Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 23, 2007, 10:32 AM

I get the feeling that everyone thinks that the only thing that will replace the computer mouse is voice recognition when they finally get it to work right.

Touchscreens are around but people don't like using them for long.

So is that it? Or will there be something in-between?

Some sort of Wiimote without the IR perhaps?

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 10:32 AM

Eye recognition, perhaps.

design219 · May 23, 2007, 10:40 AM

The mouse was a big step for a lot of people when it first came out. Kids today learn to use one before they can write with a pencil. Touch screens make your arms tired and do not allow the fine control of a mouse. I don't think people want to talk to their computers either (except to cuss them on occasion). Eye recognition, could be.

Something may be better in the future, but the mouse is an excellent input device as it is.

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by design219

the mouse is an excellent input device as it is.

Kinky.

design219 · May 23, 2007, 10:42 AM

You should try it.

Oisín · May 23, 2007, 10:48 AM

The cat.

Doofy · May 23, 2007, 10:50 AM

What comes after the mouse?

The cat.

Edit: Dang! Oisín too quick for the likes of me.

mdc · May 23, 2007, 10:51 AM

"Left blink on that. No, left, your other left."

It'd be amusing to see people in offices blinking at their computers

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Oisín

The cat.

Originally Posted by Doofy

The cat.

This was heartwarming.

You know, if I had one.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 23, 2007, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by design219

Something may be better in the future, but the mouse is an excellent input device as it is.

I don't think it is. It is limited to 2D movement so it isn't going to work with 3D interfaces that well. That aside it also causes arm strain.

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 10:53 AM

I'll need to see some 3D environments first.

Doofy · May 23, 2007, 10:55 AM

All interfaces will eventually disappear as we finally figure out how to use computers to do the work for us.

Laminar · May 23, 2007, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I'll need to see some 3D environments first.

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 10:56 AM

Staggering.

Graviton · May 23, 2007, 10:59 AM

Voodoo

Kill a chicken > Opens Browser

Stab wax figure with pin > Minimize window

Throw bloody bones on Ouija board > Force quit

etc.

design219 · May 23, 2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

...it also causes arm strain.

I use an articulated arm rest that works wonders.

Hmmm, what will Dakar do with this?

analogue SPRINKLES · May 23, 2007, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Oisín

The cat.

I was going to include "The cat" in my original post but I thought it was too obvious to be funny.

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

I was going to include "The cat" in my original post but I thought it was too obvious to be funny.

That was most wise.

design219 · May 23, 2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES

too obvious to be funny.

You forget where you are.

Doofy · May 23, 2007, 11:07 AM

Bow down before your masters, insects.

design219 · May 23, 2007, 11:09 AM

SpaceMonkey · May 23, 2007, 11:20 AM

The NES Power Glove.

stevesnj · May 23, 2007, 11:31 AM

this is next after the mouse...no mouse at all

TED | Talks | Jeff Han: Unveiling the genius of multi-touch interface design (video)

ajprice · May 23, 2007, 11:34 AM

A touchscreen pad instead of a keyboard and mouse (or at least the mouse). Think of a keyboard sized multi touch cintiq (or a big iPhone screen, or what Jeff Han is doing)

Edit: stevesnj has the Han stuff.

Laminar · May 23, 2007, 11:45 AM

I don't know if that would replace the keyboard, people really like feedback.

analogue SPRINKLES · May 23, 2007, 12:15 PM

i just found this...

The 3D air-mouse you wear as a ring - gizmag Article

Wow!

design219 · May 23, 2007, 12:19 PM

I really don't think the average computer user will ever need to work in a 3-D environment. Most people use computers for mundane tasks where 3-D would be a distraction and even a hinderance.

Of course, 100 years ago, I probably would have said the average person would never need a car of their own.

Jawbone54 · May 23, 2007, 12:19 PM

Another question...

What follows the keyboard?

analogue SPRINKLES · May 23, 2007, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by design219

I really don't think the average computer user will ever need to work in a 3-D environment. Most people use computers for mundane tasks where 3-D would be a distraction and even a hinderance.

Of course, 100 years ago, I probably would have said the average person would never need a car of their own.

No I don't but even for current 2D interfaces I think there is a better solution than the current mouse which is pretty much exactly the same as it was 20 years ago.

nonhuman · May 23, 2007, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

The cat.

The cat's already been invented. I used to live down the street from the guy who invented it and was friends with his son. It was kinda lame really, a precursor to the trackpad if anything. Basically it was like a non-solid-state trackpad where you actually physically moved a little knob around in two dimensions.

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

Another question...

What follows the keyboard?

That's where I say voice recognition.

Big Mac · May 23, 2007, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

The cat.

The cheese, however, comes before.

design219 · May 23, 2007, 12:28 PM

When does the farmer take a wife?

nonhuman · May 23, 2007, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

That's where I say voice recognition.

I don't think so. I'm much more comfortable typing than dictating. Though that may just be me. Personally, I won't be happy until my computer is just an implant in my brain.

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by nonhuman

I don't think so. I'm much more comfortable typing than dictating. Though that may just be me. Personally, I won't be happy until my computer is just an implant in my brain.

Honestly, I wouldn't be happy stuck with just either.

Oisín · 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

The cheese, however, comes before.

Unless the mouse drops in on the floor while trying to outrun the cat, in which case the cheese doesn’t come at all.

nonhuman · May 23, 2007, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

Unless the mouse drops in on the floor while trying to outrun the cat, in which case the cheese doesn’t come at all.

Maybe the cheese likes being dropped on the floor.

OldManMac · May 23, 2007, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by design219

I use an articulated arm rest that works wonders.

It's well spoken?

andi*pandi · May 23, 2007, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

The cat.

Edit: Dang! Oisín too quick for the likes of me.

actually, the cheese comes after the mouse.

the cheese stands alone...

design219 · May 23, 2007, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by KarlG

It's well spoken?

And with a British accent!

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 12:56 PM

This dialogue in this thread just turned into a weird flash animation.

design219 · May 23, 2007, 01:00 PM

EG-ErgoArm Armrest

Looks like this. Great for long sessions of PhotoShop.

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 01:01 PM

You do a lot of typing in photoshop?

Laminar · May 23, 2007, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by design219

EG-ErgoArm Armrest

Looks like this. Great for long sessions of PhotoShop.

What a deal!

Regular price: $69.95 Ergoguys price: $69.95

Visnaut · May 23, 2007, 01:07 PM

Large format multi-touch screens are the next logical step, with tactile feedback of some sort. This will only be comfortable for long term use as a table-top display though. And I don't think this will necessarily "obsolete" the mouse.

After that, in the distant future, it's mind control. They've already conducted experiments with completely paralysed patients, whereby with implanted electrodes in the brain, they can control a cursor on a screen to point and click.

It's only a matter of time until direct mind/computer interfaces whereby you can type a document, or go to a specific webpage you visited last week, simply by thinking about it.

Kerrigan · May 23, 2007, 01:24 PM

Perhaps, as computers become more mobile, multi-touch will become the preferred method of input. The iPhone seems to be very intuitive to use from the demonstrations, and putting something like that in a tablet could be pretty convenient, and finally solve the dilemma of unusable touch screens.

design219 · May 23, 2007, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

You do a lot of typing in photoshop?

It keeps your wrist off the desk when using the mouse and Keyboard. I started having "issues" with that. That, and I don't have Popeye biceps.

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 01:28 PM

need more spinach.

design219 · May 23, 2007, 01:30 PM

Like it raw in salads. Never understood how he could eat that canned crap.

Dakarʒ · May 23, 2007, 01:30 PM

He's a sailor.