Multi-touch, screen size, and case shape.

Shawn Rutledge shawn.t.rutledge at gmail.com
Tue Jul 24 04:18:46 CEST 2007


Yes I agree with all your points.

I suspect the Apple patents are on the interaction techniques, and
possibly on some specific hardware.  Obviously multi-touch existed a
few years ago (FingerWorks was around, and I think the FTIR method was
invented even earlier).  We will see how the lawsuits turn out, which
patents Apple can defend and which they cannot.  (Lawsuits would seem
to be inevitable given the flurry of activity which the iPhone has
provoked.)

However some of the interactions which only involve one finger on the
iPhone, should still be possible with a conventional touchscreen (for
example, "flicking" to scroll a page).

A physically larger screen would be nice to read, and I personally
would put up with the larger overall size (especially if it makes up
for it by being thinner); but people have their stereotypes about how
big a phone is "too big," and something larger than the iPhone will
not sell as well.  (If people could just get away from holding the
whole thing up to their ears like a brick, it would help.  Maybe use a
bluetooth headset?  but I don't use one myself either.)

On 7/23/07, Cailan Halliday <chocolate.usa.chan at gmail.com> wrote:
> First off I wanted to see if anyone shares my opinion that a
> multi-touch screen is needed, if at all possible, to make the Neo
> truly revolutionary. It will both cut down on screen space used for UI
> and make for a more efficient  and intuitive interface. It would even
> help beyond user input, it could "feel" itself being put into a pocket
> for instance and go into sleep mode or what ever other crazy ideas you
> can think of.
>
> It makes me wonder why there isn't as much enthusiasm around it as
> with the camera, which brings me to my next question: Is there some
> sort of patent issue here? I wouldn't think so, considering I've seen
> over 5 separate entities developing and using the technology.
>
> My next question, which really isn't a question; it's more like a
> comment, is: Why not a slightly larger screen size, I think right now
> it's on the verge of being too small. It would be fine if it were a
> simple phone with calendar, planar, and email, but this device is
> capable of web surfing and video which, in my opinion, warrents  a
> larger screen size. Last queston/comment: Why so much wasted space.
> The case should be rectangular to optimize space with the rectangular
> screen.
>
> -Cailan
>
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