Comments on: Touch in Windows 7: Just for show?

Support for multitouch input is one of the most tangible ways that Windows 7 differs from its predecessors. But will many people actually get their hands on the technology?

[SJ2571]

Ina: "So I can just flick, and it's going really fast." -- LOL! Seriously, LOL! Quote of the decade. I really must rush out and buy a touchscreen with Windows 7 so I too can flick and go really fast. :)

[Hellcat]

Sure touch is cool but the question I have are people going to want to use it with their desktops? I was talking to a friend about this and for laptops sure touch would be great because you can have the laptop on your lap close to you but when you're using a desktop sitting back in your desk are people going to want to have to either lean forward to touch the screen or put the screen in a comfortable spot?

The idea I hope happens is MS makes natal work for the PC then you can just point at something with your finger and virtually touch it. Zoom in and out by using your hands...etc.

[ikramerica--2008]

If you use a laptop on your lap (not possible with some hot ones, but you can with many), the screen is just far enough away that touching would be a reach, and tiring, If you bring it closer, touching would be okay, but typing would be cramped.

[visi1617]

i have an HP tx2 with win7 at work and it is awesome
i saw this video someone made showing off the touch capability with the same laptop i have
here is the video http://www.digitalforumtv.com/#/Community/981

being able to draw four simultaneous lines in the same time is freaking amazing and cool

but i do agree that most people buy it to show off

[TomMariner]

Virtually every one of the naysayers do not use touch on a day to day basis and therefore are speaking from theory. Here's the truth from a guy who touches his screen every day (that somehow sounds prurient).

You don't use touch for every computer interaction, but when you need it (I want "that one") -- you need it. And I'm not talking about applications crafted for touch -- if you want "That" email from Outlook or "that" directory or file, your finger can select . double click it -- and this is a row that is like 2% of the screen height. And interacting with a touch application like entering a numeric code or moving and selecting from a bunch is so much faster and easier it is ridiculous. But a lot of time you do need the mouse and keyboard.

For credibility -- I use a 13" laptop connected with a 23 inch touch screen at work and just the 13" when I get home. I can't tell you the times I have caught myself touching that little screen when I wanted to select. And reading magazines -- no contest --- I turn the pages and zoom in with a couple of touches..

So before you listen to folks who just love seeing their thoughts on the Net and are promising everything from muscle damage to global warming, pay attention to those who walk the walk every day.

[ikramerica--2008]

You have obviously not used a multi-touch trackpad though. Because if you had one, you wouldn't waste your time doing this either. Scrolling, zooming, flip/flicking etc. is just as easy and involves less movement.

The argument that you find yourself attempting something you are used to is not a valid one. All that means is your mind has a hardwired some actions, not that it is easier.

Driving an automatic car is similar but not the same as driving a manual, but both involve your brain hardwiring some actions, and if you drive both, you'll find yourself trying to shift gears in an auto, or press the clutch, but that doesn't mean that driving a stick is easier just because your brain can't turn off those commands. It just means you've adapted to it, and the human brain is very adaptable.

[kelmon]

Oh, please do not misunderstand me - I think touch is a great idea and I'd like to see it more. My issue is simply with applying it to an OS and applications that are no designed for it. Touch certainly has the ability to be much faster than a mouse but it needs the correct environment to operate in. Consider what you have written as an example of why things do not work correctly with Windows:

"if you want "That" email from Outlook or "that" directory or file, your finger can select . double click it"

Now, why would you need to "double-click" with a finger? That's an interface throw-back to the mouse. For touch to properly work it needs to be designed for, not merely used as a replacement for a mouse cursor.

[pj-mckay]

It's there and available so what is the problem? I've got an HP4200 touchscreen and look forward to trying this out. You can buy a touchscreen LCD if you think it useful, and from what I've seen already I'd say it was great. I'm at a loss as to how it can be great on some gadgets but poor on others just because the user might not have the right parts. I cant run 4 displays cos I've only got 1 hooked up; I can't run 7.1 audio from my stereo speakers; I can't burn Blu-ray.. buthey that's my problem nobody elses.... and similarly I won't be able to use touchscreen unless I buy a touchscreen. Short of some magical wizardry I don't see a solution that doesn't involve the user. Remember the days when USB ports were added but nobody knew what they were for? This is much the same situation as far as I can see. Bring it on and let the revolution begin.

[a_flores]

Where is the video? It was there before, but it is gone, now.

[Anjin3515]

As an artist I just hope this all leads towards real Tablet PC's that are pwerful enough to run the software I use, with graphics cards that arent on board.

Anyone know if this whole touch thing can or will be pressure sensative?

[Tejano09]

as i stated in a couple comments down I use the hp tx2 with n-trig, and it is pressure sensitive. but i'm not keen on the idea of forcing anything onto the screen of my laptop, that hurts me more emotionally than it hurts the computer i'm sure.

[Eric_Moseman]

I read but half the posts here, but those who are saying touch screens are little more than a novelty are, I think, missing the boat.

The exact same things were said about the mouse when it arrived on the scene. Don't believe me? google "John Dvorak mouse article."

Folks said that the then "newfangled" pointing device could not match the keyboard. And ya know what? They were right . . . until software caught up. There were almost no applications for the mouse back then. Much like there are scant applications for touch now.

Not to mention the old farts like me, who could use a keyboard fairly well. We did not jump on the mouse technology until we had to.

My five-year-old is very capable with a mouse, though it took a dozen or so tries before she got the hang of it. She took to my touch screen within five minutes. She was able to manipulate photos, pick songs from my library, (granted she picked them mostly by the "pretty" cover art, I think) and even type on the screen.

Until I watched her, I had only played checkers in Windows 7 pretty much.

I will stick my neck out and say that I bet touch screens are more intuitive, and become mainstream within seven to ten years.

Eric

[Tejano09]

well it's obvious that the author of this article has never had close experience with a touchscreen laptop or desktop. For one thing, you can do much more than "resizing windows, scrolling, and moving the cursor". I'm using an HP tx2 with multi-touch interface (which confuses me because, according to this article, it hasn't been utilized in vista before. duh). The fact is you can do almost anything through touch that you could do with a mouse. There is a very nice on screen keyboard that comes through the n-trig stuff, as well as an EXCELLENT hand writing recognition. Provided, some applications aren't touch friendly, but tehy all work, and you can use almost every feature through touch. As for the usefulness of touch, you could go either way. I find it very fun sometimes, and sometimes it's easier than using the touchpad or mouse. For instance, if i'm typing and want to quickly switch windows, i just reach my finger up and my hand hardly leaves the keyboard. easy. But at the same time i plug my laptop into a large monitor and use it as a desktop. So i can see arguments for either opinion, but in mine... i love the touch screen and tablet interface.

[hypsterjc-gm]

I think it too early too release windows 7
Windows Vista has only Been out for little less 2 or 3 years
You had almost 5.256.5 yrs. Between Xp and Vista

Why release this quickly

That's not enough time to fix all bugs Vista that i have spottted.

I think should delay release Windows 7 until Nov 2010.

[scottthesculptor]

7 (NT6.1) is just a service pack for Vista (NT6.0)
You just get to pay full price for a "new" OS to fix the broken one.

[iruka*]

I really don't mind either way, everyone has their own opinions and preferences. Seeing as how there are still many people who prefer regular screens and mice, I'm sure touchscreens won't take over the world, so whoever wants it takes it, whoever doesn't, doesn't.

[tehooper]

The real next step for touch is when someone makes a tablet PC without any moving parts, just a big screen on one side. Essentially a book-sized iPhone/iTouch that can run on 3g and/or WiFi. There's signs that this is Apple's next big project, but there's really no reason that a Windows 7 based version (or Linux or Android or whatever) wouldn't be just as good. Bigger size means faster processors, more RAM & storage. Make a Kindle that shows books as well as plays music, photos, video, & surfs the net.

Why didn't Apple think of this when they made the MacBook Air? Just put the screen on the outside, get rid of the keyboard and make the whole thing touch screen. Voila.

[kewell82]

Steve Jobs should start a religion. I mean look at all the followers he already has on this site. He is a man people! He can't save you from your sins. So I'll see you all in hell.........from heaven because I don't worship Steve Jobs.

[MichaelConscious]

I'd say this much.. there's no chance that Apple isn't busily work on the iTablet (or whatever it shall be christened), now.

[peterpulmonary]

the mouse may not be comfortable for your hand with frequent use. it is more physiologic to have both hands in front of you. say, you can be typing, and then to open programs or windows, just extend your dominant hand forward to the screen, instead of back and sideways to the mouse.

overall, touch will make the software and hardware work to make the machine adapt to our preferred natural behavior.

[MrRetardo]

Touch screens would be interesting.... BUT... as I measure the distance I sit from my large, widescreen LCD, from screen front to my chest is 35 Inches. Does anyone here sit within touching distance of their screen?? Probably not. If you do, your eyesight must be horrible. The only remedy I see for this is for manufacturers to come out with screens that sit on the desk like a Wacom Tablet or, as was said, at a 45 degree angle.

[zhanate]

OK, gonna respond just to the article: I don't think the multi-touch capability in Windows 7 is just for show. I have an HP tx2 laptop; the touch screen is great -- and that's still with Vista. And it's not that expensive a notebook. I can see the next generation of touch-screen laptops taking off -- if the economy allows and if they make the right tweaks and if they keep the price down. Yes, a lot of ifs. But the possibility is there -- so I can't see considering the multi-touch capability in Win7 as just Windows-dressing. I don't see as much possibility on the desktop, though (which is why I didn't get a desktop TouchSmart).

[TheComputerMan12345]

Windows 7 Is stupid, just when they got all the bugs out of Windows Vista! Microsoft is idiotic, just stick with something that is good! I still am not a big fan of Windows Vista as my main O.S. but whatever! And where does windows 7 come from, Windows Vista To Windows 7 ***!!!!!

[RighteousSoutherner]

Are you kidding? What another bogus article attacking Microsoft technology. Everyone loves touch screen devices on anything as opposed to the crude hunt and peck mode of typing on a keyboard. Get real, this could really sink Apple's uprise quickly if folks find about and take advantage of it. This is a great marketing opportunity for Microsoft, they should strike at it, especially with their lead in tablet PC technology.

[DrtyDogg]

touch on a computer surely has it's place, I doubt it will ever take over as the main source of input, but there are several places where it can be really useful.