TouchSmarter: Touch Screen Gadgets

NUITEQ’s partner Elektrosil presented different table-designs of the dreaMTouch, a multi-user multi-touch system, on the Electronica Show 2010 in Munich, running Snowflake Suite.

Below you’ll find an interview (in German).

NUITEQ’s Snowflake Suite is compatible with the dreaMTouch and be chosen as an optional item when purchasing the system.

For any inquiries regarding dreaMTouch or Snowflake, you can contact NUITEQ or Elektrosil.

You can find the dreaMTouch blog here.

Los Angeles here we come!

Skellefteå, Sweden – 23 December 2010 – Natural User Interface Technologies AB (NUITEQ) announced today it has been selected as Finalist for Red Herring’s top 100 Global award, a prestigious list honoring the year’s most promising private technology ventures from around the world.

The Red Herring editorial team selected the most innovative companies from a pool of 1200 companies from across the world – the Finalists from its Red Herring Asia, Europe and North America Awards. The nominees are evaluated on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, quality of management, execution of strategy, and integration into their respective industries.

This unique assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the actual track record and standing of a company, which allows Red Herring to see past the “buzz” and make the list an important instrument for discovering and advocating the greatest business opportunities in the industry.

“2010 was very difficult but extremely rewarding,” said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. “Despite lingering effects of the global economic situation, there are many great companies producing truly innovative and amazing technologies, to the extent that we had a hard time narrowing the pool and selecting the finalists. NUITEQ shows great promise therefore deserves to be among the Finalists. Now we’re faced with the difficult task of selecting the Winners of the Top 100 Global Award.”

“We are very excited to a 2010 Red Herring 100 Global Finalist. Being picked from a pool of 1200 companies around the world, feels like a big honor.”, said NUITEQ’s CEO Harry van der Veen. “I’m very much looking forward to present NUITEQ in the finals in LA, especially considering the fact that we are currently looking for our second round of venture capital to accelerate NUITEQ’s growth. The finals will be a hotspot of good investors.”

Finalists for the award are selected based upon their technological innovation, management strength, market size, investor record, customer acquisition, and financial health. During the several months leading up to the announcement, hundreds of companies in spaces such as mobile, security, Web 2.0, software, hardware, biotech, and clean tech sent in their submissions to qualify for the award.

The Finalists are invited to present their winning strategies at the Red Herring Global forum in Los Angeles, January 24-26, 2011.

The Top 100 winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on January 26 at the event.

The adoption of Multitouch Technologies (MT) is starting to be felt all throughout the Advertising Industry. The initial foray of these market punters are to adopt MT as an enhancement to digital signage solutions.

However, even though people do understand the age old adage that physical interaction with a message or advertisement will increase message retention, ad agencies still have very little data on how to quantify the benefits of touch. Especially, Multitouch.

In this age of the information superhighway, traditional media which relies on broadcasting or narrowcasting has very limited effectiveness.

Broadcasting is essentially utilizing a message which is designed and put in place to hit a generic crowd i.e. Billboards. This implies wastage.

Narrowcasting is on the other end of the spectrum where a message is narrowed down to such a specific demographic that it will only target a very small catchment area.

With the adoption of Multitouch Technologies in Advertising, instead of pushing Ads to the end user, the user can “PULL” the information for themselves. User identifies themselves to the screens and based on their preferences, a set of content which is suitable for them will be then presented to them. No other mediums apart from MT screens can accomplish this.

NUITEQ’s CIO Jon Chee was recently asked to present this new technology to a group of very influential advertising firms in the Global Region.

http://www.todayonline.com/Print/Business/Impact/EDC101102-0000026/Reach-out-and-touch

“New Technology is always scary to adopt anywhere. In the events and advertising world, as a flash collateral, MT adoption is fairly easily to push forth as the machines will seem “cool” at the roadshow or product launch. However, justification for its long term deployment and utilization is harder to push. We have to demonstrate to the main stakeholders, the quantification of touch. How often an advert was touched? How was it interacted upon? Which message appealed more, and how readily can the content be changed real time to suit the environment? Snowflake is truly the best tool for all the above. At this conference, the stakeholders’ eyes were opened and I predict that this will be a phenomenal market for us in the coming years ahead” , said NUITEQ’s CIO Mr. Jonathan Chee of the NUITEQ Asia office in Singapore.

NUITEQ’s Snowflake Suite 1.9.3 is out now and shows how something can be hot and cool at the same time.

Image: Screenshot of the wide range of applications that come with Snowflake 1.9.3, that are suitable for different usage scenarios such as entertainment, education, exhibitions, presentations and others.

I’ll comment below on several of the changes in 1.9.3:

* Added Windows 7 WM_TOUCH events support to TouchCore
* Added support for automatic switch between Snowflake and mouse driver (TouchCore)
The above two features were often requested by our clients and partners, to improve the total experience of their rear camera based multi-touch tables, bars and walls.

* Added mouse support in Windows 7 version (press ‘M’ on keyboard)
Until recently, you needed a touch screen connected to your pc, in order to experience Snowflake. We received many requests from people that didn’t have a touch screen connected to their pc, but still wanted to try out Snowflake. So we included this feature, to support them.

* Changed the corner menus to toggle mode
After extensive field testing of Snowflake in public spaces by NUITEQ and after indexing feedback from clients and partners, we concluded that there was still space for improvement on the interaction design level.

We want to introduce and educate new ways of interacting with touch screens, however there is still a steep learning curve when it comes to this topic, as people for years have learned the typical WIMP-based interaction with computer systems.

So for example, previously in order to use the corner menus in Snowflake, you had to hold, drag and release your finger to select a task. However this way of interacting was not evident to people that are new to touchscreen interaction, because of the fact that they are used to the WIMP-based interaction.

Of course, after you demonstrate the “hold, drag and release”, people easily grasp it and are able to easily reproduce this task, however we want to strive for interaction with touchscreens, that do not require any instructions (from people on the side or on screen) and are therefore as intuitive as possible.

Therefore we have now supported 3 different ways of interaction with the corner menu, so regardless of how they interact with it, they are able to execute their task.

- hold, drag and finger up (1 finger)
- hold and select with another finger (2 fingers)
- tap and select (1 finger)

* Improved interaction in 3D Viewer
Based on our field test research results, we concluded that people are not yet so familiar with interactions such as press and hold. Therefore we replaced that action with a simple tap, in order to select objects in the 3D Viewer.

* Improved PDF Viewer interaction (zoom gesture instead of double tap)
Having mentioned the above in regards to WIMP-interaction, it is interesting to see that not in all cases people expect Windows alike interaction, but actually expect the “new” gesture based interaction to execute a specific task.

So for example in a typical Windows environment, you maximize a window by double tapping it. We thought that this typical action would also translate to our PDF Viewer application, where a person can double tap a PDF to maximize it. However during our field testing, we concluded that people hardly use the double tap action, but rather try the zooming gesture in order to try and maximize the PDF.

Therefore based on our field test results, we have improved this in Snowflake accordingly.

* Improved support for portrait mode
In the digital signage market, displays are often used in vertical setups. As multi-touch technology will find massive adoption in the interactive digital signage market and since several of our partners are active in this industry, we have integrated support for portrait mode.

Other changes to Snowflake 1.9.3 include:

* Reduced Map loading time
* Added new 3D models for retail usage scenarios
* Added new graphics to Tap
* Fixed a crash issue when audio drivers haven’t been installed
* Improved the loading time for unicode fonts
* Improved Configuration Editor
* General bug fixes and improvements

For a complete list of all the improvements that we have made to Snowflake in over 2 years, check out the Change log history on our Support Wiki here.

You can download a free evaluation version of Snowflake Suite 1.9.3 here. Check it out and let us know what you think. Your feedback is important to us, in order for us to improve the product and offer you and your clients a better experience.

Want to avoid losing your top 3 customers to your competition? Want to increase customer loyalty? Are you exploring to increase your company’s sales? Let us know and we’ll explain how we can help to solve these problems for you.

In addition to our off the shelf multi-touch software product Snowflake Suite, we customize multi-touch software solutions to fit companies’ their exact needs.

Please support NUITEQ and Snowflake, by nominating us in the category Best Touch Interface for the Crunchies 2010.

Your support is much appreciated.

Harry

Earlier this week I was interviewed by Swedish TV4, in regards to NUITEQ being awarded the 10th Most Promising Tech Startup in the World.

Additionally NUITEQ was featured by Computer Sweden, here.

Other “In the Media” articles you can find here.

NUITEQ’s Russian partner TouchWorld attended Integrated Systems Russia on 7-9 December in Moscow.

TouchWorld amongst others showcased 3M multi-touch monitors, connected to a Samsung 3D TV. This specific solution attracted a lot of visitors.

TouchWorld integrates NUITEQ’s Snowflake Suite multi-touch software with its multi-touch hardware solutions, in order to offer a complete packaged solution of hardware, software and services to their clients.

Image: TouchWorld’s Director Alexander Tagaev and 3M Touch Systems’s EMEA Business Development Manager Francesco Fasoglio in front of the TouchWorld booth.

Snowflake comes with over 20 different multi-touch software applications, that are suitable for different market verticals, such as entertainment, presentation and education.
Below you see the 3d model viewer application in action on one of the 3M multi-touch monitors.

The neat thing about this application and Snowflake in general is, that the content is highly customizable. So in the case of the 3d model viewer, customers can load their own 3d models, so that they can present their own products and engage and connect with prospects in a powerful new way.

Image: Product screenshot of all the applications that are bundled in Snowflake

A free evaluation version of Snowflake can be downloaded here.

NUITEQ’s Korean partner AVA Vision showcased their multi-touch solutions at Kosign in Korea, end of November.

The event was a big success, drawing large crowds to their exhibition booth where visitors could engage and explore their multi-touch hardware solutions running NUITEQ’s Snowflake Suite.

AVA Vision showed the quality of interactive foils and all kinds of applications.
The goal was to demonstrate how to use touch films and how each customer have their own unique solution.

The feedback from visitors that was often heard was “Wow! It works like in the movies.”

The introduced products included:

1. Interactive touch foil(30 to 116”, any format) : Projected Capacitance Tech.(PCT) type sensor has advantages to install behind the glass or similar material. Meaning it is a very stable solution andsafe in any other circumstance even outdoor like as mountain top shelter.

In Seoul & Busan there are smart bus stations using PCT sensor because of cost-effective decision instead of IR sensor.

See some of AVA Visions products highlighted in the below video.

Smart bus station from AVA Vision on Vimeo.

2. 50” Curved window touch(30” to 120”, any format) : Using AVA RPF and Interactive touch foil, AVA Vision showed the curved window screen and it is touchable. Wherever you want to make screen and touch functions, you just place those adhesive films, plus they are easy to install.

3. 40” LCD TV window touch : You can change the shop window from a normal advertising display to an interactive touch screen for advertisement and entertainment. This is suitable for any location that uses a display and glass.

4. Interactive Kiosk (30” to 82”) : This is the most famous product in Korea, you can find this in any crowd place. PCT type Kiosk(film sensor) has advantage to install at any circumstance ever outdoor. We use special Samsung panel & Interactive touch film even perfect solution for all. It could be separately sold by sensors or solutions. Check our brochure.

5. 46” LCD touch table(30 to 82”) : Using special LCD panel & Interactive touch foil. It is a safe and stable solution, even when you spill water or food, because it’s protected by tempered glass. PCT sensor only recognizes the finger or body, so no abnormal objects.

Check the video below for a review of the multi-touch products of AVA Vision at the exhibition:

KOSIGN Review - all products from AVA Vision on Vimeo.

Is your company similar to AVA Vision? Do you need a multi-touch software solution to complement your multi-touch hardware? Are you an OEM, System Integrator or Value Added Reseller? Inquire now on how to partner with NUITEQ and enjoy our partnership benefits. Get in touch with us here and we’ll gladly explain, how to increase your sales and increase your customer loyalty. What would you do if you lost your top 3 customers?

Please help NUITEQ, by nominating us in the category Best Touch Interface for the Crunchies 2010.

Your support is much appreciated.

Harry

Produced by Guidewire Group, Innovate!2010 is a global program to identify and promote up-and-coming technology and communications startups from around the world.

700 companies all around the world submitted for this award program. Out of the 700 companies that submitted, only 350 companies were selected to present themselves at semi-finals Pitch Slams in their specific cities, including Austin, Stockholm, Berlin, LA, Seattle, Boston and other major cities around the world.

This competition covered 5 continents, 30 cities and a 10 months time frame.

Out of the 350 companies that presented themselves at the semi-finals Pitch Slams, only 25 companies were remaining and NUITEQ was amongst those 25.

Those 25 companies had the opportunity to present themselves in the finals in Zaragoza, Spain, this week.

After the event, the Innovate!100 2010 list was announced, featuring the 100 Most Promising Tech Startups in the World.

I’m very proud that NUITEQ was awarded the 10th Most Promising Tech Startup in the World.

A big thanks goes out to Guidewire Group, the partners and sponsors for making this event possible, the mentors and judges for their guidance and feedback, our employees, founders, clients, partners, board members, investor and everybody else that has contributed to where NUITEQ stands today. This is an amazing milestone to our company.

You can find the final list here.

Quote from the Innovate!100 website:
Placement on the list was determined by a combination of the company’s G/SCORE assessment, stage and pace of growth, and business potential.

The G/SCORE measures a company along seven factors: overall concept, market opportunity, competitive risk, product development, business development, team, and business model. In each factor, our judges compare the company to key milestones that represent achievement in business building. Using the G/SCORE data, combined with other information about the companies, we ranked the startups who participated at each event.

I’ll dedicate a separate blogpost on how I experienced this event.

I blogged previously about NUITEQ and its partner Visual Planet, supporting The Run home event for charity Ty Hafan, a children’s hospice.

T? Hafan provides comfort, care and support to life-limited children and is dedicated to improving quality of life for the whole family. The care and support provided by T? Hafan is offered completely without cost to all those families that need them.

You can find the PR here.

Last week The Run home team reached the finish line for their marathon.

There was a fantastic reception waiting for them at Ty Hafan of friends, family, supporters and the staff and children of Ty Hafan all cheering in their final few painful strides.

They have not yet finished fundraising, which will continue into the new year and whilst they don’t anticipate reaching the £20k mark, it should be well over 10k by the time they have finished raising.

At NUITEQ we strongly believe in social responsibility and giving back to the community.
I’m very happy that NUITEQ and Visual Planet could contribute to this great charity.

You can find more photos here.