Albatron demos 22-inch multi-touch screen for Windows 7

We didn't think it'd take too terribly long to make it happen, but Albatron is taking Microsoft's heed and is already demonstrating a prototype 22-inch monitor with multi-touch, intended for use with whatever Windows 7 will eventually come to be called. The early verdict on the 1680 x 1050 display? TG Daily says it "works much better than we expected," but we said the same thing about Surface when it debuted last year -- so maybe it simply works as well as it should.

[Arno @ Jun 4th 2008 8:43PM]

Ok. Look at that picture and look at the hand.

Now tell me, is that not the most awkward looking position for a hand to be against a flat surface you've ever seen?

[Ryan Block @ Jun 4th 2008 8:53PM]

That's about as expected. Don't count on multi-touch being a huge feature for any computers used primarily at a desk.

[portwineboy @ Jun 4th 2008 9:01PM]

Honestly I see multi-touch replacing the mouse and keyboard in 10 years.

/not to argue with the Block-man

[Adrian @ Jun 4th 2008 11:33PM]

so maybe we will have our main display and a multi touch display to replace keyboard and mouse and this display could be at a shallower angle like your keyboard is now

also touch would be good for secondary computers around your home like say in the kitchen where you would not want a keyboard and mouse

[Ellianth @ Jun 5th 2008 12:22AM]

stop typing, raise hand to screen. make inaccurate pinching gesture, swear because i have dirtied up the screen, get up and get cloth to wipe screen, wipe screen, sit down and continue typing.

or

use the scroll wheel on my mouse to zoom.

[jakem @ Jun 5th 2008 3:15AM]

@Chuckles - Why don't you try a screen protector on your tablet? I've got a Boxwave anti-glare protector on mine and it's extremely resistant to fingerprints.

I tend to agree with most of the posts here regarding the usefulness of touch on a desktop monitor. The multi-touch improvements in Widows 7 are intended for tablets and UMPCs.

@Fitz - try speeding your mouse up in Mouse Properties. I can get my mouse to move across my 30" monitor with a single swipe on my trackpad.

[cbhwr @ Jun 9th 2008 5:10PM]

Ryan ... perhaps "aS a desk" ?

[OneLove @ Jun 5th 2008 11:49AM]

What? We have to buy special NEW monitors for windows 7 and Microsoft multi touch?(...and so it begins...again.)

[KarlW @ Jun 4th 2008 8:43PM]

When will they stop jumping on the bandwagon and start thinking?

- Desktop Multi-touch LCDs aren't practical. Try it with yours.
- The Multi-Touch software is just gimmicky. Even on the iPhone, very few apps are actually *better* because of Multi-Touch

[portwineboy @ Jun 4th 2008 9:03PM]

A proper multi-touch LCD for a desk would need to be mounted very differently than what we have now.

[Taylor @ Jun 4th 2008 9:21PM]

Multi-touch doesn't have to be JUST for an LCD... We all know the Macbooks have multi-touch touch pads now, but without an OS that supports advanced features we'll never be able to fully utilize it. Hell, even the iphone doesn't support everything it could... Why, oh why, in mobile safari can i not just switch tabs by swiping two fingers left or right?

I guess my main point is that mult-touch will be very useful to have built into windows 7 in general, though i guess this article is specifically about a desktop monitor, and i agree that is of questionable utility to most people (though it makes sense for kiosks).
-Taylor

[Flashpoint @ Jun 4th 2008 9:24PM]

I disagree with you.

A Multitouch interface could have TREMENDOUS implications for viewing porno.

[Fitz @ Jun 4th 2008 9:34PM]

There are plenty of useful applications for multi-touch on a desktop or notebook screen....mostly media-related (maps, pictures, music)

Windows 7 isn't being designed to use multi-touch for writing documents, sending e-mail, or filling out spreadsheets. It's meant to be an enhanced feature for use in particular applications.

Why do people think that just because Windows 7 will include multi-touch capabilities, Windows 7 will ONLY be multi-touch?

Get a clue!

[Chuckles McGee @ Jun 4th 2008 10:01PM]

Multitouch just isn't practical and will be confined to novelty applications.

I'm using a convertible tablet with touch sensitivity, and though accurate, there's one horrible, horrible flaw: it makes the screen all smudgy! Until someone figures a way around that, maybe by making a second "mostly-for-touch" screen to be used in conjuction with a normal screen or invent some smudge-resistant polymer, multi-touch never will gain much prominence.

[K @ Jun 4th 2008 10:19PM]

Playing Crysis on this might be better?

[KarlW @ Jun 4th 2008 10:39PM]

"There are plenty of useful applications for multi-touch on a desktop or notebook screen....mostly media-related (maps, pictures, music)"

Obviously, but here are a few nibbles for thought:

1. Where do you put it? Desktops don't have trackpads, and if its at a distance (as most desktops are), you arm gets very tired very quickly. Just give it a go on your machine. Does only being able to use it for a minute enhance your experience? No. This is Flip3D all over again.

Multi-Touch gained prominence when Apple used it on the iPhone. It had a purpose there - you didn't have enough space for good input methods. Arguably, Multi-Touch still isn't a good input method even on the iPhone. This was born from nothing. I didn't see people climbing the white house dressed as batman to exclaim that keyboards sucked.

You were also controlling one app at a time on the iPhone. It didn't bother you that your finger had to travel a few cm when you wanted to hit the 'back' button in Safari. Try that on a 19" screen (pretty common nowadays). Now let's see how it scales; try it on a 30" screen.

2. How exactly are music, pictures or maps better with multi-touch? When I go to play my music, I don't sit there and sigh, lamenting on the lack of touch controls. In fact, I like having a keyboard more, because I have a Play/Pause button that works no matter what the current app is.

I also don't give a damn about the lack of touch controls for my photos - what does it hinder me doing? Rotating them and stacking them together? Why on earth would I want that? A screen full of photos at odd angles. Nice. Now where's the paint? How fast do you think it'll dry this time?

And maps isn't much more fun with multi-touch. Yea, you can spin a virtual globe. That small enjoyment is the only benefit I see, and is likely several hundred times more expensive than getting an actual globe (check your local stationary store. Sometimes you can get old ones with the USSR on them, for that nostalgic feel)

[Fitz @ Jun 5th 2008 12:02AM]

Don't get your panties in a wad KarlW

Just because you may not find touch on a desktop or notebook useful does not mean the rest of us think the same way.

Have you ever tried reordering pictures in an album? I could do this in 10 seconds with multi-touch while it seems to take forever on a trackpad.

Have you ever wanted to just peruse your music library by cover art? Sure you can do this with a mouse or trackpad now, but it could be so much faster with touch IMO.

Maps are a great application to use touch. Have you ever tried to scroll or pan on a 30 inch monitor with a mouse? I have to lift up the mouse several times to just get to the other side of the screen....pain in my ass! I could do it in a second with touch.

Touch is meant to be an enhancement to existing software, not dictate how its used. I can't tell you the number of times I thought to myself...if I could just use multi-touch on my screen I could get this done so much faster.

Did you ever think that adding touch capability is not that far away from instituting gestures into an OS? They would basically result in the same operation, but you wouldn't have to TOUCH the screen....hmmmm there's a thought.

I bet I'm not the only one, so simmerrrrr down na.

[KarlW @ Jun 5th 2008 12:38AM]

I'm not angry at all, I don't know what gave you that impression. Why do debates always turn personal here. I'm not using condescending remarks like "don't get your panties in a twist". Why do debates always turn that way here? Don't you people have any respect for each other?

I have tried reordering pictures in an album. I had about 25 on the screen and CTRL-Clicked (actually Command-Clicked, because I'm on a Mac) the ones I wanted and put them in the album. Wasn't really hard. You do know about multiple selection, right? Not trying to patronise, but I'm constantly running in to people who boggle at me when I do it. It's just become a thing lately.

I've also browsed my music by cover art. I did it with iTunes, and it goes full-screen. You have to press left and right. Again, I didn't really get the urge to touch anything, and I'm OCD!

If you're on a very large monitor, I have no idea why you'd be supporting this stuff. use your keyboard for scrolling if you're bugged at how slow the mouse is. Adjust the key repeat rate to make it comfortable. Maybe some sort of per-application mouse and keyboard sensitivity is what you're after, rather than a touch-screen?

As it happens, I've never once felt the current mouse-keyboard system inadequate. It lets me get things done at any distance, adjust the screen to be comfortable and not strain my neck or tire my arms, not shell out obscene amounts of money on hardware, and let's me multitask - something no multi-touch demo has been able to do. You wonder why its all map demos? Because they can't think of anything else it's good for.

I have an iPhone, and I love the touch controls on it - because they make sense. They're implemented with thought, and there is a clear logic to their being there. These MT displays came from nowhere. From people trying to grab some iPhone success in a totally different market. It's like they replaced the engineers with 13-year olds with intravenous kool-aid.

[Fitz @ Jun 5th 2008 9:20PM]

I wasn't really trying to make it personal (KarlW). Someone please come up with a way to convey sarcasm in a post - I fail every time.

The simmmmmer down na was an attempt at sarcasm (SNL skit from the early 90's).

As I said before, I have a hunch they're a adding the capability because it will eventually lead to gesture based control - it just lays the foundation for applications to be developed upon. Gesture control for computers is still in very early stages, but I think it will be the future (IMHO)

[Decoy @ Jun 4th 2008 8:44PM]

What to make of that? Let's not get excited, it's only OK as far as a 22inch touchscreen is concerned, move on please?

Is that how we are meant to react?

[Taylor @ Jun 4th 2008 9:35PM]

New product in a new product category (large multitouch LCDs specifically, not just touch), displaying a new feature of a future OS.... Yeah, definetely not worth posting on a gadget blog...
-Taylor

[BobTurbo @ Jun 4th 2008 8:45PM]

I guess these could be good if you put them in a kitchen or something paired up with a low powered computer. That way you can check wheather, pull up recipes, etc.

[clak @ Jun 4th 2008 8:46PM]

Isn't almost as if Apple is running a fake on Microsoft, so that they chase after multi-touch, which will surely fail, while Apple works on something more revolutionary.

First, Microsoft stumbles out the gate with Vista, cause they're desperately copying OS X Tiger and now all this multi-touch nonsense. Well played, Apple, well played.


If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants—Isaac Newton

[Decoy @ Jun 4th 2008 9:02PM]

"Here is our multitouch on a phone."
"Here is our multitouch on a table and a screen."
"Gotcha! Here is our REAL revolutionary idea!"

This is how it works in the real world?

[Matt @ Jun 4th 2008 9:31PM]

Clak, I think you're one of the most useless people posting on this site.

[letstakeawalk @ Jun 5th 2008 12:46AM]

Clak, if Apple was producing products only to fake out the competition, what would that make the company? Yes, say it, "Douche Bags". The competition between political groups may require diversion and "strategery" (haha), but businesses that are wasting time and money trying to play mind games with the competition will only suffer in the long run. Shareholders don't like to be lied to.

That said, today my work iMac went back to the shop for the third time, and for some reason my Macbook Pro stand-in couldn't grab the Wifi either. (Maybe a certain company should focus on quality rather than mind-games.) Thank FSM I could get home early to check in with Engadget on my ancient XP box...

[Gavin @ Jun 5th 2008 1:11AM]

Hey Clak, you must have a really crap job that you think is the beez kneez. Your posts suck my rosey red ass every time I see 'em!

☹☛☟☻I am an Apple fanboy, you still suck and I do just call 'em like I see 'em☻☝☛✌☕

[Adam @ Jun 4th 2008 8:50PM]

Well why are they saying this is new... Touch screens have been around for years. Sure they only work with one command, but is this really worth spending the money on?

[FrankTheCrank @ Jun 4th 2008 8:55PM]

Line up for your multi touch monitors now. HAHAHAHA.....suckers.

[Randy @ Jun 4th 2008 8:57PM]

Boobies are still going to feel flat and taste like glass.

[eggothewaffle @ Jun 4th 2008 9:08PM]

Multitouch. iPhone. Netbook.

A triumvirate of topics for far too many Engadget articles.

[Ruben @ Jun 4th 2008 9:10PM]

Why is everyone knocking this already?

What this will do is force every LCD maker to make their new screens Win 7 compatible, and therefore, touch based. This isnt new, but neither is it mainstream. If it doesnt deteriorate from the visual image produced, and doesnt hinder your ability to use a mouse/keyboard, then why the fuck not? The more makers out there, and the more talk of it, the cheaper it will be, and eventually become a standard item in everyones home. Thats why this is important.

While this is a niche product for the desktop, there is massive potential for having an all-in-one that is fully touch screen based in areas of your home you never intended. Like someone mentioned, in a kitchen, which will double as your tv and quick access PC terminal.

And of course theres laptops, which is by far the biggest reason im excited for Win 7. Considering the power Microsoft has over hardware makers, there is no doubt that every laptop released along with Win 7 will have touch screen capability, which can also mean useable tablets for the masses.

But i guess none of this matters until Apple announces 10.6 will be multi-touch based. Sometimes i forget who im commenting to.

[J L @ Jun 4th 2008 9:17PM]

I agree with you in more ways than are possible. OS X 10.6 will have multi-touch, and some how, people will make it sound like MS copied 10.6 by putting it in Windows 7, even though it has been shown by MS already...

(Yes, MS sort-of half way copied Apple by using multi-touch in a product, but I guess GM copies Ford in that sense because cars from both companies both have 4 wheels...)

[Miguel @ Jun 4th 2008 9:32PM]

Ditto. Not so much on the desktop front, but in the laptop market, I am sold. That's where touchscreens will be best, though I still want a mouse (or trackpad) and keyboard.

[KarlW @ Jun 4th 2008 10:52PM]

OSX 10.6 won't be multi-touch based. Apple aren't that stupid. The only reason Microsoft is doing it is because they're stupid enough to think they missed something, and are overcompensating.

And because they suffer from a bizarre mixture of lack of confidence and arrogance. They won't admit they were wrong about the pathetically poor Tablet PC market and the whole 'touch' thing, and they counter it by trying to be more radical by 'out-innovating' Apple. Regardless of the logic. I'm sure there's a name for the disease. Any psychologists in the house, per chance?

[Ruben @ Jun 4th 2008 11:38PM]

@KarlW:

So your saying that a fully multi-touch based MacBook or MacBook Pro isnt the final image seen by all Mac fan boys before they bust out a steamy load?

Such a device would require an OS that has such a capability. I believe its closer than we think, but probably not until hardware refreshes next year.

[teasphere @ Jun 4th 2008 9:53PM]

Multi-touch is a first-gen idea which will ultimately be a fad but also a gateway into the real next gen HCI. Just as the Wii is. A great new idea, decently implemented but ultimately flawed and early.

My only other issue, is that you NEED to make such displays either glass or covered in some material that is easily wiped off and not damaged by oils and pressure. Finger smudges directly on the output device is massively flawed.

[Ron Smith @ Jun 4th 2008 10:04PM]

multitouch with a good 3d LCD, a man can dream cant he?

[Hatshutsup @ Jun 4th 2008 10:09PM]

Touch control is meant for devices that your hands can rest on and/or use with natural extension, such as a laptop's touchpad, a DS, or a mobile device. But not on something that's (of all possible positions) mounted and intended to be used vertically!

Come on, think of something else already, guys. Maybe a display that senses 3D movement in close proximity (without touch).

[sandyx31 @ Jun 4th 2008 10:32PM]

How about a Touch Mouse Pad. I think this can have some good use and replace the Mouse for ever.

Sounds Crazy.....

Who knows.

[KarlW @ Jun 4th 2008 10:54PM]

You sound like Microsoft's R&D team

"Let's see what sticks..."

[wes @ Jun 4th 2008 11:01PM]

uhh, have you ever heard of a trackpad or ever use a laptop? LOL

[Plothole @ Jun 4th 2008 11:53PM]

That sounds a lot like a wacom-style tablet actually. Now these are indeed very useful, though there are times when a mouse is still preferable (namely in games).

[_man1c_ @ Jun 4th 2008 10:51PM]

maybe have the screen in a 45degree angle like a drawing board. not sure exactly how many degrees a drawing board is, but something like that where the screen isnt verticle. might be little more comfortable that way.

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jun 5th 2008 12:10AM]

I always hated it when somebody was pointing out something on the screen I was using. I couldn't stand finger smears on the screen. Now MS is inviting people to just put their fingers all over the darn screen. How annoying. I think this touch screen stuff is going a little too far. People better stop eating fried chicken and french fries for lunch.

[Mike W @ Jun 5th 2008 12:36AM]

Good point. Apple made a huge mistake with that whole "touch screen" on the iPhone... those will never sell. I know you hate those silly things.

[SpazArmy @ Jun 5th 2008 12:28AM]

(caption - my weener is deeeeessss biiggggg)

[TareX @ Jun 5th 2008 12:47AM]

Windows Mobile 7 would obviously make a GREAT tablet mini-laptop. Waiting for those to hit!

[Frederik @ Jun 5th 2008 1:15AM]

Swish and flick anybody? Just like Harry Potter.

[TIMMAH! @ Jun 5th 2008 2:04AM]

More greasy fingerprints on our screens... lovely! I'm waiting for the direct neural interface where we won't have to be touching anything!!!