Is there real value in multi-touch interface for a desktop?

Question

I was lucky enough recently to be involved in a Surface project at Microsoft writing an educational game for an upcoming "trade show". I can really see how the collaborative nature and natural interaction of the Surface could be huge in the education space, I really can't get excited by touch or multi-touch on a "normal" machine.

I can see how multi-touch is useful in a mobile machine like the iPhone, but I just don't see how or why I'd want to put my sticky fingers all over my desktop or laptop, or what software would really take advantage of it (especially if it's restricted to "just" 2 inputs. I'd imagine it's quicker for me to resize a picture with my mouse than it is to reach from the mouse to the screen and do it there :)

Do I just not get it? Is anyone working on exciting multi-touch apps that might change my mind? :)

Answer 1

I think the core concept here is that multi-touch has some domains where it excels (like iPhone and Surface), while it would probably fail for mundane tasks that you would perform every day with a computer.

My Macbook Air has multi-touch (to an extent), but I never really seem to use it other than the 2 finger scrolling. It would be interested to know the usability stats behind multi-touch interfaces like Macbook Air where it is not the primary source of input/use.

Horses for courses.

Answer 2

Well maybe I could see multi-touch on a laptop to tablet. If the screen does not get to dirty. But I really see the touchless SDK (http://www.codeplex.com/touchless/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=17986) making multi-touch more approachable for home use. Where you can do gestures in the air in front of you web cam to give the computer commands or control picture sizes and orientation.

Answer 3

I think the only real advantage is in replacing your mouse.

I find Apples multi-touch touchpad much more natural these days than a PC touchpad. I never thought I'd get used to only having one button, now two buttons are just annoying when resting two fingers on the touchpad (which you are already touching anyway) and clicking does the same thing.

I think it would have to be the same kind of thing with your computer display. Imagine three of them embedded in a non-programmers desktop at, say a 30 degree angle with no external input device.

It would be extremely natural to use, and much more "Lightweight" than having to deal with a keyboard and mouse.

Answer 4

You'll have to pry my keyboard out of my cold, dead hands.

IT professionals, productivity workers and software developers are infinitely more productive with a real keyboard than anything else. I also have a problem with the notion of all this "up in the air", Minority Report-like interface - nobody has the upper arm strength to keep their hands in that position all day long. I further question the precision they expose as compared to a conventional mouse or trackball.

Answer 5

I agree with Sarat, multi touch will have its own areas to excel in. I also think that once multi touch becomes more mainstream people will get used to it and applications will follow. Interacting with a computer can change profoundly (multi touch also means multi user) and can make it more social. I'm keeping an eye on the technology because it might become a big thing in the future.