Event Coverage

HardwareZone's 10th Anniversary Special

User Interaction Goodness

User Interaction Goodness

Generally speaking, the input devices that you used ten years ago would still work today (give or take the legacy PS/2 connections), but you won't see much changes when it comes down to the basics. We're still using the same old keyboard and mouse combo that we're all accustomed and familiar with through the decades, though thanks to the rise of competitive gaming, mouse technology has evolved greatly since the days of the mechanical lint-prone ball mice.

Mice using optical technology have all but replaced the older mechanical ball system and it too has evolved from the older simple light emitting diodes to using infrared or laser optics to suit the needs of gamers requiring high precision and accuracy. Of course there have been further leaps in the niche market needs such as this device that's a true 3D mouse:-

 Thankfully, not all mice improvements can be attributed to a hard core gamer's needs, as the 3Dconnexion's 3D mouse, the SpaceNavigator proves. Featuring an intuitive control for 3D movement, rotation, including up and down motions, the SpaceNavigator could rock your world.

Keyboards too have adapted somewhat over the years, focusing more on multimedia hot keys functionality and ergonomic comfort while gaming keyboards offer a programmable keys for gamers to maximize the amount of control they have over their games. Designers have also recently taken this programmable concept to extremes, coming up with a keyboard, the Maximus Optimus, that allows for each individual key to be removed, colored, renamed, programmed and each key has its own LED screen that's also programmable. It's also possibly the most expensive keyboard on the planet at about US$1,600.

Yes these are the actual keys of the Optimus Maximus, and yes, each key has its own individual OLED screen. (Click on picture to view the demo)

More recently, touchscreen enabled LCD screens are making their way on to certain home systems such as the HP TouchSmart PC. These systems incorporate a whole new level of interactivity for the family and kids with specialized functions that specifically take advantage of the large touchscreen panel nature. In fact, we could have sworn that this concept might have taken a page from an old sci-fi movie. Regardless, what matter most is that this new input and interactivity capability brought about by these new age machines are available and are affordable.

 The HP TouchSmart IQ500 series brings a new level of user interactivity with a large touchscreen and suitable applications to take advantage of its touch functionality.
 

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