Designing Apple Hardware, Your Dream

[technominds 0]

What would you want in the perfect would for the next generation of Apple devices?

I've always been a follower of new hardware, and as a graphic designer spent my time trying to be one step ahead of them and designing devices before they do.

So far, I was almost spot on (as a lot of people were) with the iPod Touch, and posted designs on YouTube (

) almost a year before the release.

I also recently posted some fake leaked iPod Nano 'Touch' devices, which I still believe will be released in the near future.

My latest has been the most talked about 'TouchBook' which is, in my opinion, the only option Apple has to take a giant leap into a new technology. Considering Apple's funding in multi-touch technology, I believe this is a definite go-ahead in the next couple of years. Of course, as well as hardware technology, Apple will have to develop either a new operating system to suite this new device or they will have to create a new set of programs which help with the use of multi-touch.

So far, I have made a few designs and posted them on this forum in various places, but I decided to make a dedicated thread for not only my designs, but to hear and see what YOU want from Apple next. You may even be able to work with me to try and create the dream device!

Here are a couple of images of my new TouchBook, including a Bezel/Holder I have designed for the device to sit on.

Front & Back

Upright Front & Back

Three TouchBooks

TouchBook including Stand

Let me know what you think, and post your ideas here!

- TM

[metallicamaster3 0]

Woah-ha-ha-hoo!

The Colored Nano/Touches are gorgeous!

The TouchBook:

I'd like to see it swivel to reveal a keyboard/touchpad (eg, Lenovo X41). I dunno, I just think that you can't have a laptop without a built in keyboard. And even with an iPhone like keyboard, actually typing something would be horrid, considering the needed screen space for such a device.

That stand is a beauty. In addition to making a swivel'd TouchBook design, would you mind adding a keyboard/mouse into the picture? The wired Apple Keyboard and wireless Mighty mouse? Just for pure technoporn?

Also;

I'd like to see a more... workhorse friendly MacBook Pro. I like the current Aluminum PowerBook G4 design, it's worked for ~4 years now and I still love it all the same.

I'd just like a few things added to it. Like what? A Memory stick reader, more USB ports, a fingerprint reader, bigger mousepad...

Maybe add a few things to the bigger 17" model too, such as dual hard drives, dual batteries...

Uhm..

I'd like to see Apple design some speakers. Not average wimpy computer-system-grade speakers like you'd find while ordering on Dell.com. No, I want speakers that are worthy of blasting loud rock music and surround sound hardcore gaming. The casing? Similar to the new Aluminum Keyboards. No cloth for the front, but steel mesh of sorts, like you'd see on the front of a Mac Pro, or similar to the speakers on a late generation PowerBook G4 or MacBook Pro.

[GfulDedFan 0]

Love it!

Suggested sizes: 8-12-15 (and the stand would work for all 3)

Request: Order form

[pedromonge 0]

Beautiful! I want a TouchBook so bad!

[metallicamaster3 0]

I suggest 12" 4:3, 13.3" 16:10, and 15.4" 16:10

[schmrom 0]

Really beautiful With which program have you made them?

[metallicamaster3 0]

I'd put my money on Photoshop

[SbuxBlaze 0]

The iPod Nano's look awesome, hope they come out with similar ones

[schmrom 0]

I'd put my money on Photoshop

I would never be able to do such a thing on Photoshop :slant:

[pedromonge 0]

Meh... I could do that in MS Paint...

[technominds 0]

I'd put my money on Photoshop

Last time I looked, Photoshop didn't have any 3D rendering ability.

These were all done in a program called 4D Cinema, by Maxon.

Its an extremely flexible modeling program with insanely realistic texture renders.

[schmrom 0]

Last time I looked, Photoshop didn't have any 3D rendering ability.

These were all done in a program called 4D Cinema, by Maxon.

Its an extremely flexible modeling program with insanely realistic texture renders.

Cinema 4D, I've got that somewhere on my harddrive :slant:

[technominds 0]

Cinema 4D, I've got that somewhere on my harddrive :slant:

Start learning how to use it!

Its unbelievable.... it has taken me a couple of years to get good at it, but the results are phenominal..

I'm currently redesigning the TouchBook in a more 'iMac' alluminum style, I gathered they would go for that instead of the old G4 shell

[metallicamaster3 0]

No swivel?

[technominds 0]

No swivel?

Swivel just seems far too fiddly for an Apple product. I think they would concentrate on having a software alternative instead of something already in existence. I think we all need to realize that in the not too distant future, all inputting will be done on-screen... hardware input will be for professional use only, I expect... In which case, a keyboard can always be plugged in.

I imagine some software will be created filling almost the entire screen with a transparent keyboard... i'm sure with very little practice it would be easy to use.

If you go by the trend of Apple's design... the MB Air, for example.. is created for on-the-go use.. I imagine this would be the same. Not many people type too much information when traveling, but of course the option is there and with Apple's software team behind it, they will find a very easy way of inputting text without an ugly swivel... after all, it wouldnt be a TouchBook if it wasnt entirely 'Touch'

[The iApple 0]

OMG!!!!!!!!! I'M IN LOVE!!!!!!!! This is just perfect!!!!!!! The iPod, OMG! I wish that you could connect an keyboard to the Touch book, it would be easier!. OMG. Very good ideas Sight, hope that really be the future.

[Phoshi 0]

'I imagine some software will be created filling almost the entire screen with a transparent keyboard... i'm sure with very little practice it would be easy to use.'

I have a warm fuzzy feeling. I said that in the newspost, and NOBODY BELIEVED ME >:|

Also these are bloody fantastic!

[Phoshi 0]

'I imagine some software will be created filling almost the entire screen with a transparent keyboard... i'm sure with very little practice it would be easy to use.'

I have a warm fuzzy feeling. I said that in the newspost, and NOBODY BELIEVED ME >:|

Also these are bloody fantastic!

[metallicamaster3 0]

'I imagine some software will be created filling almost the entire screen with a transparent keyboard... i'm sure with very little practice it would be easy to use.'

I have a warm fuzzy feeling. I said that in the newspost, and NOBODY BELIEVED ME >:|

Also these are bloody fantastic!

Not for someone like me, ie., and average code-on-the-go kinda guy who'd love a touchscreen Mac -- but a keyboard that takes up the whole screen? Nuh uh.

[Phoshi 0]

Oh come on, it's apple!

They'll think of a way to both utilise the entire screen as a keyboard AND not inconvenience those who love to click, I'm sure

[pedromonge 0]

Hmm... Maybe it would have a built in laser keyboard...

But those things are so unnatural to use... :/

[technominds 0]

Oh come on, it's apple!

They'll think of a way to both utilise the entire screen as a keyboard AND not inconvenience those who love to click, I'm sure

Exactly!

I was thinking today, you could even do handwriting recognition... I used to have it on an old Sony Ericsson p800 and it worked brilliantly. Using fingers to write letters could be mastered just as quick as writing... and of course an on-screen keyboard for those who oppose... AND USB ports for people who just cant bare it!

[metallicamaster3 0]

Yes, USB ports. I just don't want to be lugging around a keyboard with me!

[technominds 0]

Yes, USB ports. I just don't want to be lugging around a keyboard with me!

I think we'l have to agree to disagree on this one!

I just finished rendering up a different style of TouchBook, the style I think Apple would go for... I'l upload in a minute

[technominds 0]

I want one of these