Touch-Screen iMac

[auxplage]

There have been countless threads on this subject, but I think the biggest clues we have for a future touch-screen interface are the full screen applications that Apple has already released.

iPhoto and iTunes are both full screen at this point. I can easily see other iLife apps going that route as well.

I can imagine sitting at an iMac and pressing the iPhoto icon in the dock (or whatever other way is implemented by that point). I then proceed to hit the full screen button (unless it automatically is in full screen because of this new interface that one can choose to have on). After that, I manage my photo library. The iPhone allows zooming in and out, so imagine adding a multitude of gestures to that. It would be natural manipulating photos as such and moving them around to different albums. iTunes could easily work the same way. I actually see photo organization as useful and easier for consumer use in a scenario such as that.

Of course, this does not have to be limited to the iMac.

The biggest problem with tablet-like PCs is that they still try to have a desktop like environment which is not what a a touch screen based computer should be like.

Thoughts?

 

[mrthieme]

I have been one of the people wishing for it, but I doubt it's coming soon. I went and checked out the touchscreen HP in the store and was not impressed. Not to say Apple couldn't improve this, but it's a major shift imo. Using a finger is not accurate enough for the interfaces in most programs, and I would think a complete overhaul of the UI is needed to really utilize touch.

Now Leopard is coming, but could they really have a huge integral change like that hidden from developers this late in the development? For the near future I would expect at most to see a small tablet device, somewhere between iPhone and Macbook. I would love to see it on the iMac, but I'm not getting my hopes up anymore.

 

[AlexisV]

It sounds all a bit gimmicky to me. Imagine having to keep your arms up and moving around all the time - unlike a quiz machine in a pub, when you're standing above the screen, you'd be sitting down to use the Mac and you'd get arm ache in no time.

The mouse is easier - there's little point switching over to do the same job in a way that is less easy.

 

[calculus]

I have a touch-screen iMac... oh wait that's just when the teenager and her friends are using it

 

[maesy]

Touch Screen iMac

Hi all,
We sell a modification to the iMac which transforms it into a touch screen. Although this is limited to mouse actions... point and click... no multi touch, yet.

Beyond The Box

 

[AVID]

It sounds all a bit gimmicky to me. Imagine having to keep your arms up and moving around all the time - unlike a quiz machine in a pub, when you're standing above the screen, you'd be sitting down to use the Mac and you'd get arm ache in no time.

The mouse is easier - there's little point switching over to do the same job in a way that is less easy.

i agree, it is only when u're standing that makes it work, however i dont rule out anything, i think the mouse has pass its used-by date as far as efficiency and ergonomics are concerned. The screens are getting wider, there are more applications and more windows on each screen, and so forth. Mouse is getting a bit too slow.

Something attached to your fingers (like the gloves in "minority report") could be a way to quickly navigate through your computer, without moving your arms... it could also type as well...

 

[marvinsum]

I don't see the relationship between fullscreen apps and the touchscreen. Don't you think it'll be confusing to the users if the touchscreen only worked with some apps and not others?

Apple always keeps it simple, so they will be sticking to the keyboard+mouse combo for quite sometime to come. I would be quite disappointed if they actually came out with touchscreen iMacs.

 

[Chris Bangle]

It may be unrelated but the question i ask is, why have full screen cover flow if you do not have infrared on your mac.? What at the moment is the use for full screen cover flow if you dont have a remote. There is something missing and it need to be reveled quickly.

 

[marvinsum]

Just to show off?

 

[RRK]

I think everyone should just go ahead and accept that Apple is likely to adopt multitouch as a UI for macs eventually. We have all seen the patents and demonstrations. They are trying it out on iPods (iPhone) first because the form factor of the ipod does not work well with a mouse. When multitouch does come to the mac I would expect it would be for the same reason. Multitouch becomes most useful when the computer is removed from the top of a desk. Think outside of the desk.

 

[Tommyjolly]

I completely dislike the idea of having a touchscreen imac.
Just take a look at the keyboards from most people. They are all dirty as hell and I don't want to imagine what it looks like on a screen actually sitting in front of me.
I don't want to use my whole body just to make a simple gesture as opening my mail application.
I like sitting away from my screen to do work or some graphic design etc.
I know they would be providing several other peripherals for that particularly case but I'm just not a fan of a touchscreen business.
If I want something sitting on my lap just because I need to use my fingers for controlling it I would get myself a laptop (although it doesn't offer touchscreen support).

Photoshop on a touchscreen?
No thanks!

 

[galstaph]

I've seen a touch screen imac... an old g4 lamp type... a local restaurant here had some kind of conversion to the screens to run their pos software via touch, kinda neat first time I saw it, but other than specialty apps I have never seen anyone really utilizing touch screen tech. (PDAs and tablets excepted)

 

[Cybergypsy]

I Have the iq700 HP which is a Full touchscreen all in one and it amazing I have a disability that limits use of my right arm, and the touch screen is so clear and amazing hope the imacs finally do it....