Imagine an iphone with input from the back panel.

When you move your fingers on back of phone, you can work with one hand. Receive indication of your finger location similar to the touch screen, but without getting the screen dirty, and without getting your fingers in the view's way.
-- pashute, Dec 31 2008

See-through touch screen http://www.newscien...h-touchscreen-.html
[mitxela, Jan 02 2009]

Seppo Tiainen: Sixback (2002) http://www.sixback.com/
Fold-out is too complicated for my tastes. Close, though. [jutta, Jan 02 2009]

Microwriter (1981) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwriter
Wonder if the sixback uses the same keyboard mapping. [bigsleep, Jan 02 2009]

Mousing would be ok, but how about the typing?
-- ricchris, Dec 31 2008


I know we've discussed this for texting purposes but probably pre-iPod so the touch interface aspect may have been neglected. Anyway, the intent was the same.
-- phoenix, Dec 31 2008


My best invention just got 2 bones! I've been saving this for years. 1nce had a vid made 2 prove concept. Costed me a mint. This idea is GREAT for texting. Its not a cthru.much better! you move your fingers in back and have indication in front. Miles better than crappy kb on mobile im using now.
-- pashute, Jan 06 2009


When you mouse, you don't look at the mouse, you look at the screen. In this case, the same would be true, but this time with more than one point, you would be using some or all fingers.

If in keyboard mode, you would see the finger "location". on the screen, and then you can press. Also a dynamic tactile output would assist.
-- pashute, Jan 28 2009


when sending a good hibea to the bones, please give some sort of explanation why you did it.
-- pashute, Jan 29 2009


I wouldn't be surprised if Apple patents this excellent idea.
-- doanviettrung, Jul 17 2009


I've often thought it would be useful to have a couple of buttons on the edge of a PDA which would have a "shift-key"-style function. The buttons would not have a particular action themselves (since they would often get hit accidentally) but would affect the function of the main touchpad (e.g. allowing the entry of uppercase letters, switching between selecting a range of items versus moving them, etc.) Never heard of such a thing being used, though.
-- supercat, Jul 17 2009


[+] but you're already using a thumb and a couple fingers to hold it; most people aren't that dexterous and would jerk when it's time to click (using yet another finger).
-- FlyingToaster, Jul 17 2009



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