This work describes a novel building block system for tangible interaction design, GaussBricks, which enables real-time constructive tangible interactions on portable displays. Given its simplicity, the mechanical design of the magnetic building blocks facilitates the construction of configurable forms. The form constructed by the magnetic building blocks, which are connected by the magnetic joints, allows users to stably manipulate with various elastic force feedback mechanisms. With an analog Hall-sensor grid mounted to its back, a portable display determines the geometrical configuration and detects various user interactions in real time. This work also introduce several methods to enable shape changing, multi-touch input, and display capabilities in the construction. The proposed building block system enriches how individuals interact with the portable displays physically.

Reuters - Touchscreen blocks build new layers of computer interaction
New Scientist - Magnetic Bricks Beam 3D Objects into Your Screen
Discovery News - Magnetic Bricks Bring 3-D Interaction to Screens
Softpedia - New Building Blocks Can Interact with Touchscreens Thanks to Magnets
PSFK - Magnetic Bricks Create Touchscreen Animations You Can Play With
GizModo - Magnetic Building Blocks That Interact With Touchscreen Tablet Apps
Geekapolis - These Magnetic Building Blocks Will Interact With Touchscreen Tablet Apps
Electronic Product - Design Your Next Project on a Touchscreen Device Using These Magnetic Bricks

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* Bibliography Fixed: 27. Voelker, S., Nakajima, K., Thoresen, C., Itoh, Y.,Øvergård, K. I., and Borchers, J. PUCs: Detecting transparent, passive untouched capacitive widgets on unmodified multi-touch displays. In Proc. ITS ’13 (2013), 101–104.