Mozilla Labs in partnership with Adaptive Path has released two concept videos of what the web browsing experience may look and feel like in the future.  It shows some pretty interesting concepts.  I particularly like the 3D interface where content continually recedes as time progresses – kind of like a push-down stack from front to back with the most recent items in the front.

The little hand-held device looks remarkably similar to the iPhone, and the design team appears to have made the same kinds of assumptions about interfaces that will appeal to most people.   I must say I’m surprised these guys didn’t focus any attention on alternative interface mechanisms, like speech, for example.  I would have thought that any concept of web browser futures must include at least some kind of speech recognition and speech synthesis.  The idea that common folk will remain content to push little icons around on a tiny little screen just seems stupid to me.  Why do I LOVE my Garmin?   One reason is because she TALKS to me!  (Did I say ‘she’?  I meant ‘it’!)

Anyway, have a look at these concept videos and muse for a moment about what might be around the bend in terms of human-machine interaction.  I’d be particularly interested in hearing your thoughts about how these kinds of ideas might influence the future direction of the SharePoint UI.

To learn more about the Aurora project, visit http://adaptivepath.com/aurora.