Providing Dynamically Changeable Physical Buttons on a Visual Display - CHI '09

I projected this behind me while I DJed thanks!

As soon that touch screen goes in series on smartphones, surely the first commercial apps for it will be unavoidably nude girlie picts with the nipples sticking out the more you tickle their breasts. ;-)

(But no joke, the invention makes sense.)

I still remember those foil keypads on cheque card calculators and ZX81 homecomputer from 1980th; when several keys were pushed in, others bulged out inflated because certain key groups formed together a sealed air chamber.

Pretty soon, we will no longer have screens that use graphical video to display guis. It will be a display of chromodynamic nano technology that will change shape and color with virtually no latency. Heck, the entire case itself can be a display, and change color, shape and pattern. Textures can be emulated, buttons can be made, you will feel everything

I'm waiting to see a comment about how smart Americans supposedly are. If this was Japanese, German or Asian it would surely happen. :-P

Won't happen for anyone else though.

Seriously though, this is cool as heck. I can't wait to see products making use of this.

That's really cool. It just needs a little crunch.

I want something like this for my TV remote control so I wouldn't have to turn the lights on to change channels or fast forward the DVR!

Beyond certain applications for the blind, I think it's pointless to be bringing back buttons.