Multi-touch on Firefox: Felipe Gome's Work

Felipe Gomes is a 4th-year computer engineering student at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He's been working on a multi-touch project that enables the FireFox web browser to respond to multi-touch interaction and gestures. Below is a demonstration of this work:

Multitouch on Firefox from Felipe on Vimeo.

Code snippets for the demo can be found on the Mozilla Wiki

MICROSOFT: ARE YOU LISTENING? Cool Cat Teacher (Vicki Davis) Tests Out Microsoft's Multi-touch Surface Table

When Microsoft unveiled the Surface in 2007, I was disappointed that there were no immediate plans to market it for use in education. At the time, there were no immediate plans to release the Surface for research and development by university students. I had just completed a course in human-computer interaction, and with my background as a school psychologist, I KNEW this sort of technology would work well in education.

My head was brimming with ideas for this innovative technology for use with the students I work with every day.

The following video shows a demonstration of Microsoft's multi-touch, multi-user Surface table at the 2009 NECC conference, and also provides insightful comments from Vicki Davis, author of the very popular Cool Cat Teacher blog. Vicki discusses the value of surface/tabletop computing in education and shares her views about the need for user involvement in the educational software development process. She also gives great advice about how Microsoft or other developers of tabletop computing systems should proceed.

I agree with Vicky's comments, 100%, as my regular blog readers know!

MICROSOFT, ARE YOU LISTENING?



In the above video, it is apparent that the musical instrument applications do not provide a good touch response on the Surface. Vicki suggests that touch responsiveness is key, and that all Surface applications should be held to the high standard of Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch. Vicky goes on to say that Microsoft should support easy development of applications, and ensure that applications are very user-friendly and easy for school folks to install. If you work in a K-12 setting, you know what I am talking about ; )

Vicky is preaching to the choir when she stresses that Microsoft R&D (and others) should involve users in ongoing development, in a meaningful way, by using REAL people, REAL teachers, people who work with students. If you have ever battled with a "lame" educational application, you know why this is so very important!

Vicky's enthusiasm for the use of tabletop/surface computing in education can not be ignored. She absolutely knows what she is talking about, and she is the instructional technology voice for a multitude of educators around the world.

Here is Vicky's plea:

"I wish Microsoft would listen to these 3 things from a teacher in a classroom (me). I know Microsoft has bigger things to do than watch this video, but, I can dream, can't I?"

(I've paraphrased the following quotes.)

1. Understand the amazing potential for Surface devices in education. Look at three to five years out. You are looking at the future.

(This technology can engage students who have ADHD, etc.)

2. Harness the power of your users! Pull in your users. There are so many people in education would give their thoughts for free!

3. Create virtual and online ways for Microsoft to interact with teachers.


"If Microsoft decides to invest in this, and I do hope that somebody watching this video will understand the importance of integrating the world around us into the learning experiences and the learning environment, as part as how we remake and re-do education."

My sentiments exactly!

A few thoughts:

So where are we now?

Smart Technologies has come out with the SMARTTable, but it was designed for younger students. At this point, there are very few options, especially affordable options, for educators of students in the upper grades to use this technology.

Some members of the NUI-group are involved in creating educational applications for table-top systems, but they are few in number.

A few companies are using this technology for education, but the applications are mostly limited to interactive museum exhibitions.

From my research on this topic, there are very few developers that have the interest or the inclination to create educational applications for table-top computing.

My hope is that this will change soon! Join me in this conversation.

Bump Top 3D Desktop on a Touch Screen: Toss Your Photos to your Facebook Icon!

BumpTop is a 3D computer desktop organizer that provides much more flexibility- and perhaps efficiency, than the current folder-icon based desktop we interact with every day.

Touch Screen Version - Supports the use of 1 or 2 fingers - Multi-touch version for Windows 7 coming soon:


Original Version


If you want to see how different people use BumpTop, there are quite a few BumpTop videos on YouTube for your viewing pleasure.

The next release will support multi-touch, running on Windows 7. According to the BumpTop blog, the application will be bundled with 3D graphics cards. The full version is just under $30.00.

RELATED

BumpBlog

Patrick Dubroy's Personal Blog
FYI: Patrick works for BumpTop. He has a master's degree in human-computer interaction, and focuses on HCI, programming, and interaction on his blog.

Link to Update on Assistive Technology

On the TechPsych blog:

What's New in Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication? AbilityNet GATE - Global Assistive Technology Encyclopedia - Shows it All



If you don't have a burning desire to learn more about assistive technology, visit the site anyway. Most people have a relative, friend, or colleague that has some sort of disability or impairment, and it is good to know what is available.

The site is also a great source for interesting ideas regarding input and output!

Interactive Music on the Web: Part One - Ishkur's Guide to Electronic Music

I'm updating my resources about interactive music on the web, and thought I'd devote a post or two to the subject from time-to-time. Many of the links I've collected over the years no longer exist, so I thought I'd start from the beginning of my quest:

In 1998?, I was taking a kickboxing class and couldn't stand the electronic dance music that blasted us through our moves. I knew there had to be something better, but I wasn't sure exactly how to find it.

As working mom, living in suburbia, I wasn't living a lifestyle that was suited to clubbing until dawn. I knew about Air, Boards of Canada, Moby, and older groups such as Tangerine Dream, but that was about it.

What to do? I searched the Web, and stumbled upon Ishtur's Guide to Electronic Music.

I was overwhelmed at the complexity reflected in the guide. Ishkur provides a sample of the roots of today's electronic music, with examples of Musique Concrete and the avant-garde music of the 50's. Some of the music is...awful, but if you search around, you might find some gems.

If you visit Ishtur's Guide, visit the tutorial first.

Be forewarned that this guide is NOT scholarly. Ishkur has strong opinions, and uses strong language that corresponds to his views... often tongue-in-cheek.

(To put Ishkur's Guide in perspective, read "The Truth Behind Ishkur's Guide : "For those who like epic/anthem and uplifting trance, don’t be misled by what Ishkur has to say. Again, he states his own bias– his word is not fact. Don’t be afraid to form your own opinion on things, based on what you observe.")

Below are a couple screenshots from his guide:

House


Downtempo

If you click a node, it will play an example of the music, and the description of the sub-genre displays in the text box, along with a few other examples, in a row of numbers at the bottom of the text box:



Ishtur's Guide to Electronic Music will keep you entertained and amused for hours, if you have them to spare. Even if you don't like electronic music!

UPDATE:

Version 3 is coming soon. For a video-montage preview, with music, take a look at http://www.ishkur.com/music/edmguide.html

Interactive Marketing, Retail, and Multi-touch: Here's Lots of Video Clips from EyeClick

A reader brought to my attention the work of EyeClick, an interactive multimedia advertising company that has been around for a few years. They create interactive floors, and use "intuitive body motion with floors and surface areas".

-EyeClick

I've included several videos below, but for more information and related details, check out EyeClick's product page, which has a nice showreel, and information about the benefits of interactive marketing.










EyeClick appears to be similar to lm3labs, a company I've posted about previously.

Thanks, Paul Glen for the link!