Kindle Review – Kindle 2 Review, Books

Microsoft Research has done some cool things in the past (though people tend to forget it because who wants to admit Microsoft can do anything good ).

Here’s a video from the Microsoft College Tour 2009 which redefines multi-touch (jump to 00:40 for the magic, courtesy istartedsomething) -

Is this relevant to eReaders?

Perhaps.

• We do know that adding a touch screen messes up readability.
• Touch screens also smudge easily.
• We also have size vs screen issues i.e. the virtual keyboards are too small and so forth. 

Having multi-touch and gestures that don’t need a screen means -

1. You don’t have to have a touch screen layer that messes readability.
2. No marks on your reading screen. 
3. A small 6″ device can create a touch area that is much larger.
4. You can support a variety of gestures which gives you a lot of ‘buttons’. Instead of 3-4 actions to change the font size – just one gesture.

This in fact goes very well with pico projectors and projection screens.

We could dream up a 3-4″ device that fits in your pocket and that projects a 10″ screen and lets you gesture and write on a 20″ surface.

Lets consider an example -

Kindle 7 with Microsoft Research Touchless Technology

Consider a Kindle 7 that -

1. Is just 4″ by 4″.
2. Projects a screen anywhere from the size of the Kindle 2 screen to A4 to larger. It does this on to any surface and even on to the air.
3. Has touchless touch on either the screen or (if you prefer) on another projected surface that can be as big or as small as you like.
4. Lets you change the font, change the scrolling speed, and turn pages with simple gestures – with one gesture.
5. Perhaps uses eye-tracking and eye gestures to scroll and to do highlights.
6. Lets you write notes on the air/virtual surface.

Note that this is just an option – there will still be the existing models. However, there’s no question which one I’d prefer.