New stuff in TouchSmart? [ Edited ]

[kazak4x4]

So I just got my IQ506 last night and played with it for a few hours. I am an expert level computer user, my wife is an average user. She found the TouchSmart software useful, but I found it quite basic. I see a huge potential for it and hope to see it come. So my question is, are there plans on expanding this software suit and how often are the updates planned at this time?

Message Edited by kazak4x4 on 11-17-2008 08:22 AM

[RasterBlaster]

The HP TouchSmart comes with a tool called HP Update. HP Update automatically gets the latest updates from HP and installs them - so it is meant to be a fairly silent unobtrusive process - you wife would like it

I do know that the "Touchsmart" software updates have added functionality to certain portions of the software packapge... the calendar, the clock, and notes, etc... But, I have not seen any public information as to what HP is working on and how they will update the interface.

[ChrisT]

Hi there,

I currently work with HP training the TouchSmart product.  I'm sure you're aware that HP released a previous version of the HP TouchSmart software (see the IQ770).  I expect the HP TouchSmart software to evolve and I expect new features to be added and updated constantly.

If you have any specific suggestions, I can take them to the development team.

[Bill_Hicks]

Don't know what hp is working on, but it's pretty clear they are working on the software. Here is another site focused on software developers who want create software for it: www.touchsmartcommunity.com

[Mitigation_Elf]

Hi Chris,

Great to see HP employees in these forrums!

I have an IQ770 (and loving every minute of it) - Are there any plans to release to the 770 folks any updates from the new versions of the software or is all development for the 770 series done?

[ChrisT]

Hello!  I'm happy to help

Unfortunately, the hardware on the IQ770 does not support the software features in version 2.0 (like two-touch).  I believe that the development efforts are now focused on the IQ500 series and the IQ800 series products.

[JimT]

Hi Chris,

Can I ask you how to use the WMP library as it mentions in the documentation, I should be able to choose the WMP library for my Music, but this does not seem to be working (still) even after I updated my Software.

For example on page 40 under this section.....

 

Selecting a music library

You can use Windows Media Player or iTunes (downloaded separately) to add your songs to your music

library. HP TouchSmart can play music from only one music library at a time. The default setting is

Windows Media Player. If you want to use your iTunes library, open the TouchSmart Music window, tap

Settings, select Use HP TouchSmart Media library or Use my iTunes library, and thenselect Save.

For more information about adding music files to your music libraries, see the Help menus in the iTunes and Windows Media Player Menu.

So, can you please tell me Chris, if my Music is stored on a network drive and WMP has already added it to its library, why then doesn't the Touchsmart Music list the library contents of my WMP?

Also it doesn't list the Share drive letter either? I know of a workaround but the workaround is insane for music library with thousands of albums.....For example I dón't wish to use Playlists because to create playlists would take me forever, especially when I have GB worth of music stored on network drive...

Looking forward to your response...

Jim

[ChrisT]

Hi Jim,

At this time the software doesn't recognize music stored on network drives.  We can add this request for the next software release.  Please keep a look out for the newest TouchSmart software updates.

Message Edited by ChrisT on 12-01-2008 12:53 PM

[JimT]

thanks chris - that'd be great if music on shared drives could be used in touchsmart software - how is it possible to request for this, or do the touchsmart dev team read over these forums?

would it also be possible to add support for devices that stream videos, music and photos so that the touchsmart software can attach to these devices or servers, for example media being shared by a twonky media server?  (that would be a real gem for touchsmart software!!!!)

Message Edited by JimT on 12-01-2008 04:34 PM

[cbleman]

Point 1 

I have the HP touchsmart 804, Is anyone still working on 2 touch? I can resize tiles on the touchsmart screen, but this seems pretty limited, and only works up to a point.

Point 2.

 I had to look up how to add music to touchsmart music. It said to copy all my music into the music directory of my hard drive. I would rather keep all my music on an external hard drive rather than take up a huge chunk of my C:\ drive. I know I can add my library to iTunes, but there really should be some provision to add music to the library from the touch interface. I'm about to add "spy tunes" to my computer to see how it works, but have read others are having problems with music comming from external drives. Particularly MP3 files..... Well I'm about to find out. Please keep me posted. It's good to see an employee helping out.

If you could relay these inputs to the developmental team I would apreciate it.

Question

  Do you know if HP or 3rd parties are working on more touch screen Windows apps? The touchsmart software looks cool, but it's still pretty basic, and a little ragged around the edges. The limitations are frustrating, and the novelty wears off fast. I heard that Windows 7 might supply some apps, but I don't want to put the developmental version on my 804 to find out.