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Tech TipsScott Steele's Tech Tips: Touch TechnologyBy Katie DeLong
The earliest home computers used keyboards for a way of entering data-too intimidating for many. That was followed by the mouse. Genius to be sure, but still not intuitive enough.
Now, one of the world's largest technology companies is using its market dominance to unveil a new way of working with everything from your computer and cameras to your printers and GPS units.
It's innate, it's instinctive, it's touch.
We've shown you the innovative line of Touchsmart PC's. Control your computing experience by pressing on the screen. That's just the start.
Developers are betting people have had enough of confusing dials, remote controls and menus.
An 8 mega pixel camera has all the buttons off the back, allowing for the largest screen available at 3.6 inches. You manage everything with the touch of the display.
They've built the touch technology into their printers. The tiny Photosmart printer has a screen so you don't even need a computer to edit your pictures. Remove red eye and make other edits with your finger or a stylus.
That's the same concept behind the all-in-one unit. With more features like scanning, copying, faxing, or printing, similar to that copy machine at work. You control everything with the tap of an interactive screen without ever booting up your PC.
Finally - there's the iPaq travel companion. It looks like the latest generation of GPS units, and it is, find your way, but it's much more. It's also a personal entertainment device: ala ipod. Listen to your music, or watch your videos, and of course, it's all at the touch of the screen.
The keyboard caught on, the mouse became ubiquitous, but it's too early to know whether touch is the next step in the evolution of electronics, but one industry leader is betting on it.
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