New Interfaces at the Touch of a Fingertip

Touch-screen technology has not been nearly so advanced but instead has been limited to a handful of narrow-use applications with limited functionality such as automated teller machines, gas pumps, museum displays, airline- ticket kiosks, and PDAs. No one is predicting that touch displays will soon replace the traditional keyboard-and-mouse interface for general-purpose computing. However, they are beginning to move into mainstream technology. Instead of single-purpose terminals, multifunctional touch screens are now being included in mobile phones such as Apple´s recently introduced iPhone, as well as Microsoft´s soon-to-be-released Surface tabletop computer.