Tag: Tangible Interface

In 2013, MIT’s Tangible Media Group unveiled inFORM, a form of interaction that uses a series of actuated pins to change the shape of its surface. The group’s researchers are building on inFORM with what they’re calling Materiable, which can not only change its shape but also simulate varying degrees of flexibility, elasticity and viscosity. Like inFORM, Materiable’s pins can be assigned with different properties at the same time.

Once a cool and thoughtful expression of affection, the mixtape  – along with handwritten letters and photo albums – has become a mere inconvenience. But what if you could update its concept? What if you could still pass on a physical token, but instead of that token being an actual storage device, it linked to the content you wanted to share, which you stored or found online?

The touchscreen and app combo of today’s mobile devices makes one gadget act as many. Different apps display different interfaces, and the touchscreen lets you interact with those interfaces in a natural manner. But what if, aside from changing what you can see, your gadget’s display could also change its shape?

While it’s never been recommended to chuck around your precious smartphone, it looks like the new TheO Foam ball will allow you to do so, at least in a reasonable manner. While you probably won’t want to play dodgeball with your iPhone inside of it, there are specially-designed games that you can play with it.

ePawn Arena combines traditional board games with digital elements to make board game type gaming more interactive. This device detects physical gaming pieces that it recognizes and interacts with, making the possibilities endless.