Microsoft Applied Science presents prototype of an interesting tablet accessory-- the DisplayCover, a keyboard cover featuring an embedded eInk touchscreen handling app shortcuts and touch gestures.
As Microsoft puts it, tablets have admittedly limited screen sizes, and as such the addition of a display to the keyboard extends available display real estate. Thus the DisplayCover has a 1280x305 resolution touchscreen extending the screen area of a tablet with a 10.6-inch display by up to 8%.
It also adds features such as dynamic UI manipulation, switching between multiple apps, stylus input and touch gestures. Meanwhile the use of eInk technology ensures the accessory uses far less power than any full-colour touch panel.
The idea is not actually new-- the DisplayCover builds on a 2009 Microsoft concept dubbed the Adaptive Keyboard, a PC keyboard with a touch-sensitive display.
Of course the Display Cover is still in prototype form, but we wonder if Microsoft will push it as an actual, commercial device.
Go DisplayCover
