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Can anyone who currently produces multimedia at a professional level -- e.g. video, photos, music -- imagine that a sophisticated touch interface will replace t

by gojomo 13y ago

Can anyone who currently produces multimedia at a professional level -- e.g. video, photos, music -- imagine that a sophisticated touch interface will replace their keystrokes and mouse? I think touch might: with a generation that grows up with touch, continuing software innovation, and hardware improvements like increased precision, pressure sensitivity and even haptic feedback and surface deformation. But more likely, touch plus other modalities will replace the mouse (easily) and keyboard (eventually). Imagine a touch device that accepts either fingers or (when needed for fine art work) an ultra-precise fine-tipped stylus. Then add Leap Motion-like gestures -- you can then use finger twitches in the air, away from the screen, to change tools/modes and adjust things along many finely-stepped virtual axes. (In particular, I think this may best solve the text-selection and related problems, giving you virtual cursor control away from the touch surface, but without a mouse-like peripheral.) Then add much improved voice controls, so good that just tone of voice lets the machine distinguish between commands to it and ambient conversation. You're right that it will continue to be a challenge remembering all the gestures... so the platform that trains more people up first in its unique gestural language will enjoy some network-effects lock-in.

chestnut-tree 13y ago
"Imagine a touch device that accepts...an ultra-precise fine-tipped stylus." I'm really hoping that this will happen soon. I know many designers who would love a pressure-sensitive drawing tablet (where you draw on the surface). Apart from digital drawing and animation, even photo editing and manipulation (like masking) is immeasurably more natural and easier to perform when using a pen directly on the surface of the screen. Right now there is only one serious contender in this market: Wacom. Their Cintiq brand lets you draw directly on the screen with a stylus. But the high cost of the product and the lack of competition means that hardly any movement has been made in this area for years. I keep hoping to see rival products, but it hasn't happened[1]. That's a great surprise (and disappointment). I find it hard to believe that this is just a niche market with limited appeal either. [1] Actually, there is one new rival that is getting some good reviews http://frenden.com/post/38693256477/yiynovamsp19u http://frenden.com/post/38693256477/yiynovamsp19u
- fpgeek 13y ago
  Samsung does build a Wacom digitizer into all of their Galaxy Notes, no matter the size. I don't know how they compare to Wacom's more specialized equipment, but I've found writing, drawing and notetaking to be very natural on my Note 2 (to the point where I'm seriously thinking about getting one of its larger siblings just to be my electronic notebook).

by gojomo 13y ago

chestnut-tree 13y ago

"Imagine a touch device that accepts...an ultra-precise fine-tipped stylus." I'm really hoping that this will happen soon. I know many designers who would love a pressure-sensitive drawing tablet (where you draw on the surface). Apart from digital drawing and animation, even photo editing and manipulation (like masking) is immeasurably more natural and easier to perform when using a pen directly on the surface of the screen. Right now there is only one serious contender in this market: Wacom. Their Cintiq brand lets you draw directly on the screen with a stylus. But the high cost of the product and the lack of competition means that hardly any movement has been made in this area for years. I keep hoping to see rival products, but it hasn't happened[1]. That's a great surprise (and disappointment). I find it hard to believe that this is just a niche market with limited appeal either. [1] Actually, there is one new rival that is getting some good reviews http://frenden.com/post/38693256477/yiynovamsp19u http://frenden.com/post/38693256477/yiynovamsp19u

fpgeek 13y ago
Samsung does build a Wacom digitizer into all of their Galaxy Notes, no matter the size. I don't know how they compare to Wacom's more specialized equipment, but I've found writing, drawing and notetaking to be very natural on my Note 2 (to the point where I'm seriously thinking about getting one of its larger siblings just to be my electronic notebook).