Tactus set to release an iPad mini case that can magically create physical buttons over screen

[Himanshu Arora]

What if buttons could morph out of the surface of your device? A startup by the name of Tactus has been working on it for a few years, and if all goes well the company is set to bring its dynamic touch screen technology to the masses soon.

The Fremont, California-based company has partnered with Taiwainese manufacturer Wistron, who has also invested in the startup, to release an iPad mini case that can create a physical keyboard out of a flat touch screen surface.

But how does it work? A thin screen protector-like layer is placed over the device's screen. The layer is composed of semi-elastic polymer, and underneath it are little channels filled with a special micro-fluid. Adding or taking away this fluid makes buttons appear and disappear. For the iPad mini case, the layer will connect to a hard-shell backing, containing a switch through which you can activate the physical keyboard.

Tactus will use the iPad case as an initial showcase as the technology can potentially be used in numerous other devices and categories like smartphones, ebook readers, handheld gaming devices, remote controls, medical and automotive devices, and more.

The company is expected to start shipping the iPad mini cases this year for between $80 and $100, with hopes of producing a similar product for Android-based tablets sometime in early 2015. Tactus has raised $19.5 million in funding to date.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/56444-tactus-set-to-release-an-ipad-mini-case-that-can-magically-create-physical-buttons-over-screen.html

 

[Recipe7]

These may be preferred over breast implants some day.

 

[Guest]

Ideal solution if it works. No keyboard but when you need one just use 'magic'.

 

[oldikes]

The guy in the video sounds like a familiar villian.

EDIT: THE MANDARIN! I think?

 

[GhostRyder]

That sounds very cool actually if it works!!!

 

[Nima304]

The guy in the video sounds like a familiar villian.

EDIT: THE MANDARIN! I think?

I'd say a cross between the Mandarin and Optimus Prime, but with a lighter voice.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

I'm impressed and the launch price doesn't seem overly ridiculous for a new technology. Problem being I can see Tactus quickly getting lapped up by one of the giants if this product ever takes off. Most likely Apple.

 

[fimbles]

I think I remember something about apple patenting this a long while ago.

I may have just imagined it though.

 

[fimbles]

Found it : http://www.patentlyapple.com/patent...-intelligent-multi-tiered-haptics-system.html

 

[Jad Chaar]

That sounds very cool actually if it works!!!

Yeah I am very impressed and might think of picking this up.

 

[Guest]

I loved my BlackBerry and after about 4 months with an S3 which I love the only thing that really kills me is the keyboard. That BlackBerry took so much abuse, that keyboard is absolutely irreplaceable. Such a magnificent keyboard, I've been wishing someone would somehow figure out a way to give me a BB keyboard on an Android phone. I would totally settle for this though, some really cool stuff there.

 

[Guest]

Here's the real question: How much extra battery will this take and how durable is it.

The description states that it uses an elastic film filled with liquid. This means that it has a set amount of times it can expand / shrink. Each time it does so will cause more and more wrinkles to appear. They are going to have to make it a decent thickness as well to prevent regular wear and tear for ripping it.