Patent: Apple Details Multi-Touch Mac User Interface

http://www.macrumors.com/2008/08/28/patent-apple-details-multi-touch-mac-user-interface/

An Apple patent application published today rehashes some concepts and diagrams from 2006 patent but generates continued interest due to persistant rumors that Apple may release a multi-touch tablet Mac.



AppleInsider details some of the techniques in accessing small user interface controls when using a your fingers on a multi-touch tablet Mac:

Apple explains that on a tablet Mac, the buttons of a control box may be smaller than a users finger and located close together. Therefore it may be difficult for the user to make a selection directly without possibly pressing an undesirable button. To solve this problem, at least a portion of the control box would be enlarged, including the buttons therein when the user places their thumb over the control box.

Apple also details the use of swipe and scrolling to manipulate on screen lists as well as the implementation of a full screen multi-touch keyboard.:



While we've heard rumors of a tablet Mac for years, this year we've heard claims that either a tablet or mini-tablet Mac could be coming soon.

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=20080204426&OS=20080204426&RS=20080204426

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/08/28/apple_details_next_gen_multi_touch_techniques_for_tablet_macs.html

well at least this tablet mac or tablet mini mac is getting to be more likely

i would love to see this happen, especially a mini-tablet that runs iphone apps

yea, i also would love that, i hope that comes soon

we might find out in about 8 days

yep, we will, actually less than that if it's at 1:00 ET

but i really doubt that this will happen then. probably more like macworld

yeah thats seem like it would be really neat. if they do make that, i think it will be very popular. i wonder how much it would cost....

well, i think it would depend on which kind they make. if it's a smaller tablet, then i would guess around $600-$800

yeah, that's a good price range

but no one knows for sure

yeah i guess that isnt too bad, i am sure people will buy it. but it seems a little too pricey for me. i dont need it that bad.

that is just a guess on the price. it could be more, could be less

yeah i know, but i would imagine that you are at least close. hopefully its less

i would say that it will be close to that price. but we don't even know if it's coming out or not. so there's no need to worry about price

yeah, we don't even know, know one knows

yeah, but it is possible to find out on tuesday, though i think Macworld will be more realistic

yeah, the rumors are really pointed to next week. i think this will be macworld, if it happens at all

yea, ur proably right, macworld sounds more of when it would be

yeah, but macworld still is only a few months away!