Since I first read about the new concept of Tactus keyboard by Art Lebedev, I was intrigued how similar the idea is to the one described in Apple’s Multi-Touch keyboard patents.

The basic idea is the same - a full touch surface peripheral, that can be programmed to perform various input tasks. About the only (maybe) new thing that Tactus adds to Apple’s idea is the possibility to display grainy images.

And today another Apple patent application, called “Dynamically controlled keyboard“, became public. It describes practically the same device as already in production Art Lebedev’s “Optimus Maximus” keyboard:

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I always hate the need to switch/synchronize between my home/work and portable computer set-ups. But there’s nothing I can do about it.

When I’m on the road, portability takes the front seat and when I’m at home, I want to have the biggest/baddest/most powerful set-up I can afford.

So I’m bound to suffer through the process of synchronizing several different computing setups, to make things work…

Unless Apple goes on and makes a real product from the idea of merging the iMac and MacBook into a single package:

Described in a patent application called “Integrated monitor and docking station“, the gist of the idea is to turn the big iMac display/box into a docking station for the MacBook portable computer.

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On the first look, Apple Multi-Touch interface looks really impressive. And it actually is perfect for the small devices like iPhone or iPod Touch.

But once you start thinking about the applicability of Multi-Touch for bigger things like laptops, desktop keyboards and screens or Tablet PCs, the limitations of it become obvious.

Enter Apple Multi-Touch 2.0, described in a new patent application (actually three applications) that surfaced on USPTO site today.

The key here is the ability of the Multi-touch surface to recognize and simultaneously track multiple finger and palm contacts and movements as hands approach, touch, and slide across it.

The new Multi-touch 2.0 enables us to do tons of very interesting things. In Apple’s own words:

Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.

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Probably inspired by the success of Sony VAIO L machines, it seems that Dell has been quietly working on it’s own all-in-one XPS desktop.

Dell XPS A2010 One all-in-one desktops will be manufactured by Asustek and today it unexpectedly popped up on FCC site.

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Toshiba Tecra M9 has already been great 14.1″ Santa Rosa based business notebook.

And it had a lot of configuration options to suit anyone, from price conscious budget buyer to most demanding business user. The only thing lacking in Toshiba Tecra M9 was a 3G high speed data connectivity.

But don’t worry, option for built-in HSDPA is coming to Toshiba Tecra M9 soon. At least that’s what FCC site is telling us.

For now Toshiba Tecra M9 will have HSDPA/WCDMA/EGPRS module that works only AT&T and T-Mobile networks. However, since Toshiba has decided build in 3G wireless connectivity modules into this laptop, Toshiba Tecra M9 with EVDO shouldn’t be that far off too.

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The news about upcoming Asus R1E Tablet PC, which adds Santa Rosa upgrade to already pretty cool R1F tablet were leaked by Asus Australian office couple of weeks ago.

Now, thanks to FCC, we can confirm that Asus R1E Tablet PC/Convertible notebook is coming to the U.S. as well.

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Fujitsu Lifebook U810 UMPC/Tablet hybrid, in other regions known as Lifebook 8240 or Lifebook U1010 has just been approved by FCC.

Fujitsu Lifebook U810/U1010 is an interesting ultramobile PC that bridges the gap between Tablet PC and UMPC categories.

Fujitsu U810/U1010 comes equipped with: Continue Reading »

Steve Jobs have called Multi-Touch interface on Macs an ongoing experiment. Sure it is. But it’s quite an intensive experiment that is very likely to produce the results soon.

The latest Apple’s patent filing  to become public called “Wide touchpad on a portable computer” (it’s a continuation patent for earlier 2004 patent application), shows how Multi-Touch may get onto your next Macbook Pro.

While touchscreen interfaces are great on an iPhone or Tablet PCs, they are not that good on your regular laptop. Just imagine using your finger to enter text or manipulate multiple of objects on your Macbook screen.

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The speculation about whether Apple will include it’s Multi-Touch user interface into other products started right after the new UI was unveiled during iPhone presentation.

To be more precise, there never was a question “If”. It was “When” and “How” Apple will go about making it’s Multi-Touch iMac’s, Macbooks and iPods.

New Apple’s patent application, called “Multi-Touch gesture dictionary” now gives the answer to the “how” question.

To make your next Multi-Touch Macbook or iMac, Apple will create an interactive Multi-Touch gesture dictionary software application. This application identifies a chord (e.g., a combination of fingers, thumbs, and/or other hand parts) presented to the multi-touch interface by the user and displays a dictionary entry for the identified chord

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Fujitsu Lifebook T2010 ultralight convertible notebook/tablet PC, that was spotted in the beginning of July, has been approved by FCC on Friday.

And together with the approval come the live photos and users manual of Fujitsu T2010, from which we were able to glean some specs for this ultraportable tablet.

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