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I think some us oldies, with slightly dodgy joints and twitchy, easily-tired muscles may struggle to become totally proficient with a device such as this. There's something very straight forward about individual keys/buttons; you only have to press them, there's no great skill or subtlety involved. On the other hand, it's hard to know these things without getting your hands on a device, and when you do all your preconceptions can be quickly shattered. So, for now, I'll just say it's a very interesting idea and I can't wait to get my hands on the finished product.

I was a games tester when the consoles started using analogue buttons and I wasn't impressed. If the more you push a botton the faster/stronger the on-screen reaction is ment to be you're always pushing ahrder and harder trying to get that extra 1% out, which either results in a broken button or numb thumbs with an indentation the exact shape of the button.

It's a very fine line between sensitivity and durability.

To be honest ive not yet found a single one of these reactive devices worthwhile. The Wii pulls it off because its a static device, but using that device above would just be a nightmare on a busy bus or train, as indeed it can be to use a touchscreen phone or PDA. You cant beat simple buttons for feedback and control in any situation.

Excellent for Financial Management!

A very interesting concept and very impressive graphics, and a good paper.
Last year a patent was issued to IBM using force sensors to navigate a handheld screen.
I wonder if the twisting action of the handheld computer will fatigue elderly hands and wrists?
The Apple iPhone is an easy handheld computer to use when navigating the screen, just one hand will work.
Lyndsay Williams
Girton Labs Ltd Cambridge

Very interesting concept, and very impressive graphics. A good Paper.
There was a patent issued to IBM last year using force sensors to move around on a display.
I wonder if the twisting action will fatigue elderly hands.
For ease of navigation of a display on a handheld computer, the Apple iPhone is easy and can be used with just one hand.

I'm not surprised Microsoft came up with this.

All those people thumping, slapping, or throwing their Windows-powered kit to the ground and stomping on it - now Microsoft has a great way to claim that's really people simply "power cycling" things :)

Just pray the final product .

You should see what Apple are working on. Makes this stuff look archaic and outdated.

this is rediculous, the only thing that this i going to be able to do is break. Touch and tilt control still will be on top of twist and punch, as no one wants to work this hard to operate their handheld or phone. Who would want to fold then twist then flip then punch they handheld just to send a message, i'd prefer just touching send.

I thought the idea about the blog section on the front page of the 成人论坛 website was to give a flavour of the blog(s) and encouarge readers to click through. In this particular instance I cant 'Read More' as there isnt anything else to read. The whole kitchen sink has been thrown in

I also object to having to scroll down the left hand column of my 成人论坛 frontpage as it now resembles a rather long piece of tiolet paper rather than a compact 'all info on a screen view'

It seems to me that companies are deliberately releasing technology to outdo
there competitors without really thinking whether there is a need, or market for such
an enhancement. This new idea is flawed with problems. How long will the item last before it breaks, whether to much pressure has been applied, or an injury is sustained by an elderly person etc?
Touch screen is not just sufficent, but serves the purpose very well indeed. An "etch a sketch" system is not the way forward and just an attempt to ridicule
technology and earn a quick buck. What can we expect next? A system you can talk to?
blow air onto it to move pages? laser contolled movement? It's all rather silly. Don't get me wrong I'm a champion for technological advances but lets not get beyond ouselves and invent things for inventions sake!

mrcopolo @ 12

System you can talk to: Dragon Dictate

Laser controlled movement: SmartNav

A lot of tech is invented just for the geek factor (iPhone, anyone?), but more that is accused of being "toys" were developed for a serious purpose - accessibility

Not to mention the things that were developed to be "toys" that actually end up being useful almost by accident.

All three of your "What next" concepts would be assistive tech.

Are they still "for invention's sake"?

@Moonwolf : Funny. I'd expect people to have that reaction with Linux.

@cosmicronson : What exactly is Apple working on? Last time I checked, Apple was so closed that nobody could even view their research site (if there was any). I'm betting they have their own research failures.

quikboy2 @ 14

I'll take your word for it, I don't know any Linux users (did Ashley ever post his impressions of Ubuntu in the end?) :P

I think Apple's next project should be codenamed the iBrick.

Microsoft Research Cambridge do lots of hands on experiments on new technology, and some may win. The "twister" may turn out to be a great new games controller for Xbox controlling a car or flight sim. Keep an open mind!
Lyndsay Williams
www.girtonlabs.com