As I was getting ready for another wasted morning (and afternoon) getting ready for my trip to get some medical tests done I caught James’ posts about some slick new Acer touch enabled laptops (thanks to Window 7). Then during the trip I got to thinking about this whole ‘touch’ thing and if it really is the next great frontier of computers that everyone seems to be making it out to be.

I’m not saying that there aren’t practical applications for using touch enabled computers but when it comes to both desktop machines and laptops one has to wonder just where the bonuses are – especially given you will need to replace any existing monitors with new ones. Where touch might make sense in kiosk setups or even Surface type setups for specialized uses the idea that we will get any added benefit from using touch at the desktop or laptop level is silly.

Sure I can make the silly comment about having to always make sure the bottle of Windex and paper towels are handy but seriously can you imagine just how dirty our screens are going to get if touch really takes off?

But even more important is the whole ergonomic effect of touch computing will affects us. If we thought that carpal tunnel syndrome was all the rage just wait until we are spending hours having to hold our up in order to point, move or swish stuff around the desktop.

There is no doubt we will at some point evolve to using some really cool user interfaces but at this point I have to agree with Harry McCracken at Technologizer when he says

I’m still not convinced that touch is going to become a pervasive part of Windows anytime soon–as I say in the PC World review, it’s a fun luxury rather than an essential new feature. (It’s hard to make a new form of input essential when it’s been grafted onto an interface that worked just fine with the input options it already had.)

All the fuss about touch computing is just greasy fingerprints and sore arms is a post from: The Inquisitr

ITunes 8

Steve Jobs’ first revelation was the new iTunes 8. The updated program will make songs more accessible with tiled browsing platform that lets you see each track’s album cover. It also introduces an option called “Genius,” a tool that groups similar songs together into playlists. iTunes 8 will also mark the return of NBC content to the platform.

The New Nano

Next, Jobs showed off the new iPod Nano, which — as expected — will be the thinnest model ever made by Apple. It boasts a newly curved screen, a new voice recording function, and an updated interface modeled after the iPhone and iPod Touch. The next-generation Nano can also be flipped onto its side for better video viewing. One of the coolest additions, though, is the “shake to shuffle” ability: You literally shake the thing to advance to the next track, courtesy of its built-in accelerometer.

The new Nanos will be available in eight colors. The 8GB version will be $149 and the 16GB version $199. Both should be available within the next week. Apple is also prepping a new line of headphones to go with the players. They’ll offer controls right on the cord. The headphones will sell for about $80 and will be available next month.

The New Touch

Third, the updated iPod Touch, which cuts back on size and scales up on power. The thinner model, now available, offers integrated volume controls and a built-in speaker. It also has the same Genius playlist option as the new Nano and is now being touted for audiobook usage as well. The Touch will have access to the App Store, with games such as Spore and Real Soccer 2009 being prepared for release. The touch will run $229 for the 8GB, $299 for the 16GB, and $399 for the 32GB model.

OS X 2.1

Apple also announced the release of OS X 2.1 for both the iPhone and iPod Touch. The update is said to fix the bulk of iPhone problems — dropped calls, reception issues, and app-related crashes. The 2.1 release will be available free to any users already on 2.0 and will cost $9.99 for anyone on an earlier version.

Apple Announces New iTunes, Nano, Touch, & iPhone Fix is a post from: The Inquisitr