Patent: Apple Details Multi-Touch Mac User Interface

[MacRumors]

An Apple patent application published today rehashes some concepts and diagrams from 2006 patent but generates continued interest due to persistant rumors that Apple may release a multi-touch tablet Mac.





AppleInsider details some of the techniques in accessing small user interface controls when using a your fingers on a multi-touch tablet Mac:

Apple explains that on a tablet Mac, the buttons of a control box may be smaller than a users finger and located close together. Therefore it may be difficult for the user to make a selection directly without possibly pressing an undesirable button. To solve this problem, at least a portion of the control box would be enlarged, including the buttons therein when the user places their thumb over the control box.

Apple also details the use of swipe and scrolling to manipulate on screen lists as well as the implementation of a full screen multi-touch keyboard.:




While we've heard rumors of a tablet Mac for years, this year we've heard claims that either a tablet or mini-tablet Mac could be coming soon.


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[MovieCutter]

MWSF "One More Thing....count on it

[caoxiang]

ugly hand

[srobert]

Separated at birth?

Edit: To add something on topic, I think it makes so much more sense to have a touch tablet than a touch screen laptop or desktop.

[sysiphus]

Good lord, will my fingertips start to look like that if I use it too much?

[Cander]

So you have to have abnormally creepy long thumbs to use it? meh

[Bambeezer]

Are those toes or fingers in the second pic? LOL

[dllavaneras]

Arthritis taken to a whole new level.

Seriously, I'm really hoping for something like this. I can't wait for these rumored events!

[miketcool]

An excerpt from the laboratory:

"It looks as if our test subject 'qQq' has taken well to his new haptic sensation implants. Thank goodness. Last weeks debacle left his fingers swollen and mutant like. Never again will 12 amps be used in our test subjects again..."

[sminman]

I wonder if they made it a point to draw the hands like that?

[mattkap]

E.T Type Home!!!!

[MacTheSpoon]

I always suspected Apple's superior technology was designed by aliens...

[bmorris]

ouch. e.t. phone home.

[amac4me]

This patent filing is interesting and demonstrates how far along Apple is on porting the Cocoa Touch framework of iPhone OS to Mac OS X. We get insight into how much as been done in the almost two years since the 2006 patent application.

We should hopefully see a tablet within a year. Maybe as early as MacWorld. This looks exciting.

Sorry PC manufacturers, you simply can't compete with Apple. Perhaps Dell should close shop and give the money back to shareholders.

[Cander]

Looks like the Dupeys have evolved again.

[miamialley]

I thought I'd be the only one to point out the alien technology due to the alien hands in the drawings!

[mikeinternet]

how exactly do you hold a tablet while typing with both hands?

[CWallace]

Well multi-touch will address a number of issues I have had with Windows Tablet Edition PCs that required using a stylus to interact with them.

But I still think that, as a general-use computer, a tablet is not going to a popular option and I wonder if Apple sees enough of a market to warrant launching such a product.

[JG271]

Yet another multi-touch mac story. It will be interesting to see how many functions and features the final product has, if it ever comes!

[bub9001]

This is getting old, since 2006 we have heard the same thing "Patent, patent, and more patents". I will believe it when i see it, and I might be interested too?

[pimentoLoaf]

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

[Mykbibby]

This seems like a MacWorld announcemennt to me...

[MrCrowbar]

This is resolution independence at work!

The magnifying glass thing on the iPhone works amazingly well. It's a great way to get pixel precision on a dense screen and human fumble stumps (also known as "fingertips"). I wish the iPhone's Safari had that feature too so I don't accidently click the wrong links.

Anyway, all these patents make it seem like Apple is on its way to get the Mac OS into devices without a mouse or trackpad. I'm not saying tablet here. Look at the current wireless keyboard. It's super flat and has a very small footprint. How about an Intel Atom based laptop? The wireless keyboard measures 12 inches in diagonal by the way.

[kjs862]

Seems cool, can't wait to buy.

[iGuardian]

I wouldn't get my hopes up too much. From the time when we get a patent and we actually see the product in our hands is more likely to be years than weeks.