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Next Step in the Evolution of the Track Pad
- Thread starter Bisz
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Thak you!
I was quite surprised by the responses as well. I mean, to get several people responding with "if it ain't broke don't fix it" on a forum where every other post is asking when the next update (fix) to the already amazing MPB line (which is certainly not broken) is going to come out was... disappointing.
As to your other point, a display touch pad would certainly be more expensive than the current track pad, but I don't think that would stop Apple from putting it in. Just recently they dumped what had to be the relatively cheap wheel in favour of a touch screen display on the iPods. As for power consumption, I don't think that would be a deal breaker either since the display portion would not be used 100% of the time, just in specific instances n specific apps that could make good use of it.
Because this thread isn't about sci-fi wet dreams but about realistic next steps for the development of MacBooks.
Apple has display-touch interfaces on iPods, iPhones and iPads. They have developed a whole OS based on this technology! They are not going to be happy with having just a grey box for their slick touch interface on their laptops and desktops, they are going to want to bring the functionality of the iOS to the Macs. I would have though this was self evident after the last keynote where they went on at length about how you can't have a vertical touch screen, it has to be horizontal... the dots are right there... and you think its the worst idea ever? Really?
I was wondering when insults would start flying, intelligent conversation notwithstanding. Buhbye.
Because this thread isn't about sci-fi wet dreams but about realistic next steps for the development of MacBooks.
Apple has display-touch interfaces on iPods, iPhones and iPads. They have developed a whole OS based on this technology! They are not going to be happy with having just a grey box for their slick touch interface on their laptops and desktops, they are going to want to bring the functionality of the iOS to the Macs. I would have though this was self evident after the last keynote where they went on at length about how you can't have a vertical touch screen, it has to be horizontal... the dots are right there... and you think its the worst idea ever? Really?
just because somethings realistic doesn't mean its a god idea. what you're suggesting will never be.
I can see the value in this. Anyone who has used Mobile Mouse Pro (formerly Airmouse Pro) on an iDevice knows that it would definitely add value.
While I think the idea is great and somehow obvious (I had the same idea when the iPod touch came out, but I put it in the same area as a trackpad would be on a laptop), there is a problem with this idea.
But the problem here is not about hardware cost or technical hurdles. It's human limitations.
If you need to re-focus to two different depths all the time, your eyes will get tired very quickly. If you're not using a laptop, you also need to move your neck up and down, moving only your eyes isn't enough.
On laptops the problem isn't as great, but for those of us using a Mac mini, iMac or Mac Pro, it would be terrible.
But the problem here is not about hardware cost or technical hurdles. It's human limitations.
If you need to re-focus to two different depths all the time, your eyes will get tired very quickly. If you're not using a laptop, you also need to move your neck up and down, moving only your eyes isn't enough.
On laptops the problem isn't as great, but for those of us using a Mac mini, iMac or Mac Pro, it would be terrible.
I see your point, yes, your desktop screen is, in general, quite a bit further away from you than your mouse/magic pad would be. We have seen the patent applications from Apple for a tilting desktop screen so they may go with that rout to provide iOS multi-touch integration into desktop displays but I still think that a display-track-pad is going to make its way into MacBooks sooner or later.
Worst post ever.
Steve said in the latest keynote that they had tried multitouch computer screens, and the idea just didn't work. Your arm gets tired touching a vertical surface. Touch interface needs to be horizontal.
Same as above. They quoted that a horizontal touch interface into OSX was the way to go.
Then again, Steve once said that no one wanted to watch video on a tiny iPod screen. Oh, and he also said they would never make a netbook.
So, anything is possible