AirBar: turn your computer screen into a touchscreen

December 30, 2015

With this simple and easy-to-use device you will make your screen multi-touch.

Multi-touch capabilities on a screen - beyond the screen of a mobile or tablet - is something most people want, but it's still not included on most laptops. So a company called Neonode has come up with a device, the AirBar, which is a gadget that will turn your laptop (or PC) screen into a multi-touch screen. Without needing any special hardware with complex settings, without needing any special software or drivers and upgrades, AirBar can turn any screen (almost) into a multi-touch screen that recognizes any kind of movement and gesture.

AirBar covers the "dumb" display of our computer with a "blanket" of invisible light that allows us to interact with our screen via touch. The bar that does the job is thin and unobtrusive (relatively speaking) and is simply placed at the base of our PC screen. Connecting it to the PC is just as simple via a USB port.

The display recognises the movements and gestures we're used to performing on other devices, such as pinching, swiping, zooming, scrolling and more. And because "touch" is essentially recognized by anything that crosses the AirBar's field of light, we don't have to use our fingers specifically and only our fingers. You can use the AirBar with gloves - thin or very thick - brushes, pencils, styluses, even Chinese food sticks (chop sticks), or whatever else you like. As soon as you affect the light field, the Air Bar recognizes the "touch".

In its initial presentation, AirBar will be compatible with a few machines. Its requirements will be a Windows 7, 8, 10 operating system and a 15.6-inch-diameter screen, which greatly reduces its compatibility with more machines. Neonode said they are currently working on a model for the Mac as well. And once they can extend its technology, it will be compatible with a wide variety of different sized monitors.

The AirBar will make its initial debut at CES in Las Vegas next month, but you can pre-order one, if you like, online (http://air.bar). The 15.6-inch version costs 49$ and will go on sale in early 2016. Once Neonode can expand it to other sizes and operating system platforms, any computer will now be able to benefit from the usability of the touch system without having to worry or compromise in the slightest.

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