Touch is the now and future

For those that don't have touch devices, this may not ring true on your mind, but please read on.

For touch device, I'm talking about a computer or device that is just a screen. No keyboard attached, no mouse, just a screen.

Why do I say touch is the now, well if you have seen the iPhone/itouch or iPad, you have seen the latest in touch. For years others have had touch devices, but they never hit mainstream. For whatever reason, this time it took. Apple has put this touch technology in the hands of millions and it's rubbing off to other devices.

Just last night, my wife was using her netbook, the kids had her iPad, to show me some iPhone cases. The first thing she did was to reach up to the screen to make it scroll, followed by a tap to select. This didn't work, so we were back at the keyboard.

So with this touch technology already taking hold in the way we want to operate with our computers, can it be said that in the near future your laptop or desktop may have touch screens. I sure can see it.

Now, to be honest, I don't think the desktop will see the screen touch anytime soon. Many have that 24 inch or larger screen. So it's just not practical to touch it. Could it have a touch/virtual keyboard that implies touch, yes.

As for laptops, this is a no brainer. You could have a touch screen and a touch keyboard. The keyboard would have to have feedback or else the mainstream may not take to it. I know it took me a while to get use to the touch keypad, but now I can fly through typing. This is especially true on my iPad.

So when can we expect these new touch devices. I would say not now. The cost is too much, but within just a year or two, expect to see models coming out. The key will be the interface. It will have to be smooth and fast. Has to be zero learning curve or a rather small learning curve. And it has to be the full time computer. Today the Apple touch devices can not be used without a computer at some point during the day. Although the apps are there for all day use, sometimes it's nice to go back to the real computer. This new device has to be that real computer is power and function.

So, what do you think. Also let me know if you have ever reached up to your laptop or desktop to select something on-screen with your finger.

Comments

[Barry T. Fulk]

I agree that touch is the future; it is simple, works well and will continue to improve over time.

I've reached out and tapped my laptop screen frequently over the last couple of months since I've had the iPad; I laugh, but also realize that the natural extension of touch with a keyboard-based system would be useful.

There have been some discussions around 'changing planes' between the horizontal nature of keyboards the the vertical of touch (when using a keyboard dock, for example). This can be somewhat jarring but I suspect that's more of a learned behavior than anything else.

While I won't give up my MacPro (still need the horsepower, multiple screens, etc.) it's day-to-day usage has gone down considerably since the iPad entered the mix.

= Barry

[Alan Ashley]

@Barry, I agree, I don't see an end to the PC/Mac desktop. There will always be a demand for the extra power, monitors, gaming and so forth. But those that use that set up make up a small percentage of the market. Most are like my in-laws and friends. The email, web, and doc folks. The ipad almost reaches that and I imagine future versions will gain an even stronger hold.

For the iPad to truly replace the laptop or morph into the new laptop, it will need to do what a laptop does now. Can it edit movies, photos with ease. Now = almost, tomorrow = for sure. Also the ipad needs to cut the line to the computer. It needs to be a standalone, no PC required.

I know I use my ipad/iphone combo more than my laptop for nearly everything I do. The laptop no longer sees the living room while I watch TV, it stays in the home office. So sad for the laptop.

Thanks for dropping by.