Video: Immersion's Cubtile 3D multitouch cube

Everybody loves a multitouch device -- Apple's making it easier for developers to get in on the action by way of the MacBook's trackpad, hackers are making it easier for Android fans to rock it on the G1, and how about that happenin' SmartTable? Immersion is no stranger to the field itself, and now the company has unveiled something called Cubtile. This is a cube-shaped interface designed for manipulating complex 3D data in virtual environments, with not one but (count 'em!) five multitouch faces. Check out the videos after the break to experience the chills and thrills as researchers manipulate Google Earth data and images of the human brain with two deft hands. We're really looking forwards to the Rubik's Cube they build out of this thing...

[Berka @ Feb 11th 2009 4:10PM]

new technology

[OneLove @ Feb 12th 2009 12:43PM]

A smaller version of this could become the new mouse, enabling multitouch on any device.

[blueangel00100 @ Feb 11th 2009 4:12PM]

BETAMAXED

[Volite @ Feb 11th 2009 4:23PM]

Not really that impressed, honestly.

[yG @ Feb 12th 2009 1:01AM]

at last! Somebody feels the same way!

[yG @ Feb 12th 2009 1:02AM]

at last! Somebody feels the same way!

[Alistair loveless @ Feb 11th 2009 4:30PM]

GLEAM THAT CUBE!

[Oli D @ Feb 11th 2009 4:28PM]

This hits all the Engadget checkboxes,

3D Yes
MultiTouch Yes
Cube Yes

I dont think engasget have a particular fondness of cubes, but power of three and all...

[Lloytron @ Feb 11th 2009 5:37PM]

There is an important Engadget checkbox that you missed.

Mention Apple in the first sentence - Yes

[Oli D @ Feb 11th 2009 5:40PM]

i didnt spot that, well done sir

[CaramelZappa @ Feb 11th 2009 4:28PM]

Nothing special, what I want is a multitouch sphere.

[Buzz @ Feb 11th 2009 4:45PM]

Multitouch Sphere ? Please, that's old Engadget news...
http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/29/microsoft-sphere-surfaces-in-redmond/

[Jeff Lewis @ Feb 11th 2009 4:30PM]

Wow.. notice someone missing from the list?

Like... the Surface and Win7 which has multitouch support built in and accessable to all developers of the most widely used OS out there?

Not trendy enough, I guess.

[CraigJ @ Feb 11th 2009 6:30PM]

I wasn't aware that win7 was one of the most "widely used OS out there?", and Surface is currently a niche product at best.

Oh, and this:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/05/windows-7-multitouch-its-a-gimmick-for-now/

[qwerty3089 @ Feb 11th 2009 4:31PM]

Seems a little over the top since 3dxonnexion has been making devices like this for at least a decade... granted not a 'touch' interface, but it seems moot since you're not directly interacting with the screen anyway.

[Yevon @ Feb 11th 2009 4:41PM]

Somewhere Wolf Blitzer is having an orgasm to this.

Now, if only they could make this into a hologram...

[kal326 @ Feb 11th 2009 4:45PM]

Hey stop humping the cube....maybe you and cube should be a room....

[Hackettman @ Feb 11th 2009 4:52PM]

Dont we have things that can do this already?

[Gazoobee @ Feb 11th 2009 5:31PM]

I don't see how this makes any sense. What is the advantage of doing gestures on three sides of a cube over doing the same gestures on a 2D pad or on the screen itself?

The only reason I can think of is that the gestures in 3D map the 3D results so it might be easier for people with really poor spatial skills. But if that's the case, a smaller cube with *no* multi-touch on top of a stick that is actually physically rotated or pushed forward and back would be a better choice.

Wait. Isn't that a joystick?

Also the video is so dull I found myself focussing on the girlie's rear end more than the screen. ;)

[elBravo @ Feb 11th 2009 5:54PM]

I'll take option 'B'

http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/oblongs-g-speak-the-minority-report-os-brought-to-life/

[babydill @ Feb 11th 2009 6:21PM]

I'll second that

[superhobo @ Feb 11th 2009 6:15PM]

I'll be harder to get rid of this companion cube.

[quasijo @ Feb 11th 2009 6:37PM]

Forget about the tech, I want that awesome lair.

[anou_231 @ Feb 11th 2009 7:10PM]

that girl has a huge ass

[Kizul Emeraldfire @ Feb 11th 2009 7:19PM]

Is it just me, or does the lady in the second vid create a Metroid with the Cubtile?

[garganananana @ Feb 11th 2009 7:34PM]

"We're really looking forwards to the Rubik's Cube they build out of this thing..."

Haha, ha, hahaha! I get it. They're both cubes.

[Benzodiazepine @ Feb 12th 2009 2:10AM]

"I can fly, I can fly, I can fly !!!"

From Peterpan the cartoon.