Apple files for 34 multi-touch patents
updated 04:10 pm EDT, Thu July 3, 2008
Apple multi-touch patents
The US Patent and Trademark Office today published approximately 34 applications from Apple, all of which relate to multi-touch technology. Among these are a means of covering necessary hardware from view, to make devices more visually appealing; a means of distinguishing whether a screen is being touched by flesh or other forms of input, such as a fingernail; and in particular, a unique Apple design for a capacitive touch sensor.
The remainder of patents typically refer to refinements and other necessary supporting technologies, but one of these, "Simultaneous Sensing Arrangement," contains a figure which suggests that Apple expects multi-touch on a range of devices, beyond just phones, iPods and notebooks. These may include UMPCs and full-sized desktops.
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How long will we have to wait for touch computers from Apple, and, perhaps, the fabled Tablet that this news would lend support to? 5 more years? We will see a new line of computers with touch screens with the release of 1.6 Snow Leopard?
I can't really see them going to all this trouble to add multi-touch to "stationary" computers like desktops and laptops, without offering the full meal deal in the form of a Tablet.