Looking to make things even simplier for the gadget freaks on the go, Microsoft, with a partnership with the University of Maryland, has been researching new ways to use mobile devices using only your thumb. The purpose is to ditch the necessity of two hands; one to hold the device and another to use a stylus. At the moment, Microsoft is looking at two designs.

The first is called AppLens. The screen shows a 3x3 grid of applications (nine in all). Tap with your thumb to select one and the application goes to full view. The system also makes use of gestures; simple movement patterns of your thumb that are linked to specific commands. The other option is LaunchTile. It's also a grid, but it's 6x6 and only shows 4 of the possible 36 applications. Users then have to use a d-pad to scroll around the grid. A study was done at the U of Maryland and users preferred the simplicity of AppLens over LaunchTile. Check the article for pictures of the two designs. Now we just need Microsoft to finish up the fabled xPod/xBoy so we can use this!