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.

I agree. The new Multi-touch 2.0 will be able to track and recognize all the movements of your hands and fingers on and near the touch surface. Then it will interpret them and transform into intuitive commands:

• Need to move a cursor across the screen? Just slide your finger and it goes.
• Want to enter text? Just start typing and the text is there. You even get the touch feedback as if really pressing the keys.
• Need to erase some text? Use the backspace or just slide the finger backwards
• Have to write or draw something? Just pretend you hold a stylus or pen in your hand and start writing/drawing.
• If that is still not good enough, pick up the real stylus and start writing with it.
• All these cool touch gestures that Apple has implemented in iPhone and is exploring further? You know, scrolling, zooming, rotating & moving objects, etc; They are here too
• 3D object manipulation? Select a few 3D objects on the screen and use all 5 fingers on both hands to play with them.
• Want to take a break to relax and afraid to put your hands on the touch surface? Don’t worry Multi-touch 2.0 thingie knows that and does not pay attention to your resting palms or fingers
• etc;

From the patent application, it looks like Multi-touch 2.0 technologies can be applied both to touch surface data input devices like keyboards/touchpads and touch-screens as well.

What new Multi-touch 2.0 devices will be actually implemented is for the Apple to decide. I’m sure they will come with some pretty groundbreaking things and will do that pretty soon.

And the effect of Multi-touch 2.0 on regular computing devices like your old desktop, Macbook or Tablet PC will probably be even bigger then the iPhone had on the future of mobile phones.

Good-bye my old dear keyboard, single button mouse and drawing pad… Welcome to the Touch revolution