There's been a great deal of speculation that future versions of OS X will incorporate a touch interface derived from Apple's work with multitouch on the iPhone. In anticipation of this, Microsoft has recently announced the addition of multitouch features inspired by their own work on Surface in Windows 7.
The problem and criticism with multitouch on a desktop form factor is that in addition to whatever additional expenses the hardware for a touch sensitive screen would entail it may simply not be too practical. Not only wills screens be smudged the desktop form factor just doesn't seem to be the best for touch applications.
Cam-Trax will be a freeware application that is currently in development for Windows, OS X, and Linux that offers a very cool alternative approach to this problem and would naturally fit with OS X. Basically it's a camera tracking approach that makes use of the internal webcam to lock onto movements and track users gestures. It's not a new approach but it seems more refined than past efforts and is something that is a typical Apple "one more thing" feature. I can see Apple featuring something like this in their next OS over multitouch because it would use the iSight's built into most Mac's giving all Mac's this ability instead of requiring users to upgrade their hardware to touch screens, especially as it is gaining market share.
This website has more information on the application as well as video demo:
http://www.cam-trax.com/
The problem and criticism with multitouch on a desktop form factor is that in addition to whatever additional expenses the hardware for a touch sensitive screen would entail it may simply not be too practical. Not only wills screens be smudged the desktop form factor just doesn't seem to be the best for touch applications.
Cam-Trax will be a freeware application that is currently in development for Windows, OS X, and Linux that offers a very cool alternative approach to this problem and would naturally fit with OS X. Basically it's a camera tracking approach that makes use of the internal webcam to lock onto movements and track users gestures. It's not a new approach but it seems more refined than past efforts and is something that is a typical Apple "one more thing" feature. I can see Apple featuring something like this in their next OS over multitouch because it would use the iSight's built into most Mac's giving all Mac's this ability instead of requiring users to upgrade their hardware to touch screens, especially as it is gaining market share.
This website has more information on the application as well as video demo:
http://www.cam-trax.com/