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Imagine you lived in the 1500s and someone showed you two computers. If you had zero prior computer experience, would you pick a touch based computer... or would you pick one where you move some arrow shaped icon with a 2nd device called the mouse.

We're very used to using a mouse, but it's definitely not the most natural way to interact with a computer. It's not easy either. I've seen old people that never could figure out how to double click without moving the cursor 50 pixels from where they wanted to click.

The "natural" way to move a car would be to push it, or maybe attach two horses at the front. The method that we use is quite unnatural. :D
 
Not likely

No chance. The ergonomics would be a disaster.

I second that. I have both an 27 iMac and the first aluminum Macbook with a Multi-Touch trackpad and touching on a screen would be quite uncomfortable. I'd rather use my macbook's Multi-Touch trackpad than the magic mouse.

:apple:
 
I dont estimate OS XI or 11 in the next few years.

If the iOS is integratet like a second workspace in linux, then I think its good opton, but if its integreated as fast boot system for accesing mail and internet its rubbish (get a iPod touch, if you need iOS for accesing mail and internet).
 
iMac vs MacPro

I think people are getting confused with an iMac and "workhorse". The iMac was always intended to be a consumer-level device and the consumer desktop segment may be evolving to apps that are touch-friendly (kitchen/TV). Essentially an even larger screen iPad. It also makes sense that the touch capability would help characterize/define the iMac line as different from the Pro line. Even though I'm a professional designer, choosing an iMac over a Pro has been a somewhat confusing decision. Making all the iMacs touch-enabled, would clarify that.

Pro users/developers who generally don't use iMacs, would still make use of a non-touch desktop system.
 
I actually made a touchscreen Mac Mini. I did it to install in my old VW Syncro Camper. I wanted something like the GPS/Music screen like newer cars have. Technically is was a snap. Lilliput makes a variety of LCD touchscreen monitors in various sizes from 7"-15" and not too terribly expensive. The USB touchscreen software is free. I found that OSX and Windows are both un-suitable to touch operation as they stand now. The interface is a point and click, but the resolution of the click area is a bit fine for the finger. That and your finger tends to obscure what your selecting. So a iOS overlay with a very touch overlay interface and a mouse is a good compromise.

Years ago, I had an HP150, one of the early DOS computers, but it had a special HP module that used a touch interface. It gradually became a very natural way to interact with the computer. Finger smudges where not distracting, at least for me. What was disturbing was when you went and used non-touch enabled computer, you found yourself touching the screen to do things, but nothing would happen. Then the Doh! This isn't a touch computer, would set in. It felt very primitive to go back to mouse/keyboard once you used the touchscreen regularly.
 
I doubt 10.7 will be such an overhaul. Probably more like Mac OS X 11.0 or a totally new naming scheme.

I'm sure the next major update (as major as 9.0 --> OS X) will have a new naming scheme. "Eleven" does not lend itself well to marketing unless Spinal Tap's your thing.


(My guess for the next naming convention? iOS.)

No chance. The ergonomics would be a disaster.

Not if the stand allowed the iMac to be parallel to the desk surface as well as perpendicular.


And there it is. The end of the Mac Platform.
Should have seen this coming a long time ago...

I don't see it ending...just blending.
 
Touch Screen tennis Elbow

I'm with Snowcat001 on this one...My daughter has an HP touchscreen and although its kinda cool...after about ten minutes it gets kinda tiring and manipulating the icons..albeit its a WIN 7 box...is frustratingly tough. Now Apples product is in no way comparable to HP (until HP comes out with a WebOS touchpad! ) still think its a long way from disappearing mouse for the desktop. I'm just saying..
 
I don't think it necessarily has to be touch-enabled, or come in form of any type of hardware.

I am using a lot of apps on my iPhone by now that I really miss on my MacBook... Sometimes I would really like to start one of these iOS Apps in Mac OS to check something quickly...

They should make some kind of iTunes-integrated Simulator that allows you to start your iOS Apps directly from your Apps section within iTunes or something...

That would be really nice ;)
 
bullshieet

The day that Steve Jobs tells me I have to use iTunes to purchase software for my laptop or desktop, or that I can't install what I want or how I want it on my personal computer I give him the big middle finger and switch to Linux or Windows.

I already think it's ridiculous that I have to jailbreak my iPhone every 6months or so - but if the day comes that you'll have to jailbreak your comp, thanks but no thanks. I'll give up convenience for freedom.
 
I can see many benefits to develop from this. Maybe not on an iMac, but a larger iPad with iMac or Mac Pro power from a designing stand point.

Yes, keep the use of a mouse and/or keyboard for the comfort side of things. But when it comes to intricate design, a mouse is just a pain to use. A Wacom tablet has been around a while and some still use it, but you're pretty much drawing blind folded. If you could use a type of stylus or a finger and draw/edit directly on the screen that would make detail work sooooo much easier and faster.

I think this is a good direction. Who says the iMac will still be a desktop monitor/computer? It could be like the iPad maybe with a popout easel for use as a freestanding monitor (maybe not as cheesy as that, but you get the picture), while still keeping your "all in one" desktop component.

I wonder if part of the problem is that the price of a touch screen that is sensitive enough for drawing application is to high a price and not needed in mass market device.

I kind of wonder if there could be an accessory Stylus that has it's own tracking system so that plays off the touch screen sensor to establish start end end location but feeds the system far more detailed drawing information from it's own measurements including maybe till and pressure.

That way only applications that need the extra function have to pay for it.
 
Not if the stand allowed the iMac to be parallel to the desk surface as well as perpendicular.

That is what people aren't understanding. They see something and imagine it being the same design despite function changing. If they do touchscreen, it won't be long (if not instant) before they redo how it sits on the table.

A design that allows the screen to go relatively flat and vertical is necessary. This design should have been done already 3 years ago.
 
That is what people aren't understanding. They see something and imagine it being the same design despite function changing. If they do touchscreen, it won't be long (if not instant) before they redo how it sits on the table.

A design that allows the screen to go relatively flat and vertical is necessary. This design should have been done already 3 years ago.

Surely this new device will be wedged shaped like a large slice of cheese or indeed a very deep keyboard where the keys are the screen....

You would need to use or enhance your LCD to be viewable from a ~45 degree angle. Ideally tweek it so it worked well at an angle rather than square on.
 
I'm just going to throw this very quick (and shoddy) rendering I made into the mix, portraying a possible "tabletop" iMac.

imactouch.png
 
The "natural" way to move a car would be to push it, or maybe attach two horses at the front. The method that we use is quite unnatural. :D

I go back before the mouse... before there were touch screens. We ran and controlled programs by using the keyboard. If you had to move the curser... you used the tab and the arrow keys. One of the programs was a drawing and layout program for circuit board layout and design and schematic capture all rolled into one tool. It was called SUDS (stanford university drawing system). It had a very thick manual and well over 1000 commands to memorize if you were an expert user. I knew maybe 200 and knew where to look in the manual to find something more exotic if needed.

The mouse liberated us from that. Slide down menus full of commands made schematic capture, layout much easier.

IMHO touch is great for a cash register... great for small hand held devices like phones and iPods that are mobile and meant to be held in one hand. But to use a 27" iMac touch screen to me doesn't seem practical or as easy as using a mouse.
 
...so they're making a touchscreen... but not in OSX but some compromise iphone OS? kinda lame, and you know you'll get some fans writing mails to steve jobs and he'll make up some of the lamest justifications and people will believe him. gosh...

btw you know 22" is essentially 21.5". just ask dell.
 
So, I guess that's when Apple will officially announce that leaked huge glass trackpad accessory then. Not sure why the iMac though, seems like it makes more sense to put iOS into the Macbook/MBA as an instant-on OS dual-booting with regular OS X.
 
It could be cool if they implemented touch into iOS (or whatever). When I first heard about it, I was imagining they'd have some dashboard like space for the iOS apps. Not so sure I'd want to keep my arms and hands in the air for while I'm surfing, though. I'm really hoping that this rumor turns into some sort of cool implementation of AppleTV, taking it out of the hobby category. I just love the concept of AppleTV. I hope that architecture of watching TV wins out. I'd rather take Comcast out of the equation somehow, at least for the TV part.
 
Oooooo, greasy screen!
iGorp screen cleaner sales will skyrocket.

Count me out of THAT idea. I can barely hold a mouse for very long, much less interact with my vertical computer screen.
 
I'm just going to throw this very quick (and shoddy) rendering I made into the mix, portraying a possible "tabletop" iMac.

Well that's interesting, and not a bad picture... but what of the practical uses of a Mac like that? POS? Maybe. Doctor's or other vertical marketing office? Possibly. Probably my "vision" thing not working.
It's either Apple has some new concept it will share later, or this greasy screen rumor is wrong. I will go with the concept, but reluctantly.
 
Waiting for Reports of "Constrained iMac Availability"

Hi. I don't care about touch-screen capability so much as just waiting with baited-breath (well, not cat-fish bait smelling breath at least) to see reports of "Constrained iMac Availability" heralding an imminent release of updated 27" iMacs.
 
I'm just going to throw this very quick (and shoddy) rendering I made into the mix, portraying a possible "tabletop" iMac.

imactouch.png

That looks great, and would be fine for touch-input (if it has wrist-wrests); but that's a horrible angle for a screen: you'd have to crouch over it to use it. Fine for very short usage, but would be incredibly uncomfortable for any kind of regular use.

There's a simple, fundamental problem with combining touch-input and a screen into one surface in desktop computer, and no amount of clever design can get around it:

The ideal touch device is near-horizontal. The ideal screen is near-vertical. Unless/until we evolve a convoluted spine or an extra arm joint, you cannot combine both into one surface, without having a horribly uncomfortable user experience.

The iDevices work because they can be held in one hand and adjusted. I wouldn't want to try that with an iMac!

The only way I can see anything like this happening, is if this new iMac is more of a dockable "iPad". Sit it into the dock and you use it as an iMac with full OSX functionality. Pull it out and take it with you, and it's a (slightly heavy!) iPad.

Now that I think about it, that might be pretty cool. No need to sync your Mac and your iPad, they're the same device!
 
Hey guys, I've created a website called pleasesteve .co.uk for everyone to be able to submit their ideas on what the next line up of apple products needs. People with more tech knowledge can also comment and clear up any reasoning for why Apple may not implement some of the suggestions too. Please check it out and tell me how to improve as its gonna grow slowly.

Enjoy!
 
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