[IxDA Discuss] Scenarios for multitouch displays?

[Robert Barlow-Busch]

> Question: what are these mass market applications, scenarios, problems?
>
> Assumption:  we will have low cost, multitouch, small-large flat panel
> displays to develop applications for by the end of the decade.

Thanks for suggesting this, pauric; it's a good suggestion for shifting this
thread onto more positive ground.

I'd like to add one more assumption: that security issues have been resolved
to the extent that when you walk away from the table, it's a clean slate (so
to speak). No personal info crumbs left behind.

So a few ideas:

- Meeting room whiteboards. Here's one that I would personally love to see
today: imagine a large multi-touch wall. Interact with your hands, with pens
or pointing devices, with real-world objects; work on a blank surface, a
static image, or with an interactive application of some sort. A new breed
of productivity or creativity software could arise from this, designed to
help teams collaborate.

- Retail. Retail stores could go crazy with this, offering numerous ways for
people to explore and learn about inventory. Inset one into the front window
and static displays would seem quaint in comparison, as you could actually
*engage* passers-by.

- Planning transportation. A large interactive surface area could be a
pleasure to work with in comparison to current options. Imagine a
subway/metro station: plunk down your mobile phone or credit card; select
your destination(s), click to pay and get your ticket, pick up your
phone/card and walk away. Similar idea at airports and bus stations.

- Restaurants. Has anyone here NOT been frustrated at the difficulty of
splitting a table's bill among sub-groups of the diners? A large interactive
surface could make this a cakewalk (ahem). I believe this scenario was
illustrated in the Surface video, in fact. If cost is prohibitive, all
that's required is single device in the restaurant for anyone to use during
payment.


-- 
Robert Barlow-Busch
Terapath Inc.
bbb at terapath.net