I like devices that rely on touch-based interfaces because the gestures that we use to operate them seem so natural and effortless. And I've seen old folks and children (barely the age of 4) take to them easily as well. However, until we develop input devices that let us operate computers simply by just thinking, tactile input seems here to stay. And why not? When I visited the AMD Learning Centre at the Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School, Mr B N Krishnamurthy, a speech language therapist at the school, demonstrated the myriad devices that help the students learn with computers despite their physical disabilities. It was an eye-opener for me naturally and quite a heartening experience to see basic concepts of tactile-based inputs being applied to enable these kids to develop spatial, communication and social skills just by using specialised learning software with their computers. Here's Mr Krishnamurthy demo-ing the various devices: