2014-03-11 11:54 GMT+00:00 J.F. Rick <[email protected]>:

> Hi Sergi,
>
> Based on my experience developing touch interfaces since 2007, I believe
> in touch.
>

Don´t get me wrong, I like touch and non-traditional interfaces in general.
In fact there are five android devices at home, counting phones and
tablets. I also experimented with voice and webcam control for my home
theatre. I just think that they are optimal for some scenarios and
not-so-optimal for others, and that it wouldn´t be an improvement to make
all devices touch-only. As you yourself point out:


> You just have to take advantage of what touch does well (faster, more
> precise routes; multi-touch gestures; bimanual interaction) and stay clear
> of things it does poorly (precise touch down, covering the target with the
> finger).
>

Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Mice have multiple buttons (I use
the wheel and the back/forward buttons a lot, both for those functions and
as configurable controls in certain games) and are easily identifiable as
distinct input devices, while touch interfaces allow more direct (not
necessarily precise) control over the actions, taking things like pointer
acceleration out of the equation. Almost everyone can draw a lowercase 'g'
on a touch screen, but doing it with a mouse takes some skill (well, and a
decent mouse). As a more concrete use case, trying to craft some pixel art
in a touch device can quickly become tedious.

I certainly wouldn´t mind at all having one or two tactile screens in my
desk. That said, I once had an interesting conversation with a costumer, in
which she told me that she couldn´t play World of Warcraft with her tactile
screen because random passing-by insects kept pressing her skills/spells
buttons at the worst times :)

Cheers,
Sergi

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