Gizmodo: Touchy-Feely

Feeling Up the LG Multitouch: It's a Hoot But Flawed

Charlie White — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:00:22 EST

LG.Philips dives into the multi-touch display game at CES 2008, seen here running Google Earth. Coolness indeed, but LG's idea of mounting dual IR-sensitive cameras on either side of the display is still flawed.

Since it's such a big screen, its two-point moving and zooming is not exactly an iPhone finger pinch, and zooming out requires two hands and a rather elaborate movement to get any action.

The screen isn't quite as sensitive as the iPhone's, so double-clicking is iffy. It didn't work about 60% of the time. As a home product, it'd probably wear you out with all that requisite arm flapping and gesturing. Add that to the fingerprint problem when messy kids want to play with it during their peanut butter-and-jelly lunch, and this could get old pretty fast. Even so, it's definitely a hoot to use, and will probably soon see lots of play in info kiosks and advertising panels.
Reporting and video by Curtis Walker

Apple iPhone Babe Celebrates the Holi-tain'ts

Charlie White — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST

Just passing the time during the "holi-tain'ts" ('tain't this holiday, 'tain't that holiday)? The guys at I4U News really know how to commemorate gadgets, and can help you celebrate these in-between touchy-feely times with their I4U Apple iPhone Babe. She's billed as a tribute to touchscreens, and we might add she's a tribute to touching anything else within your reach, as well. With proper permission, of course.

Be sure not to miss the rest of the photos in the set at the I4U site. [I4U News]

Haptic Glove Transmits Feelings to Your Hands; Porn Industry Excited Already

Adam Frucci — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:00:27 EDT

Apple isn't the only event happening today, you know. SIGGRAPH (a conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques) is happening in San Diego as well, and there's some pretty neat stuff being shown off there. This Haptic Glove, for example, transmits the feeling of holding an object in your hand from afar.

Imagine shaking hands with someone from across the country, feeling not only the texture of their hand but also the warmth of it. Wondering how soft that sweater is you're thinking of purchasing online? Feel it before you buy it. Sure, it's kind of an esoteric technology, and it's still about 10 years away from being fully realized, but it's a pretty cool glimpse at what engineers are currently toiling over. [SIGGRAPH 07 via The Raw Feed]

Japanese Develop "Tangible 3D" Glove

kthompson — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:50:38 EDT

We all knew those tacky 3D shades were just the beginning. A Japanese company is claiming to have ditched the geeky glasses and developed realistic 3D imaging technology that, when coupled with their sensor-packed glove, allows you to see and feel images. Yes, you can finally get your mitts on those crazy characters you've been swiping at since you were a kid. It gets crazier:

The "tangible 3D" system allows users to be connected and transformed into 3D images in real-time. If you're holding hands with the virtual representation of your spuse and he or she walks off screen, apparently your hand will feel the tug as s/he leaves your pseudo-grasp. The developer, NTT Comware, is reportedly exploring commercialization options including video phones, but there are limitless possibilities out there for this kind of technology. The gaming industry, internet pornography sites and museums are a few of the potentially big buyers, but time will tell if this is truly a revolutionary breakthrough or just another gimmick destined for cereal boxes in the near future. [Yahoo News]