2012-13 at the earliest, but I really can't see them doing that. The future belongs to touch but even more so gesture, thats for certain. Getting there will take a little longer than we anticipate. I do not actually see us ever touching our iMacs. I think apple will jump to gesture for larger screen/device interactions. Look what the Wii, PS3 Move and (gasp) Microsoft is doing with Kinect and there motion control technologies. Everyone is chipping away at a gesture controlled future (Microsoft being the closest), it's a matter of time and we can skip right over the potential greasy iMac scenario.I'm sure when teh tech matures enough Apple will buy up some Gesture startup and integrate it into everything they can when they feel the market needs it.
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Apple Testing Touchscreen Panels for Future iMac?
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Someday it will make sense (only horizontally!) and someday it will happen: iOS and OS X will grow together. They wont merge, because the goals of a desktop and mobile OS will never be identical. But OS X (XI?) will gain touchscreen operationit is the future Im sure. Traditional mouse usage wont go away for a very long time, thoughit may ultimately end up as an optional mode like Rosetta or Classic, for running pre-touch legacy apps, but that kind of decision is years away.
I wouldnt be surprised if Apple is testing this for 2012 or beyond, even. But if it does arrive soonish, it will be like pre-installed OS X was at first: something early adopters can get their hands on, while most people continue using the old OS for now.
But however, whenever it happens, its the next phase of progress in computing, and I wouldnt want to miss that just because change feels scary.
I wouldnt be surprised if Apple is testing this for 2012 or beyond, even. But if it does arrive soonish, it will be like pre-installed OS X was at first: something early adopters can get their hands on, while most people continue using the old OS for now.
But however, whenever it happens, its the next phase of progress in computing, and I wouldnt want to miss that just because change feels scary.
I think this is the proper way to do it.
Personally, I really don't feel a need for a tablet like device or my computer to be one. And there definitely is a purpose for a keyboard and upright monitor that a touch screen can't really replace (That many people do use their computers for). So I really think it would not be a good idea to get rid of the keyboard/upright monitor combination (with mouse cause it would be faster and more efficient when using a keyboard to have a mouse or trackpad or something pretty much right by the keyboard rather than having to stretch over it).
But this would allow for both using the computer for stuff like word processing and stuff that a keyboard and upright monitor is much more desireable but lets people use the computer more like a tablet for browsing purposes (Though to be honest, even for searching the web it's nice to have an upright monitor that sits in front of you rather than having to look down to read. Much nicer on your neck).
now you know that ain't true! i get your point on not having to accept all new magic-track-mighty devices to replace the mouse. these are all minor improvements regarding the bigger picture. but striving towards a better interface must never been stopped. your choice to not get on the bandwagon, i respect that.
however, in the same line of thought, think about the wired phone being great and the ability to surf the net on a modem-speed...
MS surface and iMac Touch might be the necessary step towards something realy awesome, the iMac Touch will probably suck as much as the surface does, however it will have a great OS
I think you need to stop thinking about solely using the touch screen. Most of the time when you're sitting and working, you can use a keyboard and mouse.
If you're passing buy and need to look up a map or something you just tilt the monitor look up the information and move a long.
And it won't come until it can be added as just a bonus and not a main feature. (No price increase).
If you're passing buy and need to look up a map or something you just tilt the monitor look up the information and move a long.
And it won't come until it can be added as just a bonus and not a main feature. (No price increase).
Ah, finally someone who came up with examples of utility for the thing: treat your computer as you would a museum kiosk computer. OK, I could see myself using the thing that way. Now, how about Apple inventing a self-cleaning screen because I HATE SMUDGES!
I like it!
It won't replace a keyboard or mouse/trackpad entirely (at least for me), but it will be a better solution for navigating/browsing around over a mouse/trackpad and keyboard most of the time. When I use the iPad for web browsing, music, photos and watch video I'm surprised at how little I need a keyboard. Most web entries are quick and short enough for a touch screen keyboard, and when you need to write something long, there are external keyboards available. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a touch screen based MBP within the next couple of years, along with an iMac. I like the hinge design too - imagine using it in a normal desktop position with a keyboard and trackpad to do some work, write some papers, etc. then flip it horizontal for some air hockey with a friend, or for some photo viewing or web browsing. Same thing for a MBP, though they will need to figure out some new hinge design for it to be practical (otherwise, every time you touch the screen it will tilt further backwards).
Let's try to be open minded to innovation
ecualegacy said:Quicker perhaps with large icons/links. But in practice, I've found touch screen nav speed is at best the same if not slower than mouse because of the higher error rate in touch: hitting that link, small icon, etc. Mind you, I'm speaking for myself
Yeah. Mouse is more accurate but that might be because I'm use to it. I'm not sold on the idea of a touchscreen desktop as much as I like using my iPad.
I thought the first iPhone was a stupid idea and would never work.
I thought the iPad was a huge joke and would never sel.
I now own both.
Learnt my lesson, i wont underestimate Apple again, so i'm looking forward to being surprised by something awesome if they do release this iTouchMac.
I thought the iPad was a huge joke and would never sel.
I now own both.
Learnt my lesson, i wont underestimate Apple again, so i'm looking forward to being surprised by something awesome if they do release this iTouchMac.
Well... OS X does already have Coverflow built in, which I've never felt to be a mouse-friendly UI element. And let's not forget touch pad gestures... I see plenty of signs that OS X is already a "convertible" OS.
-Clive
Wash your piggy hands.
Soap is an ancient invention.
You'll learn to clean things.
I think it would be good if the touchscreens allow for a stylus as a more precise instrument, but Apple tends to make excellent user interfaces.
Stylus=anything you want to use, not just an electronic device.
On the other hand, a 27" touch iMac that went solidly horizontal would make a killer battle map for table top RPGs.
Actually, if it's capable of distinguishing the bottom of the hands being used as support it would be useful for lots of applications, assuming it can move quickly from upright + keyboard to horizontal.
Actually, if it's capable of distinguishing the bottom of the hands being used as support it would be useful for lots of applications, assuming it can move quickly from upright + keyboard to horizontal.
Sebum secretion is actually good for your skin. You need it, that's why your body secretes it. It's what keeps your skin hydrated. Washing your hands more than you need to and alcohol based disinfectants can dry out your skin.
Join the human race, we all have greasy skin. If you don't, you're not quite normal, have your sebaceous glands checked out.
Quicker perhaps with large icons/links. But in practice, I've found touch screen nav speed is at best the same if not slower than mouse because of the higher error rate in touch: hitting that link, small icon, etc. Mind you, I'm speaking for myself
Don't really like the idea of a touchscreen desktop much
It's called pinch zoom
1. Pinch zoom over a small link you want to click.
2. Hit link with finger (now that the link is as big as half the screen).
Who wants your -ve comments?!!
If you don't like the idea/product? Don't read it and don't buy it. No one is forcing you to. I am sure the same people posting negative comments here would have had problems when Apple first introduce "the mouse". "Who wants to take their hand off the keyboard and grab this stupid thing with the cable?", "It will never works!" "It is slowing me down."
Stop with your negative comments and please let the world move forward without you. Thank You!
If you don't like the idea/product? Don't read it and don't buy it. No one is forcing you to. I am sure the same people posting negative comments here would have had problems when Apple first introduce "the mouse". "Who wants to take their hand off the keyboard and grab this stupid thing with the cable?", "It will never works!" "It is slowing me down."
Stop with your negative comments and please let the world move forward without you. Thank You!
Yeah, sure. But cars have also created a long list of problems, including pollution, depleting of resources and over 40,000 death a year just in the US. So stop using this quote as the quintessence of business wisdom.
It's tiring to hold your arm out in front of you for constant interaction with a large touch screen. trust me on that, folks. touchscreen is great for small screens, and isn't so great for big screens.
What came first? The touch screen or the touch-capable app?
-Clive
Uhhh, probably the screen, Einstein.
What came first the computer, or the computer program?
Cars didn't create pollution, deplete resources and kill over 40,000 people a year in the U.S.. Greed did (and continues to do with every new technology). It is the businessman that kills (and never sees a prison cell), not the engineer. We can make cars with zero emmissions and we can design enough safety to save most of those 40,000 lives (hey, there's no 100% fool proof solution to human error and stupidity - people die just tumbling down a flight of stairs while intoxicated).
If we were responsible, we would have designed cars to have zero emmissions, be as safe as can be, and made from 100% recycable materials (and actually build the recycling centers and require it by law) from the getgo. But we are not responsible. Along with the car came the businessman (well, not for the 1st time, obviously, but you know what I mean), whose only concern is how to make a buck out of 15 cents.
Personally, I'd love to own both too, but I was playing around with them last night at the Apple store. My beef with both devices is that touchscreen typing is inherently less accurate than traditional keyboards. While that will never change, I'm sure with practice it can be made workable otherwise no one would buy the things.
It's called pinch zoom
1. Pinch zoom over a small link you want to click.
2. Hit link with finger (now that the link is as big as half the screen).
Unfortunately, that introduces more steps, slowing the process. You go from an elegantly simple "point & click" to "magnify, point & click"
