RUMOR: Apple prepping multi-touch sensitive displays

“Touch sensitive Apple Displays?! That explains everything,” Steven Berlin Johnson blogs.

Johnson writes, “Think about the common denominator behind:”

• The missing killer features in the Leopard preview
• The lack of iLife updates in Jan 07
• The rollout of the iPhone multitouch interface
• The abnormally long delay in releasing new Apple displays
• A rumor about a ProTools killer that relies on touch displays

Johnson writes, “I look at all those developments, and say with absolute scientific precision: Apple is going to roll out the multitouch interface across almost its entire product line this spring, integrated into Leopard, new displays, iPhone, iLife, and the successor to Logic.”

Full article here.
If so, hang on tight to that paradigm, Apple’s about to shift it again.

Related articles:
Latest Mac OS X Leopard build shows OS still a work-in-progress – March 02, 2007
Think Secret dishes on Apple’s Final Cut Pro 6, Final Cut Extreme, new high-end Apple displays – March 01, 2007
iPhone debuts third-generation PC user interface: Apple’s Steve Jobs changes the world – again – February 20, 2007
RUMOR: Apple prepping completely redesigned Intel Mac Pro, new display line – February 14, 2007
Researchers have bigger plans for ‘multi-touch’ beyond Apple’s iPhone – January 19, 2007
Wired News: Steve Jobs’ iPhone shows the future – January 12, 2007
Video of how Apple’s rumored touch-screen Tablet Mac could work – February 13, 2006

84 Comments

  1. Remember that rumor (or was it a patent?) on the putting of a tiny camera into screens alongside (or was it inside?) each and every pixel?

    What if the new screens have integrated cameras AND multi-touch?

    (By the way, @Tre, what do you mean it’s too expensive? There it is on the iPhone. Obviously it’s do-able pricewise.)

  2. I’m withholding judgement, but why would I want to touch my screen? I’ve spend my entire Mac life keeping ANYONE from touching my screen. What is so revolutionary about touchscreen? Seems every product with that feature never does very well. What is Apple doing that the others aren’t. I have an aversion to touching my screen, so this doesn’t make sense to me right now. I’m sure I’m missing the point.

  3. iPhone runs Mac OS X, that is, the multi-touch display and the Fingerworks interface already runs on Mac OS X.

    Jobs keynote will be remembered as the first time the new HTCI (Human Tactile Computer Interface) made surface.

    Apple will be the first computer getting rid of the mouse while Windows retards will spend years wondering how a serious computer could do without a multi-button mouse. Heck, they still can’t understand how a computer could do without floppy drivers for what it matters. Retards.

  4. I agree that there is something ergonomically suspect about a touching a normally positioned screen. Interaction needs to be done on a horizontally positioned surface to be comfortable. Why not a Wacom table like input device that allows multi-touch input. This would make a lot more sense to me.

  5. RUMOR: “Apple will release touchscreen displays this spring with revolutionary attached windshield wipers available in your choice of bondi blue, black, white, and flower power to help you erase those greasy paw prints in style! Speeds of the wipers are reported to be slow, fast, and, of course, variable intermittent. Each wiper comes with 32 MB integrated memory and a .2 GHz Intel Wiper-DUO processor to power, yes, windshield cleaner that jets from each blade independently. The iWipes, as they are codenamed, will be standard on all new Macs featuring touchscreen displays this spring. And one more thing: the iWipes will clean up any bugs your system may have. FREAKING WOW!”

  6. iMaki –

    I’m with you… while touch-controlling a palm device like the iPhone seems natural, I can’t imagine re-orienting my computer screens so that I can get at them with my potato chip-covered digits. I don’t care how many multi-finger gestures they build in, I’ll bet can still do more with a keyboard and mouse in less time. Oh, and I can sit more than am’s length from my computer screen.

    This seems like a case of seeing something cool and innovative and trying to apply it to everything – even those things that would suffer from the application.

  7. The first companies able to deliver multi-touch to consumers will be remembered, rewarded, and reap the profits. So far, Han’s group hasn’t released any commercial products and multi-touch remains interesting but impractical technology. You may correct me if I am wrong. Remember, good ideas mean nothing, good products mean everything.

  8. I was thinking more along the lines of an input device. Say a multitouch keyboard that changes depending on the application use. It would be easy to customize, and even to use as a limited 2nd or 3rd screen.

    Oh and btw, Apple’s multitouch iPhone is very different than standard touch screen input.

    zac

  9. An intriguing idea, but large vertical touch screens would be an ergonomic disaster. The number of neck and shoulder problems would explode in no time if people started using touch screens for hours a day.

  10. @magnetik

    People who care to know about the history of tech already know about Jeff Han, and he gets his due. Apple has a history of taking tech out of the labs and incorporating that tech into usable consumer-ready devices. That is one of Apple’s core strengths. Apple has the responsibility of penetrating the market by selling products on the strength of their features and benefits. Educating the general populace on the origins of the technology is not in their job description. Leave it tech journalists to show the time line of evolution.

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