Docomo’s Grip UI: Concept Smartphone Interface Improves One-Hand Input

On Wednesday in Tokyo, NTT Docomo (NYSE:DCM) displayed a number of fun new mobile technologies which it will feature at the upcoming CEATEC conference in October. We featured this amazing ibeam tablet that can be controlled with your eyes earlier in the day. In keeping with the theme of ‘pressing buttons is for suckas,’ Docomo also highlighted what it calls a Grip UI concept, which allows users to interact with a smartphone by gripping it in different ways.

I had a chance to try this out, and it was interesting to see the screen respond to different pressure applied both on the sides of the phone, as well as around the back [1].

In addition to sensing where pressure is applied, this technology will detect different levels of pressure applied, and can execute certain functions or shortcuts corresponding to specific input. So for example, such input could be used to unlock your phone by gripping it in a certain manner, or to launch a browser or other application. I’m wondering if there might be some exciting implications for gaming input as well.

Just like the eye-tracking ibeam prototype, such technology would be of use in situations where you might not have two hands available. And here in Japan, commuters on a train (clinging to a strap) would certainly appreciate this.