Virtual touchpad lets you scroll in thin air

Microsoft is extending the concept of the touchscreen beyond the edges of the phone itself, reports New Scientist.

The company's researchers have developed a system called SideSight, which allows you to control a phone placed on a table by wiggling your fingers in the space around it. Infrared sensors pick up the movement of fingers up to 10 centimetres away.

This technology would be useful for very small phones, where it would be cumbersome to use fingers on the touch screen.

The technology was unveiled last week at the User Interface in Software and Technology symposium in Monterey, California.

Watch the the video demo.

emily | 9:28 AM | Technology |
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