[Delicious-Apples]

Hi, I didn't quite know where to put this one so here goes:

Do you think we will see MultiTouch support in Leopard? iPhone apparently runs a slim version of OS X Leopard and a lot of people are discussing the possibility of MT being implemented across the entire range of Mac products (and other iDevices too).

If so, what kind of solution would you like to see? It seems fairly apparent that not many people want to stretch their arms out to the screen for hours at a time. I created a Mockup (originally for an Appleinsider Thread) of a Touchscreen Keyboard. Do you think this is the way to go, have you got other ideas of how this could be implemented?

My take:

Flash Version
Quicktime (HD) Version



(Click For Larger Pic)

There will be a hell of a lot more added to the video soon. It's only about 10% complete.

[TETENAL]

I like touch typing, so I don't think your keyboard is that a great idea. Maybe for a device the size of the iPhone a touch-screen is an acceptable compromise, but when size is not that of an issue a real keyboard is always preferable.

[Delicious-Apples]

Do you think there is any way we could look past that and adapt our methods of interacting with the keyboard so we could use flat touch screen surfaces?

How about if tactile feedback was replaced with aural feedback?

We have to check the keyboard visually every few seconds anyway,
The software would be clever enough to pinpoint the keys you are trying to use and
The sound would guide you subconciously by splitting the board into zones with
different Sound FX. All the keys appear to sound different on a standard keyboard.

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by Delicious-Apples 

We have to check the keyboard visually every few seconds anyway,

No, we don't. That's why it's called touch typing. I never have to look at the keyboard.

The software would be clever enough to pinpoint the keys you are trying to use and
The sound would guide you subconciously by splitting the board into zones with
different Sound FX. All the keys appear to sound different on a standard keyboard.

Which problem are you trying to solve anyway?

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Delicious-Apples 

Do you think there is any way we could look past that and adapt our methods of interacting with the keyboard so we could use flat touch screen surfaces?

Not without trading efficiency and compatibility for no real benefit.

Originally Posted by Delicious-Apples 

How about if tactile feedback was replaced with aural feedback?

Uh…what? Like the computer is shouting 600 letters a minute? I'd throw the thing out the window before I could finish an e-mail.

Originally Posted by Delicious-Apples 

We have to check the keyboard visually every few seconds anyway,

Not if you're touch-typing.

Originally Posted by Delicious-Apples 

The software would be clever enough to pinpoint the keys you are trying to use and
The sound would guide you subconciously by splitting the board into zones with
different Sound FX. All the keys appear to sound different on a standard keyboard.

That doesn't really help unless each key has a unique sound, the keyboard knows where your fingers are to produce the sound without you touching it, and the sound is somehow magically not annoying as all ****.

A touch-screen works only if you're going to be looking anyway. This works reasonably well on a device where the touch-screen is actually displaying the interface, but it makes for a poor peripheral device.

[monkeybrain]

Macbook owners are already using Multitouch - we can use two fingers on our trackpads and that has a different effect than using one finger, seems to be multitouch to me. I can see some usefulness in allowing a few more gesture-type controls on trackpads (especially now our trackpads are extra-big), but really multitouch is a only solution for when you don't have a keyboard/mouse available.

[Delicious-Apples]

The Sound would probably be simple/subtle clicking noises (just like the standard keyboard) when you hit the virtual keys which allow you to memorize the layout of the keyboard in some way (obviously research would need to be done). I know there would be a huge possibility of severe aural annoyance resulting in Mac meets Wall behaviour if it was done any other way. I'm not exactly the most patient person myself.

The problem to solve (I think) is the multiple apps that really don't work with a standard keyboard and mouse. The Optimus Maximus ($1500 Vaporware) is an example of how people are currently searching for solutions. That allows your keys to change to Final Cut Pro specific keys when in FCP and Photoshop keys in Photoshop. That's a pretty good solution but Jeff Hans work shows that we could do things a hell of a lot easier, directly with our hands (most of the time).

I edit video quite a bit and there is nothing natural about pointing at a blade symbol with a mouse, clicking down then applying the razor to a clip on the timeline. I want to get in there and interact with the material. Jeff Hans work is a huge step towards this kind of interactivity.

Imagine the Video Output on your main screen and the timeline on the 'keyboard' type device. You could use a karate chop-like gesture to cut material, do the pinch gesture for zooming on the timeline. Use one finger as an anchor (on a video clip) and the other to increase or reduce the length of the clip. Move your hand in a circualr motion to scrub through video and so much more. If you combined the interface with Leopards Spaces you could even skip through interfaces very very quickly so you could switch the keyframe mode, sound mixing mode and so on.

Either way MultiTouch is likely to hit the Mac platform in one form or another late this year, early next. This thread is about exploring the possible solutions for the general complaint of having to extend your arm to your monitor for long periods of time.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

I started a thread a couple months ago that wondered the same thing. I think the iPhone is the first step followed by some sort of ultra portable/tablet Mac. Later on all desktop monitors will have multitouch also when the costs come down.