Ink and Switch interactive homepage

Ink & Switch unveiled an interactive art piece, "Tenfold," a tribute to ten years of collaboration. The piece utilizes advanced technology from their research, envisioning a future computer that enhances human intelligence, enabling clearer thinking and effective collaboration.

The company's research is diverse, spanning theoretical computer science to practical user experiences. They focus on four main themes: software architecture that returns data to users and fosters collaboration; designing software environments for personalized tool customization; creating a dynamic medium for sketching ideas with natural behaviors; and developing tools to help users explore, track history, and collaborate across various media.

The results of their research are published on their website and in academic journals. Selected works include essays on restoring user agency in a world of locked-down apps and inventing new spreadsheet types. They have also shared lab notebooks detailing research into local-first access control systems, dynamic creative environments, self-sustaining memory-sharing systems, and live data integration in travel planning.

Ink & Switch's vision extends beyond current work, aiming for a world where computers amplify human intelligence. They are committed to exploring software architecture, customizable environments, dynamic sketching, and collaborative tools. Their research is supported by sponsors and grants, and they publish their findings in various academic venues.

Several of their projects have evolved into widely used tools. Notably, a digital workspace for brainstorming, organizing, and connecting ideas visually; a library for building collaborative applications with automatic sync across devices, even offline, using conflict-free replicated data types; and a local-first access control system with capabilities and end-to-end encryption for secure collaboration.

Their team's work has been supported by various individuals and organizations, driven by a shared goal of empowering scientists, journalists, and creative thinkers with powerful, humane tools.