Microsoft has showcased its technology that anticipates touch inputs. The technology, called ‘pre-touch sensing, also lets users interact with their smartphones without touching the screen itself. The system can detect when a finger is hovering above the screen and how the phone is gripped by the side.
Microsoft research has posted a video on YouTube in which they demonstrate the technology using a prototype video player. When a finger is hovered over the phone while playing a video, the usual set of controls are displays. However, when holding the phone with just one hand and hovering over the screen with the thumb, only the essential controls are displayed. In addition, the seekbar turns into a dial, which makes it easier to use with just a thumb. The placement of the buttons also change depending on how the user holds the phone. The video also shows how this technology could be employed for other uses such as such highlighting text, selecting and copying documents, and revealing hyperlinked text by hovering fingers over the screen.
This isn’t the first time Microsoft is said to be working on such a technology. A few years ago, it was reported that Microsoft was working with Nokia to include similar technology on a phone codenamed, McLaren. It was rumoured that the device would come with sensors that would let users interact with games and apps without touching the display.