You might have seen a couple articles this week about a Microsoft research project that uses a DDR-type (that’s Dance Dance Revolution for those of you without kids) footpad as an email interface. (Here’s a video of IT staff testing it – and BTW, they make it look easier than it really is.) This is just the kind of invention I’d dismiss as goofy – before this last Christmas, that is.
This Christmas, my office friend Doug sent me the TV-compatible version of DDR, because (in what I thought was an innocuous discussion about video games) I said DDR didn’t seem like the total waste of time many other games did because at least you were out of the chair, moving around, teaching your body new patterns. And that’s just what Microsoft was thinking with its Step User Interface:
Rising obesity rates and increasing incidents of Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) are among the compelling reasons to consider input mechanisms beyond the desktop. Our goal is to help people continue being productive at their computer-related tasks while incorporating more physical movement and a greater level of enjoyment into their daily activities. While not a substitute for aerobic exercise, we feel that using Step User Interfaces (Step UIs) is similar in benefits to taking the stairs instead of the elevator. In addition, research has found that taking small breaks during the day is one of the most effective means of preventing repetitive strain injuries.
The downsides are that this MS project only lets you sort the mail. You can’t respond – meaning, you can’t type anything because there’s no keyboard. Maybe they’ll put add version of the cellphone keypad so that you can TXT your replies. The other downside is that DDR takes a lot of practice to be able to do it quickly and efficiently. So judging by my slow DDRing and TXTing, I could be spending even more time with my email than I do now. But it could make email a lot more fun.
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