<p class="title">In a first, scientists have developed a rollable touch-screen tablet - taking inspiration from ancient scrolls to create a modern-day device.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The device, called MagicScroll, is comprised of a high-resolution flexible display that can be rolled or unrolled around a central, 3D-printed cylindrical body containing the device's computerised inner-workings.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Two rotary wheels at either end of the cylinder allow the user to scroll through information on the touch screen. When a user narrows in on an interesting piece of content that they would like to examine more deeply, the display can be unrolled and function as a tablet display.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Its lightweight and the cylindrical body makes it much easier to hold with one hand than a traditional tablet. When rolled up, it fits into your pocket and can be used as a phone, dictation device or pointing device.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We were inspired by the design of ancient scrolls because their form allows for a more natural, uninterrupted experience of long visual timelines," said Roel Vertegaal, a professor at the Queen's University in Canada.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The MagicScroll's scroll wheel allows for infinite scroll action for quick browsing through long lists.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Unfolding the scroll is a tangible experience that gives a full-screen view of the selected item. Picture browsing through your Instagram timeline, messages or LinkedIn contacts this way," Vertegaal said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Beyond the innovative flexible display, the prototype also features a camera that allows users to employ the rolled-up MagicScroll as a gesture-based control device -- similar to that of Nintendo's 'Wiimote'.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The device's rotary wheels contain robotic actuators that allow the device to physically move or spin in place in various scenarios, like when it receives a notification for instance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Eventually, our hope is to design the device so that it can even roll into something as small as a pen that you could carry in your shirt pocket," said Vertegaal.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"More broadly, the MagicScroll project is also allowing us to further examine notions that screens don't have to be flat, and 'anything can become a screen'," he said.</p>
<p class="title">In a first, scientists have developed a rollable touch-screen tablet - taking inspiration from ancient scrolls to create a modern-day device.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The device, called MagicScroll, is comprised of a high-resolution flexible display that can be rolled or unrolled around a central, 3D-printed cylindrical body containing the device's computerised inner-workings.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Two rotary wheels at either end of the cylinder allow the user to scroll through information on the touch screen. When a user narrows in on an interesting piece of content that they would like to examine more deeply, the display can be unrolled and function as a tablet display.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Its lightweight and the cylindrical body makes it much easier to hold with one hand than a traditional tablet. When rolled up, it fits into your pocket and can be used as a phone, dictation device or pointing device.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We were inspired by the design of ancient scrolls because their form allows for a more natural, uninterrupted experience of long visual timelines," said Roel Vertegaal, a professor at the Queen's University in Canada.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The MagicScroll's scroll wheel allows for infinite scroll action for quick browsing through long lists.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Unfolding the scroll is a tangible experience that gives a full-screen view of the selected item. Picture browsing through your Instagram timeline, messages or LinkedIn contacts this way," Vertegaal said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Beyond the innovative flexible display, the prototype also features a camera that allows users to employ the rolled-up MagicScroll as a gesture-based control device -- similar to that of Nintendo's 'Wiimote'.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The device's rotary wheels contain robotic actuators that allow the device to physically move or spin in place in various scenarios, like when it receives a notification for instance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Eventually, our hope is to design the device so that it can even roll into something as small as a pen that you could carry in your shirt pocket," said Vertegaal.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"More broadly, the MagicScroll project is also allowing us to further examine notions that screens don't have to be flat, and 'anything can become a screen'," he said.</p>