Sam Oliver
According to DigiTimes, a spokesman for Sintek Photronics specifically denied that his company is sampling capacitive touch panels for an alleged touchscreen iMac. The same Taiwanese industry publication was the source of the rumor, which surfaced last week.
The report originally claimed that Sintek sent samples of capacitive touch panels to Apple for a new touchscreen all-in-one desktop computer. It was said the supposed device will have screen sizes of 20 inches and greater.
Though DigiTimes on Tuesday reported the official comment from Sintek, it did not retract its belief that Apple is working on a new touch-enabled iMac. The site has perpetuated that rumor since early 2010.
It was in January that it was claimed a 22-inch touchscreen iMac would launch this year. However, the original report involving Sintek claimed Apple was still testing components, suggesting a product launch was not imminent.
One noteworthy patent application discovered this year shows a touch-capable iMac-style desktop computer that could operate in a traditional format, but with a hinge on the back that would allow it to be tilted for easier access for a user's fingertips.
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Charles Martin
Mike Wuerthele
10 Comments
One noteworthy patent application discovered this year shows a touch-capable iMac-style desktop computer that could operate in a traditional format, but with a hinge on the back that would allow it to be tilted for easier access for a user's fingertips.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. It seems a little too gimmicky for Apple. I can't help but think that it would have to run some modified version of either iOS or OSX because OSX in its entirety, like any desktop OS, could get screwed up very easily by trying to implement touch controls. I would much rather have alternative inputs with a screen that big (assuming 21"+) like something akin to the Magic Trackpad, as I am not so huge a fan of touchscreens like HP's Touchsmart.
~Cheers
I'm not sure how I feel about this. It seems a little too gimmicky for Apple.
I wouldn't look too much into this. A company like Apple probably tests hundreds of designs a year, only a few actually reaching market.
You don't innovate by dabbling with a few conservative designs. You experiment with things that you know will never be released due to price, complexity, fragility, style, whatever. Even geniuses like Mozart, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Frank Lloyd Wright had scrapbooks, tore up lesser works, etc. You aren't going to knock one out of the park every single you step up to the plate.
I wouldn't look too much into this. A company like Apple probably tests hundreds of designs a year, only a few actually reaching market.
Agreed. It would be daft to think Apple isn't experimenting with touch-screen desktop systems. They probably have experimental UI packages for Mac OS X to go with these systems. But nobody outside of the research labs will see them unless/until they develop something Steve thinks is good enough to sell in massive quantities.
Look at the history of Apple's iOS products. All these devices began life as an experiment involving computers and PDAs with touch screens, evolving over many years into the products we know today (iPhone, iPod Touch, etc.) That research went down many directions, most of which did not become products. It stands to reason that several of those directions are still areas of active research within Apple. And like the iPhone, we won't know anything more than unconfirmed (and sometimes denied) rumors until the day a product ships, if one ever does.
Agreed. It would be daft to think Apple isn't experimenting with touch-screen desktop systems. They probably have experimental UI packages for Mac OS X to go with these systems. But nobody outside of the research labs will see them unless/until they develop something Steve thinks is good enough to sell in massive quantities.
Look at the history of Apple's iOS products. All these devices began life as an experiment involving computers and PDAs with touch screens, evolving over many years into the products we know today (iPhone, iPod Touch, etc.) That research went down many direction, most of which did not become products. It stands to reason that several of those directions are still areas of active research within Apple. And like the iPhone, we won't know anything more than unconfirmed (and sometimes denied) rumors until the day a product ships, if one ever does.
Exactly. It seems that Apple has been rather good at avoiding what people say they want (netbooks) and figuring out what they really want (iPads).
I haven't tried the Touchsmart, but I have heard some people love it. I imagine, as people get more used to using their iPhones and iPads, they are going to want some touch interactivity on their desktop/laptop. I just assume Apple won't roll it out until they have the UI issues dealt with in a seamless, intuitive manner.
IPhone supports 5 point of mutitouch , iPad supports 11 , maybe iMac touch supports 20 !! Apple will wow the world again !!! The so-called touchsmart Hp touch desktop , its mutitouch is even less than an iPhone !!! Only 4 !!!