Minority Report is only a step or two away
For those of you didn’t see the fim Minority Report, it’s set in the future, where data displayed on large transparent panels can be manipulated by hand movements. Of course we’re not anywhere near seeing that sort of sophistication, but the new touch screen technologies are developing at a rapid pace. It seems that touch screen technology will gradually replace the sort of computers we currently use over the coming years.
A few years ago I saw a demonstration of touch screen table-top displays. This week I was able to see how far this technology has advanced when I saw Microsoft’s Surface and some other table-top systems in action.
Micrsoft Surface
On this demo table pictured above, the underlying image is a map of the USA, whilst above floats a series of items related to Barack Obama. Touching different US states on the map opens up new information.These can be opened or closed, moved around, made larger or smaller. The content can be text, images and even video. Huge amounts of information can be accessed. The table even guesses where you are standing and opens content with the correct orientation.
It offers an extremely interactive way to look at information. The downside is the price which is currently $12,000 for the table without the addition of data.It’s quite exciting imagining how table top displays might be used in our museums and libraries to deliver interactive content… perhaps Yinnon has a spare $12,000 (£8,250) and we can get one!
‘The table even guesses where you are standing and opens content with the correct orientation’ – except the picture suggests otherwise! ;)
The pieces on the screen had been moved around by people who just just moved away and were out of shot
When I was at an art gallery in Rotterdam a few years ago they had some large transparent screens with images which you could touch and drag.
You stood in front of them so it really was quite like Minority Report!
I love touch screen technology, I already have an ipod touch and have just ordered a new touch screen xda phone. Would love the idea of having this on a larger scale such as touch screen monitors and more interactive ways of working. I think the technology still has a way to go though, some touch screen applications and software can be slow and unresponsive at times and obviously there is the expense!