Microsoft is using the multi-touch technology that they implemented into their Surface Table and porting it to normal computers. Check out the video of a demo of a Vista laptop modified to use multi-touch.
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Member since:2005-07-29
Member since:2006-09-22
<sarcasm>
Yeah, and if someone comes up with some Warp Engines I won't be impressed at all, Star Trek has been using those for ages.
</sarcasm>
Now seriously, I fail to see any sign of logic in your statement.
More in topic now, its a pretty cool idea, but I wonder if Joe Average (Who's had a rough time learning how to use a mouse for the last... 15 years) will feel more comfortable or even more confused.
Member since:2006-07-30
My bet is that Joe Average will love it.
The real problem will probably be to make all apps (including 3rd party apps) behave in a consistent way in order to avoid confusion.
Today we have:
-single click=selcect
-double click=open/launch
-right click=context menu
Tomorrow we might have things like:
-stretch=zoom in/select larger font/???
-rotate=rotate image/maybe switch apps/undo in word processor
For example context menus should have the same gesture across all applications.
A lot of thought should be given as to whether to use a certain gesture to manipulate the window itself (drag, resize, close) or its content.
Probably all actions over the top bar of the window should be interpreted as affecting the window itself and everything else should be forwarded to the actual application running inside that window.
Another interesting thing would be - I don't know if it's possible - to differentiate between different fingers so that for example if you spin an image only using fingers of one hand, it's spins only by multiples of 90° but if you use both hands, you can spin it more precisely.
All in all I love the demos. Way to go, Microsoft!
Member since:2007-04-12
Member since:2006-07-16
Member since:2005-07-06
Um, Apple hardly invented multitouch.
You should really read this:
http://www.billbuxton.com/multitouchOverview.html
Member since:2005-07-06
Just like Apple "invented" the MP3 player. Of course they didn't, but they made is usefull and accessable to the average user. And they marketed the heck out it. Microsoft does the same thing. It doesn't always matter who invents something. Sometimes it's who makes it practical and usefull for everyday use.
Member since:2007-02-22
Member since:2006-08-18
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Member since:
2005-08-19
I've seen something like this idea in the Sci-Fi movies for ages ...