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.

10 minute iPad Review

I was able to get in and play with an iPad for about 10 minutes. This is what I found:

It's pretty darn quick. Scrolling, zoom in and out., flipping between apps. All real smooth.

You don't want to read a book without having it resting on something. Gets a little heavy.

Holding it is not as bad as I would have thought. It seems to fit my hands just fine. Small hands may have issues.

Typing like you would on an iPhone is a bit difficult, but I can see where it can easily be learned. So you would want to do it in landscape mode having it propped up for any lengthy typing.

Reading a book was nice. Great attention to the little things, like page curls. If you hold it in landscape mode, you can see both pages at once.

Glare wasn't too bad in a bright store with a good amount of natural light.

YouTube videos looked nice and quick. You get some letter boxing, but you can full screen it.

Audio was easy to hear in a somewhat noisy store.

Well that's it for 10 minutes. Can't wait to play with it again.

Day of Days is more like Weeks

This week has been a total roller coaster of emotions. This is from the personal to the professional. I try not to vent or express too many of my personal feelings here, but writing seems to help. So deal with it.

From Day 1 of the week, I had my father-in-law hospitalized after a nasty fall. This is on top of the chemo treatments he has been receiving for the last few weeks. Only to be followed shortly by the need to for four new tires on the car after getting a flat on the way home from the hospital. Granted we needed new tires, but would have been could for another month or more. 

With the hospitalization, this crushed one of my twins. She just loves her grandfather and she is extra emotional to begin with, so we have been dealing with tears of sadness all week. This is just heart breaking to see, when you know she doesn't understand. All she knew was her "Dad-Dad" was hurt. And in the hospital ER, she could not go see him. Even if she could, that would not have been a good idea.

As we moved on through the week, I came across March 31st. This was the last day of employment for many of my peers and friends at IBM. These are people I have worked with for most of my 12+ years at IBM. Truly a sad day. 

I did see some smiles along the way, the walks into school with my kids and the Easter Party and a trip to Stevi B's for pizza. These are always a fun time. The techie side of me go to watch a few online demos of the new Apple iPad. I'm still holding off until I actually get to play with it, before I drop a wad of cash on it. 

Also, since I am a fan and supporter of Georgia Basketball, it's nice to see that Travis Leslie will be coming back to Georgia next year. Personally I think this is a smart move as he begins a move to more of a 2/3 than just a 3. So I'm sure watching him next year will bring plenty of smiles.

It's also spring so how can anyone get upset during these fabulous days. So these days are ones I enjoy with the windows open and the fresh air flowing. 

So now that it is Friday, it feels as if I have seen each day twice on the way to the end of the week . And the last few weeks have taken on the feel of months. In my line of work, this is somewhat of a common downside, but when you through in personal and family issues, it just adds to the hellish timeline. 

So once I get my taxes filed and the month of April is over, I hope to see more smiles and laughter and a lot less sadness and tears. 

Thanks for listening and the next post I promise will be more positive. 

To iPad or not to iPad

iPad via AppleThere have many views on how and what the iPad is. (Really, iPad, Iliked iSlate or iBook or even iTablet better.) Most of the discussionsat this point are driven by the select few that got some hands in timewith the device at the Apple announcement.

So until the iPad is in the wild, we'll all have to just wait and see.

For me, it's a tough call. I do like the book reader aspect of thedevice. I have been thinking about a Kindle. Downside was it ONLY didbooks and some newspapers. The iPad does that and more.

Also, like the iPhone, the second gen will be much better. I swearApple tends to hold back features, knowing the hardcore will buy eachand every version. I held off on first gen iPhone and most likely willdo the same for the iPad.

What I don't know yet. iPhoto and the other iLife products. Imaginethose with multi-touch.

Speaking of multi, why no multitasking. It drives me crazy on myiPhone. I KNOW it would drive me nuts on the iPad.

So now the wait is on and I'm sure speculation will run amok aseveryone says how bad it is or how it's the next greatest thing sincesliced bread.

So read up, see if it meets your needs. For me I "think" I'll bewaiting.