SimpleTap + new Multitouch laptops

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/...touch-x200-tablet-and-t400s-laptop/#continued

"Lenovo's getting a little jump on the wave of Windows 7 machines due to hit next month with a multitouch update to the X200 convertible and a new multitouch version of the T400s. The new X200 Tablet is pretty much what you'd expect, bringing some newer, faster Core 2 Duo processors into the mix along with a two-finger capacitive multitouch screen, but we're a little more intrigued by the multitouch T400s update, since the screen is actually a little nicer and can register up to four fingers. To take advantage of all this new functionality, Lenovo's bundling in a new app called SimpleTap, which brings up an icon-based control panel for settings like volume, screen brightness, and other system functions, as well as quick app and web bookmark launchers. It's pretty cool stuff, but it'll cost you: the multitouch T400s will start at $1,999, while the multitouch X200 will open at $1,729. (There's also a new X200 outdoor screen option for $1,779.) Check a video of SimpleTap after the break, as well as the full press release."

Watch the video @ the engadget link.

I think the SimpleTap software is very cool in terms of design but unless youre using a tablet like the X200, i dont see people using SimpleTap instead of the physical buttons; kinda like the demonstration with the T400s.

 

Hmm weird about the T400s, but more screen options is good to hear.

 

I do not see any new processor options as far as the tablets go, other then bit confusing screen options .

 

thats because this is just the addition of multitouch to the displays.

 

will it possible to be a AFFS/IPS screen?

 

I know, I was so excited to read Kevin's review thinking there could be the option of a beautiful AFFS/IPS display like the one in the x200T - WHY NOT, LENOVO!?!?! WHY NOT Anyone else have any thoughts/knowledge to this end?

 

Seems pretty cool. The outdoor screen sounds interesting. I know that my next notebook will come within the next year as I only have 2 years of warranty left on my T61p, and these certainly are intriguing. I can't wait for the reviews.

Looks like they've already started: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2352818,00.asp?kc=PCRSS02129TX1K0000530

 

I know the touchscreen model adds a half pound to the T400s, I'm wondering what it takes away in battery life. I don't think I'd use it very often, but if its impact was negligible other than the weight difference, I'd consider having it as an option.

 

Check the review above for the exact numbers, but from memory the batter life of the touch screen version of the T400s has about 15 minutes less battery life than the T400.

 

does this use a different screen?

 

I suspect they do. I would not think that Lenovo is overlaying the digitizer.

 

the digitizer actually goes on the back.   the front is simply a polycarbonate surface to protect the actual LCD transistors from finger pressure damage (or pen pressure damage in the case of a tablet).


it would be easy for someone like TMD (who currently supplies T400s panels) to modify existing panels with touch capability.   since the digitizer only needs to register gross motor input rather than finite pen input (such as the RFID system wacom uses on "penabled" tablets), digitizers for panels like this could be manufactured relatively easily and made compatible with existing panels.

plus, since most PC manufacturers will be jumping on the touchscreen bandwagon, i'm sure most LCD manufacturers have contracts with wacom or some other digitizer manufacturer to supply parts that work with standard displays.   doing so would lower the cost of production significantly.

i don't know if this is exactly what will happen.   i'm simply making a hypothesis based on my limited knowledge in tablets, tablet input devices, and designs i've done for touchscreen kiosk systems.


on another note, having a digitizer on the back doesn't automatically mean we'll see the return of IPS/AFFS.   i wish it were a guarantee but i'm not getting my hopes up.   about the only way it would happen is if BOE-hydis produced the new T400s panels and right now i can't confirm this one way or the other.

 

I'll yield to the expert on this one... LOL! I hope it's a great screen though as I will be in the market within the year.

 

aadadams - thanks but i'm definitely no expert on this stuff.   niels bohr said, "an expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field."   i still have a lot of mistakes left to make in my field.

personally, i'm tossed on the idea of touching my thinkpad display to carry out tasks.   some tasks will undoubtedly be faster, others will be slower.   on a tablet i think it makes 100% sense, especially since the multinav button was removed in the X200 series.   on a notebook, i'm still undecided.

it'll be interesting to see if this becomes the next big feature to have or nothing more than a novelty.   its future rests in the hands of the software -- much like when atari used to make computers.

 

Don't I know it... LOL. I am quite torn actually. The pnly thing that's certain is that I will not budge until the i7 and i5 processors have been adopted by Dell, Apple, HP, and Lenovo. My dilemma is that I love the real estate of the 15.4" WUXGA, and am very leery about moving down. But, I know I want something more portable. I need serious horsepower and an optical drive, so the best combo is the T4xxx series or its replacement. We'll see...