The latest MacBooks feature bigger trackpads than ever, offering an increasing number of touch-based controls for nimble-fingered users. In this patent, the trackpad seems to span the entire width of the laptop, adding a wider range of touch controls.
This is an interesting one as it may be an upgrade of an earlier idea that involved hot-swappable physical laptop keyboard elements, which allowed users to add input devices like piano keyboards and a mini mixing console. These days, since soft interfaces are the new hard interfaces, this is the logical evolution.
Verdict: 6/10
The iPhone and other touchscreen devices have demonstrated that similar controls can be integrated into soft interfaces. And why not?
Credit: US Patent and Trademark Office
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- Yeah, right
- Unless you have done a reasonable survey of touch typists
to really learn their preferences (nah, didn't think so), it
seems beyond presumptuous to speak for "most of them".
You don't like... (Read the rest) - Posted by: frabjous Posted on: 10/31/08 You are currently: a Guest | Log in | Terms of Use
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