This is exactly the kind of device I think they will need to enable the use of the app store applications on the imac/mac pro lines. I imagine them finding a way to incorporate using a device like this as input for app store applications on the Mac lines. I would imagine this wouldn't be that difficult. They already simulate the gestures for mouse input in the SDK development environment. The gesture based movements required to interact with the app store applications could be executed using this device.
This device would be the perfect way to interact with a "iphone" os apple tv along with a bluetooth keyboard. Touch screen TV's are along way out and I don't think I'd want one (my kids put enough fingermarks on my TV as it is). Doing what I'm imagining using this device would open up all of the apple store applications to run on appletv, imacs and macbook pros. Modern macbooks already have a capable touchpad. Wouldn't it be amazing if they worked to replace dashboard widgets with applications from the app store. Maybe I'm 3 generations off, but you have to imagine they will want to start integrating all the applications at the app store into their non-mobile lineup.
I just can't see ever wanting to touch my imac screen for input. If you've ever tried to interact with productivity applications on a docked ipad you realize how impractical it is. You have to pick your hand up and reach over to touch the screen disrupting the whole work flow. I can't see them ever needing me to touch my imac screen if they can just incorporated input from a device like this.
Yes, there are several, actually. Have been for at least a year. One of the reasons I kept my two original iPhone EDGE models after upgrading to a 3G and 3G[s] were to use them as air remotes for the Mac Mini home theater. Check out the following apps for the iPhone:
Touchpad
iTap
Air Mouse.
There are probably others as well.
HippoRemote. I was actually waiting for an iPad version of HR, but this would obviate that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chris v
I seriously doubt this for 2 or 3 reasons.
1. It solves a problem Apple does not have. They just introduced the Magic Mouse, and while it's not perfect, this moves away from that in terms of usability. I'd figure they'd incrementally improve the MM instead of crafting a whole new breed of input devices.
2. Apple is moving away from input devices altogether -- why would they throw even more resources at something they're trying to eliminate?
It's not a "whole new breed of input devices." Nor is it less usable. It's a modernized version of the iGesture pad from earlier this decade, which was discontinued when Apple bought out Fingerworks for their Multitouch technology. Believe me, I used one for years. It was so much more functional than any mouse, trackball, trackpad that I've ever used. People were paying over $300 for used iGesture pads on eBay. I'm glad I sold mine last year when the price was still high. This device will probably destroy the market value of used iGesture tablets. Why buy a used one for several hundred dollars when you can get a new, similar device for $100 or less? The Wacom Bamboo Touch series is also similar. However, I suspect this will not be completely programmable the way the iGesture was, nor will it have the enormous selection of gestures and commands available on that device.
Apple is not moving away from input devices. As long as there are Macs, there will be a need for input devices.
I think it was more attention grabbing for the screen name he's using. Hopefully the mods will just ban the account for impersonation (I don't think the real person would stoop to such a childish post).
As for the device, I was looking pretty hard at a Wacom bamboo - now I'm going to have to wait for this to come out to see if it offers anything significant
Besides, unless you're an accountant, who needs a number pad?
I dunno, ergonomically it's far easier to enter numbers via the numeric keypad. I use mine all the time, and miss it on my MacBook Pro constantly. So much so, that if I am doing something with lots of numbers I have a USB keypad (which thankfully has a "just long enough" cord with the USB ports only being on the left).
I'm holding onto my first generation bluetooth keyboard and praying it will last a long, long time.
I don't think the hype machine and secrecy works to Apple's benefit any more. Or maybe it does after all. I've been waiting to get the EVO for a couple of months, but did hold off to see if Apple's got a real surprise up there sleeves, but it's still mostly just annoying in the long run.
I dunno, I think it's always more effective to announce something and then have it available for sale right then and there. I never did understand the whole "it's better to have something hyped but not available for sale" meme that seems to permeate the Internet. I'm sure Apple would far rather turn a want into a sale instead of latent desire, and I'm sure Nintendo was in the exact same boat as well with the Wii. If they had a way to crank out more Wii's I'm sure they would have.
You can't cash checks against desire. And desire is fleeting. Converting desire into cold, hard cash is always better.
I've never liked the mouse. I used a trackball for several years then switched to a USB trackpad. Having a large size multi-touch trackpad sounds pretty cool.
As a Mac desktop and laptop user here's what I want for my desktops: A keyboard / trackpad combo unit laid out exactly like the keyboard / trackpad on the MacBook Pros.
The keyboard should have black keys, just like the MacBook Pros (white keys on something you handle most of the day? really! what were you thinking?). The key layout should exactly match that of the most recent MacBook Pros. The trackpad should exactly match that of the most recent MacBook Pros. You could even make the keys glow in the dark like that in the MacBook Pros.
This seems so obvious. It's something I've wanted since my first iBook. One set of input memories for my hands and brain.
While this rumor is a step in that direction, it places the trackpad to the side rather than below the keyboard. Like the mouse it would replace, it would require a different set of motions than a trackpad positioned just like the laptops.
Meh. I'll keep my original fingerworks multi-touch pad thank you very much.
Why doesn't Apple make these fantastic multi-touch keyboards? I've had my Touchstream Stealth for almost 10 years now and would like another before this one dies!
Not necessarily. If you noticed, the Mac was completely absent from the keynote. Okay, he mentioned it once. The Mac Pro, Mini, Air, and some other products are overdue.
Comments
This device would be the perfect way to interact with a "iphone" os apple tv along with a bluetooth keyboard. Touch screen TV's are along way out and I don't think I'd want one (my kids put enough fingermarks on my TV as it is). Doing what I'm imagining using this device would open up all of the apple store applications to run on appletv, imacs and macbook pros. Modern macbooks already have a capable touchpad. Wouldn't it be amazing if they worked to replace dashboard widgets with applications from the app store. Maybe I'm 3 generations off, but you have to imagine they will want to start integrating all the applications at the app store into their non-mobile lineup.
I just can't see ever wanting to touch my imac screen for input. If you've ever tried to interact with productivity applications on a docked ipad you realize how impractical it is. You have to pick your hand up and reach over to touch the screen disrupting the whole work flow. I can't see them ever needing me to touch my imac screen if they can just incorporated input from a device like this.
It looks like a fake, but if it is not a fake, it could mean only one thing...
The end of conventional Mac OS to be replaced by iPhone OS with it's own App Store.
I see it being more a way for App Store applications to replace dashboard widgets.
first!
grader!
Oh, and really good you quoted the entire article, especially since you did not repsond to it at all.
Ever qq anyone?
The "RED" lettering you see is a Beijing email address.
Ever qq anyone?
691357319@qq.com
Give it a try!
My thoughts exactly.
Except when you are sitting on a couch and the screen is your tv...
I hope not. That would suck.
They need to clone the Wiimote and create a UI for it.
Yes, there are several, actually. Have been for at least a year. One of the reasons I kept my two original iPhone EDGE models after upgrading to a 3G and 3G[s] were to use them as air remotes for the Mac Mini home theater. Check out the following apps for the iPhone:
Touchpad
iTap
Air Mouse.
There are probably others as well.
HippoRemote. I was actually waiting for an iPad version of HR, but this would obviate that.
I seriously doubt this for 2 or 3 reasons.
1. It solves a problem Apple does not have. They just introduced the Magic Mouse, and while it's not perfect, this moves away from that in terms of usability. I'd figure they'd incrementally improve the MM instead of crafting a whole new breed of input devices.
2. Apple is moving away from input devices altogether -- why would they throw even more resources at something they're trying to eliminate?
It's not a "whole new breed of input devices." Nor is it less usable. It's a modernized version of the iGesture pad from earlier this decade, which was discontinued when Apple bought out Fingerworks for their Multitouch technology. Believe me, I used one for years. It was so much more functional than any mouse, trackball, trackpad that I've ever used. People were paying over $300 for used iGesture pads on eBay. I'm glad I sold mine last year when the price was still high. This device will probably destroy the market value of used iGesture tablets. Why buy a used one for several hundred dollars when you can get a new, similar device for $100 or less? The Wacom Bamboo Touch series is also similar. However, I suspect this will not be completely programmable the way the iGesture was, nor will it have the enormous selection of gestures and commands available on that device.
Apple is not moving away from input devices. As long as there are Macs, there will be a need for input devices.
I almost bought a replacement trackpad to convert but it was cost prohibitive.
2005 called, they want their post back...
I think it was more attention grabbing for the screen name he's using. Hopefully the mods will just ban the account for impersonation (I don't think the real person would stoop to such a childish post).
As for the device, I was looking pretty hard at a Wacom bamboo - now I'm going to have to wait for this to come out to see if it offers anything significant
Besides, unless you're an accountant, who needs a number pad?
I dunno, ergonomically it's far easier to enter numbers via the numeric keypad. I use mine all the time, and miss it on my MacBook Pro constantly. So much so, that if I am doing something with lots of numbers I have a USB keypad (which thankfully has a "just long enough" cord with the USB ports only being on the left).
I'm holding onto my first generation bluetooth keyboard and praying it will last a long, long time.
I don't think the hype machine and secrecy works to Apple's benefit any more. Or maybe it does after all. I've been waiting to get the EVO for a couple of months, but did hold off to see if Apple's got a real surprise up there sleeves, but it's still mostly just annoying in the long run.
I dunno, I think it's always more effective to announce something and then have it available for sale right then and there. I never did understand the whole "it's better to have something hyped but not available for sale" meme that seems to permeate the Internet. I'm sure Apple would far rather turn a want into a sale instead of latent desire, and I'm sure Nintendo was in the exact same boat as well with the Wii. If they had a way to crank out more Wii's I'm sure they would have.
You can't cash checks against desire. And desire is fleeting. Converting desire into cold, hard cash is always better.
Dear Apple,
As a Mac desktop and laptop user here's what I want for my desktops: A keyboard / trackpad combo unit laid out exactly like the keyboard / trackpad on the MacBook Pros.
The keyboard should have black keys, just like the MacBook Pros (white keys on something you handle most of the day? really! what were you thinking?). The key layout should exactly match that of the most recent MacBook Pros. The trackpad should exactly match that of the most recent MacBook Pros. You could even make the keys glow in the dark like that in the MacBook Pros.
This seems so obvious. It's something I've wanted since my first iBook. One set of input memories for my hands and brain.
While this rumor is a step in that direction, it places the trackpad to the side rather than below the keyboard. Like the mouse it would replace, it would require a different set of motions than a trackpad positioned just like the laptops.
Thank you for your consideration.
This. Exactly this. Only this.
Think this
Meh. I'll keep my original fingerworks multi-touch pad thank you very much.
Why doesn't Apple make these fantastic multi-touch keyboards? I've had my Touchstream Stealth for almost 10 years now and would like another before this one dies!
This. Exactly this. Only this.
Think this
Personally I hate this (and the standard laptop keyboards w/ trackpads). And I remember a few years ago when everyone else did too.