Since Apple is now defending its multi-touch patents with the ferocity of an enraged mother mongoose, developers have one more reason to pursue non-multi-touch solutions for touchable user interfaces. It was always a good idea, since not every touchscreen is capable of, or good at multi-touch (G1 anyone?), and seeing single-input touchscreens get the kind of intuitive interfaces they deserve is satisfying.
Linja Zax is a project that wants to add a UI trick to the growing bag of hacks, techniques, and special touches that make up touch interfaces. Their idea is simple: a circular motion, clockwise to zoom in and anticlockwise to zoom out. There should be a little demo of the thing going on to the right there.
It’s a nice addition, but I’ve always favored a sort of “meta” command for single touch, like a double-tap that you hold, which then opens a circular menu. Not as convenient for zooming, but useful for many other things. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more and more of these little innovations; they add a lot to usability.
[via CNET]
P.S. Linja, I’m linking your swf, let me know if you’d rather I put up the YouTube version. It’s not as clear.
I dig it, nice that it allows even more laziness where you only have to keep one finger on screen.
Ditto. I like that I can pretty much hold the device with one hand AND maybe use that same hand to USE it, not just hold it. I really prefer one-handed interaction for portable devices–it’s sometimes frustrating to have the other hand tied up (holding a bag, pushing doors, etc.) and have to stop and wait for that hand to be free just to be able to hold the device so I can use multiple fingers on the other hand to DO something on a multitouch.
My Lenovo S10 uses this method to scroll–touch the side of the pad and a circular reference point shows up. Rotate your finger on the pad to scroll. Direction and speed of rotation determine direction and speed of scroll.
Nice, I had no idea. Hope these guys know that, wouldn’t want anybody to get sued.
I hate those side-of-the-pad things though.
[quote]Their idea is simple: a circular motion, clockwise to zoom in and anticlockwise to zoom out.[/quote]
That’s what the HTC Touch Diamond already uses for images.
[quote]double-tap that you hold, which then opens a circular menu[/quote]
You mean an interface like the one in NWN on right click?
I think so, it’s been a while since i’ve played NWN.
Like tap-hold…. pie menu comes up.