BendDesk

I've previously mentioned reinventing the desktop interface and the kind of changes that might be coming regarding how we use computers. I wanted to share another cool idea in this area that is simply being called a bend desk.

This looks promising.

bend desk is a prototype interactive display that takes the digital workspace from the screen to the desktop by the media computing group at RWTH aachen university. while a typical work setup combines a flat desktop with a vertical computer screen, bend desk combines the two into one single unit. bend desk is a vision for a future workspace that allows continuous interaction between both areas. using multi-touch technology, the display curves from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane. this workspace can be used to display digital content and interact with it directly using multi-touch gestures and manipulation.

The entire setup seamlessly combines a large multi-touch surface on the desk that curves into a multi-touch screen for display. Whereas it probably takes up more physical space than the 10/GUI concept video I linked to above, it resolves all of the same problems conceptually and has the added bonus of looking really cool. Additionally, you can see in some of the pictures on designboom.com that the BendDesk could be used by more than one person at a time. I'm not sure I could choose between the two if presented the option. Based on the video...

I'd say that BendDesk is closer to being a reality. The future is now!