A New Dimension of Desk Interaction
Apple Vision Pro users can now experience a unique way of interacting with their workspace through TouchDesk, an innovative app that transforms a physical desk into a digital touch-sensitive surface. Designed to fully integrate with Apple’s visionOS operating system, TouchDesk supports Apple’s multitasking capabilities as a shared space application. Unlike other mixed-reality apps that take over the entire system, TouchDesk operates in the background, augmenting the desk with virtual note-taking and sketching features.
Users can jot down notes or draw directly on the desk’s surface, making it a seamless tool for multitasking. For instance, while playing a game in flatscreen mode, players can quickly note down a combination code found within the game environment. The app also introduces an intriguing element of hand occlusion, where covering a virtual sketch with a hand creates a surprise effect when revealed again. Whether in mixed reality or full VR, TouchDesk provides a fingerpainting-like interaction, allowing users to directly manipulate digital content on their desks.
Innovative Features and Future Enhancements
TouchDesk sets itself apart from other virtual sketching applications by enabling direct finger-based interactions rather than requiring external controllers. This approach is different from other applications, such as Meta’s Pencil on Quest headsets, which use controllers as paperweights for virtual outlines. With TouchDesk, users engage naturally with their desk, making it an intuitive and engaging experience.
The app’s developer, known as Easybreezy on social media, has acknowledged areas for improvement and is actively working on future updates. Planned enhancements include importing and exporting files, tilting boards for better visibility, and adding text or image support. The developer highlighted the importance of multitasking, explaining that TouchDesk allows users to organize thoughts, operate ultra-wide Mac screens, and utilize other apps simultaneously. When not in use, the app can be minimized and quickly reopened when needed.
Another potential update involves a more dynamic board placement system. The developer is exploring an immersive space mode where the board can be automatically positioned based on user preferences. This feature aims to enhance usability by allowing users to choose between a shared space and an immersive environment for their virtual desk.
Development Journey and AI Integration
TouchDesk is developed by Easybreezy, who is based in Suzhou, China. The developer left a prominent tech company last October to independently create applications for Apple Vision Pro. While primarily working as a product designer in the past, Easybreezy has ventured into programming to bring TouchDesk to life.
During development, the developer occasionally consulted AI tools like ChatGPT for programming challenges, particularly for mathematical and coding problems. However, more advanced AI-powered development tools have not yet been integrated into the process, though their potential use in future projects remains open.
TouchDesk – Desktop Canvas is currently available on the Apple App Store, offering Apple Vision Pro users a new way to interact with their workspace in mixed reality.
