If Apple has their way, multi touch technology like that found on the iPhone could become exclusive to the Apple brand thanks to the company's most recent patent applications, in upwards of 200 for the iPhone alone. The technology, which links finger-motions including, swirls, pinches and swipes, link the actions to specific functions on the iPhone and recently released MacBook Air. This would certainly put a damper on the plans of companies such as Nokia, Microsoft and Synaptics who have been working to incorporate multitouch technology into their own products. If Apple is successful, it's unlikely that companies will abandon the idea entirely, but it would set them back and force to alter their products and, specifically, the motions tied into the software applications. From the way things are looking now, Apple doesn't appear to be trying to lock down the entire idea of multi touch, but the specific uses of it already patched into the iPhone and other Apple devices, though they did apply for a trademark on the term "multi-touch."
The idea of using your fingers in different motions is not new or unique to Apple. In 2007 Microsoft showed off the Surface Table, based off of technology demoed in 2006.
Despite Apple's eagerness to get the jump on the multitouch market, patents can take years to clear and Apple winning them all is no sure thing. But one thing that is certain is that multi touch has finger-flipped and pinched its mark on modern technology. Start exercising those pointer fingers.
