Will OSX 10.7 Lion lead to a touch screen interface

[Nishi100]

Yep I think it will lead to a touch screen iMac,

I think that they will, in Summer 2011 (WWDC):
- Add a touch style interface to iWork (Did you see how large the "share buttons" were spaced in iPhoto).
- Introduce a 22 inch touch screen iMac, with a dual core "i" series processor (which rotates horizontally); but still keep the 21.5 and 27 inch for the mouse/trackpad users, with quad cores.
- Or, Apple could stick with two sized touch screen iMacs (21.5 and 27), but, if the user wants, as a BTO, add a touch screen layer on top of the screen. (I don't know if this is possible but if it is... quad-core iMac, with HDMI)

 

[reviewspin]

No. Watch the event video and see what they say about vertical touch screens and fatigue.

I think either what the other guys are talking about will happen (which, btw, I doubt that as well) or we will get support for new accessories that don't exist in the mainstream market right now (but they do exist).

Meaning, OS X Lion will see a new touch keyboard. Either fully multi touch with no real buttons, or a keyboard (much like the wireless one with no number pad) with a touch pad built into the keyboard. That will allow for pinch to zoom and other gestures. And more gestures on the Magic Mouse. Of course, this would mean we without that hardware would have to go and get the hardware.

I think touch keyboards and mouse accessories are the future. It allows for ease of navigation and I believe will improve people's work flow.

 

[karsten]

or a keyboard (much like the wireless one with no number pad) with a touch pad built into the keyboard. That will allow for pinch to zoom and other gestures. And more gestures on the Magic Mouse. Of course, this would mean we without that hardware would have to go and get the hardware.

I think touch keyboards and mouse accessories are the future. It allows for ease of navigation and I believe will improve people's work flow.

keyboard would be cool i have the key spots memorized anyway so it would be a lot faster

 

[MattInOz]

Hehe Mr Jobs also said People don't want to watch video on the small iPod screen. Knowing full well that the next iPod had a much larger screen and video support.

So yes Lion will add already existing Touch screen support in Mac OS X.
But it will be with a device/accessory with lays flat or slopped on your desk.

The interesting Patent application on this for me was the one for self installing location specific apps. Yes the application mentioned restaurant menu's or cafe services. The use that came to mind straight away for me was for Mac applications to have a touch interface app. Switch on the app on your Mac and your iPad would add the interface app would add itself to your home screen. Fire up the app and you have touch,keyboard,mouse, big screen all working in combo.

 

[goobot]

 

[santaliqueur]

Nope, all the touch ya need is in the magic mouse and trackpad

Don't forget Better Touch Tool. I thought of returning the Magic Trackpad until I found BTT. Essential and free, though I certainly donated.

 

[hachre]

I'm not sure it's that great for your neck to look down on a horizontal iMac display + touch area...

 

[Andeavor]

No. Watch the event video and see what they say about vertical touch screens and fatigue.

That's a really poor excuse.

I felt they were simply trying to cover the fact that they wasted time and money in developing touch technology for iPods, iPhones and iPads. The touch-enabled Mac will come within 2 years. Meanwhile, many other PC hardware manufacturers are successfully selling touch-enabled all-in-one PCs where most of the users still focus on using the mouse and keyboard.

 

[doug in albq]

To the original post:

I would say yes, OS X Lion hints at eventual touchscreen compatibility.

I also think we will see touchscreen-available iMacs, and maybe even the MacBook Air, soon enough.

Not replacing the current input methods, only adding to them.

 

[freedevil]

Touch is coming, the gestures are a joke. If you watch the keynote, you can see them fail to trigger several times during the Lion demo. Also, remember that Apple said touch doesnt work ... for VERTICAL screens. There is no reason that the iMac wont have a mechanism to slide into a more horizontal orientation. Here is a patent illustration from August:
Image

Thats one huge neck ache for all consumers staring down at their screen, its counter productive, besides a 27" iMac will be blurred at that distance.

 

[doug in albq]

Thats one huge neck ache for all consumers staring down at their screen, its counter productive, besides a 27" iMac will be blurred at that distance.

Huh? Are you saying no touchscreen Mac is coming?

I say it is only a matter of when touch screen, not if

 

[iHateMacs]

Huh? Are you saying no touchscreen Mac is coming?

I say it is only a matter of when touch screen, not if

Maybe when humans have evolved a lighter that air arm then touch screen Macs will start to appear.

If they are not practical now because of human physiology then what is going to change in couple of years?

 

[doug in albq]

Maybe when humans have evolved a lighter that air arm then touch screen Macs will start to appear.

If they are not practical now because of human physiology then what is going to change in couple of years?

I would like you to take a look at post #8 in this thread, if you have not seen it yet.

We will get something along these lines, ergonomically, if we are so lucky.

To reiterate, touchscreen Macs will still have a mouse and keyboard and trackpad, for whenever you want or need them. Touchscreen will be simply an added method of input, although it will be quite revolutionary when Apple does it—because it will be done right.

Much, if not most of Lion UI/UX changes are not to simply copy iOS for esthetics, they adding touchscreen usability that will be introduced in the near future, when Apple has the hardware ready. I see touchscreen as the next big thing for Macs, heck the iMac almost seems like it was made for touchscreen.

If you fail to see any of this I think you are in the wrong thread...

 

[Arhude]

People who say touchscreens on laptops or desktops are impractical because of arm fatigue have probably never used one. I had an Acer laptop with a touchscreen before going to my macbook air and I loved it (the touchscreen part) but was attracted to Apple's incredibly compact design so I ditched the Acer and got a MBA. The only drawback in my mind is that it is not touchscreen. I have my MBA set up now with with an ACER T231H 22" touchscreen monitor hoping Apple will come to their senses. I use the monitor as my primary monitor with the MBA off to the side with a bluetooth keyboard and magic trackpad. It's an excellent monitor and has a very simple yet clever rear leg that allows you to simply push the monitor back to about a 45 degree angle. Even with that ability to lean it back, I found myself using my touchscreen laptop with the screen in a normal viewing position. You don't hold your arm up constantly. You reach up and do some things sometimes. Plus, you can leave your elbow setting on the desk. And if your arm gets fatigued, switch to the trackpad. It's actually GOOD for you to move your arm around a bit. Ever hear of carpal tunnel syndrome?
After using the touchscreen on the Acer laptop just a few times, I found myself reaching up and touching my normal monitor at work all the time, and then feeling foolish when nothing happened.
I intend to try to get this Acer touchscreen monitor to work with Windows running with Parallels on the MBA so I can at least get a little of my touchscreen fix.
Listen up Apple. Steve Jobs is gone now so move on. I paid extra money for a touchscreen laptop. I paid extra money for a touchscreen monitor. Other companies are making money instead of you because people actually DO want touchscreen, and not just on an iPad (which I also love).