> For instance, the smartphone is so powerful because it's not tied to one physical mode of operation. It can have buttons for a calculator, or a keyboard, or s

> For instance, the smartphone is so powerful because it's not tied to one physical mode of operation. It can have buttons for a calculator, or a keyboard, or serve as a book, or a video game controller, or... Smartphones are powerful because the interface is reconfigurable in software. That's orthogonal to whether the interface is tactile or not. Imagine you go to choose between two smartphones: 1. One is like you have today: a flat surface of glass with colored pixels underneath. 2. The other supports a surface that physically changes in response to the application. Open the calculator, and a grid of number buttons appear. Tapping one gives the satisfying click of an old calculator. Switch to a synthesizer and a row of piano keys appear. The have the bounce of a weighted piano and play louder or softer based on how hard you press them. Open a game and a D-pad and joystick materialize. I know which one I'd pick.