Even though an increasing number of Windows tablets are starting to pop, manufacturers are still wrestling with the issue of usability. Unfortunately, Windows 7 just wasn't designed to be used with a relatively inaccurate finger, and most products have struggled so far to come up with a workable alternative - at least one that's well implemented.
However, Fujitsu's hoping it will have solved the problem by the time it's still-in-development tablet finally hits the market. Although Director of Product Strategy Meinolf Althaus doesn't shed any light on the device's hardware specs, release date or price, he does go through some of the motivations between the UI's design choices - including some unintentionally amusing anaolgies, complete with props.
According to Althaus, the goal is to allow users to instinctively recognise how to interact with the device, rather than have to remember how to use it - much like a hammer, apparently. The result is that is that the custom layer will be intuitively usable - again, like a hammer.
However, this is a slate focused at corporate users, so content creation is a very important aspect of the device. Other tablets are more like chocolate bars, which are great for consumption, but not much else. On the other hand, Fujitsu's Lego/Duplo-like tablet lets you get down to work with familiar Windows applications, although we're not so sure how good it would be to eat - perhaps the analogy falls apart there.
Lastly, Althaus compares Fujitsu's take on the tablet user interface to a soft silk scarf - cosy, comfortable and an extension of your personal life. This will be provided by a customisable layer that will be added to the scratchy kitchen sponge that is Windows 7.
Again, there are no real details about a Fujitsu tablet here, beyond the fact that one exists. However, there are worse ways to spend three minutes on a Friday afternoon than to watch someone rubbing a kitchen sponge against his cheek with a straight face to demonstrate a UI.
