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Multi-touch going to replace the mouse?

digitalpencil

digitalpencil

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 2, 2007
343
0
Manchester, UK
I've been reading lots about multi-touch lately, the capabilities of gesture mapping and what this will offer the next gen of notebooks. I, like many am hoping for either an update/3rd party app to bring this functionality to the current gen of MB/MBPs. Whilst pining after this update, I couldn't help but think that my mouse-pad would make a brilliant multi-touch trackpad.
Given we've only really scratched the surface of this tech's application in real-world computing, can you envision a larger multi-touch pad, offering custom gesture mapping to perform a myriad of different functions across various apps? And consequently, do you think the roll-out of this technology would eventually make the humble mouse, technologically redundant?
 
digitalpencil said:
I've been reading lots about multi-touch lately, the capabilities of gesture mapping and what this will offer the next gen of notebooks. I, like many am hoping for either an update/3rd party app to bring this functionality to the current gen of MB/MBPs. Whilst pining after this update, I couldn't help but think that my mouse-pad would make a brilliant multi-touch trackpad.
Given we've only really scratched the surface of this tech's application in real-world computing, can you envision a larger multi-touch pad, offering custom gesture mapping to perform a myriad of different functions across various apps? And consequently, do you think the roll-out of this technology would eventually make the humble mouse, technologically redundant?
Click to expand...

I think that is a great idea
 
I haven't used a mouse in months- I feel like the trackpad already had replaced the mouse.
 
digitalpencil said:
Given we've only really scratched the surface of this tech's application in real-world computing, can you envision a larger multi-touch pad, offering custom gesture mapping to perform a myriad of different functions across various apps? And consequently, do you think the roll-out of this technology would eventually make the humble mouse, technologically redundant?
Click to expand...

For Apple laptops, yes.
For Apple desktops, no.
For the industry as a whole, no (due to Apple's patents).
 
andrewdale said:
You gotta remember, though. Patents only last for 20 years. After that, all of the technology is free game.
Click to expand...

You have got to be kidding me. In 20 years, anything is possible. Likely the industry will move to something else.
 
skyrider007 said:
I don't think any kind of trackpad will ever replace a proper mouse.
Click to expand...

i dont think so either. they're great for on the go and that, but they're harder on the hands to use overall imo.

tuneman07 said:
I haven't used a mouse in months- I feel like the trackpad already had replaced the mouse.
Click to expand...

i bring a mouse with me since i can't stand the trackpad for more than an hour of continuous use.
 
New patent filed

Just when I thought i was way off the mark, Apple last week filed a patent outlining a Next Gen Multi-touch input surface to combine "typing, pointing, scrolling, and handwriting capabilities into a single ergonomic design aimed at replacing traditional input devices such as the keyboard, mouse, and drawing tablet."

Perhaps we'll see it sooner than we thought. :D
 
I'd love for that to happen, but there will always be uses for something super precise like the mouse.

Compare playing an FPS with a trackpad to a mouse. It's not even a contest.
 
blurb23 said:
I'd love for that to happen, but there will always be uses for something super precise like the mouse.

Compare playing an FPS with a trackpad to a mouse. It's not even a contest.
Click to expand...

Yeh, same as there will always be tabs for illustrators but what i'm thinking is application-specific interface overhauls to support this next generation of input devices.
Your right that a trackpad holds no contest to a mouse in terms of FPS (and many other applications), same as mice are always faster to use than something like a 360 controller. The mouse has been with us since the beginning and will always be there in some shape or another but in terms of mainstream application usage, something like this could truly revolutionize the way we interface with computers. It probably won't happen for a long time but I wouldn't be surprised that if in 5 years time, something like this begins to roll-out into the mainstream product market.
Here's to dreaming :D
 
I must be a fast learner as I have a MM bluetooth mouse by the computer and never use it as I prefer the touchpad on my MB :)

But then I am a keyboard kinda guy - I like hands on (the computer that is)

rsm5068 said:
Not in this generation of computer users. The next bunch that are in kindergarten now, maybe.
Click to expand...
 
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