14 DAY TRIAL // Touch input is always evolving, like everything else, and it looks like Microsoft really wants responsiveness, going as far as to make a sensor that can pick up commands through clothing.
By now, most everyone will be more than familiar with the idea of touch input.
In fact, this sort of interactivity is so widespread that it is likely that anyone came into contact with this sort of display at some point.
Apparently, Microsoft doesn't believe that the existing touch technologies cut it for smartphones and every other gadget that wants to be free of dependence on physical buttons.
To that end, the corporation invented a certain technology called PocketTouch.
More specifically, the company reportedly invented a sensor, still in prototype stage (for now), which can work through fabrics.
This isn't any measly little thing either, since the thing can supposedly recognize touch commands even through thick and heavy fabrics, like fleece.
Considering that Microsoft intends to include multi-touch gesture support into the equation, this would have quite a few implications.
The first is, naturally, extra convenience, since people will no longer have to stop and dig through their pockets whenever they get a call.
Simply, they will get the option to just reject calls and such by tapping their phone through the pocket fabric.
Granted, this won't do much for people who carry their mobile devices in bags or purses, but there is still something about being able to reply to texts and perform other simple, and not so simple, actions without even looking at the screen (and visually-impaired users can only benefit from this).
The researchers say that the capacitive touchscreens used by today's smartphones should be easy to adapt to the new sensor, through a firmware update.
Finally, the “orientation” gesture should let the device know how it should respond to further gestures, regardless of what position the smartphone, or whatever else, is in.
UPDATE: Fixed the link so that the video shows up properly.
