Phil Schiller Says Apple Tested and Rejected Touch Screen Macs, Finding It 'Absurd' on a Desktop

[melendezest]

Hmm. I wonder if iOS is too locked-down at the code level to allow Apple to integrate the two user experiences in one device like their desktops/laptops.

I truly believe that touch is the future.

So, all desktops would become like the Surface Studio, even if the monitor is separate from the PC/Mac. The OS would sense the monitor position, and would adjust it's interface to the preferred experience of the user.

Microsoft is already headed there, and I think it is the right direction.

Apple is refusing to do so, and what's going to happen is that less and less of the PC majority will switch to the Mac, because Microsoft (gasp!) is the one redifining what a Personal Computer should be. 2-in-1s are a popular PC category. And the current youth expect to be able to touch the screen.

The post-pc era is based on touch.

Apple ushered it in with iOS, but then crippled it with no (real) physical connectivity, proprietary ports, no file-system access, and ridiculously locked-down customization options in their hardware and software.

I would use an iPad Pro as a primary machine if it addressed all these things. And again, a Mac/iOS convertible would sell like crazy.

But Alas, we're at a turning point in computing and I see Apple on the wrong side of this fence.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

Touch screen...Absurd... but a touch bar.. fantastic and revolutionary.

Oh, please....

Waiting in line for the touchbar 103 Key Keyboard....

 

[Apple Corps]

Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, recently continued the company's stance against turning its desktop and laptop devices into touch screen-enabled computers, which some customers believe could be advantageous additions to the macOS platform. With the new addition of the "Touch Bar" on the MacBook Pro line, seen by some as a potential step towards a full-on Mac touch screen, many Apple executives have come out saying this isn't the case.

Speaking with Backchannel, Schiller has now stated that a multi-touch display on a MacBook "wouldn't be enough," because it would begin a divide between MacBook and iMac. But, if the company implemented the same touch screen on a desktop it would "become absurd," due to the iMac's main source of user interaction -- the keyboard and mouse or trackpad -- residing too far away from where users would raise their hand to interact with the screen. Ultimately, Schiller said this line of thought is "lowest common denominator thinking."

All the same, Schiller confirmed that Apple has tried out touch screens on a Mac in its labs over the last few years and the company "absolutely come away with the belief that it isn't the right thing to do," he said. "Our instincts were correct." When asked whether the Touch Bar was the beginning of a larger influence by iOS on the macOS platform, Schiller said this was not the case.
In regards to the MacBook Pro's switch to Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, and the subsequent frustration by some users who fear needing to purchase and keep track of many dongles, Schiller said that "we're absolutely more sure than ever that we've done the right thing," because of the standard that USB-C is set to become. For context regarding the amount of cables available, MacRumors recently collected some USB-C adapters and dongles available from Apple and third-party accessory makers into a roundup.

Ultimately, Schiller said that the "fundamental difference" between the MacBook Pro's naysayers and fans is divided between those who have not yet interacted with the laptop, and those who have. Thankfully, many more will be able to get a chance to use the MacBook Pro and Touch Bar as the first round of shipments have begun arriving to pre-order customers today.

Article Link: Phil Schiller Says Apple Tested and Rejected Touch Screen Macs, Finding It 'Absurd' on a Desktop

The more Timmy Boy and Silly Phil blabber the further AAPL stock falls - down 3% today to $105/share - pathetic. This is where AAPl was over 4 years ago. The very fact that they need to come out and "defend" their "innovation" (/s) says it all. Timmy has spent way too much personal capital in supporting Hillary and other social agendas as opposed to innovating and thrilling customers. House cleaning is overdue.

 

[Angus576]

I'm not a fan of touchscreen PCs. I guess it all depends on what you are using it for. I am in the business world and have been using Windows PCs for 20 years and touchscreen is impracticable. It's good on tablets and phones but not for what I do. I can see how it would be beneficial for an artist or other creative professions. To me a touchscreen PC is a novelty at this point. I think it's just a step forward to the point to when we use things like they had in the movie Minority Report. I can tell you this, I've been using Apple since I was a kid in 4th grade when they first came out. I have also used windows pcs since I was a kid and can say the Apple OS has always been a pleasure.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Perfect article to come out to "combat" some of the recent reviews.

I don't agree with him about the cables though. That is one of the most talked about ires customers have. It was also one of my key reasons not to purchase (at this time).

In regards to the MacBook Pro's switch to Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, and the subsequent frustration by some users who fear needing to purchase and keep track of many dongles, Schiller said that “we’re absolutely more sure than ever that we’ve done the right thing,” because of the standard that USB-C is set to become.

So was FW 400, FW 800, Lightning etc.etc. Ready for USB-D whenever he is.

As for cables, we can comfort ourselves with the fact that the adapters are available and we have to plug in cables anyway. That all works for when we use a dock or the MBPs at our desks.

What is no longer possible is to service clients and hook up to whatever port needs they have.

Whatever weight was saved, we now have as dongles.

 

[DNichter]

Can you imagine a 27-inch iMac where you have to reach over the air to try to touch and do things? That becomes absurd.

Which is why you just need to move the screen so that it is more accessible like Microsoft did.

This is true, the positioning is better. But you are still dealing with a horrible OS for touch. Windows 10 does not do a good job of fixing this issue.
[doublepost=1479143447][/doublepost]

Sure, sure... give it few more years and then it will be the best thing they've ever created.

Possibly with a new OS where it makes sense, but not with macOS.

 

[SpinThis!]

If you want a taste of how touch screen might work on a Mac, just fire up VNC from your iPad and remote in. That's the experience you'd get.

Might be useful for drawing but nudging timelines or tracks around in Final Cut or Logic with any kind of precision on a touch screen? Thought Mac fans were smarter than this.

Phil's right. But dammit Apple, give us premium hardware not watered down models of last year's leftovers sold at premium prices. That's what we're all mad about.

 

[timlot]

Silly way to look at it imo. Give customers the option to use the computer they way they want to. Some would like to touch the screen some will just use the mouse and keyboard. Whats wrong with choice.

 

[AlexH]

I don't know, Phil... maybe you can't innovate any more...

 

[astrocramp]

I have used some Win10 interfaces where the mouse/touch interfaces are mixed. PAINFUL.

Not really. I use Win10 desktop and MBP laptop, and my experience is that for a desktop, maybe a touchscreen is not integral or super important, but it never gets in the way of using the keyboard / mouse. I find the touchscreen useful when looking over somebody's shoulder, when you have several people looking at a project or content on the screen and you can write on or touch the screen. I will say on a laptop it's far more useful, I find myself trying to scroll pages on the screen of my MBP.

 

[jamezr]

But can you imagine how expensive it would be?

that's a good point. Apple products do have a premium price increase for features. There are touchscreen laptops that offer a good value for the money and features. Would love to have touchscreen on my rMBP. I wouldn't use it all the time mind you....but at certain times on the sofa with my rMBP in my lap and legs crossed....touchscreen features would be nice to have.

 

[stevet]

I agree with him, and by that I mean that the current mac lineup doesn't allow this to be implemented properly. But thats also my problem, they are not reimagining the Mac lineup. Keeping it the same ol same ol...

 

[az431]

whereas a touch bar on a laptop makes perfect sense

The touchbar is part of the keyboard, and a keyboard is used on laptops and desktops.

 

[mdelvecchio]

Perfect example of Apple's hubris.

That or they're flat-out lying in order to sell you two devices and save themselves the engineering and R&D of doing one device that converts.

your conspiracy musing are complete paranoid nonsense. apple isn't some mustache-twirling villain trying to lie to you or trick you. and save themselves engineering R&D? please. apple is one of the few companies dreaming up new manufacturing techniques and pushing the envelope to build these things in more and more difficult ways. compare the amount of manufacturing that goes into the metal types of the Watch and then compare it to the cheap plastic squares seen from the the android crap. apples & oranges.

 

[kstotlani]

i think it actually does cause its easier to reach and u dont have to raise ur hand.
usb c is a different story!

I have a different opinion and at the risk of repeating myself and being trolled.

If you are good at typing which most pros become then you are not looking at the keyboard when you are typing. It's all muscle memory and one big reason for pros to be so fast on their machines. Now when you add a context based touch bar, most of the times you have to look. This is a distraction and will slow down your work. Some might argue that you will develop the same muscle memory for the touchbar but it won't be as easy. Again time will tell but I think most people who type without looking will face this issue.

Now the argument about easy to reach. It's actually not easy to reach in most cases and again you need to look away from your screen and down on the keyboard to do this. The touchbar is actually in a wrong place. It would have been better placed below the space bar although there would be some other issues. To use the touchbar with the trackpad it is a stretch that will get your hands tired very fast. Again no one has tested this yet but hopefully we will know soon.

 

[mdelvecchio]

Lack of innovation. Of COURSE it'd be absurd if you had to reach across your desk. But look at the Surface Studio, how it moves and adjusts to be at the PERFECT drawing angle. THAT is innovation!

cool story bro. we'll see how many they sell. you know, to actual customers.

 

[melendezest]

I really really don't understand how some of you think macOS would be good with a touch screen. The buttons and menu options are designed for a mouse. Our fat fingers would do terrible with the window buttons for example.

Microsoft realizes this too and then windows 8 was made. That just turned out so well, didn't it?

I think you are looking at it the wrong way. I agree that macOS is not designed for touch, and probably could remain that way.

But iOS is "OS X" according to Steve Jobs.

We want iOS on a Mac, when appropriate, i.e. a 2-in-1. We want Apple to also force developers to create universal apps, like Microsoft does. We want convergence.

It can be done.

A touchscreen iMac (like the Surface Studio)
A MacBook (like the Surface Book with performance base)
An iPad Pro (with filesystem access and universal apps that can be used on any device)

 

[mistafro]

Half these people complaining and saying Apple is wrong have probably touched a windows laptop screen once on a demo unit in store and thought it was cool, but did you notice how the screen rocks back n forth... wobble wobble, yeah not cool...

 

[DragoniteD]

I guess it all depends on the form factor. The way microsoft did the slate, looks like it could also apply to Apple's products, if they chose to go that way.

I haven't really seen anyone use the touch screen while working alone

 

[GPDawes]

Its a generation thing. Give a class of kids a laptop or desktop and they instinctively touch the screen first these days. Microsoft just showed apple how a touchscreen desktop should be.
I commute on packed trains , space is a premium. I don't want 2 devices I want an all in one. keyboard when i need it. easy touch screen browser when I am traveling.
It should at least be an option for a custom build , like additional memory is extra,
Why could that large touchpad not be made to work with an apple pencil instead of the screen.

At the price of the mac pro laptop . Why not use a 32GB Ipad pro as the screen and doc it to a display less mac pro ?

 

[fyun89]

Absurd thinking is what made Apple to become successful. Until Tim Cook's seating...

 

[DragoniteD]

Schiller has seen the surface studio, right?

and you know that when you lay down surface studio, you can't really type, right?

 

[tech3475]

I know people who have touch screen laptops who would instinctively touch my MBP's screen.

 

[Suckfest 9001]

You mean they one that starts at $3,000, was introduced by an oily car salesman who looked to be from the show Jersey Shore, the machine you've reviewed and tested extensively and is for a niche user base? The iMac starts at 1/3 its cost btw.

This is just disrespectful. What the hell is the matter with you?

 

[melendezest]

your conspiracy musing are complete paranoid nonsense. apple isn't some mustache-twirling villain trying to lie to you or trick you. and save themselves engineering R&D? please. apple is one of the few companies dreaming up new manufacturing techniques and pushing the envelope to build these things in more and more difficult ways. compare the amount of manufacturing that goes into the metal types of the Watch and then compare it to the cheap plastic squares seen from the the android crap. apples & oranges.

Right, so YOU speak for Apple now?

I thought Phil Schiller was their mouthpiece.

Otherwise, your post is like that of a cheerleader on the stands, defending their team despite obvious faults.

Microsoft is schooling Apple here. People are beginning to notice. It's not theory or conjecture anymore. Microsoft is putting out products, that while lacking in typical Apple polish, are showing the industry (and more importantly, users) the direction computing should go.

Apple is just standing still.

But go ahead. Cheer away.