Comments on: When Touch Is Inappropriate http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:53:37 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Why Chipmakers Will Love Windows 7 http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-977654 Why Chipmakers Will Love Windows 7 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:32:21 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-977654 <p>[...] For decades, interacting with a PC was done by way of a keyboard or mouse, but with Windows 7 touch officially become a third means of telling the computer what you want it to do. Clearly the OS can only do so much, but [...]</p> [...] For decades, interacting with a PC was done by way of a keyboard or mouse, but with Windows 7 touch officially become a third means of telling the computer what you want it to do. Clearly the OS can only do so much, but [...]

]]> By: Colin http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-922090 Colin Sat, 17 Jan 2009 01:14:16 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-922090 <p>Interesting article, some good points. My issue regarding touch inappropriateness is that it seems to completely wipe out any fully/partially blind users, or those with just god-awful eyesight. I currently have an iphone, long gone are the days when i could text while looking somewhere other than the keypad. So if i have trouble then these folk are done for.....</p> Interesting article, some good points. My issue regarding touch inappropriateness is that it seems to completely wipe out any fully/partially blind users, or those with just god-awful eyesight. I currently have an iphone, long gone are the days when i could text while looking somewhere other than the keypad. So if i have trouble then these folk are done for…..

]]> By: CollabrATEC» Blog Archive » Is Microsoft Behind the Multi-Touch Curve? http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921755 CollabrATEC» Blog Archive » Is Microsoft Behind the Multi-Touch Curve? Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:23:04 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921755 <p>[...] The Microsoft Surface is an attempt to employ touch technology into the vendors portfolio. However, are they really putting a sustainable effort behind this technology and are just hedging their bets by investing in N-Trig? Or do they see themselves behind the technology curve when it comes to multi-touch and have become just a part of the herd? [...]</p> [...] The Microsoft Surface is an attempt to employ touch technology into the vendors portfolio. However, are they really putting a sustainable effort behind this technology and are just hedging their bets by investing in N-Trig? Or do they see themselves behind the technology curve when it comes to multi-touch and have become just a part of the herd? [...]

]]> By: Tsahi Levent-Levi http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921689 Tsahi Levent-Levi Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:28:17 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921689 <p>Touch doesn't make sense for most applications today. And <a href="http://blog.radvision.com/voipsurvivor/2009/01/13/why-gesture-interfaces-suck-and-where-in-ces-was-the-real-solution-hidden/" rel="nofollow">gestures won't fix it either</a> - they suffer from the same kind of a problem: they solve a problem for a niche of what the gadget/product is used for. Televisions are used to watch TV more than to interact, so gestures will take too much effort and will be riddled with problems (kids running around waving their hands when you watch your favorite series). Tsahi</p> Touch doesn’t make sense for most applications today. And gestures won’t fix it either – they suffer from the same kind of a problem: they solve a problem for a niche of what the gadget/product is used for. Televisions are used to watch TV more than to interact, so gestures will take too much effort and will be riddled with problems (kids running around waving their hands when you watch your favorite series). Tsahi

]]> By: Do You Want to Touch Your Computer Inappropriately? Throwing The Gauntlet: Bring Visual Thinking to Computing « Dealexpert’s Blog http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921607 Do You Want to Touch Your Computer Inappropriately? Throwing The Gauntlet: Bring Visual Thinking to Computing « Dealexpert’s Blog Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:01:27 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921607 <p>[...] Gauntlet: Bring Visual Thinking to Computing GigaOM posted commentary on the limitations of touch screen interfaces, but it really begs a bigger question. Why is computer interface the way it is [...]</p> [...] Gauntlet: Bring Visual Thinking to Computing GigaOM posted commentary on the limitations of touch screen interfaces, but it really begs a bigger question. Why is computer interface the way it is [...]

]]> By: A Random Eric - with a Bad Ideas blog http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921599 A Random Eric - with a Bad Ideas blog Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:16:55 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921599 <p>"Well, now you've done it and opened Pandora's box," I touch type on my keyboard.</p> <p>So, first off, short of the brainwave interface or voice commands, touch is all we've got and it is the state of the art - but most of it is touching a keyboard and a mouse. If one touch types (actually I'm a rapid hunt and pecker), then one's mind integrates the sensory of touching the keys with the letters and words on the screen, and it feels relatively seamless; and I think most everyone uses a mouse while looking at the screen, so the same thing occurs there. We're using touch, we're just not touching the screen. When do we need to touch the screen?</p> <p>Well I think there is a great case, but mostly it means getting over the verbal paradigm. You see with all this great technology we're still back in the 70's, we're using a language interface. Language is like a good lawyer - steel trap logic in the bright hands, but it takes you done a certain path and does not encourage looking around the way a picture will.</p> <p>A good touch interface would be essential to moving forward with visual communication (please, I'm not talking about color and web design). Draw me a picture of your idea.</p> <p>But try that with a mouse (or keyboard)! It pales in comparison to pencil and paper.</p> <p>Now, if the screen were your paper, and an electronic pen your pencil, you could show me a more interesting and open world. Productivity? A (good) picture is worth a thousand words.</p> <p>Now where is the technology to process pictures as logic, as commands, as knowledge?</p> <p>Computing has not come as far as it might have. And the GUI? A misnomer. It is only half a GUI - it speaks its own language, not yours. Go ahead sketch a picture on your laptop and tell me how it responds.</p> “Well, now you’ve done it and opened Pandora’s box,” I touch type on my keyboard.

So, first off, short of the brainwave interface or voice commands, touch is all we’ve got and it is the state of the art – but most of it is touching a keyboard and a mouse. If one touch types (actually I’m a rapid hunt and pecker), then one’s mind integrates the sensory of touching the keys with the letters and words on the screen, and it feels relatively seamless; and I think most everyone uses a mouse while looking at the screen, so the same thing occurs there. We’re using touch, we’re just not touching the screen. When do we need to touch the screen?

Well I think there is a great case, but mostly it means getting over the verbal paradigm. You see with all this great technology we’re still back in the 70’s, we’re using a language interface. Language is like a good lawyer – steel trap logic in the bright hands, but it takes you done a certain path and does not encourage looking around the way a picture will.

A good touch interface would be essential to moving forward with visual communication (please, I’m not talking about color and web design). Draw me a picture of your idea.

But try that with a mouse (or keyboard)! It pales in comparison to pencil and paper.

Now, if the screen were your paper, and an electronic pen your pencil, you could show me a more interesting and open world. Productivity? A (good) picture is worth a thousand words.

Now where is the technology to process pictures as logic, as commands, as knowledge?

Computing has not come as far as it might have. And the GUI? A misnomer. It is only half a GUI – it speaks its own language, not yours. Go ahead sketch a picture on your laptop and tell me how it responds.

]]> By: Stacey Higginbotham http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921581 Stacey Higginbotham Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:18:06 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921581 <p>Jeremy, thanks for point out that the iPhone isn't pressure sensitive. I've even explained capacitive touch before, so am doubly embarrassed. Will fix. And for those needing a primer (like me, apparently): http://gigaom.com/2008/04/30/thanks-to-iphone-touch-cant-resist-capacitors/</p> Jeremy, thanks for point out that the iPhone isn’t pressure sensitive. I’ve even explained capacitive touch before, so am doubly embarrassed. Will fix. And for those needing a primer (like me, apparently): http://gigaom.com/2008/04/30/thanks-to-iphone-touch-cant-resist-capacitors/

]]> By: ronald http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921577 ronald Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:03:17 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921577 <p>First, one has to understand the difference between GUI and UI. I think People do not separate the two in their thinking. So everything gets messy really fast, but especially Nintendo showed there is a difference. Then there is the problem of working with the system and letting the system work for you. If you do the later the manipulation of "Objects" in the system will change. If the spreadsheet "understands" the meaning and context of a cell, you will interact with that cell differently then you do today. In other words, Microsoft will create it's usual mess until somebody shows them how to do it.</p> First, one has to understand the difference between GUI and UI. I think People do not separate the two in their thinking. So everything gets messy really fast, but especially Nintendo showed there is a difference. Then there is the problem of working with the system and letting the system work for you. If you do the later the manipulation of “Objects” in the system will change. If the spreadsheet “understands” the meaning and context of a cell, you will interact with that cell differently then you do today. In other words, Microsoft will create it’s usual mess until somebody shows them how to do it.

]]> By: Nitin Reddy Katkam http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921562 Nitin Reddy Katkam Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:11:42 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921562 <p>A touch interface is a convenience. It doesn't totally replace a keyboard (somebody, try to convince Steve Jobs how much we need a keyboard for the iPhone).</p> <p>Touchscreens are for devices that are close to you - you wouldn't operate your TV with one. However, if you have a 42" monitor for your desktop (or plugged it into your laptop), it would be really cool.</p> A touch interface is a convenience. It doesn’t totally replace a keyboard (somebody, try to convince Steve Jobs how much we need a keyboard for the iPhone).

Touchscreens are for devices that are close to you – you wouldn’t operate your TV with one. However, if you have a 42″ monitor for your desktop (or plugged it into your laptop), it would be really cool.

]]> By: David M http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921550 David M Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:27:07 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921550 <p>Ummm... I thought the iPhone's screen was capacitive rather than resistive - ergo it does not operate by being 'pressure-sensitive', but by being activated by the electrical charge in the user's fingers...</p> Ummm… I thought the iPhone’s screen was capacitive rather than resistive – ergo it does not operate by being ‘pressure-sensitive’, but by being activated by the electrical charge in the user’s fingers…

]]> By: links for 2009-01-13 | stuart henshall http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921549 links for 2009-01-13 | stuart henshall Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:03:50 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921549 <p>[...] A cautionary view of "When Touch Is Inappropriate" There's good points in here. While I believe there are new opportunities in touch Stacey is right in saying Agree large gestures don't make sense. The other objection re blogs spreadsheets etc is in my view the wrong perspective. I think it is what new things can be enabled. I also see it as more of a tablet or table format. Maybe one day my screen can also be a hotplate to heat my coffee. (tags: touchscreens microsoft n-trig) [...]</p> [...] A cautionary view of "When Touch Is Inappropriate" There's good points in here. While I believe there are new opportunities in touch Stacey is right in saying Agree large gestures don't make sense. The other objection re blogs spreadsheets etc is in my view the wrong perspective. I think it is what new things can be enabled. I also see it as more of a tablet or table format. Maybe one day my screen can also be a hotplate to heat my coffee. (tags: touchscreens microsoft n-trig) [...]

]]> By: Jeremy Roush http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921548 Jeremy Roush Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:38:12 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921548 <p>Firstly, the iPhone is NOT pressure sensitive. The iPhone screen is a capacitance sensor: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/iphone2.htm</p> <p>Secondly, who is trying to sell you on touch as a mouse replacement?</p> <p>Did the mouse replace the keyboard?</p> <p>Will contextual voice recognition replace touch?</p> <p>Come on. Think about how many inputs you have to your internal computer (the one in your skull).</p> <p>Just wait until Mac OS XV can taste you.</p> Firstly, the iPhone is NOT pressure sensitive. The iPhone screen is a capacitance sensor: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/iphone2.htm

Secondly, who is trying to sell you on touch as a mouse replacement?

Did the mouse replace the keyboard?

Will contextual voice recognition replace touch?

Come on. Think about how many inputs you have to your internal computer (the one in your skull).

Just wait until Mac OS XV can taste you.

]]> By: Deepak http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921514 Deepak Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:35:27 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921514 <p>It could be used complimentary to other input techniques.</p> <p>Deepak</p> It could be used complimentary to other input techniques.

Deepak

]]> By: Stacey Higginbotham http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921488 Stacey Higginbotham Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:11:51 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921488 <p>Thanks, Alex. I have a somewhat warped sense of humor.</p> <p>As for the other comments, I agree that UIs should fit the situation, which then raises the issue of how to make that possible. Do we keep a closed infrastructure as the console market does? Figure out some standards to match software to a variety of devices? What model works for general purpose computing?</p> Thanks, Alex. I have a somewhat warped sense of humor.

As for the other comments, I agree that UIs should fit the situation, which then raises the issue of how to make that possible. Do we keep a closed infrastructure as the console market does? Figure out some standards to match software to a variety of devices? What model works for general purpose computing?

]]> By: Paul http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921484 Paul Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:50:08 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921484 <p>I agree that touching a monitor has its problems (just the fingerprints, for the OCD types - guilty). Gesture recognition makes sense, but how about a multi-touch pad that sits on the desk?</p> I agree that touching a monitor has its problems (just the fingerprints, for the OCD types – guilty). Gesture recognition makes sense, but how about a multi-touch pad that sits on the desk?

]]> By: Windows 7 touchscreen opportunity with Intel Cash Register? | Attack of the Operating Systems... http://gigaom.com/2009/01/12/when-touch-is-inappropriate/#comment-921481 Windows 7 touchscreen opportunity with Intel Cash Register? | Attack of the Operating Systems... Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:46:15 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=35125#comment-921481 <p>[...] Stacey at Gigaom has an excellent post regarding touchscreens called “When Touching is Inappropriate”. [...]</p> [...] Stacey at Gigaom has an excellent post regarding touchscreens called “When Touching is Inappropriate”. [...]

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