CrunchGear » TouchSmart

Why Desktop Touch Screens Don’t Really Work Well For Humans

Michael Arrington — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:04:57 +0000

Hewlett Packard refreshed their TouchSmart line of computers today. If you’re not familiar with these, imagine an iMac all in one computer that has a touch screen, and you’re most of the way there. I really like the TouchSmart line, and use a second generation machine as my main Windows test computer. The touch interface is done via infrared, which is a very cost effective way of creating a touch interface on a large screen. Microsoft, in fact, uses it in their experimental TouchWall product that can make a touch screen of virtually any size wall (more TouchWall footage). Overall I give the TouchScmart top marks – the only drawback is that it is inexplicably heavy at something like 60 lbs., and no one seems to know why. But since it sits on your desk, it’s not like you’re lifting it very often, so it doesn’t really matter. But the machine is still all wrong. Anyone who has used one for a long time will tell you that they quickly revert to using the keyboard and mouse. And it isn’t because of the software or touch technology – both are fine.

TouchSmart Web packs a touch interface PC into your printer

Scott Merrill — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:00:18 +0000

Convergence. That’s the word that comes to mind when I watch the fancy demonstration of the HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart web printer. We’ve all seen the all-in-one PC design, a la the iMac, but how often do we see a printer and a computer in one package? HP is bundling a teeny little touch-interface computer with their latest set of printers, allowing you to access stuff from the Internet without using your PC at all! Some of the examples don’t seem particularly useful: I don’t think I’m likely to go to my printer when I want to buy movie tickets, for example, but letting kids print out their own coloring books seems like a pretty good idea to me. And printing Google Maps will be helpful for those Luddite friends of mine who don’t have GPS units.

Until September 16, HP is giving away six HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart printers as part of their HP PRINT 09 Innovation Sweepstakes. All you have to do is send a Tweet on Twitter for your chance to win!

HP is giving away six HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web printers between September 11 and September 16. All you need to do is tweet about the innovation that you think will change printing or publishing forever and incorporate the #hpprint09 hashtag. Participants can be creative with their tweets, or retweet the sample tweet below from HP, but the important thing to remember is to tag it with #hpprint09 and then follow @HP_IPG to find out if they’ve won.

CrunchDeals: Refurb HP TouchSmart for $849

Matt Burns — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:00:14 +0000

It’s hard to beat the sex appeal of HP’s TouchSmart PC. It has 4GB of Ram, a 500GB hard drive, 802.11 b/g/n, and of course that large 22-inch touchscreen with HP’s proprietary software suite. To bad Vista is at the core but you could always upgrade that to Win7 RC.

If you have a spare $849 laying around and need a good family computer, this could fit the bill. That is, of course, if you don’t mind paying the premium price for a refurbished rig.

Tiger Direct via DealNews

HP opens TouchSmart PC to third-party development

Nicholas Deleon — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:30:41 +0000

You know the HP TouchSmart? It’s a neat bit of work—that is, it has to potential to be. That potential is now one step closer to reality given that HP has just opened it up to third-party development. Would-be developers need to sashay over to the TouchSmart Community. There you’ll find the necessary software to develop your fancy application.

I think it’s fairly obvious from the above few sentences that I don’t have a developer bone on my body.

via Slashdot

HP updates TouchSmart desktop PCs, IQ804 and IQ816

Peter Ha — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:59:08 +0000

Today, HP updated their popular TouchSmart PCs. Both the IQ804 and IQ816 feature a 25.5-inch HD 1920×1200 resolution display. The main difference between the two boils down to a DVD drive for the 804 and Blu-ray drive for the 816 along with a few other minor spec changes. The 804 comes with a 2.10GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 proc while the 816 has a 2.10GHz T8100 Intel proc. Both handle up to 4GB of RAM. Graphics are handled by an Intel GM965 Express Chipset. The IQ804 starts at $1900 and the IQ816 at $2100.

Hit the jump for specs on both.

Review: HP TouchSmart PC

Ted Kritsonis — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:44:53 +0000

When HP first introduced its TouchSmart PC line of desktop computers in 2007, it was a novel idea, but it also had enough flaws to keep many away from buying it. The TouchSmart was primarily meant for the kitchen, mainly because of the interactivity behind it, but also because it’s probably where the family interacts most in the home.
This new iteration of HP’s TouchSmart series (the IQ 504 & IQ 506) is better out of the box, not because it has more power and 64-bit processing, but also because HP has streamlined things a little with its own software interface. I tried out the IQ 506 ($1,399) and noticed a couple of significant changes. For one, the hardware itself is less obtrusive by taking up less room, despite the screen being bigger.

HP TouchSmart iQ504 and iQ506 now available

Doug Aamoth — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Announced last month at HP’s Connecting Your World conference in Berlin (Peter was there), the HP TouchSmart iQ504 and iQ506 PCs are now available for purchase.

Suggested retail pricing is $1,299 for the iQ504 and $1,499 for the iQ506, but you can find them for about a hundred bucks less on Amazon.com and they’re also available at plenty of other retailers.

Some quick specs:

TouchSmart iQ504

Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 (2.0GHZ)
4GB RAM
Intel X3100 Graphics
320GB Hard Drive (7,200 RPM)
LightScribe DVD burner

TouchSmart iQ506

Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 (2.16GHZ)
4GB RAM
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS HD Graphics
500GB Hard Drive (7,200 RPM)
LightScribe DVD burner

Full press release:

HP Brings TouchSmart PC Within Reach for the Masses

PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced that the latest HP TouchSmart PCs – the only touch-enabled, all-in-one PCs in the marketplace – are now available through consumer electronics retailers nationwide.

Debuted at last month’s HP Connecting Your World (http://www.hp.com/personal) event in Berlin, the new TouchSmart family of PCs has earned accolades for its transformative effect on the way people engage with computers and their photos, music, movies and other digital content.

Consumers simply touch, tap or sweep a finger across the screen of the TouchSmart PC to access information, entertainment and social networks in a natural, intuitive way. Without using a keyboard or mouse, consumers can play music and create playlists; crop, edit and share photos; and easily check the weather or watch TV.⁽¹⁾

Reviewers have praised the new HP TouchSmart PC for its breakthrough touch-enabled software and the all-in-one design that allows the PC to fit wherever life happens. The PC’s piano-black finish and sleek design makes it an elegant addition to any room.

“The new TouchSmart PCs turn digital entertainment into a compelling, hands-on experience and can create a social media hub within a den, living room or home office,” said John Cook, vice president, Marketing, Worldwide Consumer PC Business, HP. “No other PC on the market offers this type of fun, engaging and simple touch experience or this level of interaction with digital media. The TouchSmart re-invents the personal computing experience for the home.”

Digital entertainment at your fingertips

Requiring only a power cord for set up, HP TouchSmart PCs combine a 22-inch diagonal, high-definition⁽²⁾ widescreen display with a powerful, energy-efficient Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor⁽³⁾in a single, integrated design.

While providing all the capabilities of a traditional PC, select models also offer an array of entertainment features, including a TV tuner for watching and recording TV shows,⁽⁴⁾a built-in DVD burner⁽⁵⁾ and integrated premium stereo speakers. A built-in webcam and microphone help users keep in touch with friends and family over the Internet through video chat and conference.⁽⁶⁾

A low-profile wireless keyboard, wireless mouse and integrated WLAN⁽⁷⁾ offer a truly clutter-free, wireless experience; and the PC’s adjustable screen tilts up and down for maximum viewing comfort. The HP Ambient Light lets people set mood lighting and see the keyboard in the dark.

“The HP All-in-One TouchSmart is set to revolutionize the desktop PC market,” said Jeff McCrea, vice president and general manager, Consumer PC Platform Group, Intel Corporation. “With its new touch screen capability, sleek design and the powerful, energy-efficient Intel Core 2 duo processor, your digital world is truly now at your fingertips.”

Environmentally responsible

HP works to reduce the environmental impact of its products by reducing the amount of materials used in both the products and packaging. HP TouchSmart PCs are ENERGY STAR® qualified and use a new all-cardboard packaging design that reduces the use of plastic-foam cushioning materials.⁽⁸⁾ The next-generation chassis design uses 55 percent less metal and 37 percent less plastic than standard PCs and monitors.⁽⁹⁾ HP also offers responsible and convenient reuse and recycling services globally.

Delivering energy efficiency with advanced power management features, HP technology can help users reduce PC energy use up to 45 percent by saving up to 86 kilowatt hours⁽¹⁰⁾ per year.

Unparalleled service and support

HP provides award-winning service and support for its products, available around the clock by phone or email and online. Every TouchSmart PC comes with toll-free telephone support at +1 866 408 5408, a number dedicated to premium products like the TouchSmart PC for quick access to support agents specifically trained on the product.

In addition, the TouchSmart PC offers a desktop icon with one-click access to troubleshooting tools, downloads and online technical support options such as email and real-time chat.

Pricing and availability

The HP TouchSmart IQ504 PC and the TV-tuner equipped HP TouchSmart IQ506 PC are available starting at $1,299 and $1,499, respectively.⁽¹¹⁾ Customers can shop for the new TouchSmart PCs by calling +1 800 230 5752, via chat, online or at retail outlets nationwide.

More information is available at www.hp.com/touchsmart.