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Patent: Apple Details Multi-Touch Mac User Interface

CWallace said:
I don't think the problem with the success of tablets in the marketplace is as simple as the clichéd "Windoze sucks" mantra.

Typing on a keyboard with a stylus is just not a natural way of entering data to a computer. And handwriting recognition systems continue to remain sub-par at recognizing input the way people naturally write. Sure, I can train myself to write in a certain way at a certain speed to allow the software to have the best chance of correctly interpreting what I am writing, but that defeats much of the perceived benefit of being able to "write" on my machine.

Tablets certainly have a market, albeit a small one. And multi-touch keyboards will help by allowing people to type with their fingers (however the lack of any tactile feedback will likely result in a high error-rate). But I just don't know of a feature (or feature-set) in OS X that is so compelling when executed on a tablet that it will immediately drive the sale of a million units a quarter - which may very well be what we're going to need to see for Apple to launch the product.
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Only 1 thing I beg to differ..... Look at HP's new touch smart with Vista Ultimate/Home Premium SP1. I know a lot of people are drooling over that right now. and it is only $1100. Yes it is a desktop and not a laptop, but if you watch some of the Youtube videos of it's uses in the home, rather than
being tied to a desk. it is advertised as a whole home automation, organization, entertainment device.

I actually played with one at Office Depot while picking up some supplies. It was nice and the handwriting recognition was at 97% using my fingernail. Only certain MS apps support the handwriting recognition, not like Apple's inlwell where every Apple app and use the recognition.

But yes, I have heard even some glitchyness with SP1 on a tablet.

I also think that people using front row could use it as well. Just think of a remote without buttons that you swipe with your finger to find what you want (like on the iphone).

I have a wacom tablet now, and with the work of Axiotron, I see Apple making it a BIG success.
 
shervieux said:
My Pastor has the newest iphone, he hates it.

1. Copy and past not an option.
2. Cannot highlight and delete a whole section at a time like you can on the palm smart phones.
3. His old smartphone allowed him to work on Word docs, this one won't you can only view it.
4. It does not have vioce recognition for "Call xxx", "Open Word". like his old smart phone did. He downloaded an app from the Appstore and it only has 70% reliability and only can be used to call people.
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Well. Maybe he shouldn't have bought it then? I mean, the feature set has been pretty well known for well over a year now.

Except for number 4, I'm sure all of these will be addressed in a fully functioning tablet.
 
All I can say is: HELL YEAH!!

Forget the freaky hands, I know the rumors have been there for years but this time with all the present technology at use by Apple it feels like it is going to happen. (Release 2009 tops to my best guessing)


And for all those who need an excuse for things to be released there's a HUGE market for a device like this try all business travelers that do need a fully loaded laptop but do not need (or can) carry a 15 inch laptop.


Thats just for starters, I can literally see myself with this baby designing and coding on the road, and by that I do mean on the road no need to even unfold the damn thing is just there ready for action, at a perfect size.


Then again that is just the way I see mobility, I own an Ipod touch and I love it, also I have a 24 inch iMac and is great but I do need something in the middle.
 
happydude said:
tablet is inevitable, and if anyone can do it, apple can. i just hope the price point isn't prohibitive for the average user. i'd love it, but doubt i'll be able to afford the first few versions until they've worked out the R&D and manufacturing costs.
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That's my problem. I did not go with Axiotron due to them being a small unheard of company and the machine costing over $2,000. I have seen a lot of tablets in the $2,000 and up range. Although there once was a Linux version that was $999. Don't know what ever happened to it, I can't find anymore on it. This machine needs to be in the $500-$1500 price range with a decent CPU, Graphics, USB ports, etc For this type of unit, external Superdrive would be ok.
 
Maybe it's just me, but I don't see this design being practical for a tablet. You'd be using up too much of the screen space on the keyboard. Not to mention that you'd have to set it flat on a table and hunch over it to type with two hands.

I'm visualizing something a lot more like the Nintendo DS, with the touch screen replacing the keyboard/trackpad. After all, Nintendo has been stealing design ideas from Apple for years... it's only appropriate that Apple would steal something back.
 
Creepy or not, I hear they model all their patent application drawings on Steve himself!
 

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shervieux said:
Only 1 thing I beg to differ..... Look at HP's new touch smart with Vista Ultimate/Home Premium SP1. I know a lot of people are drooling over that right now and it is only $1100. Yes it is a desktop and not a laptop, but if you watch some of the Youtube videos of it's uses in the home, rather than being tied to a desk. it is advertised as a whole home automation, organization, entertainment device.
Click to expand...

Oh I love touchscreens for manipulating data. To this day I keep tapping my MacBook Pro's screen because I am so used to using my finger on the LCD screens of the Panasonic Toughbooks I work with at my job. :eek:

But that TB still has a real keyboard. ;)

If Apple brought touch to the MacBook Pro LCD screen as a BTO option, I'd really support that and would pay a premium ($400?) for it. I can't stand trackpads, so I always have a wireless mouse with me when I use my MBP. On the TB's, I don't need the mouse because I can tap the screen.

If Apple can make a pure tablet (an LCD screen with ports on the sides) work and sell in the high hundreds of thousands to low millions per year, that will be great - not just for Apple, not just for the buyers, but for advancing the technology, period. :cool:
 
The key to the touch screen tablet Mac will be the Applications it will spawn for specific Niche and Mainstream Markets as a direct result of the touch screen technology.

Example: A portable restaurant touch screen order pad for a waitress, portable art gallery rating tools, etc.

Same goes for the iPhone.

Anyone see the new "App Store" ads?
 
Industrial Accident?

Severed thumb replaced with the big toe?

I'm waiting for the screen that can touch me back.
 
I think that touch interface makes sense IF you have AD HOC graphic interface (and that can be easy) and IF you have LOTS of AD HOC Applications, like on iphone.
So, are we gonna see "App Store Take 2, now with Tablet applications"? Since this tablet will sell very few (compared to a PHONE), will the developers be attracted as well to develop on this platform?

Iphone, being in the pocket of milions of people, is like HONEY to the bees for the developers....but this (probable) tablet?
 
ibwb said:
Maybe it's just me, but I don't see this design being practical for a tablet. You'd be using up too much of the screen space on the keyboard. Not to mention that you'd have to set it flat on a table and hunch over it to type with two hands.

I'm visualizing something a lot more like the Nintendo DS, with the touch screen replacing the keyboard/trackpad. After all, Nintendo has been stealing design ideas from Apple for years... it's only appropriate that Apple would steal something back.
Click to expand...

Well, with smartphones (including the iphone) people type with their thumbs. i could see a virtual keyboard for quickthings, and a wireless keyboard (maybe foldable) for if you require a real keyboard for longer typing (like letters, manuals, programming, etc).

most the average user does quick things.... Business people type more.

But eitherway I say give me with the markups I posted earlier.

As one person has pointed out (and we used touch-screens in our labs - CTX CRT's that used a 9-pin serial cable, Plano has one also), the problem has been with Windows apps. Boxes and icons too small or soo close together and requires a stylus.

Personally I think the iphone has been a test market and quinea pig for two reasons:

1. Would people really want an apple product like this (answer seems to be an overwhelming yes).
2. Is it possible to produce something like this as a new laptop/tablet for real everyday business use. - yep, but needs more development work.
 
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