NYT: Apple Tablet to require “complex new vocabulary” of gestures, include iWork
11:27 am, January 11th, 2010, John Brownlee
In a profile piece on the sudden surge of “slate-like” tablet computers that took CES by storm (which, with few exceptions, already managed to seem like also-rans compared to Apple’s still unannounced and unreleased tablet), the New York Times claims that Apple has been working on a multi-touch capable version of the iWork suite for the last few years.
That’s interesting, no doubt, but the New York Times goes on. According to the newspaper, “conversations with several former Apple engineers” who claim to have had a role in the creation of the device, the Apple Tablet’s multi-touch interface requires a “somewhat complex new vocabulary of finger gestures to control it, making use of technology it acquired in the 2007
purchase of a company called FingerWorks.” Sound familar?
“The tablet should offer any number of unique multitouch experiences — for example, three fingers down and rotate could mean ‘open an application,’ ” one former Apple engineer reportedly said.
The New York Times jumps to the conclusion that the combination of a steep interface learning curve and a multi-touch iWork suite means that Apple’s tablet is meant to be a “fully functional computer, rather than a more passive device for reading books and watching movies.” Possibly, but that’s the tack that the PC world has taken with tablets for years, and they’ve never caught on. Apple’s got to have a lot more up its sleeve than just a gesture-controlled tablet.
Posted by John Brownlee in Apple Tablet, News, Top stories | Comment on this article
If you enjoyed this article:
Subscribe via RSS or email, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Is there a link to the original NYT post?
Mike, on January 11th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
I’m getting more & more excited by the day ….
The podcast better be up tout suite.
CaryMG, on January 11th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I found the original article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/09/technology/personaltech/09reader.html
In the future you should post a link when you are reporting on another article.
Mike, on January 11th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
“Possibly, but that’s the tack that the PC world has taken with tablets for years, and they’ve never caught on.”
That’s because they offered very little more than what a regular laptop offered. If Microsoft wasn’t tied to pushing Windows, they would’ve attempted to design something that actually made a difference. They couldn’t do that though, they’re more interested in increasing and holding onto their monopoly. Creating a new platform that was within reach of the casual consumer, could potentially break their Windows monopoly allowing major market fragmentation and others to enter and compete. Which is exactly what they set out to destroy a decade earlier.
Michael, on January 11th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
It may be amazing, and expensive as heell, or pretty average and cheap. Knowing Apple, they dont care about it being cheap, they play in the top 10%.
Most expensive desktop PC – iMac27″
Most expensive mini computer, Mac Mini
Most expensive 17″ Laptop, Macbook Pro
Most expensive Netbook – Macbook Air
If you look at the un subsidised price of an iPhone3GS, it is still a pretty expensive phone NZ$1200 here, but only $500 on a moderate $100 a month plan (meaning you pay $2900 for it overall)
John, on January 11th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
I just hope they change the name back to ClarisWorks. Hehe those were the good old days.
Moof!
Mattzook, on January 12th, 2010 at 6:44 am
@ Mike
Way to do Brownlee’s job for him.
Camperton, on January 12th, 2010 at 6:35 pm