Comments on: The cat’s finally out of the bag - The new HP TouchSmart IQ500 has been announced http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/ News and views from the geek tie guy. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:02:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: BIll http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-15881 BIll Sun, 19 Oct 2008 06:08:03 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-15881 Is this what you're looking for? http://www.nextwindow.com/support/application_notes/api.html Is this what you’re looking for?
http://www.nextwindow.com/support/application_notes/api.html

]]> By: GeekTieGuy http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-15242 GeekTieGuy Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:29:46 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-15242 John, I don't know where or how you would get such drivers, but if you know, you can certainly try. No guarantees it will work, though. John, I don’t know where or how you would get such drivers, but if you know, you can certainly try. No guarantees it will work, though.

]]> By: John http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-15231 John Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:54:45 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-15231 Is it possible to instal multitouch capabile drivers on the HP Touch Smart? Something from NextWindow? Is it possible to instal multitouch capabile drivers on the HP Touch Smart? Something from NextWindow?

]]> By: Mioplanet http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-10249 Mioplanet Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:54:09 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-10249 "If it were possible to write software that could end up as “tiles” in the TouchSmart software, would that be interesting to you?" YES - Interesting - What we would need is to be able to create and refresh an HTML file (a web page) displayed in the "tiles". or at list a bitmap file as interactivity is not required. And wouldn't it be possible to send a key code to Windows when some events with the fingers are catched? I mean we could read the keyboard events (as for the mouse) and catch the event when the finger leave the screen for example. We have many ideas and are already able to do a lot with your touchSmart software. It is intelligent and seems to be open (at least on the track of being more open). We are working on: - LiveTV (1000 channels worldwide) - YouTube integration - List / To Do - Finger Drawing (with visual effects) - Easier import of multimedia libraries - Customizable home page for the browser - Games and stress toys - Musical instruments - Weather/real time satellite view - Learning tools for kids Of course we don't create all for the HP TouchSmart (UMPC is another target) but we customize at 100% for a perfect integration. Any help, contacts etc would be great... “If it were possible to write software that could end up as “tiles” in the TouchSmart software, would that be interesting to you?”

YES - Interesting - What we would need is to be able to create and refresh an HTML file (a web page) displayed in the “tiles”. or at list a bitmap file as interactivity is not required.

And wouldn’t it be possible to send a key code to Windows when some events with the fingers are catched? I mean we could read the keyboard events (as for the mouse) and catch the event when the finger leave the screen for example.

We have many ideas and are already able to do a lot with your touchSmart software. It is intelligent and seems to be open (at least on the track of being more open).

We are working on:
- LiveTV (1000 channels worldwide)
- YouTube integration
- List / To Do
- Finger Drawing (with visual effects)
- Easier import of multimedia libraries
- Customizable home page for the browser
- Games and stress toys
- Musical instruments
- Weather/real time satellite view
- Learning tools for kids

Of course we don’t create all for the HP TouchSmart (UMPC is another target) but we customize at 100% for a perfect integration.

Any help, contacts etc would be great…

]]> By: GeekTieGuy http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-9093 GeekTieGuy Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:08:03 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-9093 Caro, yes the 504 has plain vanilla Media Center for vids/photos and all that, but no remote and no recording options. If you have Netflix, you can get a little add-in app (called My Netflix, http://www.anpark.com/Software.aspx) for Media Center that lets you consume their WatchNow catalog. Caro, yes the 504 has plain vanilla Media Center for vids/photos and all that, but no remote and no recording options. If you have Netflix, you can get a little add-in app (called My Netflix, http://www.anpark.com/Software.aspx) for Media Center that lets you consume their WatchNow catalog.

]]> By: Caro http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-9063 Caro Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:25:51 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-9063 well thank you very much for ur answer hehe. Still u mean as TV tuner the remote control and the recording options right, I mean the IQ504 still has the Vids/photos and how u crop them and stuff right? =[ sorry about my noobie questions =x. Ty for you time. well thank you very much for ur answer hehe. Still u mean as TV tuner the remote control and the recording options right, I mean the IQ504 still has the Vids/photos and how u crop them and stuff right? =[ sorry about my noobie questions =x. Ty for you time.

]]> By: GeekTieGuy http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-9053 GeekTieGuy Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:11:33 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-9053 ElGordo, I'm not sure what your comment means exactly, but if you can get QuarkXPress to run on Vista (64 bit), that might do it. I don't know of any other software that's included on the IQ500 series that will let you put photos in a sequence that will stick. Most programs that help you organize photos seem to force some kind of metadata-based sort order on photos (like filename, creation date, etc.). Then again that's just for browsing through the pictures. I think what you're after is creation of some physical artifact from digital photos. A word processor or presentation software package might do for that. Or some other photo package that lets you create books or albums and submit them online for printing. ElGordo, I’m not sure what your comment means exactly, but if you can get QuarkXPress to run on Vista (64 bit), that might do it. I don’t know of any other software that’s included on the IQ500 series that will let you put photos in a sequence that will stick. Most programs that help you organize photos seem to force some kind of metadata-based sort order on photos (like filename, creation date, etc.). Then again that’s just for browsing through the pictures. I think what you’re after is creation of some physical artifact from digital photos. A word processor or presentation software package might do for that. Or some other photo package that lets you create books or albums and submit them online for printing.

]]> By: GeekTieGuy http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-9052 GeekTieGuy Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:02:35 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-9052 Caro, sure, you can use normal stuff on the desktop. The OS is Vista, and it runs all the normal Vista programs. You probably wouldn't use those with touch, though. If you want the Media Center TV stuff, make sure you look at the IQ506. The IQ504 does not have a TV tuner and it's not something that's available as an upgrade to the IQ504. Caro, sure, you can use normal stuff on the desktop. The OS is Vista, and it runs all the normal Vista programs. You probably wouldn’t use those with touch, though. If you want the Media Center TV stuff, make sure you look at the IQ506. The IQ504 does not have a TV tuner and it’s not something that’s available as an upgrade to the IQ504.

]]> By: Caro http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-9051 Caro Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:41:23 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-9051 I might just buy one of the IQ500, Ive seen a lot of videos on youtube and the ads as well, never seen someone using msn messenger or simple microsoft office programs... so thats my question, beside the excellent Media Center, u can use normal stuff u use on ur normal desktop right? I might just buy one of the IQ500, Ive seen a lot of videos on youtube and the ads as well, never seen someone using msn messenger or simple microsoft office programs… so thats my question, beside the excellent Media Center, u can use normal stuff u use on ur normal desktop right?

]]> By: GeoffM http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-8126 GeoffM Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:33:17 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-8126 I have 2 of the 700 series, (Personally I prefer AMD) I certinally would like to try an Upgrade of the SmartCenter (I'm assuming that SmartCenter is the application on the new 500 series) prehaps I'll order a 560 recovery CD and try to extract the HP Apps I have 2 of the 700 series, (Personally I prefer AMD) I certinally would like to try an Upgrade of the SmartCenter (I’m assuming that SmartCenter is the application on the new 500 series) prehaps I’ll order a 560 recovery CD and try to extract the HP Apps

]]> By: El Gordo http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-7966 El Gordo Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:34:40 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-7966 I do massive photo sequencing and editing for family histories. I struggle with paperport, picasa, etc, when it comes to SIMPLY GETTING THE PHOTOS INTO A SEQUENCE WHICH WILL STICK. Windows seems to be the enemy. Can this new box/UI do better? Does it overlay paperPort? How does it work with QuarkXPress, too? I do massive photo sequencing and editing for family histories. I struggle with paperport, picasa, etc, when it comes to SIMPLY GETTING THE PHOTOS INTO A SEQUENCE WHICH WILL STICK. Windows seems to be the enemy. Can this new box/UI do better? Does it overlay paperPort? How does it work with QuarkXPress, too?

]]> By: GeekTieGuy http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-7924 GeekTieGuy Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:55:15 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-7924 No the difference between the old and new software would not make a difference as far as app install goes. But, as I tried to say before, the application recovery may not work if the HP image is wiped out and a clean Vista is installed. You can experiment with it by making sure that you burn the system recovery DVDs right after getting to the Windows Desktop for the first time and then verifying that the DVDs work by using them to recover the system immediately after. That way you can always use the DVDs to get back to "clean slate", including the touch software. No the difference between the old and new software would not make a difference as far as app install goes.

But, as I tried to say before, the application recovery may not work if the HP image is wiped out and a clean Vista is installed.

You can experiment with it by making sure that you burn the system recovery DVDs right after getting to the Windows Desktop for the first time and then verifying that the DVDs work by using them to recover the system immediately after. That way you can always use the DVDs to get back to “clean slate”, including the touch software.

]]> By: John http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-7913 John Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:41:42 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-7913 Thanks for your quick response about the vista ultimate issue! It is good to know that an upgrade to vista ultimate would probably be fine except for the tech support part. But in case of a clean install, would the newer IQ506 be a better choice since (as you mentioned) it uses a standalone WPF application vs the integration with Media Center in the IQ775? Does that architectural change make any difference at all in terms of application installation when doing a clean install of vista ultimate? As such, given the price point, form factor and cpu, I am definitely inclined towards the new model- the only thing that I like more in the old model is the vertical adjustability of the LCD - and maybe I'd be able to get a good deal when it is discontinued! Thanks again! Thanks for your quick response about the vista ultimate issue! It is good to know that an upgrade to vista ultimate would probably be fine except for the tech support part.
But in case of a clean install, would the newer IQ506 be a better choice since (as you mentioned) it uses a standalone WPF application vs the integration with Media Center in the IQ775? Does that architectural change make any difference at all in terms of application installation when doing a clean install of vista ultimate?

As such, given the price point, form factor and cpu, I am definitely inclined towards the new model- the only thing that I like more in the old model is the vertical adjustability of the LCD - and maybe I’d be able to get a good deal when it is discontinued!

Thanks again!

]]> By: GeekTieGuy http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-7910 GeekTieGuy Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:04:33 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-7910 It shouldn't be a problem to upgrade to Ultimate and preserve the touch software parts. I'm not sure how the recovery would work if you wanted to restore the entire system after such and upgrade, though (I'm not very familiar with the recovery software.) If you plan on wiping the HP software image on the hard drive out completely, replace it with a clean Vista Ultimate, and then want to recover individual applications, that might not work properly, so I wouldn't recommend it. You should be able to "upgrade" the HP preload of Vista. After that, you'd probably want to plan out when and how to use Ultimate's complete PC backup feature. Not sure if such an upgrade would be supported by HP. Technically, once you buy a Vista upgrade off the shelf, you're a Microsoft customer, not an HP customer anymore. The IQ700 series will be discontinued shortly after the IQ506/IQ504 are in the stores, so if you want the IQ775, better do it quickly. You wouldn't get the same software experience, though. Also, the IQ506/IQ504 has a much different form factor. Another difference is that the 700 series is AMD based, whereas the 500 series is Intel based. Let me know if you need other information to make your decision. It shouldn’t be a problem to upgrade to Ultimate and preserve the touch software parts. I’m not sure how the recovery would work if you wanted to restore the entire system after such and upgrade, though (I’m not very familiar with the recovery software.)

If you plan on wiping the HP software image on the hard drive out completely, replace it with a clean Vista Ultimate, and then want to recover individual applications, that might not work properly, so I wouldn’t recommend it.

You should be able to “upgrade” the HP preload of Vista. After that, you’d probably want to plan out when and how to use Ultimate’s complete PC backup feature. Not sure if such an upgrade would be supported by HP. Technically, once you buy a Vista upgrade off the shelf, you’re a Microsoft customer, not an HP customer anymore.

The IQ700 series will be discontinued shortly after the IQ506/IQ504 are in the stores, so if you want the IQ775, better do it quickly. You wouldn’t get the same software experience, though. Also, the IQ506/IQ504 has a much different form factor. Another difference is that the 700 series is AMD based, whereas the 500 series is Intel based.

Let me know if you need other information to make your decision.

]]> By: John http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-7909 John Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:11:42 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-7909 Hi, It was interesting reading your write-ups. I am thinking of getting an IQ775 or IQ506, but would really want to install Vista Ultimate on it. Is it possible on either the new or the old toucsmart to upgrade to vista ulimate and then install the touch part of the software from the revovery/application disks that might be supplied with the PC. I own a copy of Vista Ultimate and really need some of the features, so if one of these machines is more likely to be better suited for me, I'd go for that. I understand that the final outcome would probably be known only when I actually try it, but I'd like to make a decision based on your input. Would really appreciate your comment on this, Thanks! Hi,

It was interesting reading your write-ups. I am thinking of getting an IQ775 or IQ506, but would really want to install Vista Ultimate on it. Is it possible on either the new or the old toucsmart to upgrade to vista ulimate and then install the touch part of the software from the revovery/application disks that might be supplied with the PC. I own a copy of Vista Ultimate and really need some of the features, so if one of these machines is more likely to be better suited for me, I’d go for that. I understand that the final outcome would probably be known only when I actually try it, but I’d like to make a decision based on your input.

Would really appreciate your comment on this, Thanks!

]]> By: Richard Morton http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-7793 Richard Morton Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:08:21 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-7793 Congrats on this - I've been watching the videos on the HP website and the software looks amazing! I'll definately going to be pre-ordering an IQ500 (I have been a happy user of the older Touchsmart PC for over a year). Now my question: Watching the videos it shows a limited amount of two fingered 'multitouch' action and this is confirmed in your post above. I know you mentioned that there's only a limited amount of 'dual-touch' because of time constraints. As a WPF developer myself with a passion for touchscreen apps, is there any supported/unsupported ways to get access to the dual-touch stuff on this PC? Basically, I'm writing a touchscreen app myself with WPF and there are certain areas where having dual/multitouch could enhance my app, so I'm wondering in the IQ500 might be a good testing/debugging machine for basic multitouch, instead of hacking together a projector based setup. I'd love to know any official (or even unofficial) API's/hacks/tips etc that might be accessable to developers on the IQ500. (Feel free to email me if you like!) Either way, I'm definately going to be purchasing one of these and see what I can do with it. Great job on the software (and the blog - I hadn't come across this one before and I do keep up with most WPF blogs), it looks fantastic! Congrats on this - I’ve been watching the videos on the HP website and the software looks amazing!
I’ll definately going to be pre-ordering an IQ500 (I have been a happy user of the older Touchsmart PC for over a year).

Now my question:
Watching the videos it shows a limited amount of two fingered ‘multitouch’ action and this is confirmed in your post above.
I know you mentioned that there’s only a limited amount of ‘dual-touch’ because of time constraints. As a WPF developer myself with a passion for touchscreen apps, is there any supported/unsupported ways to get access to the dual-touch stuff on this PC?

Basically, I’m writing a touchscreen app myself with WPF and there are certain areas where having dual/multitouch could enhance my app, so I’m wondering in the IQ500 might be a good testing/debugging machine for basic multitouch, instead of hacking together a projector based setup.
I’d love to know any official (or even unofficial) API’s/hacks/tips etc that might be accessable to developers on the IQ500. (Feel free to email me if you like!)

Either way, I’m definately going to be purchasing one of these and see what I can do with it.
Great job on the software (and the blog - I hadn’t come across this one before and I do keep up with most WPF blogs), it looks fantastic!

]]> By: GeekTieGuy http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-7730 GeekTieGuy Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:35:53 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-7730 Hey Peter, It's been too long. Glad to see you like what we've done. There are no plans for updating the existing TouchSmart software at this point, unfortunately. We've taken things out of MediaCenter (now a standalone WPF app), and it would be somewhat difficult to migrate settings. Thanks for your kind words! Hey Peter,

It’s been too long. Glad to see you like what we’ve done.

There are no plans for updating the existing TouchSmart software at this point, unfortunately. We’ve taken things out of MediaCenter (now a standalone WPF app), and it would be somewhat difficult to migrate settings.

Thanks for your kind words!

]]> By: Peter Dampier http://www.geektieguy.com/2008/06/10/the-cats-finally-out-of-the-bag-the-new-hp-touchsmart-iq500-has-been-announced/comment-page-1/#comment-7729 Peter Dampier Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:12:02 +0000 http://www.geektieguy.com/?p=219#comment-7729 Congrats - Its great to see more of your great work out there!! I can't wait to take a look at one of these systems. Will you be releasing the software as an update for the original TouchSmart? Congrats - Its great to see more of your great work out there!! I can’t wait to take a look at one of these systems.

Will you be releasing the software as an update for the original TouchSmart?

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