A new patent application filed by Apple hints at the concept of a MacBook computer that could also double up as an iOS-based tablet-style convertible devices.
The application was filed with the United States Patent Office earlier this year and describes a system of transitioning between a high resolution mouse-input mode and a low resolution touch interface by a simple change in orientation of the display screen.
The patent application describes how Apple plans to incorporate transition between Mac OS X and an iPhone-like interface (iOS):
"A change of orientation of a touch screen between a first orientation and a second orientation is detected. Transitioning between the two input modes and corresponding user interfaces (UIs) is based on the detected change of orientation. A change of orientation can be detected with one or more sensors, such as an accelerometer, position sensors, etc. Transitioning from one mode to another can include modifying an item displayed in the UI of the one mode into a corresponding item displayed in the UI of the other mode. The modifying can include enlarging/reducing, obscuring/unobscuring, moving, etc. For example, an item can be obscured by the visual effect of sliding it off of the screen."
It may be noted that this patent application is only an idea and hence may not actually come to fruition. However, it is also worth noting that Taiwanese publication, DigiTimes had speculated on the launch of a similar device back in January this year. In the report, DigiTimes analyst Steve Shen had written that Apple would be launching a 22" touch-enabled all-in-one PC by the end of this year.
Devin Coldewey from CrunchGear points out, a technology like this will require Apple to make a major deviation from its current aesthetic standards, since such a device will require a thicker screen to accomodate the touch interface besides having to contend with higher power consumption, heat generation and weight.
But it seems like a natural transition for Apple to introduce touch-enabled iMac and Macbooks from a customer point of view. It should probably be easy for Apple to add iOS as a layer on top of Mac OS X, similar to Apple’s Front Row user interface used to watch movies and listen to music on a Mac.
It will be interesting to see if Apple manages to pull this one off. The idea of a touch-enabled iMac and MacBook has got us excited. What do you think of an iOS-convertible MacBook device? Will you go for one? Write to us in the comments below.
[via CrunchGear, DigiTimes]
saw this on either engadget or gizmodo or something
I thought this site was meant to be about iphone not all of apples other products this site is getting more and more like a fanboy site for apple its getting poor.if i wanted to read about a imac touch i would search for it i couldnt give a shit about this tell me sometging interesting about the iphone FFS
or the internet
Unfortunately, with the amount of viewers they have each day, there is not enough daily information about iPhone's to keep them busy. So they have to report about the stuff, too. It sucks, but at least they got you to read this far so you can comment here.
This site has evolved to encompass all iOS devices. This article is relevant in that it is about the use of iOS. Doesn't seem that outrageous of a concept to me.
For me is a very good article!, good work IH!
Let's face it…
No one of us expect articles posted here to be about our sex lives. As long as the concept of the new iMac is iPhone related in terms of the touch screen technology, it’s fine with me.
Yes! It should be about iPhone as the site name implies "iPhoneHacks". As for the concept, I'm not surprise and it shouldn't be news anymore. The touch screen technology has been around for a while and just another mouse-less design shouldn't get any special attention.
As always, it's only my view
Rather than “sticking to your guns” and maintaining a focus on your core business, try branching out like Apple and Nike have —- it will actually feed buyers back into what your core product was.
http://bit.ly/b0EppK