By now most people are aware of what multi-touch is. The uber-popular iPhone has put multi-touch in the everyday consumer market. With different companies vying for their share of the lucrative technology, it becomes more and more pertinent in every day life.

I’m sure most of Desktop Vibes readers will remember the popular video on youtube, where Jeff Han demonstrated the early prototypes of his multi-touch concept. The video is still incredibly impressive, regardless of its age, and Jeff hasn’t stopped there. He now runs Perceptive Pixel, which focuses on his multi-touch software. Seriously, check it out. You’ll be amazed.

Mainstream Use

This is all great but how will it affect the future? I don’t think I need to outline the incredible uses for multi-touch units, but this could make for some major advancements in a plethora of different fields. Most recently: CNN used Jeff Han’s multi-touch technology to explain the elections. The already popular concept has now reached prime time TV. There’s no denying this is the future.

I would be amiss if I didn’t mention the cow-sized Microsoft Surface. This obviously puts Microsoft in the bid for dominating the competition, but it won’t be easy. Simply put, the device is too big, too expensive and will only make it into the hands of mainstream businesses with a lot of cash to drop on new technology. This leaves the consumer market hanging.

Apple’s Part

Apple arguably sparked and controls the multi-touch market with the launch of the iPhone. On release, Apple set off a chain reaction of bad imitators and crappy phones. By using the already successful OS X and a revolutionary phone, Apple set foot into something that even they might not have realized.

To be honest, I think Apple is fully aware of what they have on their hands…the key to putting multi-touch devices into the hands of the every day consumer. They’ve already made the first steps with the iPhone and iPod touch, along with the multi-touch trackpads on its laptop line. With how polished and capable the Leopard operating system is, Apple has an incredible foundation for a multi-touch computer.

The Future

Apple has a choice to make: how to go about changing the way computers are used. The tried and true method of mouse and keyboard is accepted worldwide, and there will be plenty who will oppose multi-touch. But why let go of something so tactile? To put it plainly, I’m game.

Imagine what a university could accomplish with Xserve and multi-touch capable Macs. Graphs in math could be drawn and manipulated by hand, atoms could be observed in labs, medical students could play with virtual body parts, all done on multi-touch displays. I could continue for hours; the possibilities really are endless. Not to mention, Apple already has its foot in the door with many universities. Don’t get me started on what it could do for the entertainment industry.

However, what I truly want to see is a multi-touch Mac. While the idea is still in the distant future, I can see it been an incredible possibility. For anyone who has used a Mac and/or iPhone, you know why the idea of combining them is exciting indeed.

This is a problem that many Mac users have debated over for years. It’s not exactly a problem more as a personal preference, but where you do keep your dock?

Like most, I started with my dock on the bottom. In fact nearly the entire time I used Tiger I left the dock untouched, just sitting at the bottom of my screen. It didn’t exactly bother me until I really thought about the dock and its relation to UI and productivity.

With the update of Leopard though, I moved my dock to the left of my screen and it’s amazing how such a simple move can make such a difference, especially for those with limited screen real estate. The decision to give the dock a “stylish” reflective look actually steals precious vertical space that could be used for other purposes. 

Think about it. How often do you need to use horizontal space? When it comes to design and page layout, you don’t usually see horizontal space being abused. Actually, take a look around you. Books, magazines, and paper all have the same concept; they read down in a narrow column. It’s only natural that applications reflect their real-life counter parts.

The trend of technology generally tends to support this also. As widescreen becomes more and more popular, vertical space becomes limited while horizontal expands. 

So, give a try. Most tend to hate it at first, but the benefits are worth it.