Editing Organazized has some thoughts on the problems with multi touch. There are interesting arguments about the spatial limitations of multi touch, compared to the ability to lift a mouse and reposition on a mouse pad, but mostly it is the same concerns about multi touch on an office computer, and how arms will hurt from using it.
I hear similar arguments all the time, that multi touch on the desktop is just going to hurt your arms. And I will admit it would. However, I think the future of multi touch means a reworking of just how we interact with computers.
Multi touch makes complete sense immediately on mobile devices like phones and tablet PCs. As demonstrated by the many video demo’s floating around, it also works exceedingly well on very large wall type screens, which are used by those with deep pocket books and specific needs. However, kiosk type applications, such as the MS Surface platform, are where I think most people are going to get a change to use multi touch. Even PCs like the HP TouchSmart, or those digital picture frames that are all the rage, would be ideal candidates for multi touch.
And the argument made about never running out of space with a mouse, being able to lift it, reposition, lower it, and continue the movement, have already been addressed in multi touch. Want to make a picture smaller? “Pinch” it down. Once your fingers are touching, re-pinch.
Still, always glad to see people thinking about multi touch, the more interest and opinion, the more chance of progress.
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