Level: Everyone

Tim Huckaby

Microsoft Global RD & MVP-Emerging Experiences

Founder / Exec Chairman

InterKnowlogy, Actus, VSBLTY

How is natural & intuitive interactive usability designed into software?

Join Tim Huckaby in a discussion of the lessons learned in 8 years of putting interactive software systems into production. Touch, Gesture and Voice Recognition: All the bad; all the good; and the tools, tips and tricks learned along the way.

Way back in 2007, Microsoft shipped Windows Vista which was touch capable, but not touch usable. With Windows 7, Microsoft introduced NUI capabilities like Multi-touch native to the OS. In 2010 the iPad revolutionized touch and made it a prevalent way to use a computer. Windows 8 came in 2012 and with its “Metro Interface” (tiles) it is designed for touch.

Hardware vendors are now shipping large form factor multi-touch capable HD monitors with native Windows 7 drivers at a consumer price points. Couple that with other form factors including mobile form factors where multi-touch is the norm and the power of amazing developer technologies and you have compelling low cost high fidelity hardware and software solutions that are revolutionizing the industry.

This keynote will also show you the use cases where these types of multi-touch, gesture & Voice recognition capable solutions are happening. And those coming in the immediate future.

Frequently touch capability is not possible or just doesn’t make sense. In many airports, for instance, you do not want to touch anything. It’s just not safe. Bacteria (and other pathogens) live on touch screens in public places and are a real threat. In sterile environments like a hospital touch is legally not possible either. That is where gesture and voice controlled software comes into play nicely. With Microsoft Kinect (and other 3D cameras) innovative solutions are not only possible, but ultra-cool…and come with their own usability issues. These are the use cases where good interaction design is so important.

This demo-heavy keynote will show you a number of real interactive solutions navigated by touch, voice and gesture (from propriety solutions to broadcast television solutions you see every day). And this keynote will show you how these solutions were built and the user interaction design problems they evolved through.