Wearable technology keeps pushing miniaturization to its limits, and that means traditional interfaces are being left behind. Voice control is the first alternative that springs to mind, but a team of researchers at MIT has developed NailO, an accessory that turns your thumbnail into a wireless trackpad.
Most smartwatches rely on touchscreens, letting you control them much like a smartphone. But the physical format of the watch itself makes that possible, while other wearables may not even have a screen. With a compatible app, any smartphone can control such devices, but the whole point of wearables is to keep your hands free. If you have to pull out your phone to use them, they lose their purpose.
NailO was presented as a possible solution to that dilemma. Essentially, MIT has built a mini trackpad that sits on your thumbnail. Controlling a pointer with it may not be practical, but trackpads have evolved to recognize all kinds of gestures. Having it on your nail adds comfort, since there is no risk of skin irritation. The developers are also considering the aesthetic potential of NailO. Eye-catching patterns on artificial nails are apparently very popular in East Asia, and NailO could allow for personalization.
Needless to say, NailO could control not only wearables but also conventional computers or other hardware at home, provided a compatible development kit appears. The next step is miniaturizing the accessory. Capacitive sensors, a battery, and at least three chips represent a significant challenge, as the device must meet specific surface and weight requirements. The truth is that keyboards, mice, and touchscreens still have decades of life ahead, but as everything gets smaller and more wireless, developments like NailO will become increasingly relevant.
