# Touchable Thermal Tablets The Thermal Touch by Metaio Uses Fingerprints to Turn Any Object 3D By M | Published 2014-07-16 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thermal-touch References: [geek](http://www.geek.com/tablets/thermal-touch-can-turn-any-surface-into-a-tablet-1594779/) & [metaio](http://www.metaio.com/press/press-release/2014/thermal-touch/) German design firm Metaio cleverly incorporates thermal technology with tablet design to cleverly turn any flat surface into a touchable, 3D object. The product is called Thermal Touch and it uses sensors to detect a fingertip’s touch to turn surfaces into virtual structures. The Thermal Touch isn’t your typical touchscreen monitor. Instead, Metaio engineered the Thermal Touch to use augmented reality to render flat surfaces and structures 3D and touchable. Along with using the Thermal Touch technology, users must wear augmented reality glasses to fully see the touch-based applications. One example of the Thermal Touch being realized is to play a game of chess. Thermal Touch’s augmented reality features can render a flat chess board 3D and the accompanying glasses will track your movements across the board. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Touchable Thermal Technology:** The integration of thermal technology to turn surfaces into virtual structures creates opportunities for immersive touch-based experiences. - **Augmented Reality Glasses:** The use of augmented reality glasses to fully see and interact with virtual structures presents opportunities for new game and entertainment experiences. - **3D Touch-based Applications:** The ability to render flat surfaces and structures 3D and touchable opens up opportunities for new educational and training applications. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Gaming:** The application of touchable thermal technology and augmented reality glasses can bring a new level of immersion to the gaming industry. - **Entertainment:** The integration of touchable thermal technology and 3D rendering creates opportunities for engaging and interactive entertainment experiences. - **Education and Training:** The ability to render flat surfaces and structures 3D and touchable presents opportunities for innovative educational and training applications. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Thermal-Enabled Hand Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fingertrak.md) - [Touch-Free Screen Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touchnetix.md) - [Fluid-Filled Tactile OLED Screens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flat-panel-haptics.md) - [Content-Creation Touchscreen Tablets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touchscreen-tablet.md) - [Connected Touchscreen TV Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tcl-telly-table.md) - [Fingertip Haptic Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voxelite.md) - [Innovative Aerohaptic System](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aerohaptic.md) - [Gesture-Controlled Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spatial-touch.md) - [Touchless Interaction Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phantomy-software.md)