The Sensisphere is a unique display that invites the user to let hands roam over its generous hemispherical display. The interactive multi-touch Sensisphere lets you browse easily through multimedia content.
(Sensisphere multitouch display)
Sensisphere is a concept prototype developed by Martin Spengler and Benjamin Mayer, both of whom are diploma students at the University of Applied Science in Augsburg (Design Department). In looking at the Sensisphere video shown above, I thought about some of the mouse alternatives, including the version that just lets you run your hand over the trackball. In this display, the screen replaces the trackball!
Inevitably, sf fans will be reminded of the glove interface display from the movie Minority Report. However, the circular display reminds me of sfnal display devices from the 1930's, which almost invariably used circular display form factors.
Consider this device from the 1935 serial The Phantom Empire, starring Gene Autry. It's like a circular pool that you look down into.
(The Phantom Empire)
The interface wasn't quite as good; in fact, you needed a Murainian lackey to adjust it for you.
(The Phantom Empire)
On the other hand, once you had it adjusted, you could get a nice close-up view of anything on Earth.
(The Phantom Empire)
Via New Launches and others; thanks to Moira for the tip on this device.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 4/6/2008)
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!)
is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for
the Invention Category that interests
you, the Glossary, the Invention
Timeline, or see what's New.
Gaia - Why Stop With Just The Earth?
'But the stars are only atoms in larger space, and in that larger space the star-atoms could combine to form living matter, thinking matter, couldn't they?'
Microsoft VASA-1 Creates Personal Video From A Photo
'...to build up a video picture would require, say, ten million decisions every second. Mike, you're so fast I can't even think about it. But you aren't that fast.'