When it comes to talking about Apple one thing’s for sure, the company’s latest products have all been highly innovative and inspired many other manufacturers in creating interesting new devices that we can all enjoy. I don’t know where the people from the Cupertino-based company come up with these ideas, but I’m hoping they’ll keep doing it for the following ten or twenty years. Right now Apple is said to be working on a smaller version of the iPad, as well a preparing for the release of the latest iPod Touch which is said to feature a front-facing camera and FaceTime support (through e-mail). In the meantime, the iPhone manufacturer has also filed for a patent regarding the iMac Touch. The patent filing goes to show how Apple might transition from OS X to iOS for both the iMac and the MacBook line of laptops. This means that users could easily switch, in the future, to a computer that behaves exactly like a huge iPad.
So what’s the deal with all this? The touch interface found on the iPad and iPhone is iDeal as long as you’re browsing the web or flipping through pictures, but once you want to get around to using certain applications, playing certain games and more, you’ll discover that you prefer the precision a mouse and keyboard can offer. But, as Patently Apple explains, it might be desirable for some devices to provide both types of input. Of course, a touch interface doesn’t really go well with a keyboard and a mouse while a regular UI built for this type of input won’t work well with the touch technology. So what’s the solution then? Well, the user could transition between modes of input. The patent filed by Apple at the US Patent and Trademark office seems to reveal a version of the iMac that comes equipped with hinges and a touch-sensitive display. Once the display is tilted, the owner may use it as a tablet. While the screen isn’t tilted, however, it will allow the regular mouse+keyboard form of input. The computer also switches between iOS and Mac OS X based on its positioning.
The transition will take place with the use of the included accelerometer. The user should also be able to control the threshold which determines when the OS transition will occur. For example, the threshold could be set to angle to 60 degrees and when the monitor is positioned that way, the computer could switch to the iOS. The stand for the computer will then have to sport an interesting design, to permit so much twisting as well as switching of operating system. The patent shows a lower base, an arm, an attachment post and a base hinge. An upper rotation sensor will be featured at post hinge while a lower rotation sensor will be present at base hinge.
Another illustration that’s part of the patent filing explains how the user can reposition the display to make the transition between iOS and OS X happens. A pair of advanced touch sensors will be included on the sides of the screen. Once you touch them, the sensors will send signals to the system’s processor. The processor will then receive touch detection signals and change the orientation. As soon as that happens, it will be followed by an operating system transition. Back in January this year, Digitimes also announced that Apple was planning to launch a 22inch touch-enabled all in one PC in 2010. Apple was said to outsource the production of the 22 inch computer to Quanta, while a Taiwan-based manufacturer called Sintek Photronic will be supplying the touchscreen panels. So is Apple really applying touch technology to larger and larger devices? They started out with the iPhone, proceeded to release the iPad, and now, the next logical step is to release a full size computer that can run iOS and sport touch controls, don’t you think? Sure, a patent application doesn’t necessarily mean this product is going to make it all the way to production. But it does sound good and we’re looking forward to seeing if Apple has any exciting new announcements to make this year.
