[IxDA Discuss] 'Transparent' Apple Devices

[pauric]

Thanks for the explanation, what you describe makes sense, although
I'm not sure I see the need to avoid switching focus on a small
screen.

Will: "it should be possible to distinguish between 'touch' and
'press' events based on the area covered by the fingertip."

That leads in to the problem of calibration.  A fat fingered
Neanderthal such as myself is going to have a smaller footprint
spread compared to someone who looks after their fingers.

Here's a direct link to the sms demo which allows for tracking
control.  I think if they currently had the ability to show the
bubble in between placement and pressing of the finger they would
have included it in the demo.

http://images.apple.com/movies/us/apple/iphone/300/phone_sms_f_20070109.mov

Thats not to say it isnt possible, I just think its impractical given
the spread of input device characteristics (aka 'fingers')

Will: "Because the key bubbles provide visual feedback, the user's
attention is drawn to the keyboard area, which in turn informs and
improves their fine motor control."

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauric/500837495/

I had wondered about this, a counter argument is that placing the
bubble over other keys, in this case the D appearing over both E & R,
negates the value of this, what do you think?

And to tie this back in to Dan's original comment.  Given the
complexity of the design characteristics  highlighted by the
subsequent comments, a rear panel input sensor seems a long, long,
way off.