Perhaps if the iDesk is ever produced, it will be more affordable than Surface, but I have my doubts. Regardless, operating a multitouch display desk like this sounds pretty sweet, since it would be capable of not only running apps of its own, but providing you with virtual input devices for your laptop and mobile devices, including keyboards and touch-input surfaces.

Will Apple ever make something like the iDesk? There are certainly rumors that the next version of the iMac might have a touchscreen, but that’s not been confirmed. If they do, maybe they’ll be able to scale touchscreens successfully larger screens in time, and eventually drive the prices down to make something like this affordable. For now. We just get to look at a pretty concept.

[via MacLife]

The display will ship out this month starting at $8,400 (USD). That price is for the screen only, if you need a table stand as well it will set you back $9,049 for both the stand and display. For that much money, you get a 40-inch screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution. That screen is sealed against water and external shock. It also uses one of the biggest pieces of Gorilla Glass in the industry to protect it from scratches.

The display supports 50 points of touch at one time. It can be hooked to all sorts of accessories via USB ports and Wi-Fi connectivity. The processor inside is an Athlon X2 245e running at 2.9GHz. Other hardware includes 320GB of storage and a Radeon HD 6750 video card.

I think it would be awesome to have one of these in my game room.

It’s able to detect up to 32 simultaneous touch points, so multiple users can interact with it, and it offers full 1080p HD resolution. The giant LED backlit LCD screen is fully 3D capable, and is bright enough to work even in well-lit environments, like museums, offices and classrooms.

The MT65 Presenter isn’t just a display – it’s a fully self-contained Windows 7-based system (a Linux version is coming in March.) Under the hood, it’s got a speedy quad-core Intel Core i7 2720QM CPU, along with 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SATA SSD hard drive, and a GeForce GTX 460 GPU, so it’s powerful enough to run just about anything you can throw at it. Ports include Ethernet, HDMI (in and out for mirroring), USB 2.0, and 3.5mm audio in and out jacks.

The whole system is loaded into a durable 4″ thick vandal-proof aluminum frame, so it can be used in public places without too much worry. They’ve also attached a small HD webcam and stereo microphone on top of the display, so those can be used as inputs for interactive projects. Also included is GestureWorks 3, which lets you easily create interactive touch-based apps using Adobe Flash, Flex or Air. The package also includes software components for quickly integrating and interacting with photos, videos, and audio files in touch-based projects.

The ideum MT65 Presenter is available now, with prices starting at $17,450 (USD), and can be ordered in custom colors for $1,000 more. Sure, you might not be able to afford one for your living room, but it’s a pretty good deal for professional users, given its size and capabilities.

The touchpad runs along the base of the keyboard. When the device is closed, the visible gap converts to an touchscreen, using a custom Windows 8-esque “Metro” interface to display one or two rows of tiles. Users can tap them to access a summary of pertinent information such as their calendar, e-mail, Facebook or news updates. You can also view power settings, the date and time without opening up the laptop’s lid.

Keep in mind that the touchpad itself isn’t a display. It’s just letting you see through to the laptop’s screen underneath, and software automatically changes what’s displayed when the laptop is closed.

Intel is also partnering with Nuance in order to develop voice recognition technology for the device and wants to retail it for less than $600 (USD).

[via The Verge via Designboom]

Developed by Cregle Inc., the iPen’s secret ingredient isn’t in the stylus itself, but in its complementary receiver, which uses both infrared and ultrasonic signals to detect the location of the stylus, instead of the iPad’s capacitive touch sensors. This provides a far more accurate drawing experience than any other iPad stylus to date. The receiver can track the stylus even when it’s just hovering above the iPad. It also has palm rejection, i.e. you can rest your palm on the iPad knowing that it won’t cause accidental input.

The Kickstarter fundraiser for the iPen ends today and will end on a very successful note, gathering more than four times its target amount. So if you manage to pledge at least $79 (USD) today it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll be one of the first to own an iPen.

[via Gizmodo]

Developed by Sanden, in cooperation with Okaya Electronics and Intel, this concept vending machine has a 65-inch full HD vertical display on front. The transparent touchscreen display can not only show animated graphics, but provides product information and merchandising, and even acts as a clock while waiting for its next customer.

The prototype machine even offers facial recognition technology so it could display customized menus based on the individual user as they walk by.  And if it doesn’t know you, it can display products based on what demographic it THINKS you fit into based on your age or gender. How Minority Report of them.

[via DigInfo.TV]

For example, the watch above is displaying 3:45. Get it now? Fine. Here are more examples:

In keeping with its minimalist design, the watch face has four touch-sensitive zones – the top, bottom, left and right – for setting the time, date, alarm and light, all of which are activated by a prolonged touch. The On Air watch is yet another design which started out on TF’s Design Studio Blog, and based on a concept by Iskender and Adilet Asanaliev.

It’s available in either silver or black stainless steel, and in natural grey LCD with blue LED backlighting, green LCD with matching green LED backlighting, red LCD with matching red LED backlighting, or gold LCD with orange LED backlighting.

If you like what you’re (not) seeing, set an alarm within the next 13 hours reminding you to order the On Air watch from Tokyoflash. Wait longer than that and you’ll miss out on its $169 to $179 (USD) launch price, which is $20 less than its regular price.

The EXOdesk is an interactive desk, which basically puts a 40-inch touchscreen at your fingertips. There’s isn’t much known about the hardware specs, but it looks like you’re basically using a big tablet to interact with your computer. It looks pretty cool if you’ve always wanted to have something like this, but I think we’ll see some Microsoft Kinect hacks that will go above and beyond what the EXOdesk can do.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The EXOdesk is expected to retail for just $1,299 (USD), which is way cheaper than a Microsoft Surface table (The Samsung SUR40 lists for $8,400), and probably more convenient since you can use it sitting down.

[via Goodereader via Ubergizmo]

The vision behind Nokia GEM concept seems to be full customization and adaptation. For example, in the video below, the user takes a picture and then uses it to cover the entire phone. Solid Snake would love that feature. Watch the oddly animated and soundtracked video below to find out how a literal touch phone might work:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Seriously though I think power management or battery capacity will be an issue with this design. I’m also not convinced that a touchscreen on the back will be significantly useful. If we’re talking about phones that are all screen I’d rather go with this design.

[Nokia via Crave UK]

Whereas the Sixthsense requires that the user wear color-markers on his fingers so that the camera can track them, the Kinect does all the work in Harrison’s concept device. The OmniTouch is also slightly more compact than the Sixthsense. It’s also shoulder-mounted, making you look like a robot pirate. Or a bird trainer.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I wonder if this will be the next big thing in portable computing immediately after tablets. Both the Sixthsense and OmniTouch are great concepts – they encourage people to go out and interact with the world instead of mooring us on our chairs or beds.  We’ll be able to hold our own drive-in and outdoor theaters, augment analog games with digital enhancements and access information about anything we encounter – animals, plants, gadgets, food, landmarks. And we’ll be able to publicly bitch about how this magical device has a short battery life and that the screen isn’t too bright or some other thing that doesn’t please us. Instead of graffiti, memes, Twitter feeds and Facebook wall posts will be projected on walls. Wow. I just made myself sad.

[Chris Harrison via TechCrunch]

The touch panel is sensitive enough to detect finger inputs through all sorts of fabrics. This might sound good, but it might look awkward in some circumstances, like in a meeting. Stroking your pocket usually implies something different than composing an email or sending a text, if you know what I mean.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Microsoft thinks that the back of a PocketTouch screen could be used like this to read gestures, and already have it deconstructing  text characters. I can see this being useful to teens everywhere, who want to send secret text messages without anyone knowing.

[PC World via DVice]

The Dot-to-Dot watch tells time exactly the way you’d think from its name – by drawing lines between dots on its display. Designed in collaboration between a guy in England named Peter, and a guy in Germany named Sam Jerichow, the Dot-to-Dot would feature four small, segmented display sections, each of which initially display a series of dots on their faces.

If you’re in a puzzle-solving mood, you can use the touch-sensitive E-Paper display to connect the dots and see what number is hidden on each, or just press a button and the display automatically connects the dots on your behalf, making it both a cryptic display and one that can be easily read if you’re not feeling up to the challenge.

In addition to the cool black-on-white display, the concept calls for a white-on-black variant, as well as a variety of modern watch bands to go with. Personally, I like the all-black version with the carbon-fiber look.

While the design is still just a concept, TokyoFlash often takes popular designs from their design blog and figures out a way to get them produced. If you’re a fan of the Dot-to-Dot, be sure to head over to the site, and cast your vote. Someday, you could actually be telling time with a connect-the-dot puzzle on your wrist.

They have ditched any and all control buttons in favor of a touchscreen and the design is clearly inspired by modern smartphones. The Touch features a large touch-sensitive LCD display with stylized digits that will let users sort through all of it’s functions and features. For instance, you can swipe between displays to view different time zones, access the chrono, set alarms, the timer and beep menus.

To start, these watches will come in six colors: camouflage, pink, purple, black, white and turquoise. They will be available on October 1st for £100 (~$156 USD).

[via T3]

In its default state, you’ll find the conductive tip at one end and the laser pointer on the other end near the clip. Simply pop off the stylus half to reveal the refillable pen. Here’s an unboxing of the product by Jordan Klekot:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can order the Stylus + Pen + Laser Pointer directly from Griffin for $50 (USD). I’m waiting for this multifunctional pen trend to escalate until Brando comes out with one that also has a mouse, keyboard, trackpad, joystick and gamepad. And a bottle opener. And chopsticks. Because Brando.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

The MegaPad was hacked together by Martin Drashkov. He believes that there is room for a touchscreen device as large as this, citing two-person computing and gaming as one example (Arthur Nishimoto’s awesome set up comes to mind). Drashkov used Android for his device because he believes that the “openness and flexibility make it the only modern touch-based OS that is able to be adapted for uses beyond what’s currently available in the market.” He didn’t mention which flavor of Android his MegaPad is on though.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

As I said earlier, this thing is relatively cheap – Drashkov claims he put it together using off-the-shelf parts with a total cost of less than $600 (USD), less expensive than high-end versions of some tablets. I’m still not totally sold on a device this large having a touchscreen only interface. Also I think it would be better if Drashkov made it so the MegaPad could be positioned horizontally or at least at an angle so you can work on it like a desk and make it easier for more people to use it simultaneously. I’ll update this post when Drashkov releases the MegaPad’s specs, but if you want you can also directly keep an eye out for the details on his blog.

[via Gizmodo via Dvice]

The screen in the shot above and in the video below measures 70″ (diagonally), but Crunchy Logistics can make even larger ones, up to 150″. Playing Angry Birds might be a form of exercise on a screen that big.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

That was awesome. Digital or not, I think board games really need a larger surface to shine. Playing Infinity Blade or Fruit Ninja on the Padzilla could get tedious though.

CEO Neil Dufva told TechCrunch that the 70″ Padzilla display will cost about $30,000 to $40,000 (USD). An iPad is included with the cost, but that’s a small consolation. Crunchy Logistics is willing to rent a Padzilla to people with shallower pockets though, I’m just not sure what the rates are. Check out the company’s website for more info.

[via Pocket-lint & TechCrunch ]

Rather than working on a computer to modify your images, you’d tap directly on the SWYP’s tablet-like touchscreen surface to edit and prepare images, which would then print out directly underneath, exactly as you saw them on screen.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The designers of the SWYP say the screen would be calibrated to match the print output, and match the exact size of the paper so you get exactly what you see on screen.

The idea makes sense if you send photos to it directly from your smartphone or camera, but not so much if you do your image prep work on your computer.

The overall design is interesting, but will it be relevant to users? I mean, how many photos do you actually print out? I take hundreds of photos and rarely print them out at all. When I do, I go to a shop that prints out large archival quality prints. My current desktop printers have all run out of ink and I haven’t replaced them in a while.

[via core77]

The VendScreen will offers a touchscreen device that can be added onto an existing vending machine or integrated into new ones. Other than just being cooler, the new screens also provide the caloric and nutritional data display that the government is forcing on the vending industry.

The screens will show the products and allow the user to search for a specific product too. They will also handle cashless payments and can track the inventory inside the machine and tell the company what it needs to stock up on. This sounds pretty cool and it would be nice to see the screen in action.

As you can see the Space 3 – or Space³ or Spaceee – takes the touchscreen to the extreme. The idea is to have a “mother” screen and a “lens” – not a baby? – screen that communicate wirelessly to extend the display. This enables a user to enjoy the benefits of two screens or one large screen with the portability of an average-sized smartphone.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that the design is more form than function though. For example, why does it have to be transparent? Wouldn’t that be more distracting to use? And how will you make its components – the mobo, the batteries, the antennas etc. – transparent?  If we’re going to be imagining things anyway, I’d rather go with a built-in projector or a holographic display. This is far too futuristic and impractical. Not that there’s anything wrong with exercising one’s creativity.

That said, I do see the benefits of having separate screens for one device. It would make it easier to compare documents or media. Or one could be the camera while the other serves as the viewfinder, making it easier to shoot shots from awkward angles. You could also make one the keyboard or the controller for gaming while the other screen remains a display. Speaking of gaming, it could also be used for two-player games (but that’s stretching it). A transparent screen (or two) would also be great for augmented reality apps.

For all its faults, I think the best aspect of this concept is that it makes us think of alternative builds for a device that’s stagnated form-wise (black body + touchscreen + ??? = profit!), and that’s good enough for me.

[via Yanko Design]

Okay, so you can’t exactly bake a cake or roast a chicken with designer Dragan Trenchevski’s Electrolux Mobile Kitchen, but you can cook up a storm, chop your ingredients on the side, and grate stuff while you’re at it. Oh, and you can also use the touchscreen to flip the virtual pages of your cookbook to check if you’re doing everything right if you’re still trying out a new dish.

The whole mobile kitchen notebook is still a concept for now, although I wish they can work out the kinks (oil spattering on the screen, for one) on this one to actually turn it into a reality, because I know a lot of people (myself included) who’d kill to have one of these.

[via Yanko Design]