Snow Leopard to Add 4-Finger Multi-Touch Gestures to Original MacBook Air

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/09/snow-leopard-to-add-4-finger-multi-touch-gestures-to-original-macbook-air/)

When Apple introduced the new MacBooks, MacBook Airs, and MacBook Pros in October, they also introduced a new four-finger multi-touch trackpad gesture that allowed users to easily switch between applications (swipe left/right) or invoke Exposé (swipe up/down). While it's long been known (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/14/original-macbook-air-capable-of-4-finger-gestures-through-software-update/) that the original MacBook Air and early 2008 MacBook Pros were also capable of detecting these 4-finger gestures, Apple has not yet announced or provided software support for the feature.

The latest Snow Leopard developer seeds, however, reveal that Apple will be adding support for these gestures to these "1st generation" multi-touch trackpad devices. Based on reports, this functionality has finally been added for the original MacBook Air (and presumably the early 2008 MacBook Pros).

The original MacBook Air was the first Apple laptop to incorporate a multi-touch trackpad when it was introduced (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/01/15/apple-announces-macbook-air/) in January 2008 and the MacBook Pros quickly followed (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/02/26/apple-releases-penryn-based-macbook-pros-with-multitouch/) with multi-touch support in February 2008.

Article Link: Snow Leopard to Add 4-Finger Multi-Touch Gestures to Original MacBook Air (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/09/snow-leopard-to-add-4-finger-multi-touch-gestures-to-original-macbook-air/)

[Fotek2001]

They don't normally retro-fit features do they?

[ozone]

... but who cares? I use my MBAir (original model) all the time, and frankly, I'm quite satisfied with what it does already. :)

[Wayfarer]

Ahh I've been waiting for this! As long as it's added to the my early 2008 Macbook Pro I'll be a happy camper. :D

[Chobit]

It's a bit misleading to say the first Macbook Air was the first apple laptop with multitouch support. My first gen intel macbook has 2 finger scrolling (and I think it even goes back to the last of the powerbooks), albeit they say the trackpad isn't up to snuff to do the more complex multi-touch capabilities, but it's still a multitouch gesture.

[windowpain]

I suppose they will be charging $2 (http://store.apple.com/us/product/D4141ZM/A) for a multi-touch enabler?

[tk421]

I suppose they will be charging $2 (http://store.apple.com/us/product/D4141ZM/A) for a multi-touch enabler?

They'll charge $129. The article says it's part of Snow Leopard.

[dubhe]

I suppose they will be charging $2 (http://store.apple.com/us/product/D4141ZM/A) for a multi-touch enabler?

$4 ($1 per finger)

[optophobia]

It's a bit misleading to say the first Macbook Air was the first apple laptop with multitouch support. My first gen intel macbook has 2 finger scrolling (and I think it even goes back to the last of the powerbooks), albeit they say the trackpad isn't up to snuff to do the more complex multi-touch capabilities, but it's still a multitouch gesture.

I think you are missing the point.

[amac4me]

A nice incentive for MBA owners to upgrade.

[hiimamac]

... but who cares? I use my MBAir (original model) all the time, and frankly, I'm quite satisfied with what it does already. :)

Exactly. While I would love this on my MacBook pro early 08 that I got new via apple friend for $1400, a report came out that said 90% or more didn't use these new features after a week so I find it intersting that instead of a free update, Apple wants to get you money by forcing an upgrade if you want this feature. Plus of course, releasing all this new hardware so everyone will have to upgrade. Next mac will probably be another new Mac Pro via apple inside discount as the 8 core would be cheaper then the new 4 core and give better rendering. For me FPU is critical for logic plug ins and virtual instiments, orchestal samples.

Peace.

[talkingfuture]

Sounds like multi touch will become more and more a part of the OSX experience.

[rjheys]

Old News, I posted this fact over two months ago in the forums. This has been in Snow Leopard way back since build 10A222. Try to keep up.

[arn]

Old News, I posted this fact over two months ago in the forums. This has been in Snow Leopard way back since build 10A222. Try to keep up.

it really hasn't. this is brand new.

arn

[MysterMac]

This has been in Snow Leopard way back since build 10A222. Try to keep up.

the very definition of SMUG

[erifneerg]

very exciting, no need to hack osx to get that same feature. it seems silly to prevent a feature like this simply based on release day and not the technology it has build in it.

[Warbrain]

This is old news. It's been reported a while ago that they would enable multitouch gestures on portables that it currently does not work. I'll search for a link...

[SkippyThorson]

Old News, I posted this fact over two months ago in the forums. This has been in Snow Leopard way back since build 10A222. Try to keep up.

it really hasn't. this is brand new.

arn

Fail. I don't know what super secret one-of-a-kind build you had, but you need to be sure of things before you post with sureness of something. :)

[redwin11]

great news...

[Small White Car]

It's a bit misleading to say the first Macbook Air was the first apple laptop with multitouch support. My first gen intel macbook has 2 finger scrolling (and I think it even goes back to the last of the powerbooks), albeit they say the trackpad isn't up to snuff to do the more complex multi-touch capabilities, but it's still a multitouch gesture.

No, that's not multitouch in the sense we mean it. Yes, it involves 2 fingers, but by that definition a 2-button mouse is multitouch! (Heck, "holding a cookie" is also multitouch if you mean it that way.)

When we use the word multitouch it implies that the computer knows where each finger is in relation to each other. This makes things like 'pinch to zoom' possible.

Your laptop could detect if 1 or 2 fingers was touching it, but that was it. It didn't know how far apart they were or where they were moving. It just used 2-fingers as another modifing 'control' key, basically.

[rjheys]

Fail. I don't know what super secret one-of-a-kind build you had, but you need to be sure of things before you post with sureness of something. :)

No, build 10A222, I just said that.

[Miker2k]

Haven't we been able to do this for awhile now by hacking the kext(s)?

[Adrien24]

No, build 10A222, I just said that.

lol pwned.

I agree. Im pretty sure for those who were seeded the builds found that out. Just the news has recently been dug up.

[fleshman03]

Ahh I've been waiting for this! As long as it's added to the my early 2008 Macbook Pro I'll be a happy camper. :D

Yessssssss!

I have to say that I bought the MBP with Multi-touch as an investment. I expected Apple to expand those capabilities. When they did, they left me behind b/c I bought my laptop 6 months too early.

About Damn Time.

[scottishwildcat]

Sounds like multi touch will become more and more a part of the OSX experience.
Sadly so. Personally I find it really awkward to use, and it also seems to be somewhat prejudicial against people who don't possess a full set of fingers!

[Furrybeagle]

No, that's not multitouch in the sense we mean it. Yes, it involves 2 fingers, but by that definition a 2-button mouse is multitouch! (Heck, "holding a cookie" is also multitouch if you mean it that way.)

When we use the word multitouch it implies that the computer knows where each finger is in relation to each other. This makes things like 'pinch to zoom' possible.

Your laptop could detect if 1 or 2 fingers was touching it, but that was it. It didn't know how far apart they were or where they were moving. It just used 2-fingers as another modifing 'control' key, basically.

Thank you. I feel like this needs to be explained every single time there is an article on multi-touch.

Haven't we been able to do this for awhile now by hacking the kext(s)?

Yes, but it's nice that Apple is building in support so we don't have to muck around in the kernel.

Anyways, what I really can't wait for is the rumored advanced gestures and customizable multitouch preferences that we've seen in patent applications and .xib/.nib files.

[bplein]

Your laptop could detect if 1 or 2 fingers was touching it, but that was it. It didn't know how far apart they were or where they were moving. It just used 2-fingers as another modifing 'control' key, basically.

Not entirely true. Macbooks and MacBook Pros could do two finger vertical gestures. I use that for scrolling while reading MacRumors, for instance. Moving them sideways doesn't do anything, but vertically scrolls the page.

But I understand your point. Earlier "two finger" systems don't qualify as multi-touch the way it's understood by Apple and their users.

[Small White Car]

Not entirely true. Macbooks and MacBook Pros could do two finger vertical gestures.

That action is still consistant with what I said. I realize I said "moving" which was confusing since I left it at that. I meant fingers "moving in relation to each other."

The point I was trying to make is that putting two fingers on the trackpad is a lot like holding "control" or "alt" or something like that. It's telling the computer to do something different with the mouse, but it's still only tracking one of those 2 fingers.

[astrofoo]

It's a bit misleading to say the first Macbook Air was the first apple laptop with multitouch support. My first gen intel macbook has 2 finger scrolling (and I think it even goes back to the last of the powerbooks), albeit they say the trackpad isn't up to snuff to do the more complex multi-touch capabilities, but it's still a multitouch gesture.

I think what you have was made by synaptics, the people that make touchpad for a lot of other companies. The multitouch that's on the MacBooks listed and the newest ones are made by Apple.

[cg0def]

Like you coudn't have guessed that this one was coming. There are a few features that the late '08 lineup brings which are merely software enabled. All of those are coming in Snow Leopard. You'll get gpu acceleration on all 2008 models also. But it is nice to have 4 finger gestures although they are somewhat of an overkill.

[MacontheBeach]

This is great news! I think this is just another step towards an optional Glass Track Pad being introduced for the iMac, which I believe is the reason for the "chopped" keyboard... :rolleyes: At least I hope it is! :D

[Chobit]

No, that's not multitouch in the sense we mean it. Yes, it involves 2 fingers, but by that definition a 2-button mouse is multitouch! (Heck, "holding a cookie" is also multitouch if you mean it that way.)

When we use the word multitouch it implies that the computer knows where each finger is in relation to each other. This makes things like 'pinch to zoom' possible.

Your laptop could detect if 1 or 2 fingers was touching it, but that was it. It didn't know how far apart they were or where they were moving. It just used 2-fingers as another modifing 'control' key, basically.

I realize that difference, and I wasn't saying anything to the effect that it could do more than that. However, 2 finger scrolling is a basic multitouch gesture, the pad has to be able to tell that there are 2 fingers on it rather than one. In that sense the Macbook air wasn't the first mac with multitouch support, but the first mac with the ability to detect all the current gestures capable in OS X. To me (I have a current gen macbook as well), two-finger scrolling is by far the most important multi-touch gesture, so I guess my thinking about it is just different than others.

[Scott6666]

Yippee.

[KALLT]

Sadly so. Personally I find it really awkward to use, and it also seems to be somewhat prejudicial against people who don't possess a full set of fingers!

You don't have to use it, so what's the problem? Multi-touch trackpad has been a dream for me. Switching to Exposé with just one simple gesture is really cool. I never used the F3 key.

[nagromme]

Sounds good to me. I tried the 4-finger gestures at the store, and I want them! (Without hacks, please.)

I can see them adding the same to a Plain Leopard update too.

[Olivier L.]

Not entirely true. Macbooks and MacBook Pros could do two finger vertical gestures. I use that for scrolling while reading MacRumors, for instance. Moving them sideways doesn't do anything, but vertically scrolls the page.

But I understand your point. Earlier "two finger" systems don't qualify as multi-touch the way it's understood by Apple and their users.

Actually, for this "multi-touch" vertical scrolling, you only 1 finger to scroll ,but 2 fingers touching the pad.
Moreoever, sideways scrolling also works (try for example when zooming a lot on a picture in Preview, until you have both vertical and horizontal scroll bars.)

[hacksaw-C87]

Another good reason to buy a MBA ... if only it came close being good value for money then I'd buy. :(

[jmadlena]

Sadly so. Personally I find it really awkward to use, and it also seems to be somewhat prejudicial against people who don't possess a full set of fingers!

So does typing on a keyboard. I believe that new technologies should be developed to help people with different needs access technology, but the pace of innovation shouldn't be slowed down for disabilities.

Plus, it's all optional.

[daneoni]

Meh...i already have it

[Furrybeagle]

This is great news! I think this is just another step towards an optional Glass Track Pad being introduced for the iMac, which I believe is the reason for the "chopped" keyboard... :rolleyes: At least I hope it is! :D

So... like... a trackpad instead of the numpad? Interesting. But it'd have to be removable, or they'd need left/right handed versions... right?

Anyways, as far as I can tell we're moving towards dynamic, tactile, multitouch display surfaces in place of trackpads or even keyboards.

Imagine something like the ProRemote iPhone app (http://www.iphonealley.com/news/proremote-proremote-light-controls-protools-logic-from-iphone), but in place of every trackpad (and/or keyboard) on every Mac. When you need a keyboard, you have it. When you need volume and mixer controls for GarageBand/Logic, you have it. When you need a virtual MIDI keyboard, you have it. When you need Photoshop controls, you have it. Any application could dynamically change the controls on the multitouch surface. No more remembering complex, inflexible hotkeys.

[reybart]

Go to MBA forum and somebody posted on how to have it.

[Coma2nd]

The thing is, it would be quite simple for apple to include that into current 10.5. I mean there are lots of How-Tos for that in the web. But why don't they?

I hope they don't disable that feature again for the old machines once Snow Leopard is Gold Master.

[Olivier L.]

[...] it also seems to be somewhat prejudicial against people who don't possess a full set of fingers!
And the use of a display is (somewhat) prejudicial against people who...etc
:p

[bob_the_gorilla]

You don't have to use it, so what's the problem? Multi-touch trackpad has been a dream for me. Switching to Exposé with just one simple gesture is really cool. I never used the F3 key.

Actually, as things stand in Leopard, you do have to use it. I keep triggering the pinch gesture by accident and it seriously p*sses me off. Here's hoping they'll allow more customisation in SL – let me turn off pinching, and assign something useful to the four-finger gestures.

[mozumder]

What's funny is that I'm using multi-touch on my 17" MacBook Pro, which I bought in November 2007!

[Furrybeagle]

What's funny is that I'm using multi-touch on my 17" MacBook Pro, which I bought in November 2007!

Oh really?

[mrkgoo]

I'm a little surprised that those who are desperate to have it on their early 2008 MBP don't have it already.

It's a hack, I guess technically, but it's basically editing a text file to say "Multi gestures = on".

[nilk]

I did the hack on my Early-2008 MBP to add 4-finger touch, but I don't even use it. The actions they have them bound to are useless for me. I don't use expose and the left/right swipe for app switching just doesn't work as well as Cmd-Tab.

I find 2-finger scrolling extremely useful. 3 finger actions would be nice if more apps used it (for example, I like using it in Preview while reading PDF's and using it to switch pages).

I'm looking forward to the multi-touch API in Snow Leopard and am hoping that will unlock some of the potential in the 3/4 finger actions. Is there any info available on this API yet?

I also hope that Apple delivers multi-touch to desktop users somehow (either a standalone device or integrated into their keyboards). They need to make up for delivering that awful product known as the Mighty Mouse.

[daneoni]

I'd rather have read: Snow Leopard adds support for GPU accelerated decoding on older macs

[fleshman03]

I really hope you can customize what actions do what. I'd really like 4 finger swipe - Wideways to change spaces. That would be more useful than the alt-tab thing.

[andy721]

it's funny that you guys keep posting stuff that may be new to us but in reality snow leopard is complete GM. Kind of like how technology only goes up a tad every 6months when in REALITY they have really fast super computers we never heard of, that is why it's a money profit SCAM. This society is *****.:mad:

[Slurpy2k8]

Can someone explain to me why the hell they can't add this obvious update with an point release of leopard? How hard can it be? Why should people have to wait for snow leopard for this? I'm sorry, but this is completely pathetic, and Im not going to pretend to be thankful. One could at least give them the benefit of the doubt and try to argue that there's a hardware limitation- but now we know thats not the case, that rationalization is gone. There's no reason why this should wait until the next OS, which is at the very least several months away. It's an update they can easily add right now, but it seems they want another 'bullet' for snow leopard.

You people seem to hold Apple at an extremely low standard at times (or most of the time) for a company that is supposed to be above its competitors.

[Catfish_Man]

Slurpy2k8: Generally speaking, the process for getting a change into a .x.y build is pretty rigorous, and defaults to "leave it out". They* really don't like accidentally introducing regressions with them.

That said, there have been a few things in .x.ys that had me going "what? how is that in here?". Dunno if that's a case of people getting sloppy about what's allowed in, or just that the bugfix they wanted was in the middle of a bunch of changed code and it was less risky to use the new code than rewrite the fix for the old.


*and their counterparts in other software projects as well. Adium has gotten burned enough times by seemingly innocuous merges from trunk to branch going haywire... the ill-fated version 1.2.6 being the prime example.

[Norco]

Haven't we been able to do this for awhile now by hacking the kext(s)?

This shows Apple finally getting with the program. I hate reaching for the F keys to do Expose, but with that simple 'hack' I've got the 4 finger gestures. Some people may be bothered with replacing a file in their OS X, but if you want this feature desperate enough you'll typically do whatever it takes.

[kdum8]

according to this blog: http://uneasysilence.com/archive/2009/02/13817/
it is already possible with a very easy hack... Has anyone tried this yet?

[twoodcc]

i really hope that this is true. i would love this on my 1st gen Air

[SeaneyC]

I cannot believe the number of people in here who have Airs, and haven't enabled 4 fingers, it takes what, a minute to "hack" in.

I use 4 finger expose constantly. The only reason that this could be exciting news is if you can properly bind them to something else, Multiclutch doesn't like you input certain keyboard combos :(

[Turmoil]

Can someone explain to me why the hell they can't add this obvious update with an point release of leopard? How hard can it be? Why should people have to wait for snow leopard for this? I'm sorry, but this is completely pathetic, and Im not going to pretend to be thankful. One could at least give them the benefit of the doubt and try to argue that there's a hardware limitation- but now we know thats not the case, that rationalization is gone. There's no reason why this should wait until the next OS, which is at the very least several months away. It's an update they can easily add right now, but it seems they want another 'bullet' for snow leopard.

You people seem to hold Apple at an extremely low standard at times (or most of the time) for a company that is supposed to be above its competitors.

You should march to Apple Headquarters and DEMAND that they implement it now.

welcome to the real world. I suggest a nice walk in the woods.

[Sweetfeld28]

All i can say is that this bettered have support for my MBP, which has [in my mind multi-touch [[two finger scroll]]. I think its stupid that people can hack it to get it to work, but they themselves do not. It makes me mad, that it just a software setting they they have a lock on.

Anyways, I hope this works.

[kgeier82]

my contribution:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=617645

this worked fine for me on my Penryn MBP!

[Mackan]

Can someone explain to me why the hell they can't add this obvious update with an point release of leopard? How hard can it be? Why should people have to wait for snow leopard for this? I'm sorry, but this is completely pathetic, and Im not going to pretend to be thankful. One could at least give them the benefit of the doubt and try to argue that there's a hardware limitation- but now we know thats not the case, that rationalization is gone. There's no reason why this should wait until the next OS, which is at the very least several months away. It's an update they can easily add right now, but it seems they want another 'bullet' for snow leopard.

You people seem to hold Apple at an extremely low standard at times (or most of the time) for a company that is supposed to be above its competitors.

Agree. Apple is always looking to milk you for money. It stinks. But it wouldn't surprise me if they disable this multitouch for older notebooks just before Snow Leopard ships though. Would also be very Apple.

[RaMaz07]

yay! need this for my MBA.

[cwsmith]

$4 ($1 per finger)

Pricing like Pizza Hut: Regular price, four bucks, four bucks, four bucks. :D

[Slurpy2k8]

I cannot believe the number of people in here who have Airs, and haven't enabled 4 fingers, it takes what, a minute to "hack" in.

I use 4 finger expose constantly. The only reason that this could be exciting news is if you can properly bind them to something else, Multiclutch doesn't like you input certain keyboard combos :(

Which is my point. We know how easily it is to hack in. We know they already have the control panel and everything for it. There's no new 'assets' to create. How many lines of code could it possibly take to enable it?

There's no reason this shouldnt be enabled now, or months ago. The fact that users developed simple hacks that work perfectly are a testament to how little effort Apple puts to increase the benefit to its users when theres no direct financial incentive to do so.

[Turmoil]

Agree. Apple is always looking to milk you for money. It stinks. But it wouldn't surprise me if they disable this multitouch for older notebooks just before Snow Leopard ships though. Would also be very Apple.

Really? And you have an example of that?

[Slurpy2k8]

Really? And you have an example of that?

You're joking, right?

You're right, Apple hasn't been nickel and diming anyone in the past few years by stripping away accessories that used to be included such as stands, docks, adapters, and remotes, as well as making you pay for software updates.

Nope.

[iMaggot]

Sounds like multi touch will become more and more a part of the OSX experience.

Yep and that's a good thing, because i love Multi-touch ;)

[mozumder]

Oh really?

Yep. They had the hardware in the 2007 MacBook Pro before the Air, they just didn't enable it until the Spring 2008 MacBook Pros were released!

[fleshman03]

my contribution:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=617645

this worked fine for me on my Penryn MBP!

Worked fine for me too. It's not too hard to do and once you use those features, you will not want to go back.

All I want is to customize it a little bit...

[snowleopard48]

This is great, but can't you already do this?

I Don't have a macbook air, but i have heard its possible

[mdntblu]

Does that mean a MacBook will have MultiTouch other than two finger scrolling and two finger right click?

I know MacBook Pro's already do all of that but will the normal White MacBook do it as well?

[Sweetfeld28]

Does that mean a MacBook will have MultiTouch other than two finger scrolling and two finger right click?

Yes, this means that any of the Laptops with two finger scrolling abilities, will now be able to have the 4 finger gestures.

[zedsdead]

Yes, this means that any of the Laptops with two finger scrolling abilities, will now be able to have the 4 finger gestures.

I don't think this is correct at all. It only will update the REV A Air's, and the pre-unibody Macbook Pro's from mid-2008 to allow the newer four-finger gestures.

[Sweetfeld28]

I don't think this is correct at all. It only will update the REV A Air's, and the pre-unibody Macbook Pro's from mid-2008 to allow the newer four-finger gestures.



Heres the Proof:

Go to the System Prefs (http://www.apple.com/macosx/refinements/enhancements-refinements.html) section

[mrkgoo]

Heres the Proof:

Go to the System Prefs (http://www.apple.com/macosx/refinements/enhancements-refinements.html) section

I don't think the two finger scrolling was considered a multi touch trackpad. That goes all the way back to G4 powerbooks.

[Sweetfeld28]

I don't think the two finger scrolling was considered a multi touch trackpad. That goes all the way back to G4 powerbooks.


Correct. But we are talking about Snow Leopard, which only applies to the Intel based computers, not the older PowerPC computers.

[mdntblu]

Yes, this means that any of the Laptops with two finger scrolling abilities, will now be able to have the 4 finger gestures.

Yes that is awesome. Now my brand new MacBook will have true multi-touch.

[brsboarder]

will my C2D 2007 macbook get this enabled?

[Sweetfeld28]

It will if mine does. :rolleyes:



Correction: If mine doesn't, yours won't either. :-(

[pavinder]

I understand about 2006/7 models being of the 2-finger only trackpad detection but not true "gestures", so I assume this review (which seems to have been copied from numerous other reviews on other sites) has got things wrong then?
http://www.infoworld.com/d/mac/7-best-features-in-mac-os-x-snow-leopard-573?page=0,1

Perhaps this is the definitive answer:
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/15/multi-touch-coming-to-older-macbooks-not-so-fast?icid=sphere_wpcom_inline

[JFreak]

So... no love for my old 2007 SR MBP then? :P

[Angsty]

Is there a System Preference to turn OFF the multitouch trackpad?? I find it impossible to type on the MBA keyboard for more than 1 sentence without "accidental touches" of the &%$# multitouch jumping my cursor all over the place :(

I ended up removing the multitouch preferences and reverted to the "old school" trackapd WITH the previous System Preference where I can choose to "ignore accidental touches of trackpad when typing" and "ignore trackpad when mouse is connected"

Finally, after 4 months of hell, I can type again!

Multitouch, schmultitouch!:rolleyes:

Ang

[mdntblu]

Yes, this means that any of the Laptops with two finger scrolling abilities, will now be able to have the 4 finger gestures.

Doesn't work on my MacBook. It's a brand new MacBook (got it last month).

[Sweetfeld28]

Thanks for the reminder.

I am so disappointed by it not happening. This would of been my fav feature if it did happen, but oh well. :rolleyes: