The slow crawl toward flexible displays that fold or wrap has become a holy grail for tech futurists, but this new concept device has very deeply rooted its inspiration in history.
Researchers have developed a prototype touchscreen tablet that can be rolled up into a cylinder and unrolled like old parchment.
Dubbed MagicScroll, the prototype device from Queens University’s Human Media department features a 7.5-inch touchscreen neatly housed in a casing.
Users can rotate the display using a physical rotating wheel on either end of the device, while there’s also a pop-out button to show off the 2K resolution screen in all its glory.
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The partially 3D printed device can also be used to make phone calls, even with the display housed in the case. There’s also a camera, while the motion sensors allow the MagicScroll to use gestures similar to Nintendo’s Wiimote. You can see it in action in the following video:
“We took inspiration from the design of ancient scrolls because their shape allows for a more natural, uninterrupted experience of long visual timelines,” explains Roel Vertegaal, professor of human-computer interaction and head of the lab (via TechCrunch).
“Another source of inspiration was the old Rolodex filing systems used to store and search contact cards. MagicScroll’s scroll wheel allows infinite scrolling for quick browsing of long lists. Unfolding the scroll is a tactile experience that offers a full-screen view of the selected item. Imagine flipping through your Instagram timeline, messages, or LinkedIn contacts this way!
“Ultimately, we hope to design the device so that it can even be rolled into something as small as a pen that you can carry in your shirt pocket,” he added. “More generally, the MagicScroll project also allows us to further explore the notions that ‘screens don’t have to be flat’ and ‘anything can become a screen’. Whether it’s a reusable mug, consisting of an interactive screen that lets you choose your order before arriving at a coffee station, or a display on your clothes, we’re exploring how objects can become apps.”
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