Gizmodo: buttons

Step Aside, Multitouch and Haptics: This Touchscreen Has Buttons

John Herrman — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:28:26 EDT

A couple of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, apparently tired of this whole touchscreen vs. button debate, have decided to just do away with the distinction entirely.

The video below explains the concept in depth, but here's the gist: A hard acrylic chamber, perforated with fixed button shapes, is surrounded by latex on both sides. A pneumatic pump pressurizes or depressurizes the central chamber, either depressing or lifting the areas above the button holes. Display duties are carried out through rear projection, and (multi!)touch tracking is dealt with via finger-tracking cameras.

The effect is seamless. It's still in experimental stages, but no single part of this technology is especially novel or expensive, so it's semi-plausible that we could see something like this make it to market in the near future. Unfortunately, the bulky nature of this particular system precludes use in portable products, but it would work just fine in larger ones, like the in-dash computer seen in the video.

Size will inevitably come down, power needs will be addressed, and such a screen's uses will widen. This generation may one day be asked, "Dad, was there really a time when touchscreens and buttons didn't peacefully coexist? Really?" They'll have to reluctantly answer, "Yes, son," eyes turned toward the ground, "but would that we forget..." [Tech Review]

A Gallery of Knobs and Buttons...Because They're Amazing

Adrian Covert — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:30:00 EDT

Completely disregard what Apple is trying to tell you: buttons are awesome, knobs are rad, and they make gadgets fun. If anything, we need more of 'em in our daily lives. Case in point? This gallery of knobs and buttons in all their glory.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is a HUGE fan of Morse Code.

Hulk Smash USB Button Masks Your Computer Activities

Andi Wang — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:40:13 EST

When you're stressed at work, you might find yourself "goofing off" to ease your frustrations. But when a coworker waltzes in looking for you, what do you do? Quick, hit the Hulk Smash USB button!

Using three different interactive Hulk-themed screen and sound effects, this button will allow you to unleash your anger and immediately hide whatever is currently on your computer screen. And if you're having a superhero identity crisis, you can Power Up with the Iron Man button, or activate your Spidey-Senses with the Spiderman one, which contain the same features. Pricing is available upon request. [Product Page via Nerd Approved]

Supermandolini High Quality Arcade Buttons Are Made From Arcade Buttons

Jason Chen — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:45:00 EST

Kotaku's Ashcraft's book on Japanese arcades may document how well those gaming centers are doing in Japan, but arcades are pretty much on their last legs here in the US. These high quality Supermandolini arcade buttons are how you can keep hope alive. Sixteen euros ($20) gets you ten badges, or buttons, that you can shove on your backpack or shirt or pants to show just how much you love putting quarters into things. Bonus: putting any one of these 10 on strategic areas of your pants can make for a funny joke. [Super Mandolini]

Guitar Hero 4 Guitar to Have More Buttons?

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 23 May 2008 07:44:26 EDT

If you look at the guitar pictured in the Guitar Hero promo page you will notice what looks like new buttons on the base of the fretboard. Knowing about the expanded new drums, this could mean that they are going to increase the complexity of the guitars too, requiring even more dexterity than previous versions. Note to Guitar Hero people: no matter how complex you make it, it still won't be a real guitar. [Guitar Hero—thanks Alex]

Button Remote: A Neat Controller On Your Shirt

Jason Chen — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:22:29 EDT

I like this concept of a stylish remote control that clasps over the button on a piece of clothing. The idea doesn't account for the rise of this little invention called the zipper. But it appeals to me for the subtlety of integration with clothing, and well, because I like to fiddle with buttons. Always have. [Yanko]

Magnetic Pajama Buttons Get You From Clothed to Naked in 0.5 Seconds

Jason Chen — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:20:57 EDT

If you're anything like us, your major complaint about pajamas is that they're just too hard to take off. That, and how urine stains never seem to wash out completely. These magnetic pajama buttons don't do much about problem #2, but they totally take the clothing-removal equation to the next level.

Of course, these magnetic fasteners are designed for the elderly and disabled, but our question is this: Why isn't this on all articles of clothing? Think about it, you could remove clothing LIKE THAT. That means perverts could go around and rip off women's clothing with minimal effort, which just leaves us with the one question: Why isn't this on all articles of clothing?

Magnetic Pyjamas [Plastic Bamboo]

Buttonless Elevators Creep People Out

Jason Chen — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:15:49 EST

From a design standpoint, these new buttonless elevators in populated metro areas are great. Enter in the floor you want, and the central computer aggregates adjacent floors so people get where they're going faster. The problem comes when people get on board, change their minds, and freak due to a lack of control. And unlike S&M, there's no safe-word here.

Most people catch on pretty quickly. Just a month after the Hearst Tower opened, some Hearst executives said they were forgetting to push buttons in old-fashioned elevators. "My problem has become that I keep forgetting to press buttons in the elevator in my apartment building, so as I tap tap tap on my BlackBerry, I realize minutes later that the elevator hasn't moved," says Atoosa Rubenstein, the departing editor in chief of Hearst's Seventeen magazine.

Besides being confusing to old people, the elevators cut wait time from 60 to 90 seconds down to 20 to 25 seconds in a busy hotel. – Jason Chen

Buttonless elevators have their ups and downs [NWFdailyNews via Boing Boing]