Next-Gen PC Concepts Include Laser Screens, Tactile Interfaces, Glossiness

The Microsoft-sponsored Next-Gen PC Design Competition asks its contestants to design the next generation of Windows-based PCs and judges the resulting entries on innovation, user experience, aesthetics and whether it can ever be manufactured. This year's contest focused on PC designs that "help people do what they feel passionate about." Public voting is over and the winners will be announced sometime this month, but even if we can't participate in the voting process, a lot of these concepts are worth gawking at. Check out some weird and interesting prototypes after the jump.

ngpcentry1

Palette is a hardware system design concept that designated for digital artist, painter, design visualizer and people with passion in visual arts. The system were designed based on the background of basic painting behavior and its physiology activities. Palette is designed to have connectivity with other devices such main PC system, Main monitor or other wireless peripherals. connectivity between them are wireless and the user interface screen surface of the palette is using photo-optic visual sensor with color recognition as its main advantage.

ngpcentry2

A biometric scan of a finger will recognize users and display all saved personal files and settings. As an optional security feature, users will be capable of enabling a voice recognition program with a library distinct voice commands. Once access has been granted, cutting-edge laser technology will display mid-air 2D and 3D images with pristine quality on a dual-head display, ideal for designers.
Bloom’s two “side branches” house the PC’s sound system and assist in the display of both 2D and 3D images. The branches allow the displays to range from 15 to 24 inches in size with a maximum viewing angle of 80 degrees. Users can effortlessly choose from a variety of display sizes and viewing angles by re-positioning the branches.

ngpcentry8

Momenta, the neck worn PC also captures the best and most exciting moments of your life. Ever thought, "Man I wish I had that on tape!" When everybody is laughing themselves to tears, Momenta has already captured the previous 5 minutes from its rolling buffer and continues to record until you tell it to stop. Triggered by increased heart rate, it captures those hilarious or exciting moments that are usually lost forever. Whether it's an exciting sports experience, a funny social scene, the scene of an accident, etc. you can capture it and share it.

ngpcentry7

ZEN is a system of software and hardware specifically designed for the visually impaired. It is comprised of a hardware called the ‘Sandbox PC’ and ZEN edition operating system which work together to create a computing environment that can be used with eyes closed. The innovation of ZEN is embedded in its name. ZEN is for ‘Z-axis Enabled,’ meaning it is a truly interactive 3D computer. The Sandbox PC features Active Surface, an electronic surface that can take different physical shape and can be manipulated by the user. You can read Braille text on it, make out windows, icons, and different textures. You can press into the surface, or scratch it with your fingers. All input output is made with the sense of touch. ZEN software uses a Tactile User Interface (TUI). The visually impaired are a negated market. It is fitting, then, to bring them to light using the negated sense of touch, by introducing a negated dimension of depth.

[Next-Gen Design Competition