Speculation on Apple's Upcoming Revolution in Computing: Keyboard+Trackpad

Wow, that's an interesting take.

While I had the same thought about a new input device as possible coming from Apple, I think it less likely they'll replace current conventions (the keyboard, tactile feedback, etc.) simultaneously. The two-finger scroll is an excellent example of more functionality being built into current mediums.

I wonder about the possibilities of additional input devices.

As an Apple user I follow their products very closely but this idea seems more complicated than helpful. I type 100WPM and I like the feeling of a real keyboard.

That being said, I believe that we will be seeing more use out of the trackpad or the scroll wheel idea in future Apple devices. Whatever it is, you can be sure that it will be simple, surprising yet seemingly obvious after they roll it out!

I could definitely see something like this working, but rather than use the trackpad/keyboard sensor to recognize key taps, it should use actual press buttons which depress slightly (more like the clickwheel, although easier to press). On the other hand, if they were to put something this radically different on an existing computer model they may end up alienating existing customers. Maybe we'll something like this in a tablet Mac or similar device.

Allfalldown:

You type incredibly fast, yet you abbreviate words per minute into WPM? ;-)

Sounds interesting, but Apple seems to stick to Predictable Simplicity. A new interface that may be difficult for 'ordinary' users to engage in, and who don't have the time nor desire to learn new things, seems too risky.

If they made the trackpad area larger (or wider at least) and added the additional capability of pen-based input for things like digital signatures, etc, that would be cool and less risky. But I don't think that most users would see a legitimate need for this.

And I don't think anyone can expect to see Tablet Macs. That horse needs to be hauled off to the glue factory already. End users and office users don't need tablet functionality to get their work done, they're already doing just fine. It's a novelty, imho.

The only problem that I see with this is the fact that the keyboard as it is currently has a tactile response and feel that many touch typists need to be acurate and quick. If the keyboard would be replaced with a tackpad and keyboard hybrid that would be lost. Frankly, I don't think Inkwell is that acurate or nice. While is is advanced, I can hit a key and be 100 percent sure that the letter I typed will be the one that is mirrored on the screen. The interface would most likely just go to slow down the average user and would obliterate the advanced user.
The Idea is interesting, but I don't think it would work that well.

I need tactile feedback in order to be able to properly touch-type. This wouldn't fly.

I agree with most on here that the tacticle feedback is very important for typing. I do like the idea of how you intergrate a digital signature into the trackpad.

Could a flat keyboard give you audio feedback? Like the iPod scrollwheel? I think I could use such a device, but then I switch back and forth between typing and voice rec so I am used to multimodal stuff.

Yeah that's a "wouldn't-it-be-cool-if", but I see no logical reason why Apple specifically would pursue that. Besides, the tactile feedback helps typing a lot, so I don't think the theory of its useability carries over to reality.