Interface -- Engadget Mobile

interface posts

Nokia patent app reveals dreams of pressure-sensitive multitouch interface

by Darren Murph posted Oct 24th 2009 @ 6:49PM

Nokia's no stranger to the patent application process here in the United States, and while we've certainly seen some strange ones emanating from its R&D labs, this one looks like something that should be implemented on the double. Explained as a "user interface for controlling an electronic device," the multitouch solution would essentially allow you to pinch, zoom and rotate objects as usual, but it would also employ an array of pressure sensors in order to give your motions a sense of severity. If executed properly, one could theoretically envision the use of a strong push to simulate a double tap (for example), or as a means to activate a secondary function that generally requires another button press or the use of a 'Function' key. Hit the read link for all the mumbo jumbo, but be sure to keep your expectations within check. Or not.

[Via UnwiredView]

Video: KDDI Polaris Robot concept -- it's like Rolly, but with a purpose

by Darren Murph posted Oct 6th 2009 @ 7:32AM

Being a Japanese carrier and all, it's no shock to see KDDI with a large presence at CEATEC. What was surprising, however, was the cute little device you see pictured above. Showcased in an "early prototype" form, the recently introduced Polaris Robot looks eerily similar to Sony's befuddling Rolly. Thankfully for KDDI (and all of humanity, really), this creature actually has a purpose. Packed with speakers, an array of wireless sensors and the ability to send video signals to your TV sans cables, the concept docking station is meant to stylishly hold your KDDI handset (lots of 'em will be compatible in due time) and beam a blown-up version of your phone's UI onto your television or LCD monitor. The good news here is that the system actually displays a far more intuitive menu layout on the screen than what's available on your dumbphone, enabling users to flip through schedules, photos, videos and playlists with ease. Technological details -- as well as information surrounding price and release -- were scant, but you can whet your appetite by peeking the video just past the break.

Gallery: KDDI Polaris Robot concept -- it's like Rolly, but with a purpose

Continue reading Video: KDDI Polaris Robot concept -- it's like Rolly, but with a purpose

Larva Labs proposes 'intelligent' Android home screen

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 21st 2009 @ 2:56PM

HTC and Motorola may have done their best to whip Android's interface into shape, but it looks like the folks at Larva Labs still weren't satisfied with the options available, so they've naturally gone ahead and designed their own UI (with a little help from Ideas on Purpose). While it's unfortunately still just a concept, the firm's so-called "Intelligent Home Screen" does bring plenty of interesting ideas to the table, which Larva Labs says should help it "appeal to Blackberry owners and people struggling with information overload." The centerpiece of the concept is a home screen divided by a (slightly familiar looking) slider bar, which puts personal items like emails up top and general interest stuff on the bottom, with relevant apps accessed by the icon on the right-hand side of the screen, and everything else relegated to a separate menu. Hit up the read link below to check it out in action.

HTC Hero firmware update peps up the Sense Experience to something usable

by Paul Miller posted Sep 14th 2009 @ 3:56PM

Good news for HTC Hero early adopters: HTC has a new firmware update out now for the device, and it considerably speeds up the interface if the multitude of reports to be found on the internet can be believed. Seeing as this was the number one gripe with the overall excellent UI, we're incredibly glad HTC has gotten work on this, and we'll be spending some more time with the device to return our newly tinted impressions. There's a video after the break demonstrating changes, and most actions seems quite a bit quicker and smoother, all the way down to opening and closing the apps menu, and sliding between home screens. The update doesn't really include much else in the way of features, but since it's addressing the main pain point of the phone, we sure don't mind -- and neither will Sprint users, who we suppose will be getting this newly improved interface right out of the gate.

[Via Gizmodo]

Continue reading HTC Hero firmware update peps up the Sense Experience to something usable

Recent Windows Mobile 6.5 ROM shows finger friendly approach

by Darren Murph posted Jul 19th 2009 @ 12:18PM

While the world patiently awaits the release of the first Windows Mobile 6.5 device, it seems like the devs behind the software are warming to the fact that folks love those touchscreens. While existing versions of WinMo -- not to mention early builds of WinMo 6.5 --have focused on switching between screens via clickable tabs, a new ROM pictured over at PPCGeeks shows a subtle but significant change. If you'll notice, the screen on the right would prefer that you swipe left or right to get from 'Version' to 'Copyrights' or 'Device ID,' which should absolutely delight fans of the OS who also prefer touchscreen-based phones. Now, if only we could get Microsoft to push this stuff out onto a shipping handset, we'd really have a reason to cheer.

[Via 1800PocketPC, thanks Mark]

Nokia interface patent fits like an AR-enhancing glove

by Ross Miller posted Jul 11th 2009 @ 10:37AM

Okay, you know the drill by now: just because it's in a patent doesn't mean it's happening anytime soon, if ever. With that said, we'd love to see what Nokia had in mind when they concocted this one. As Unwired View recently unearthed, the Finnish phone maker has drawn up a design doc / patent application for comfortable, stretchable material that fits over your skin and is used for device interaction. Gestures and stretches are computed and signaled into nearby computers, phones, or interestingly enough "near-eye displays" -- sounds like we're getting into a bit of virtual / augmented reality territory here -- and they are also tailored to provide feedback via vibration. Again, don't hold your breath on seeing this come to fruition any point in the near (or even long) future, but still, we know what you're thinking: Nokia's gonna have to think of a ton of kooky color descriptions to accentuate any future lineup of input wristbands / fingerbands.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Apple dreaming of object identification, new messaging UI in iPhone OS patent

by Darren Murph posted Jul 9th 2009 @ 12:29PM

Seriously Apple, what's up with the patent application bender? Over the past week, we've seen a whole gaggle of new apps, though the latest few just might be the most intriguing. In essence, Apple engineers have outlined plans to integrate object recognition, face detection / recognition, a text message filter (for the parents, you know) and a new, smarter messaging interface that could remind you of unread messages before allowing you to make a call and spout off unnecessarily. Moreover, we're told of a new voice output selection that could enable Oprah or Cookie Monster to read your turn-by-turn directions, bedtime stories or recipes. Suddenly, iPhone OS 3.0 feels so... antediluvian.

[Via Unwired View]

Read - Unread messages application
Read - New messaging interface application
Read - Face detection application

i-mate Go user interface masks Windows Mobile 6.1

by Darren Murph posted Dec 11th 2008 @ 12:50AM

It's almost disturbing how many UI masks we have now for Windows Mobile 6.1, but even more frightening is the fact that Microsoft is sitting around rather than doing anything about it. All that aside, those frustrated with the aging OS can give i-mate Go a shot, which is a new UI for the company's WinMo 6.1 handsets that attempts to deliver "advanced capabilities and touch access to the user's favorite functions through a simple icon-based menu." It's available now as a free download for the Ultimate 9502, Ultimate 8502, Ultimate 8150, Ultimate 6150, and JAMA 101, and while you may be scared to give something like this a try, just ask yourself: what do you really have to lose?

[Via phoneArena]

BlackBerry 9000 gets extended interface video tour

by Ryan Block posted May 8th 2008 @ 12:11PM

A few weeks ago we got a quick tour of the new BlackBerry 9000's UI, but now that the folks at CrackBerry have a unit we all benefit by getting a far deeper look at what's going on. One highlight: (limited) YouTube support! Videos of this thing after the break, check 'em out.

[Thanks Dave, via CrackBerry]

Continue reading BlackBerry 9000 gets extended interface video tour

Samsung skips the touchscreen, patents gesture-based phone interface

by Nilay Patel posted Apr 19th 2008 @ 12:17AM

Samsung's been getting pretty creative with cell cameras lately -- the Instinct lets you pan around web pages by tracking movement with the camera, for example -- but the company's latest patent application, for a gesture-based phone interface, might be a little less practical. The idea is to use the phone's camera to track your hand movements, which, from the drawings, should have you looking insane on the subway in no time. Of course, we've all been guilty of waving at and even talking to our devices when they're acting up, so maybe a little feedback wouldn't be a bad thing -- there's one gesture we'd definitely like to see programmed in there.

[Via Textually.org]

LG touchscreen UI contest ends... in a racecar?

by Nilay Patel posted Apr 8th 2008 @ 11:54PM

We're not sure how LG managed to hold a touchscreen UI design contest with a $14K prize without telling anyone, but it certainly did -- and keeping things on the DL probably explains why "Driving," pictured above, was the winning entry. The "Art in Mobile" contest started last December in Korea, and the 10 winning entries will see their creations actually turned into functional phone interfaces. There's not much info on the other nine winners, but apparently one is called "Sixty Seconds" and is designed to stall for a minute before connecting a call so you can browse photos and check messages. Uh, yeah -- if our phones were taking a minute to connect calls, we'd have a bigger problem than the UI. Seriously, LG, next time you want some consumer input on phone interfaces, we think we might know some people with ideas.

[Via Unwired View]

Read - Telecoms Korea story on the contest
Read - Translated LG press release

Meizu M8 interface gets tweaked once again. A few pixels to the left, please?

by Paul Miller posted Mar 16th 2008 @ 3:40AM

While it appears that Meizu's infringement shutdown at CeBIT was for unlicensed MP3 usage, and not at all to do with the eerie resemblance to a certain iPhone, the company still seems eager to prove to the world it is brewing something unique with the M8 mini One. CEO Jack Wong posted a bunch of new shots to the Meizu forums with small interface tweaks that inch the OS a bit away from its iPhone roots -- but certainly not far.

Gallery: Meizu M8 interface gets tweaked once again. A few pixels to the left, please?

[Thanks, Lino G.]

Samsung's new TouchWiz UI gets previewed on video

by Joshua Topolsky posted Feb 15th 2008 @ 12:34PM

If you've seen our shots of Samsung's Armani redo, the F480, you might have noticed it's running a new OS. The UI -- called TouchWiz -- is based off of the company's Croix interface (which apparently was rushed out to compete with the iPhone), and will be used on all of the upcoming finger-touch phones from the manufacturer. The cats over at Phone Scoop had a chance to go one-on-one with TouchWiz at Mobile World Congress, and they've put together a pretty informative video that shows off the UI doing its thing. The inclusion of a new widget system, expanded menu options, and overall speed bump make this OS a notable step up from Samsung's previous offering. Take a look at the video after the break to see the system getting all funky-fresh.

[Thanks, Martijn]

Continue reading Samsung's new TouchWiz UI gets previewed on video

Meizu's MiniOne M8 GUI showcased further, still devoid of originality

by Darren Murph posted Oct 19th 2007 @ 1:14PM

If you had even a sliver of faith left in Meizu that it would change its copycatting ways and turn its heart to creativity, you're probably feeling quite foolish right about now. In a recent posting made to showcase even more interface shots of the MiniOne M8, we got a glimpse at the not at all familiar music interface, more insight on the calling screens and a few more looks (shown after the jump) at how it'll handle messaging. Needless to say, we can just swear we've seen a similar GUI before, but apparently, playing the ignorance card makes it easier to swallow. Oh, and the actual phone now sports a "new edge" with a somewhat grayish motif -- enthralling, we know.

Continue reading Meizu's MiniOne M8 GUI showcased further, still devoid of originality

Treo 500v sports a revamped Windows Mobile interface

by Joshua Topolsky posted Oct 16th 2007 @ 11:51AM

For all of you fervent Treo fans chomping at the bit to get your hands on the 500v, here's an interesting piece of information which may stir "things" deep inside your mind and body. Apparently, the Windows Mobile-equipped smartphones will be touting a UI that's a pretty big step away from Microsoft's staid and standard operations. According to a slow, yet detailed video we've seen, the new interface will be pulled together using a completely revamped "start menu," (similar to the UI which Samsung is employing on its SGH-i620) which gives you much faster access to applications and settings, and has a completely new look. Menus and application icons also appear to be a departure from what we've seen in other WM devices, giving the interface a wholly unique aspect. Check the video after the break and see for yourself.

[Via pocketnow]

Continue reading Treo 500v sports a revamped Windows Mobile interface