Interface

Intel has demonstrated a prototype of the next generation of its Thunderbolt interface. The new connection will be up to three times faster than the existing Thunderbolt 4 – at up to 120 Gbps – when it debuts next year.

IK Multimedia has added something of a Swiss Army knife audio interface to its iRig line. The 4-in/2-out Pro Quattro I/O is aimed at musicians and digital content creators, and promises broadcast quality results in the studio or out in the field.

Toward the end of 2020, David Li collaborated with Google Arts and Culture on a machine learning experiment called the Blob Opera. Now Stuck Labs has developed a touchless interface that allows children to control the operatic action using gestures.

The coronavirus pandemic has seen many musicians heading online to perform. But latency issues can make rocking out with bandmates over an internet connection somewhat problematic. Sweden's Elk Audio is aiming to nip lag in the bud with Elk Live.

In order for a thief to bypass a security system's interface, they generally have to see that interface in the first place. That's why Swiss scientists have designed an access code keypad which is completely transparent.

Audio gear maker M-Audio has launched two USB interfaces geared at folks who are looking to break into computer-based recording, podcasting, live streaming and more, without emptying their bank accounts.

Guitar effects titan Boss has unveiled a personal amp/effects modeling interface for guitar that works with a mobile app to offer powerful tone shaping while learning or jamming with YouTube videos.

IK Multimedia's Axe I/O guitar interface now has a baby brother. The Solo is a cheaper, more compact bus-powered version of its impressive sibling, with two inputs and three outputs, instrument tone shaping and music production software bundled in.

Imagine touching the armrest of your sofa to change the channel on your television, or pressing against a lightbulb stencil on the wall to turn on your smart light – these functions and many more like them are now possible thanks to new research.

In order for surgeons to maintain sterility in the operating room, they certainly shouldn't be using touchscreens. A new wearable, however, may allow them to navigate content such as preoperative planning diagrams, without touching the screen.

We've already seen tactile-feedback displays that convey information by applying tiny vibrations to the user's fingertips. An experimental new technology takes a different approach, however – it gets sticky in select areas.

It's not uncommon for us humans to communicate via pokes and other skin-on-skin gestures. Could the same thing work for communicating with devices? It turns out that if you give those gadgets a coating of "Skin-On" artificial skin, the answer is Yes.