TechnoCloud

Over the last few months, there has been increasing levels of buzz around user interface. From Microsoft’s Surface to the wii and iPhone, the trend is clear - the humble mouse and keyboard/keypad’s dominance are likely to fade as more intuitive and ultimately ‘human’ forms of interaction emerge into the mainstream through touch, motion and voice.

Therefore, it was particularly interesting to get a sneak preview of the next version of Windows which included many of the user interface innovations shown in the Microsoft Surface. Indeed, given the success of the iPhone, how long until we see this functionality coming to Macs?

Below is an early demo of the new Windows 7 OS in action:

Video: Multi-Touch in Windows 7

Deep in TechnoCloud Towers is a room which I use to showcase consumer technology. This allows colleagues to familiarise themselves with the home entertainment gadgets that their budget or interests wouldn’t normally bring them into contact with.

There’s no doubt which two gadgets excite the most interest - the Apple TV and the Wii.

For all its limitations, Apple TV has a wonderfully intuitive user interface that people ‘get’ first time round. Simple, elegant and no manual required, it’s in theory a good mass market proposition, even though it’s shown few signs of breaking into the mass market…

The wii impresses in a different way. It’s always interesting to see the energy levels rise as soon as you show the motion sensor controller. It brings out the kid in almost everyone as they at first shyly and then with abandon launch themselves into Wii Sports, after a basic explanation of the principles behind the controller.

As the iPhone and potentially the Microsoft Surface are likewise showing, user interface design on consumer technology devices remains in its early phases as more intuitive and satisfying ways emerge to issue commands. That TV remote is already starting to feel pretty dated…