Keyboard-less macs in 2010?

[strelly]

http://www.macrumors.com/2008/04/01/apple-developing-full-multi-touch-macs-in-2010/

Looks quite interesting, I like how apple keep raising the bar of innovation.

So no trackpad or keyboard, they are both onscreen. I look forward to seeing it!

 

[BillytheImpaler]

A laptop or any computer for that matter with no tactile feedback would be an RSI and usability nightmare. I don't see it happening until voice recognition takes a huge leap forward. Keyboards just work too darn well to throw them away.

 

[benjo plz.]

^ what about haptic feedback?

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Your fingers would still be runing into a form surface, rapidly decelerating them. This is different from the more gradual resistance you get from current keyboards.

Maybe I'm alone, but I wouldn't consider buying one.

Maybe if it had olfactory feedback...

 

[theheyes]

Jury is out on keyboard-less - I just can't see regular keyboards going away any time soon.

Those gestures look like they could easily be integrated into a trackpad, which is good.

Touch interfaces, for me, are more about replacing and enhancing the pointing side of the UI and selected keyboard commands rather than actual full keyboard input.

 

[JAMAL]

I think it depended on what you will use it for, a giant iphone/touch would be great for just websurfing & email at home!

 

[mdjmcnally]

They will have there points but certainly typing in stuff will still need a proper keyboard to work.

A long way to go before replacing a keyboard for that. I am getting better on the iphone but still prefer a real keyboard for forums etc.

 

[Raymond Lin]

how are you going to touch type?

 

[ichabod crane]

a keyboard is still required, but a fully functional touch screen would be ace, similar to the computer in minority report.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I think you can only truly replace the keyboard is when voice recognition works 100%.

 

[meghatronic]

I think you can only truly replace the keyboard is when voice recognition works 100%.

Even then - that isn't suitable for an office environment etc...

 

[Spyhop]

Screw voice to text. Typing is less effort than speaking.

 

[Energize]

And a mouse is less effort than a touchscreen, having to move your hand around so much is tiring. I've used wacom touchscreens for artwork, but I wouldn't use them for anything else.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Screw voice to text. Typing is less effort than speaking.

Tell that to all the lawyers. Legal Secretaries do mostly typing.

 

[Johnny|lucidcomposure]

Its not just that though is it. Its a matter of comfortbility and practicality.

For example. holding down something as a shortcut for the use of say... photoshop?

dunno about you guys but to be fully productive I would need my arms to rest on a surface.. hovering them at a vertical screen isn't gonna get you anywhere fast.

Great Idea and I am behind its development but the keyboard is going nowhere any time soon.

 

[Mr Jones]

Great Idea and I am behind its development but the keyboard is going nowhere any time soon.

Echo.

Also, as for "tactile" feeling from touch screen - I was reading a report somewhere (New Scientist iirc) that there are working ideas such as using the right frequency of vibration when one touches the surface to imitate a tactile feeling - this idea is being used by one mobile company for their touch screens - LG or Sumsung iirc.

Basically a slight vibration to give the typing feeling...

 

[Kappa]

Also, as for "tactile" feeling from touch screen - I was reading a report somewhere (New Scientist iirc) that there are working ideas such as using the right frequency of vibration when one touches the surface to imitate a tactile feeling - this idea is being used by one mobile company for their touch screens - LG or Sumsung iirc.

Basically a slight vibration to give the typing feeling...

^ what about haptic feedback?

In my experience, hapic feedback is useless and a gimmick. I believe the main element of a tactile feel is feeling the edges or shape of a button. LG and Samsung phones have it, but they can get lag and dont really add anything apart from a wow factor at first.

Dont really know how they'd replace a keyboard tho