Mac

Touchscreen iMac Anyone?

Troll Touch introduces the first iMac touchscreen SlipCOVER

By Filip Truta, Apple News Editor

18th of June 2008, 21:41 GMT

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Remember Christian Moore's open framework that enables true multitouch interaction in Mac OS X? This doesn't even come close to that and to pay $700 to $900 just to perform the same clicks you would if you used a mouse, plus keep your arms suspended all the time, doesn't sound like a very good deal.

It's interesting, yes. It's actually exciting to see this in action. But really now, who would be able to use that virtual aluminum keyboard (video demo below) for more than five minutes and not get tired of holding their hands at the same level as the screen? The iMac is not made for this. It would work great on a horizontal table-top machine though.

But again, while this seemed impossible, the guys at Troll Touch did it. You can now buy an extension to their SlipCOVER (which now adds support for 20- and 24-inch 'aluminum' iMacs) and start using your iMac as you would an iPhone, or iPod touch. Sadly, the video they provide shows little touch action, another reason why it doesn't seem to pay off.

The SlipCOVER touch-overlay for Aluminum iMacs consists of a touch-sensitive overlay that replaces the display glass of the iMac. The device connects via a custom designed USB cable and provides a "high resolution, analogue resistive touchscreen that supports fingertip, stylus and gloved hand user input", macnn reports, thus providing "an alternative to conventional user interaction methods". It seems to me more like an alternative to show off to your friends when they come over and start asking about that thin aluminum keyboard they used to see on your desk.

OK, so it's not that bad, I admit it. But certainly not worth $900, especially when Apple could roll out a multitouch Mac any day of the week.

Macnn also notes that the company 'touch-enables' Apple's 20-, 23- and 30-inch line of Cinema Displays, MacBook laptops, all previous iMac generations, the eMac and both the 12- and 14-inch iBook laptop models as well.

SlipCover for the 20-inch iMac is priced at $700. The price is $900 for the 24-inch iMac.

Anyone interested?

TAGS:

Touchscreen | Troll touch | touchscreen iMac | touchscreen panel | SlipCOVER

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