Comments on: Just a touchpad and a screen: A grand unified theory of Apple’s next big move

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By: Sascha

Sascha — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:30:29 +0000

I think that there is nothing revolutionary in this multi-touch thing since I think future should be in this:

Computers in general should recognize your voice that you will be able to use towards all commands, typing, dictating, working around the OS with all possible applications.

Touching is just a phase in passing old technology going towards the new one. Apple should think about it and skip the multi-touch thing going forward with VOICE RECOGNITION systems where LAPTOPS would be just one touchscreen equipped with great recognition hardware (mic, speakers, application) and voila! That would be something APPLE should think about – not touchpad based keyboards…

By: Annie Ok : tangent » interesting 8.17.08

Annie Ok : tangent » interesting 8.17.08 — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:43:43 +0000

[...] Just a touchpad and a screen: A grand unified theory of Apple’s next big move [...]

By: Apple’s major multi-touch plans continue to come into focus » VentureBeat

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:22:01 +0000

[...] The mouse and keyboard have been standards for input on computers for decades, but when you think about it, it’s actually quite an odd way to interact with a machine with a graphical user interface. Why not just touch it? [...]

By: Thoughts On A Touch Screen Mac » Webomatica - Technology and Entertainment Digest

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:37:21 +0000

[...] All this said, Apple is certainly thinking about all of this and judging from the patents alone, any multitouch interface would be extremely feature-rich in hopes of at least equaling what we can do with a keyboard and mouse. They have done work on “tactile feedback” to make a touch screen feel more like a traditional keyboard. Particularly intriguing are “gestures” which would involve two or more fingers to replace common keyboard combos…. [...]

By: gregggallagher

gregggallagher — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:32:13 +0000

John:

Am not sure of your age and where you may have been ~25+ years ago when graphical/mouse-based computing first went mainstream, but it was a true major shift in the computer interface paradigm that actually drove the widespread use of PCs (obviating the need for lengthy/complex command-line inputs).

By: Leaving Las Vegas: Microsoft Surface branches out to Sheraton hotels » VentureBeat

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:16:19 +0000

[...] application. It’s also good branding for Microsoft utilizing a technology, multi-touch, that many people including myself are bullish [...]

By: John

John — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 02:35:01 +0000

Going by the past, I think it is unlikely that Apple will release something that could be considered a paradigm shift in how we interact with our computers. You're looking at a situation of long-term, drawn out acceptance if it is necessary for users to learn a “new language.” (FWIW, I think it's a bit of a stretch to consider the mouse a paradigm shift in computer interaction. For most people, it was the wide spread everyday use of PCs that represented a paradigm shift and the mouse was just part of it.)

Most likely there will be a transitory type of device. My thoughts are on a single model, non-language specific, touch screen keyboard with key layouts that can be customized by the user. Want a DVORK layout? You got it. Need a keyboard you can switch from one language to another? You got it. Need a keyboard with a left handed numeric keypad? You got it. Don't need a numeric keypad and want a larger touch pad? You got it.

By: Dan Kaplan

Dan Kaplan — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:40:29 +0000

Good point. It could be much more mundane. My forecast could be off by a few releases but, like you, I think Apple will change the PC game with something like I've described.

By: Dostrower

Dostrower — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:35:34 +0000

While I also believe Apple will eventually introduce a revolutionary new interface for PCs, Oppenheimer's comments are not enough to indicate it is coming.

Oppenheimer made almost the exact same comment in a July 2007 conference call: http://www.forbes.com/2007/07/25/apple-3q-earni...

I think the transition turned out to be new iPods and iMacs? Has anyone confirmed what it was? Not sure exactly, but nothing so dramatic. As KenC points out, it doesn't need to be.

By: TH

TH — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:54:20 +0000

I'm frequently amazed when I think “Wouldn't it be great if someone made something that…” and then they do. Or at least someone else talks about it, which gives me hope. I would love a multi-touch “keyboard”, especially with tactile feedback. Would be OK on a laptop, or as a stand-alone for my desktop. Even better if it had a something like a limited display under it. Show me the keys, then flick and show me pallets, then flick and show me the controls to the latest game, or the controls to iTunes. Hate to say it, but makes me think of the touch pads/controls on StarTrek.

By: Partners in Grime

Partners in Grime — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:26:18 +0000

Looks excellent!

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:06:17 +0000

I doubt it, considering Apple's affinity to have very powerful chipsets, bright screens and the like… but I'd love to see, more than anything else, better laptop battery life. I'm waiting to buy a new computer until mid-September when new notebooks are expected to arrive. I would love to see Apple have some battery life they could really brag about, like 8 hours or better.

Sure, it wouldn't be flashy or anything like that, but I guarantee everyone would love it.

By: vic_one

vic_one — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:03:04 +0000

Personally I expect to see SSM as standard in a new lower cost iBook and optional in the MBP. Their had been rumors earlier in the year of a massive buy by Apple of SSM. This fits with Apple's CFOs comments about reducing cost over time in order to restore margins. JMHO.

By: hypermark

hypermark — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:58:08 +0000

Thanks for including the Cringely link, Dan. My thinking was somewhat of a connect the dots between your post, Cringely's posts (dating back to last year) and larger reading of tea leaves of what's a big enough bet to risk the instability that goes with mucking with margins.