Since Apple is now defending its multi-touch patents with the ferocity of an enraged mother mongoose, developers have one more reason to pursue non-multi-touch solutions for touchable user interfaces. It was always a good idea, since not every touchscreen is capable of, or good at multi-touch (G1 anyone?), and seeing single-input touchscreens get the kind of intuitive interfaces they deserve is satisfying.

Linja Zax is a project that wants to add a UI trick to the growing bag of hacks, techniques, and special touches that make up touch interfaces. Their idea is simple: a circular motion, clockwise to zoom in and anticlockwise to zoom out. There should be a little demo of the thing going on to the right there.

It’s a nice addition, but I’ve always favored a sort of “meta” command for single touch, like a double-tap that you hold, which then opens a circular menu. Not as convenient for zooming, but useful for many other things. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more and more of these little innovations; they add a lot to usability.

[via CNET]

P.S. Linja, I’m linking your swf, let me know if you’d rather I put up the YouTube version. It’s not as clear.