Apple files patent for dual-mode iMac touch

I've long dreamt of a world where, instead of launching Front Row's movie interface or DashBoard's widget screen on a Mac, I could just launch a version of iPhone/iPad's iOS and use all my existing apps and games -- and a newly discovered Apple Patent for a dual-mode iMac touch shows Apple might one day may that dream come true.

Or not. As with any patent there's no way of knowing which will ever end up as real shipping products and which will live on only as doodles and descriptions. However, Apple is moving inexorably towards iOS and multitouch so perhaps this one has a shot?

What do you think? Is a world where you can slide away your keyboard and ~~mouse~~ Magic TrackPad, flip down Mac OS X, and start multitouching your way through IOS a world you want to live in?

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.