A new patent for touchscreen Mac technology has been published by Apple, paving the way for the tablet computer we’ve been anticipating for so long.
The revised patent shows OS X operating with a full-sized keyboard on the screen, as well as a system for enlarging, re-sizing and minimising windows using a finger.
Apple’s design boss Jonathan Ive is listed among the inventors of the touchscreen system, which includes the familiar scrolling, zooming and rotating movements found on the iPhone and iPod touch.
One of the new systems devised by Apple to deal with small buttons and selections is an automatic zoom. When a finger is held to a control box or button, it is enlarged so the correct choice can be made. The control then reduces to its original size.
It’s typical Apple: fast, simple and easy to use.
But it’s not just keys and buttons. The filing also depicts an on-screen scroll wheel, like those found on original iPods. It’s clear the Mac-maker has tons of plans for its touchscreen machines, now all we need is a launch date!
TBC | £TBC | Apple (via Appleinsider)
