Rumored tablet could include dynamic tactile surface

As a guy who still kind of winces at the iPhone's touch surface sometimes (especially when playing games -- you don't realize how nice buttons are until you see a character die because your thumb's in the way), this is extremely interesting news: Apple's rumored tablet, which we've been hearing a lot about lately, may include a dynamic, tactile surface.

This one's on a little shakier ground than the other rumors that we've heard before, but it makes sense. After that anonymous exec told the NYT that the interface on the new tablet would be "surprising," AppleInsider notes this recent ~~pulled out an old~~ patent ~~from a few years ago~~ that talks about a surface that changes its shape and feel based on how it's being used. For viewing pictures with the multitouch, it stays smooth, but the second a keyboard or button pops up, it can push out dots or shapes and become slightly tactile.

[Neil from AI sent a note to update us: "Just wanted to clarify that we didn't "dig up" an old patent -- it was filed for in August of this year, and was made public just today. It is, however, very similar to an application first revealed in 2007."]

Sounds like it'd be tough to get right (you'd have to figure out when users expect a tactile surface and when they don't, among other interesting UI questions), but of course if anyone can pull it off, it'll probably be Apple. Note that this isn't the only futuristic idea Apple has had for larger multitouch surfaces, and there are lots of different options for interfaces that we'd find "surprising." But the fact remains that though touchscreen devices are extremely popular, users want a little more feel and a little less look. It'd be great to see Apple pull this off, if they are planning on showing off a larger touchscreen next month.

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Source: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/12/24/possible_apple…

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As a guy who still kind of winces at the iPhone's touch surface sometimes (especially when playing games -- you don't realize how nice...

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MikeWard1701

A dynamic tactile display is a great idea, both for a tablet and the next iphone.

One key benefit I see is the possibility of braille for blind or visually impaired users.

Another cool plus (and possibly more popular) would be that it could be a sort of halfway house between touchscreen and physical keyboard, allowing you to dial and type without looking at the screen.

December 25 2009 at 7:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Henry

It is going to be voice controlled. Expect an upgraded version of the voice recog. that is built into the iPhone. Better AI, a huge vocabulary, and fast. This is the computer that you'll talk to. And it will work. Mark my words.

December 25 2009 at 1:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Henry's comment

engywuck

If the tablet will use voice recognition it would be in english only :-(
For foreign customers (like me) it will be unusable...

December 25 2009 at 3:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Charli

i wouldn't be so quick to dismiss this as merely old iphone tech. the Tablet is rumored to be using the iphone os so perhaps they dropped this tech as unneeded in a smaller device but the foundations are still in the software to use it for something bigger.

so long as the 'bumps' are only when and where the keyboard is, i'm fine with the notion. although I have no issues with the iphone keyboard as is.

December 24 2009 at 10:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

(01)

This would be pretty amazing, and would undoubtedly make it to the next iPhone.

December 24 2009 at 6:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Patrick

if it does have a "dynamic tactile surface" it would be pretty neat for blind people. i mean it could have an ereader type use but maybe display braille. just saying it'd be neat.

December 24 2009 at 3:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Patrick's comment

MikeWard1701

My thoughts exactly, this would be of benefit to the blind and visually impaired.

December 25 2009 at 7:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

leftnotracks

Let's all remember that rumours about Apple's tablet you read on the web are worth the paper they are printed on.

December 24 2009 at 2:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

high fivers

The Apple Tablet exists in patent drawings only. The technology demonstrated in them applies to the iPhone, mainly because as the patent filings were made Apple didn't want to expose the iPhone to the world before it was ready. Everyone was familiar with a tablet interface so they used that as some misdirection.

Have fun chasing the dragon!

December 24 2009 at 2:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply