Apple Sampling Touchscreen Panels For Touchscreen iMac?

A report has surfaced, claiming that Sintek Photronics, a supplier of large touchscreen panels has begun to send samples to Cupertino for testing, fueling rumors that a touchscreen iMac is on the way. According to DigiTimes, the displays are projected capacitive touch panels and will use a new layering method, with the touch sensors integrated into the glass, instead of being layered on top, allowing for a thinner, lighter panel that will still maintain wide viewing angles. Apple’s current line of iMacs use high-quality IPS displays with 178 degree viewing angles. Recent patent filings also hinted that Apple was looking into a hybrid Mac interface with a special hinge, allowing the Mac to be used on a touchscreen mode, and considering how well Apple’s iOS has been received on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, it wouldn’t be too surprising if Apple eventually did churn out an touchscreen iMac that ran iOS in some way.