Hasta La Gadget!

Most video walls would be just a tad too large for the average living room, but the Tokyo University of Technology might have a clever technique to make them travel-sized. Its new Pinch interface joins mobile devices (currently iOS hardware) into a single display simply by making the namesake gesture between at least two gadgets: WiFi keeps them in sync and recognizes the relative size and orientation. While we probably wouldn’t resort to a wall of iPads in place of a large TV, there’s clear practical uses like extra-large creative apps, communication and very local multiplayer games. The best news may be that the university isn’t keeping the technology to itself. It wants developers to borrow Pinch for their own apps, which could lead to a legion of smartphones and tablets getting extra-cozy.

Continue reading Tokyo University of Technology’s Pinch interface creates ad hoc video walls from mobile devices (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Displays, Tablets

Tokyo University of Technology’s Pinch interface creates ad hoc video walls from mobile devices (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 04:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google+ has it. Facebook has it. Even Spotify and Evernote have it. “It” is the hidden sidebar, and that subtle if over-repeated interface has spread to Google’s mobile home page. Visit from an iOS or Android device and the front end will resemble the desktop web version, but with a sidebar that exposes Google’s services in a more elegant way than the top bar we’ve had to use before. The redesign isn’t showing for everyone as of this writing, so don’t be disappointed if Google’s new drive towards interface consistency isn’t available yet. Just know that there’s one less refuge from the trendiest input metaphor of 2012.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Google mobile web revamp brings hidden sidebar, feels all too familiar originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Paul Allen isn’t busy writing memoirs or suing everyone, he’s… providing insightful operating system commentary? While “software reviewer” isn’t normally part of his job description, Allen has seen fit to dissect Microsoft’s Windows 8 interface and learn how the company he co-founded is getting along without him. It’s coping gracefully, thank you. The industry pioneer has decided the OS has a lot of promise for tablets, where the touch interface and legacy Windows support could provide the best of both worlds. He doesn’t spare his former coworkers from criticism, though: he warns that the split between the Windows 8-style UI and the traditional desktop is potentially confusing, notes the absence of useful Android and iOS features like touch-friendly app folders, and doesn’t find the conventional Windows interface very practical with fingers alone. It’s hard to ignore the soft spot Allen likely has towards the platform he fostered for years, but his preview still offers a unique perspective on what many of us will see in three weeks.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Software, Microsoft

Paul Allen takes a look at Windows 8, finds his ex-workmates mostly doing well originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hulu has been pushing tweaks to its UI on mobile devices and the web for several months, and now it’s unleashed a complete redesign of its website. Designed with a focus on making it easier to find preferred content, it features bigger artwork that highlights new programming and a “tray-style” UI that lets you flip through queues of similar content curated by its team of editors. Navigation has been tweaked with a browse function to jump from category to category including what’s popular, what’s new, or any other filter and an upgraded search bar that lets you immediately play matching content. Finally, the show pages themselves have been refreshed, making it easier to jump directly into the most recently watched episode of a series. There’s a few screen grabs of the new experience in the gallery below, plus a video preview embedded after the break, but it’s probably easiest to hit the source link and check out the new site for yourself.

Continue reading Hulu launches redesigned site with bigger artwork, ‘tray-style format’ of suggested shows

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet

Hulu launches redesigned site with bigger artwork, ‘tray-style format’ of suggested shows originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 01:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sadly, Pebble won’t be making its way to backers by its original September estimate, but the design team wants you to know that it’s hard at work, traveling the world to source components, running shipping tests and spending time refining the user interface in order to provide a top-notch experience once you do receive your device in the mail. To that end, Martijn, the UI designer, has dropped by Vimeo to provide us with a “sneak peek” at the device’s operation, including some demos on iOS and a connected prototyping board, using a custom tool that sends designs to the Pebble screen from any graphics program in real-time (a feature that will reportedly also be available in the SDK). From what we’ve seen, there appears to be plenty of space on the screen to show incoming calls, read emails with eight lines of text at a time, view appointment details, select songs and control volume, and, of course, see the current time. Commenters seem to be quite pleased with the design so far, and we have to agree — it’s a pretty slick UI. Jump past the break to see it in action.

Continue reading Pebble team posts UI preview, provides an early look at how you’ll interact with the E-Paper Watch

Filed under: Displays, Wireless

Pebble team posts UI preview, provides an early look at how you’ll interact with the E-Paper Watch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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