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Toshiba brings texture to touch (video) Reach out and touch whatever screen you're reading this on. What if, instead of feeling the glass or plastic beneath your finger, you could experience the texture of a brush, woodgrain, or even a stone? Well, Toshiba's working on just such a project, which operates on the basis of a film affixed to, say, a smartphone's touch panel -- electrical currents are sent through this layer, and your digits are shot up with the simulated sensation of touching those various surfaces. Senseg, the company behind this tech, has been around since 2008, but perhaps this recent prototype demo is a sign that things might actually start going places.

It's not like there'll be a shortage of imaginative uses for such precise tactile feedback. Comments. Senseg creates textures on perfectly flat touchscreen displays. Senseg might have been around since 2008, but the company has now built a prototype of its displays into a tablet. The tactile panel tech uses electrostatic fields to simulate different levels of friction, allowing it to generate the sensation of texture on a totally flat screen. CNET got a chance to try out the display, and said that the textures it creates are easily recognisable — moving from gravel, to packing material, to sandpaper creates distinct, familiar feelings.

The video also shows the potential implications for gaming, opening up a new level of immersion for designers. Unlike other haptic technologies, there's no reliance on moving parts or any physical change to the screen, meaning that Senseg's concepts could be integrated into the same devices we use today. Human–computer interaction. A woman teaching girls in Afghanistan how to use computers. Human use of computers is a major focus of the field of HCI. Because human–computer interaction studies a human and a machine in conjunction, it draws from supporting knowledge on both the machine and the human side. On the machine side, techniques in computer graphics, operating systems, programming languages, and development environments are relevant. On the human side, communication theory, graphic and industrial design disciplines, linguistics, social sciences, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and human factors such as computer user satisfaction are relevant.

Engineering and design methods are also relevant. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of HCI, people with different backgrounds contribute to its success. HCI is also sometimes referred to as human–machine interaction (HMI), man–machine interaction (MMI) or computer–human interaction (CHI). HCI Goals[edit] Differences with related fields[edit] Design[edit] 1. 2. Build 2012: Steve Ballmer shows off an 82-inch Windows 8 slate PC at Build 2012. To Acquire Perceptive Pixel Inc. REDMOND, Wash., and NEW YORK — July 9, 2012 — Microsoft Corp. and Perceptive Pixel Inc. (PPI) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire PPI, a recognized leader in research, development and production of large-scale, multi-touch display solutions. “The acquisition of PPI allows us to draw on our complementary strengths, and we’re excited to accelerate this market evolution,” said Kurt DelBene, president, Office Division for Microsoft.

“PPI’s large touch displays, when combined with hardware from our OEMs, will become powerful Windows 8-based PCs and open new possibilities for productivity and collaboration.” Founded in 2006 by Jeff Han, a renowned pioneer in multi-touch technology, PPI shipped its first multi-touch workstation and large wall solutions in early 2007. In 2008 its technology gained widespread recognition for transforming the way CNN and other broadcasters covered the 2008 U.S. presidential election. About Microsoft.