[Elecraft] IC-7300 video - things to come

[Brendon Whateley]

Cars went through the patch where everything moved onto touch screens.
Ergonomically, that is a really bad choice. Newer cars are moving back to
having twist controls and buttons for some things that were tried as touch
screen controls. The correct answer is to have common features using real
buttons. Context sensitive buttons mixed between real buttons that are
labeled on a screen of some sort and virtual buttons.

The P(x)3 is a good example where you could use a touch screen in a natural
and useful way. I think smart phones have really advanced how we can use
touch screens. But at the same time, physical controls are really very much
easier to use. For some ideas, look at the interfaces for small aircraft
GPS/Glass Cockpit and similar systems. For some examples:
http://explore.garmin.com/en-US/general-aviation/ Each generation changes
the mix of physical controls, reassignable controls and touch screen
controls. The truth is that some things are better done on a touch screen.
Others with physical controls. And in a light aircraft, when you are in
turbulence... touch screens are really hard to use!

We are still in a bit of an experimental place, and I'm sure things will
move towards a happy balance.

- Brendon
KK6AYI

On Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 9:31 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT <
KX3 at coldrockshotbrooms.com> wrote:

> There is one overwhelming reason that we'll see touchscreens:
>
> As radios become even more software driven, we'll see more and more new
> features added (like ESSB).
>
> The engineers and developers have to find a way to add those functions to
> existing buttons (push this button 3 times, or go to a menu, or something),
> provide a radio with blank buttons (which makes that new radio look
> unfinished, or a "stripped" version of a more expensive rig).
>
> ... or use a technology that allows buttons to be painted on the screen --
> so the front of the radio can evolve along with the radio itself.
>
> I'm not ready for a rig that requires a separate device/computer to run.
>
> 73 -- Lynn
>
> On 3/28/2016 8:22 PM, Rick Robinson wrote:
>
>> I foresee Bluetooth or newer technology tablets or phone size units that
>> control our radio as an option to control our radios . So touchscreen
>> control seems like more than a fad.
>>
>
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