HP TouchSmart IQ500: the tactile experience

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The tactile experience HP

Recently, man-machine interfaces alternatives have the wind in its sails. Nintendo has hit the chronic introducing a joystick gyro, Apple has topped all tenors market mobility with the iPhone touch interface and Microsoft is preparing the ground surface and Windows 7. Yet, when we write these lines, manufacturers argue timidly on the sector environments "desktop". The latest innovation minor, but palpable is that Apple's multitouch trackpad. Yet, if one focuses on the tactile interfaces, it is impossible to deny that all ingredients are already present. The sensitive screens are fully developed, it only remains to adapt the software to use these devices at best. It is precisely this challenge Hewlett Packard has tried to meet with its TouchSmart IQ500 and IQ810. The famous American manufacturer offers a computer all-in-one incorporates a touch overlay type Mediacenter. The system is the point? The gain of ergonomics is the appointment? We invite you to discover the secrets behind the screen of this machine atypical!

What's better than moving to introduce SouchSmart IQ500? The animated menus are dynamic and opportunities deserve glance. To discover the overlay touch in all its glory, we've concocted a test video! This is complemented by a series of chapters that detail the ins and outs of the party touch. You can also find the technical, physical and equipment that accompanies this off standards. Finally, we conclude by offering a comprehensive overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the system. Trimmed to gain a foothold in what may become the interface of the next decade? The only visual and chew the paragraphs that follow ..


Lift the hood of the roaring beast .

You will find nose to nose with a timid kitten! The metaphor should not be difficult to illustrate the surprise that await those who dwell on the technical characteristics of the device. The spacecraft is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 running at 2.17 GHz, the graphic is entrusted to a lean GeForce 9300m GS and the whole is equipped with 4 GB of RAM. Clearly, with the exception of memory, we are dealing with a specific configuration that team usually portable machines entry! The camera tape to look at the futuristic eye, but unfortunately you will have to cross on the demanding applications. Exit hence the recent video games and anything that might require a great computing power.

Differences between the IQ500 and IQ810



And external devices?

On this point, the baby HP sign in without fault. All-in-one media type requires, you will receive a remote control (depending on model). Incidentally, remember that it may only be used with the Microsoft media center, damage. A kit wireless keyboard (2.4 GHz) is also involved. Both devices are comfortable to use, although it regrets the lack of annexes buttons on the mouse. On the aesthetic this time the duo draws heavily on the fine lines (for the keyboard) and rounded (for the mouse) chosen by Apple. Finally, we also note the presence of an infrared extension. The latter can not be used with the remote, a receiver is already integrated into the front panel. In fact, it is a transmitter that can be glued in front of the receiver of a digital decoder (LiveBox, for example). The ultimate aim of the operation is to fly an aircraft attachment using remote TouchSmart.

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About touch interface



Outside the all-in-one design, the range TouchSmart intends to distinguish itself by integrating a touch interface. Paradoxically, it is composed of large icons optimized to be viewed from afar. Broadly speaking, we can say that the organization of this menu is based on standards that were introduced by applications such as media myHTPC or Mediaportal. Second curiosity: the first launch, the impression that all the shortcuts to refer proposed topics optimized to be driven by using the index. Unfortunately, it is not. Outside parties detailed on this page you will find just a collection of shortcuts to launch Windows applications classic ... When you start a program of this type, touch interface is reduced automatically to leave his seat at the window of software you just opened.

music

Before starting, details that the module is based music library on iTunes or Windows Media Player (one library can be read at once). To add titles, you have to go through one or other of these managers musical! Second disappointment: it is impossible to use a ranking directory. This oversight will require you to "tag" your music tracks (if not yet the case) to avoid their being classified under "unknown artist or album." Finally, again, the tactile capabilities have been under-exploited.

Videos

Except error on our part, the video module starts strong by completely deadlocked on the management of the DVD! A first for an interface type media. Moreover, there is nose to nose with a launcher movies without much originality. The files can be sorted by date or directories. Again, the touch interface will be under-exploited to the point that no value added in relation to a VLC media player or Media Player Classic. One last attempt to save face: it is possible to automatically send a video on YouTube ... Super!

photos

Of course, you can view your photos using the overlay software HP. Unfortunately, people waiting interface touch at the turn likely to remain in their hunger ... First thing that struck to make rotations and scaling, it is impossible to enjoy the touchscreen of TouchSmart ... what a pity! It would also enjoyed digging in his photos as if they were placed on a table, but again, the process is evidenced by excessive rigidity. In short, this is missing the target completely to the point where we prefer to use a traditional photo manager.

Clock

The clock has probably been developed in a rush. The choice of a Lilliputian size for figures is incomprehensible on a slab of such breadth. On the other hand, no one really explained why the alarm clock is completely gone by the wayside. Too bad, this option would be perfectly found its place in a media interface. In the end, it will simply be entitled to a clock supported by two main regional clocks. Any free Windows Mobile would have done better. On the other hand, when setting a clock, the barge will face a crippling lack of ergonomics. Indeed, we find that it puts an infinite time to find the desired regional area. The list is long and tactile control is arduous.

Surfing on Internet
To surf the Internet, two possible venues. You can reach a shortcut to launch a classic version of Internet Explorer, or use a page so-called optimized for touch . In the first case, the famous interface HP let its way to a traditional Internet Explorer window. In the second, you should try to surf without falling into the water with a browser optimized for pseudo index (toe). The ergonomics of this ersatz browser needs to be reviewed in its entirety. It is impossible to scroll a page in the caressing, pop-ups are not supported, the screen is particularly misused ... The list of grievances is so long that we prefer to stop these few remarks.

RSS

You can add a module feeds to monitor news on his favorite Web sites. After setting up the site you want, you can contemplate the list of recent news. With this module, two main elements have come to our attention. First, when you want to read a new, the program reduces the tactile interface and opens the classic version of Internet Explorer (not the so-called optimized to be operated with the index -> see Chapter above). Admission of failure? Probably. Second feature: while all of the overlay HP features large icons and large fonts (ironic given that it is impossible to steer the thing by far), in the RSS, on a case in small fonts.

The calendar

All persons of the family can manage their time by clicking on the shortcut calendar. This will give the possibility to add events or reminders. It may also be synchronized with the calendar of Windows Vista. In addition, it notes that how the "Today" Windows Mobile, it will be possible to visualize the next four events since the homepage of the touch interface. Only downside: when creating an entry in the calendar, it will be imperative to use a virtual keyboard, or make a seizure cursive on the screen. As we speak, remember that the recognition cursive is powerful (it is managed by Windows and not by the interface HP), but in all cases, we prefer to use a traditional keyboard .

The notebook

Against all expectations, notebook embody (by far) the most successful. We take pleasure in creating small virtual post-it by brushing paint fictitious. This exercise will transform your index into a real brush with multiple colors. This time, all the tactile capabilities of the wide touchscreen that the team IQ500 and IQ810 are involved. In this case, the touch interface makes sense to the point where we are surprised to rediscover basic software such as Paint, to name only the most experienced.

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Positive point: The truth is out there ... Against all expectations, the main force of the product lies in its physical assets, not software ... explanations. The machine Hewlett Packard is quiet, beautiful, and well equipped. On the other hand, the "all-in-one inspired by Apple's iMac range should delight users who prefer to avoid doing business with many passages and unsightly cable to antiparticles possible. The overlay touch is far have convinced us, but we can always raise questions about possible misuse. Unfortunately, amateur and professional artists can not count on the slab sensitive to the TouchSmart team to replace the tablet. However, it must be stressed that this interface makes sense with drawing programs. This feature should not go unnoticed with children and older children. Only one question remains: Will you be ready to pay the additional costs incurred by what amounts to a more genuine gadget that feature?

The negative appearance is flattering, but the characteristics do not. Yet the IQ 500 and IQ810 position from the outset on a price range equivalent to a machine dedicated to video game. Unfortunately, the plumage does not relate to Ramage. At this rate, Hewlett Packard offers the bare minimum to organize these components generally equipped notebooks entry level! On the software, disappointments may also be there. First, we were surprised to note the presence of a 64-bit version of Windows Vista. Admittedly, this solution is future-oriented, but for the moment, in private, the gain is zero and it is still possible to encounter problems of incompatibility. Let us this time in the main selling point ... The overlay touch merely to close little to offer the same services as the interface media that is already built into Windows Vista Home Premium ... with one difference. HP menus are tactile, but they can not benefit from the supplied remote! Strange. It will also add that the overlay is weighed down by many imperfections. The touch capabilities are under-exploited, sometimes there are delays, but the process does not much compared to traditional programs (controlled using the keyboard and mouse). Worse still, in many cases, we prefer to avoid doing business with that little Ergonomic menu. For example, it is impossible to classify audio directory, Web browsing is the sentence (see video), seizures forced to return to the keyboard, the screen does not always as we would like, and so on. However, ultimately it is outside the missed tests, it was simply dealing with a compilation of shortcuts pointing to applications.

In the end: To identify the product, it is important to distinguish the strengths tactile physical capabilities. Quite frankly, people who want a computer aesthetic, all-in-one (type iMac) and especially, to consider the silent IQ 500 and 810 with all the interest it should be. The design resulted in this device is easily its place in a modern lounge. Moreover, it does not pollute the environment sound. Mobile chips require, we are entitled to a dissipation of heat quieter. Of course, it is worth recalling that this quality makes sense in a living room. However, on the main selling point namely, the touch, the picture is much more mixed. The overlay grafted HP enter into direct competition with the media which is already incorporated as standard on all versions or full family premium. It is also surprising Hewlett Packard has opted for a concept of "media". Remember that originally, this process was designed to allow monitoring of a machine remotely, rather closely. What good use of icons that occupy a large portion of the screen if we must be at least an arm length of the latter? In practice, we realize it really is more convenient to fly mediacenter its sitting in her sofa, remote in hand (remote control, remember, can not be used with the overlay HP) rather than keeping the nose finger glued to the screen. The words are dropped: this interface is not convincing. Upright, as it will remain close to the screen so that the system works, there is a strong chance that it prefers using its keyboard and mouse. In the present circumstances, the process adds little, if not good cramp in the arm. This rule is especially true with the HP interface, the added value is almost nil. Outside the notepad friendly, other breakthroughs are anecdotal and tactile capabilities remain largely untapped. In summary, if you're looking for a computer compact and quiet design pest, study the issue. Attention should keep in mind that in the genre, from Apple (iMac). Conversely, if you attract tactile capabilities, we recommend that you wait a few more months or years. Instead of opting for a seizure messy and impractical, we would have preferred that HP provide a gyroscopic device type MX Air or Wiimote.