elearnspace

The inefficiencies of the computer keyboard and mouse are frequently highlighted. Discussion then moves to how, in the near future, we will interact much more directly with computers. But nothing much has happened. Until Apple made touch interfaces not only work, but also cool to own (and Nintendo, with the Wii, changed how we interact with games systems). The iPhone and iPod touch presented the strengths (and weaknesses – i.e. entering text on either device) of touch computing. While the vision has been there for several decades, the concept is now found in reality. And it has prompted Bill Gates – with the typical Microsoft way of declaring trends once they are blindingly obvious to declare: “that the keyboard and mouse would gradually give way to more intuitive and natural technologies.”