The Future is Now!

I like to think of multitouch as an enabling technology for innovation on many levels of human-computer interaction (HCI). I think few people would disagree that products like the iPhone and Microsoft Surface are changing the market landscape, but there is so much more. This is what makes multitouch the most exciting HCI technology today.

The photo left is a design concept by Mac Funamizu an graphic artist from Japan (and likely a future industrial designer) based on the concept of augmented reality. Augmented reality is an idea that's been around for a long time but only recently with advances in imaging, display, and multitouch technologies is it starting to become a reality. Check out this story on real augmented reality solutions be developed right now.

Form factor of the devices we use has benefited the most from multitouch today. The iPhone and the Microsoft Surface are two examples of commercial products that are redefining end-users expectations, but there are others. Take for example, the Dual Screen that is supposed to the future of OLPC is becoming a reality with Asus, or the detachable touch screen laptop demoed by Always Innovating, touch screen cameras, music players, and even printers.

I could go on-and-on, but there is a lot other multitouch stories I want to tell not to mention real-world applications I need to develop! I welcome readers to post links that show how multitouch is changing the way we live today.

Update 20 minutes later

After making this short post I found out that the entire Blogesphere is talking about a video by Microsoft, called "2019", which is really cool. I don't know how accurate it will be but a couple of the ideas in the video are things we are already implementing right now at CSG for our customers - so you won't have to wait until 2019 to see a lot of this stuff become reality.

Updated March 20, 2009

For folks interested in the production of the video "2019" there is a great interview with its co-director complements of istartedsomething.com.