Comments on: Apple applies for touch-screen Mac patent

A recent patent application filed on behalf of Apple describes technology for controlling a touch-screen Mac tablet with iPhone-like gestures and controls.

[mshidden]

Anyone that has given serious thought to this form factor knows, that it's not if but when. It is a golden opportunity for apple to steal market share form MS, because MS had so fare botched this category. There our fundamental issue for this category, one is battery life the other is weight. A good table needs to be in the sub 1 lb range. And battery life should be in the 8 hours range. If I were advice Steve (ha ha? like he would listen), I think the Sub $500 market would be a good category to go for. A scaled up ipod touch. A 16 Gig HD, with WIFI and a Express card slot for HSDPA.

[Interpolnyc]

i think thats a good call, although your right, its not a matter of "IF" but "WHEN" i think its also a matter of what, i mean on the side of practical application, why not have something you can just put in your pocket? i think your right about the specs, except instead of a 16 gig HD, it would pretty much HAVE to be SSHD. and those are expensive as hell. and as far as i know, the practical application of an ipod touch with the addition of "apps" is placing it closer and closer to a miniture watered down, tablet.

my estimation, expect souped up palm's and blackberry's, with atom processors and super high capicity flash drives, along with an iphone that will have about as much use as a regular computer, by 2012 or so....

[mstrhypno]

I am a Mac User.

I HATE TOUCH SCREENS!!!

It's easier and cheaper to replace a keyboard than it is to replace a TOUCH SCREEN! Not to mention that they are unrelaible and a complete pain in the lower lumbar region!

Get the picture, Apple?

Lee Darrow, C.H.

[TechnoMan475392]

...then don't buy one.

[rumblestrut]

I would love a touch screen Mac.

I've switched to reading ebooks (PDF) almost exclusively and something in the form factor of an XL iPod Touch would be perfect.

Preview, Apple's PDF/image viewer for Mac OS X, provides the ability to "bookmark" pages in PDFs like one would use a bookmark in a physical book (different from Abobe's implementation of bookmarks).

A slender, portable, WiFi enabled (of course) Mac with touch screen built in? Talk about portable heaven. Count me in for sure.

And throw in a way to dock it to an external monitor and keyboard for Mr. Darrow above as well. He can't see the benefit of this, but I sure can, and I'd be willing to bet it would be a huge hit.

[baldred]

Here's what I think in case anyone cares. I was just blogging the other day about how I wish Apple would release a dedicated portable movie player (like an iPod Touch with a bigger screen and MUCH larger capacity). IF Apple were to approach this new device as a movie-playing internet appliance and not something to be marketed only to road warriors (keeping the price point in check), I think they would have a very unique and successful product on their hands.

Imagine a $500 touchscreen movie player that could keep your entire movie collection at your fingertips when you travel, browse the iTunes store, browse the internet, and play games, etc. It could have an onscreen keyboard for simple things like filling out web forms or sending short message, but also bluetooth for an external keyboard when typing longer documents. Having said that, the chances that my vision matches up even remotely with Apple's are slim to none.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Things to keep in mind:

The Touch is the best candidate for this job if scaled up. However, it already costs $500 (having just bought one in July). A larger screen would just make it even more expensive.

Finger prints are fine on a cell phone. They are annoying as hell on the Touch. Now on a bigger screen they will be unacceptable.

PC makers could probably make this into a $500 subnotebook. That means Apple will charge $999 for the same thing. I wish I could say differently, but their history has proven otherwise.

Copy and Paste. Without it, this becomes a toy.

[jrawesome]

I have experienced no fingerprint issues testing the hp/touch, glass is easily handled with microfiber and h2o. Further, 17" macbook might be a stretch if used on lap w/touch/screen; most 17's are used as desktop, often with bluetooth board and cinedisplay periphs. Touchscreen would be welcome and should not unconditionally force any screen into touch mode without an intuitive command allowing touch. These design features both (see next suggestion) were needed yesterday. Badly. ALSO, I am sure you will still be able to fully operate your mac via standard board/mouse commands. Relax. APPLE IS REASONABLY WELL THOUGHT OUT. A touch option will be highly useful, especially for operating Windows on Apple as many do. Considering the ease of including code for keying a 'touch mode on' and 'keyboard backlights on', I expect fully that these options will be included forthwith. Keyboard illumination was the deciding factor bringing me to mac after 20 yrs..., I would have defected sooner if the features discussed {available elsewhere} were installed initially.

At least the new 17"'s (macpro) allows you to easily circumvent the ambient light sensor by covering only the 'i-sight' camera to bring up the keyboard illumination (15" requires covering both excellent grill speakers. How 'bout it, APPLE team, install a keyboard cue to activate 'key lights on' if nothing else. Could you write a retroactive command for us 15"ers,... PLEASE?... And, obviously, you would sell many more new units demonstrating this much needed feature ALREADY on board. Many of us old fogies in this price-point do not touch type, but when illumination is running I remember WHY EXACTLY I AM MAC GUY. Keyboard backlight is big; ...let it be HUGE. By the way, mac, you might wisely consider bringing me on board (call me and I'll explain why if you don't already know)!

[ajbright]

I don't know about you, but the idea of someone's dirty fingers all over my screen isn't exactly a heartwarming thought. So whether or not they get a patent, I would never be interested in a touch screen controlling my computer.

Are people really so lazy these days they just want to finger paint on their computers instead of playing WoW? And in any case how does a touch screen even improve your raid or arena skills? I don't know, some people really need to think about what they're doing. You know a friend of mine actually considered attending his kid's birthday instead of making his guild's raid on time. Irresponsible behaviour like that is hardly a good example to set his children when they grow old enough to play WoW themselves.

[Raymond Lui]

I feel sad for your kid!

Not attending your kid's birthday party just to play World of Warcraft!?

Or may be you are fine with your kid to skip your birthday party for a computer game?

[Perry_Clease]

"I don't know about you, but the idea of someone's dirty fingers all over my screen isn't exactly a heartwarming thought. So whether or not they get a patent, I would never be interested in a touch screen controlling my computer."

Suppose it is something other than the "monitor", something along the line of a keyboard?

[ajbright]

"Suppose it is something other than the "monitor", something along the line of a keyboard?"

Isn't that called a keyboard, which is already "touch" activated.. by touching the keys.. I agree that the idea is fun, there could be uses, and Apple has every right to protect itself. It may find some unique and innovative way to use this tech beyond the iTouch and iPhone too. Not a big fan of the iPhone, I feel there are others that do the job better albeit without the cool touch screen. The iTouch on the other hand is a wonderful piece of kit. I've had several MP3 players and none have come close to making me feel like I have a quality item the way the iTouch has.

Normally I'm not a big fan of Apple, but they do have several products that can't be bettered by their competitors. I use a PC and a Macbook, an iTouch and a PSP, I refuse to worship at the feet of any corporate. I'll take the best of what each of them has. Why limit yourself to the products of one corporate conglomerate, just because their advertising and PR tries to pass them off as somehow the bad boy or the rebel. Take a look at any of their recent legal action against their own customer base, and you'll see that accountants run the show at Apple as much as they do at Sony and Microsoft.

[sandman619]

Apple is a tech innovator & as such, needs to protect future product designs as well as protect itself from IP lawsuits. Presently, I see little reason for Apple to roll out a touchscreen Mac or tablet Mac. As noted, PC makers have not set the world on fire with windows tablet PC as microsoft had hoped. Granted, Apple could revolutionize the concept, it's what they do best. However, my instincts tell me that Apple is merely patent filing for a someday / maybe in the far future. While multi-touch is phenominal on the iPhone & Touch, it is not as useful on a desktop or notebook. microsoft's implementation for windows will prove this theory. Users will find that constantly traveling from mouse or trackpad to screen is less productive & that the display is not a good substitute for a mouse or trackpad. However, Apple's multi-touch trackpad will likely become a big hit as they continue to develop their concept

Cheers !

[DrtyDogg]

1: Apple didn't invent the multi-touch trackpad, they bought it.
2: Multitouch computers are already on the market, for sale as we speak.
3:While the tablet PC hasn't "taken off" it has been profitable. If you consider it a failure you have issues. A small market share is not a failure. Look at the posts above not everybody wants a touchscreen but for some people they love it.

[gsmiller88]

They'll probably be sued by some no name company with offices on the corner of Nowhere and Timbuktu for "copyright infringement."

[ajenks]

It could only be $500 (but would never be from Apple) after it had been out for a year. It would start out at $999 and after lots of screaming, they would reduce the price to $750 the month after their largest to date sales figures for the device. This would really crap everybody, who would then scream even more and at the one-year anniversary they would add one feature and lower the price to $699.

[iamstubb]

I have used a Gateway convertable tablet for 3 years now. It's been surprisingly durable and useful. Although I don't use it purely as a tablet, it's about 30:70 tablet:conventional. It is excellnt for taking notes, and even better for lecturing. Certainly there are many instances where papyrus and stylus cannot be improved upon. Using the pen during a presentation really helps highlight and add emphasis. It is also great for using on a plane and reading documents. It is a product that is not for everyone, but I think with lighter form factors and improved battery life, it is still a vialbe product. Touch screen is not as big a deal as having a good feeling stylus for working the interface because I don't want to get french fry grease on the screen. Apple could redeem the newton fiasco with a solid product int his arena, especially now that PC makers have not found it that profitable. I look forward to their version, but for now I'm quite happy with XP tablet OS and will probably upgrade to a Vista version in the next few months.

[MMcCubbing]

I have been hoping for something like this for a long time, without having to rely on a third-party. A powerful tablet would be wonderful, but even a touchscreen Air would be useful enough for me. If they don't release one in the next few years, hey, there is always the Modbook by Axiotron.

[xxrrxx2002]

If I've known this earlier, I'd have postponed the purchase of my somewhat inferior LCD quality 20" iMac. When apple designs touchscreen computer, I think they'll do it well judging from the insanely successful iPhone...

[mcharge]

I think that this would be excellent for students! Carrying something like the Air is ok, but being able to write or type directly onto the screen would be great! The tablets for Windows are for the most part terrible! I hope Apple takes sometime and gets this perfect!

[daeby]

I've used tablet PC's since the Compaq TC1000 was new - at least 5 years. The versatility of a tablet is wonderful. I used it to edit my CAD drawings of our new facility in the field, for slideshow and video presentations that I passed through a crowd with the keyboard detached, and many other applications where a notebook would have been too bulky. My son uses his for college, especially for notes that must be done freehand, including asian language characters.

I recently moved on to a multi-touch, with more capabilities and more power, but more weight as well.
Tablets with built-in optical drives and permanently attached keyboards are somewhat cumbersome. I expect more interest once we eliminate spinning media hard drives and CD/DVD in favor of all solid state.

[jscott418]

It does not look like a touch notebook. Too small, it could be a iTouch replacement or addition.
After Apple released the MacBook Air (a niche' notebook) I hope Apple actually addresses the fact that the MacBook Pro and MacBook need refreshing too.

[Eric_Moseman]

You know what's funny? I remember very well having virtually the same debate when the mouse came into being.

Folks said the idea was flawed, the keyboard was the only way to input data, etc. I would imagine that years earlier, some even criticized the keyboard after having used punch cards for input.

I just got a touchscreen computer, and I struggle with remembering to use the screen vs. the keyboard.

My four-year-old, on the other hand, had no such struggles. She wandered up, saw what I was doing, and asked if she could try. I said sure, and pulled up a matching game. She did not think about what to do. She did not pause for a second. She went right to "work". She is able to use a mouse, and a trackpad, but gets frustrated with them easily. I saw no such frustration in the half an hour she played on the touch screen.

My point is that perhaps touch screens are a more intuitive way to deal with information on a computer than previous input devices, but perhaps I (We?) are a bit too stuck in my (our?) ways to accept it.

Eric

[EuripedesCO]

Touchscreens are a major paradigm shift, I agree. One thing that will need to be addressed with any desktops that implement the technology will be the ergonomics.

Conversely, I don't see the problem with tablets or notebook convertibles. I am rather surprised that Apple has not ventured into this market yet, considering technologies like Inkwell and Multi-touch have been patents that they have owned for years. They have been building the exact technologies to make such a device possible, practical, and reliable.

I do hope that Apple, if and when they get around to delivering the tablet multi-touch, that they allow it to use a stylus as well as finger. I need such a device to replace a digitizing board, and I am loath to spend what Wacom wants for a new Cintiq, even though I can see the increases in efficiency. A multi-touch tablet would fill that roll perfectly, but current iPhones cannot detect finger nails on the screen, let alone a sylus (frustrates a friend of mine's girlfriend when she tries to use his iPhone). Some modification of the input surface would need to be made. The human race has been using a stylus of some fashion for over 4,000 years, and it seems to be a comfortable way of entering information.

Apple in the past has looked at how the new functionality of a product will fit into a workflow. Sometime, as was the case with the Newton, they got the system right, but messed up with the form factor (ever carry one of those bricks around?). Light, durable, and stable, I think that should be the criteria when the tablet from Apple arrives. It will share many similarities with the MacBook Air rather then the iPod Touch (additional case volume will allow for a full-fledged, more powerful computer). In a sense, I think the Air is there to test the waters and practicality of certain technologies (such as the SSD, loading software remotely from and Airport) in preparation for the MacPad (if they got the other way I predict they'll call it an iPad, but that's so corny). With the power of a full computer, they will be able to charge the premium price like the Air, rather then try to fit above the iPod Touch, which is a bit pricey, but too limited for the applications a true tablet should be able to do.

Bob

[guitarpic96]

i hope the new touch screen macs arent too expensive because if they are. I wont buy one! I look foward to hearing more of this touch screen mac later

Fellow mac lover.