iMac touch

So the Internet has been getting over excited by the idea of an Apple OS 10.7 iMac or MacBook with an iOS touch interface. So what? A touch interface on a desktop computer is nothing new. HP have their TouchSmart PCs running Windows 7. What everyone is getting over excited about is a new patent from Apple using their touch technology on an iMac or MacBook.

Image 1: Apple iMac Touch with Flex Base, Credit Patently Apple.

By now your thinking I am being a complete buzz kill or I simply got out the wrong side of bed this morning. But the issue I am trying to drive home is the relevancy of touch on the desktop. Is touch necessary and do you really want to put finger prints all over that glossy screen.

I think that the bigger issue and play is that Apple has got a taste for taking their cut when an application is sold in the App Store. Sure there are plenty of perfectly good applications which are free of charge but Apple takes 30% on all payed for apps. I believe that Apple is keen to replicate the success of the App Store on as many platforms as possible.

I feel that Apple will replicate the App Store for the iTV or Apple TV when it is launched. I will however be extremely dissappointed if the devices are shipped without storage. I believe that any set top box should and must have storage so that it may run as a DVR. Not in the sense of TiVo or Sky Plus but the what I feel a DVR should be for Internet television. The devices would download my video syndicated through RSS over night or during the working day ready for my return. That way the latest episode of Mad Men or TWiT is sitting on my device ready for me.

This in my mind is what RSS was designed to do when podcasting was invented. Sure there will be the situations where on demand television will be important too. For example you might have the hankering to watch Doctor Who. You would search the App Store install the BBC iPlayer application search for Doctor Who and begin watching the latest series. Bingo! It could not be simpler. And in the case of paid for content your would enter your iTunes password to charge you credit or debit card attached to your iTunes account. Whether it is per episode, season or application.

So if this software was modular and could be added to any OS X or iOS device, Apple could corner the content market for watching television, video podcasts and movies. It is a slightly scary idea but they appear to have the technical and design knowledge to deliver this experience to their customers. I believe that content producers will be queueing around the corner when this is released. This I think is Apple's goal and motive to add touch into a desktop or notebook device.

Viva La Revolución. You just need to resolve Net Neutrality so there are no problems for on demand content.

Links

1. HP Touch Screen Computer and Touch Screen Monitor
2. The Mother Lode: Welcome to the iMac Touch
3. Apple looking at dual-mode touchscreen desktops and laptops
4. Apple patent unearthed for touchscreen Macs that can flip between mouse and touch UIs with tilt of the screen
5. iMac Touch Interface Shown Off In Apple Patent

This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.