Okay Geek Farm
Release of touch screen iMacs inevitable?
Chris Self
With the introduction of Mac OS X Lion in late October, some subtle hints were given that touch enabled iMacs were soon to come. And it seemed that, with the upcoming release of Lion, future OS’ updates would continually show more and more similarities to iOS4. Assumed “hints” were not the only evidence we’ve seen though, as numerous amounts of patents have been passed throughout the past year including one for a touch enabled monitor. After mainly focusing on their mobile devices for the past few years, could this just be a ploy to merge their huge iOS4 success with the Mac?
The Facts & Hints
The October Keynote
Besides the introduction of iLife 11’ and a new Macbook Air lineup, we were given a pretty slow and unexciting sneak peek into Mac OS X Lion. However, new features such as the Mac App store and the “Launch Pad”gave us a glimpse into just a couple ways in which Apple was incorporating some iOS specific design features into Lion. And when we first watched Steve pull the curtain on this new transition into a more across-the-board iOS brand back at the iPhone 4 event in June, it seemed to me that this was the direction they were going with.
It’s quite noticeable, that ever since the release of the iPhone in January 2007, Apple’s been concentrating on iOS related devices more than Mac. With people being drawn away from it, it would only seem logical for them to merge it with their great iOS success. It’s not that bad of an idea, especially since casual desktop users wish something would just work — something the the iPhone and iPad have excelled at since day one.
The Patent
Besides me explaining how I think this touch based iMac works, I’ll let the description on the patent explain:
“Transitioning between a high-resolution input mode, such as a mouse-based interface, and a low-resolution input mode, such as a touch-based interface, is described. A change of orientation of a touch screen between a first orientation and a second orientation is detected. Transitioning between the two input modes and corresponding user interfaces (UIs) is based on the detected change of orientation.” - Apple Patent Description
The idea behind these touch screen iMacs seems really simple. While using the computer, you can still use the mouse and keyboard, but when you want to switch to touch, just tilt the screen down. The computer actually detects the switch to touch with a built-in accelerometer. And thinking about it, Apple could introduce their own line of biceps workout applications, called “iWorkouts.” With the built-in accelerometer, developers could release games like “Need for Speed” or “Super Monkey Ball.” To play the games, you’d have to physically pick up your twenty-pound iMac. Now kids could have an excuse to sit at the computer all day!
We’ll just have to wait.
Putting all of my dumb jokes aside, there seems to be a reasonable amount of facts and hints that lend to the idea that a touch screen iMac will be on its way. With the patent, incorporation of iPad features into Mac OS X Lion, and a growing rumors, I don’t see why Apple wouldn’t do this. HP and Dell have already made their jump into “all-in-one” desktops and have been raking in some dough. Will Apple try and get a piece of the pie? We’ll just have to wait, and see.
