Apple Tablet rumors have exploded in the past few days with reports suggesting that Apple may introduce the device as early as January. A New York Times Blog post by Nick Bilton adds a few tantalizing tidbits about the upcoming device.
As we've known, Bilton reports that Apple has been working on a tablet on-and-off for many years but never felt to be good enough to go to market. Some of the previous technology had already been adapted for the iPhone launch. It seems, however, that Apple has finally gotten the tablet to the point to launch to the market, and according to a current senior employee at Apple, Steve Jobs is said to be "extremely happy with the new tablet."
Furthermore, another source told Bilton, "You will be very surprised how you interact with the new tablet." No other details are offered as to what this interaction might be. Apple, of course, holds many patents on multi-touch technology and has been expected to apply it to their upcoming tablet. Implementing more advanced gestures have been considered possible, though we're not sure if this would be considered a surprising interaction.
Perhaps the "surprising interaction" is some sort of proximity activated touchless gesturing system.
I'd bet you're right. No more screen smudges. Maybe it uses the camera to triangulate your actions, be great for sign language. Heck, it could even incorporate Pixel Qi's screen and Amimon's just announced WHDI technology to send uncompressed 1080 to your TV.
Perhaps the "surprising interaction" is some sort of proximity activated touchless gesturing system.
I think this is dead-on. The problem with tablets or touchscreen laptops is the arm strain of having to reach out and point all day.
There already are proximity sensors in iPhones. With a front facing camera, the tablet could combine data from the camera and prox sensor to see where you are pointing at (rather than actually touching) and this would be a much easier input mechanism. For instance, just point at the screen and a mouse arrow or cursor follows your finger.
This is "cool" enough for Steve, and could help justify the premium price somewhat, that you know Apple will charge.
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I think this is dead-on. The problem with tablets or touchscreen laptops is the arm strain of having to reach out and point all day.
There already are proximity sensors in iPhones. With a front facing camera, the tablet could combine data from the camera and prox sensor to see where you are pointing at (rather than actually touching) and this would be a much easier input mechanism. For instance, just point at the screen and a mouse arrow or cursor follows your finger.
This is "cool" enough for Steve, and could help justify the premium price somewhat, that you know Apple will charge.