tourist attraction in a famous city.

[via Studio Roosegaarde]

This year’s CeBIT has certainly had its share of surprises (police raids, anyone?). This Minority Report-like interface, captured on video by an attendee, is our favorite find from the show.

On display at the T-Online booth, the interface consists of a huge screen where several people can pretend to be Tom Cruise play with the device at the same time. Using just their hand, visitors can move objects around, rotate, resize, and interact with them.

Is this the beginning of a Pre-Crime department, or just another take on Microsoft’s Surface? Either way, it looks fun to play with, although we can’t imagine how practical the system would be. Check out a video after the jump. Read more »

The Absolut Quartet has to be one of the coolest toys we’ve played with on the ‘net in a long time. First, let’s dive into what the thing actually is.

The Absolut Quartet is “a multi-instrumental music-making machine combining art and technology to create the equivalent of a classic human quartet. With a twist. It consists of three robotic “musicians” - as an online user you become the fourth musician.”

The first robotic musician is a marimba. 50 robotic cannons shoot rubber balls 6 feet into the air. When the balls land, they hit the marimba keys. The second musician is based on the idea of the “finger on the wine glass.” There are a series of glasses, tuned to different pitches, that are all spinning at the same time. These glasses are “played” by small robotic fingers. Finally, an array of percussive instruments rounds out the robotic trio. Read more »

Visitors to London’s Carnaby Street will find a new attraction - one they can themselves play with and control. Behind a pane of glass is a large screen which you can command not by touch, but by waving your hand in front of it.

The screen was developed by UK based agency ‘The Alternative’ to serve as advertising for Orange. Right now users of the screen can wave their hands in the air to read news, watch movie clips, and listen to music.

The screen is the first of its kind, employing a large projection screen and a highly advanced piece of motion capture technology. Goodbye iPod and iPhone - your days of making us click and press are just about over. Soon, my friends, we will be able to control you by waving our hands in the air like maniacs.

Video after the jump. Read more »