Next-Generation iMacs Already in Production?

[wesleyh]

If multi touch on the screen of a desktop size machine was going to take off, it already would have, as there are several machines with this technology already available.

The problem is that it has not taken off, and probably never will. Sitting inches from the screen, moving your hands over the screen for minutes/hours at a time, and having a smudged up screen all equate to not such a great computing experience as you apparently think.

I'd love to see something like this though: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/13/10gui-one-very-slick-desktop-multi-touch-concept-video/

 

[jmpage2]

I'd love to see something like this though: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/13/10gui-one-very-slick-desktop-multi-touch-concept-video/

Brilliant demo and shows precisely why touch for the desktop will not happen on the screen. It will happen through input devices married to an OS that can recognize and take advantage of multi-touch input from a surface that sits in front of the user.

It would be a total coup for Apple to introduce this technology one or more years ahead of MS.

 

[alangsam]

OK - where are the new imacs?

OK - i am anxiously awaiting the new iMacs - any ideas of when they will be launched? it was about two weeks ago they told the channel that the supplies would be constrained - seems about perfect time to announce?

 

[AidenShaw]

already demoed by Microsoft....

Brilliant demo and shows precisely why touch for the desktop will not happen on the screen. It will happen through input devices married to an OS that can recognize and take advantage of multi-touch input from a surface that sits in front of the user.

It would be a total coup for Apple to introduce this technology one or more years ahead of MS.

Microsoft was showing exactly that at CES - essentially it was a dual monitor Surface computer. One multi-touch monitor flat on the desk, the second monitor standing up.

 

[jmpage2]

Microsoft was showing exactly that at CES - essentially it was a dual monitor Surface computer. One multi-touch monitor flat on the desk, the second monitor standing up.

Using a screen for the input is a huge expense, and will not be a main stream thing in my opinion.

Apple is approaching this correctly if they move to direct input devices instead of a screen for the multi touch input.

In fact, if Apple is ready to ship this with some application support in Snow Leopard it's going to be a big, big deal. It would not take (too) long for MS to catch up, but it would be a riot if Apple had multi-touch iMacs with next generation input devices in stores at the same time Windows 7 PCs started shipping.

I can just see the ads in which PC is playing with a mouse and pointer while Mac is doing next generation computing on an iMac.

 

[charlituna]

Editing pictures.

touch screen technology doesn't have to be the center of the universe, but there are many things its better at than a mouse/kb combo.

you are correct to a degree that a touch screen might be better at something like editing photos.

HOWEVER, these computers are talking about an actual touch screen. as in the display screen standing upright on your desk.

for the kind of thing you are talking about you would need something like a Wacom tablet which sits on the desk. not something that you have to extend almost a full arm etc.

 

[Shivetya]

you are correct to a degree that a touch screen might be better at something like editing photos.

HOWEVER, these computers are talking about an actual touch screen. as in the display screen standing upright on your desk.

for the kind of thing you are talking about you would need something like a Wacom tablet which sits on the desk. not something that you have to extend almost a full arm etc.

I fully agree, better is a tablet or such. Since I work in such a large office I get to see all sorts of habits. One of the ones that surprised me most is how many people sit so damn close to their monitor. It was far easier to do in the CRT days, but one thing I notice is the sheer amount of finger prints on monitors. People point, touch, and gesture, to as if the audience cannot find it themselves.

So yeah, I think touch is more than useful even on desktops. I think an extension of what Microsoft is doing with Natal is more of the future than that though, in fact with the inclusion of the camera on iMacs and MB it wouldn't be too hard to make it happen at Apple

 

[DDave]

OK - i am anxiously awaiting the new iMacs - any ideas of when they will be launched? it was about two weeks ago they told the channel that the supplies would be constrained - seems about perfect time to announce?

There is another thread where they have been discussing this. It seems that most think the release will be next Tuesday the 20th. We'll just have to see

 

[charlituna]

There is another thread where they have been discussing this. It seems that most think the release will be next Tuesday the 20th. We'll just have to see

the full rumor is that Microsoft is planning to open their Mission Viejo store on the 22nd to go with the release of Win 7. And Apple knows this from the mall staff and will be reopening their Mission Viejo store (which will be double the old size) the same day.

so if they send out a press release on the 20th that new units with X specs are 'shipping out today', give it 1-2 days of time for that and they would hit the stores on the 22nd and 23rd. which would make for quite the potential interest for folks to want to check out the Mission Viejo store which would of course reopen with those new machines all out on the tables (they would make it a priority to have them there the evening before to be all loaded with the various sample files etc by opening time)

it's so snark and devious that I can believe they would do it.

 

[ssh]

There is another thread where they have been discussing this. It seems that most think the release will be next Tuesday the 20th. We'll just have to see

Given that an email exchange with Apple inside sales today amounted to no quote on an iMac until tomorrow... I expect that this date is correct.