Comments on: Macworld ‘07 Predictions http://mullery.wordpress.com/2006/12/01/macworld-07-predictions/ Brain activity on Macs and more Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:18:59 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Stephan http://mullery.wordpress.com/2006/12/01/macworld-07-predictions/#comment-111 Stephan Sat, 02 Dec 2006 18:28:07 +0000 http://mullery.wordpress.com/2006/12/01/macworld-07-predictions/#comment-111 I don't really expect the keyboard replacement but I do believe that if anyone is going to bring us a better way to interact with the computer it will be Apple. The QWERTY keyboard was designed specifically to slow down typing speed. Granted I'm not a touch typer so that doesn't really matter to me and the DVORAK keyboard already exists. Still the keyboard is fairly archaic and doesn't lend itself easily to two hand input along with the mouse. A chording keyboard where one hand keyed and the other pointed might be more efficient. Those exist too of course. The challenge is that whatever replaces our current input mechanisms needs to be fairly easy to get the hang of. Apple is great at taking a complex concept and making it easy for people. For the time being I'd actually be happy with their excellent laptop keyboard packaged in an external, bluetooth-enabled case. I don’t really expect the keyboard replacement but I do believe that if anyone is going to bring us a better way to interact with the computer it will be Apple. The QWERTY keyboard was designed specifically to slow down typing speed. Granted I’m not a touch typer so that doesn’t really matter to me and the DVORAK keyboard already exists. Still the keyboard is fairly archaic and doesn’t lend itself easily to two hand input along with the mouse. A chording keyboard where one hand keyed and the other pointed might be more efficient. Those exist too of course. The challenge is that whatever replaces our current input mechanisms needs to be fairly easy to get the hang of. Apple is great at taking a complex concept and making it easy for people. For the time being I’d actually be happy with their excellent laptop keyboard packaged in an external, bluetooth-enabled case.

]]> By: junior http://mullery.wordpress.com/2006/12/01/macworld-07-predictions/#comment-110 junior Fri, 01 Dec 2006 21:09:14 +0000 http://mullery.wordpress.com/2006/12/01/macworld-07-predictions/#comment-110 Why do you think there is a need to move away from the clunky keyboard? I don't see the value to most non-professional mac users. Is there a deficiency you see in Wacom and similar tablets? Or do you just prefer writing to typing? I find that even with my hunt/peck typing skills, I'm still faster at typing than writing, and my hands get less fatigued. I use keyboard shortcuts to gain efficiency over point/click in the one semi-pro app I own (FCE HD), so I don't see where Ink gestures would help there. Thoughts? I really like your idea of an iChat device instead of an iPhone that would essentially mimic the phones already out that have iTunes integration. Though a smart phone/pda would be cool to see. Nice article. :) Why do you think there is a need to move away from the clunky keyboard? I don’t see the value to most non-professional mac users. Is there a deficiency you see in Wacom and similar tablets? Or do you just prefer writing to typing? I find that even with my hunt/peck typing skills, I’m still faster at typing than writing, and my hands get less fatigued. I use keyboard shortcuts to gain efficiency over point/click in the one semi-pro app I own (FCE HD), so I don’t see where Ink gestures would help there. Thoughts?

I really like your idea of an iChat device instead of an iPhone that would essentially mimic the phones already out that have iTunes integration. Though a smart phone/pda would be cool to see.

Nice article. :)

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