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Future Mac Notebooks Could Feature 'Buttonless' Trackpad Design

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple today was awarded U.S. Patent No. 8,633,916 (via AppleInsider), which describes a touchpad that utilizes force sensors and acuator feedback. The buttonless design uses an array of sensors and an actuator to mimic the function and tactile feedback of the current trackpad found in the company's MacBook product lines.

trackpad-patent.jpg

Currently, Apple's trackpad technology is based on an integrated button design. Surface touch sensors track the movement of fingers and a hinged button allows the trackpad to click when a user presses down on it. A switch located under the trackpad is actuated when a click pivots the trackpad downward on its rear hinge. The pivoting motion of this button makes it difficult to click near the rear edge of the trackpad and requires extra space within the chassis of the notebook.

In the newly awarded patent, which was filed in December 2009, Apple builds upon its current design by using a surface touch sensor and four corner force sensors to track finger movement and clicking input from the user. An actuator would be used to provide tactile feedback. Also similar to the current trackpad, a buttonless trackpad may have user-customizable settings that adjust the sensitivity levels for the click pressure or the tactile feedback.

apple_trackpad14_3.jpg
In addition to processing touch sensor signals to determine the location of touch events, signals from the force sensors may be processed. A rectangular touch pad may have four corners. Force sensors may be mounted under each of the four corners. When a user presses on the surface of the touch pad, the force sensors may pick up four corresponding independent force signals.

Tactile feedback may be provided using an actuator. The actuator may be controlled by actuator drive signals. As a user of an electronic device interacts with the touch pad, the user may make gestures and perform other touch-related tasks. When the user desires to select an on-screen object or perform other tasks of the type traditionally associated with button actuation events, the user may press downwards against the surface of the track pad. When sufficient force is detected, appropriate action may be taken and drive signals may be applied to the actuator. The actuator may impart movement to the touch pad.
Click to expand...
Whether Apple chooses to incorporate this new trackpad technology or not is unknown, but a move to do so would make sense considering that Apple's multi-touch trackpad debuted with the MacBook Air in 2008, and has made its way to every MacBook since then. But given the fact that it has been over four years since the patent's filing, Apple may simply have abandoned the proposed design for unknown reasons.

Article Link: Future Mac Notebooks Could Feature 'Buttonless' Trackpad Design
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/01/21/buttonless-trackpad-patent/
Last edited:
5

576316

macrumors 601
May 19, 2011
4,056
2,556
A TrackPad without a button definitely seems like a good idea. I changed my settings to 'tap to click' practically on day 1 because it's much easier and quicker - never mind less audibly annoying. But I've also started to notice my TrackPad 'wobbling' almost and sometimes sounding like its loose when I'm tapping on it which could suggest the button is prone to loosening.
 
roadbloc

roadbloc

macrumors G3
Aug 24, 2009
8,784
215
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No thanks. I like my buttons. Never been a huge fan of touch. Trackpads are fine, but without two buttons for clicking, I'm out. And no doubt living in the past. :(
 
W

wickoo

macrumors member
Jul 15, 2011
67
0
I can't remember a single instance of a patent filing revealing an upcoming Apple product's feature. Could you guys point me to some recent one that turned out to be true?
 
W

willcapellaro

macrumors 6502
Oct 20, 2011
345
6
efktd said:
I miss the "click" sound on the pre-unibody / trackpad button MacBooks.
Click to expand...

Yeah, when there was an actual button they had a very light resistance to the button. Now it's a lot firmer to allow people to track without pressing.

I liked when the button was a button.
 
M

Millah

macrumors 6502a
Aug 6, 2008
866
515
Way to actually read the article guys. Relax, your "clicky button feeling" isn't going anywhere. Says right in the first paragraph it uses an "actuator to mimic the function and tactile feedback" of the current trackpad.
 
T

tMac7

macrumors newbie
Nov 7, 2013
20
1
JarScott said:
A TrackPad without a button definitely seems like a good idea. I changed my settings to 'tap to click' practically on day 1 because it's much easier and quicker
Click to expand...

Same here, it works perfectly fine for me. IMO Trackpads don't need a button anymore - a one- or two-finger tap is enough.

But i also think that we don't need force sensors and acuator feedback in the trackpad - but Apple will prove me wrong :p
 
dannys1

dannys1

macrumors 68040
Sep 19, 2007
3,648
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UK
Is anyone on this forum capable of reading, or just moaning?

It explains quite clearly that when you press down it would still function and feel a button now you miserable sods.

The benefit is that they can remove the dated hinge mechanism which makes more power for good things and you'll be able to click at both the bottom AND the top of the trackpad...basically its like now, but better.

Its not rocket science to read and understand.
 
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D

downpour

macrumors 6502a
Oct 20, 2009
524
317
It's much less stressful on your hands to gently tap the touchpad rather than click the button with your thumb. The problem is it's quite a hard habit to break.

One other advantage of removing the buttons, is that Apple could eventually replace the touchpad with a touchscreen.
 
notjustjay

notjustjay

macrumors 603
Sep 19, 2003
6,056
167
Canada, eh?
Sounds neat. As long as it still "feels" like a button press. I like that I have to use a bit more force to press a button than just a single tap. I always turn off "tap to click" because I generate way too many false clicks otherwise.
 
A

allthingsapple

macrumors member
Dec 27, 2013
55
0
Great news. If they could possibly make the new trackpads backwards compatible with older 2010+ MacBooks, Macbook air's and macbook pros that use the multitouch glass trackpad. It would be even better.
 
mdelvecchio

mdelvecchio

macrumors 68040
Sep 3, 2010
3,151
1,149
roadbloc said:
No thanks. I like my buttons. Never been a huge fan of touch. Trackpads are fine, but without two buttons for clicking, I'm out. And no doubt living in the past. :(
Click to expand...

since when have macbooks had two buttons for clicking? you must be out already, then...
 
Sandstorm

Sandstorm

macrumors 6502a
Sep 27, 2011
697
1,714
Riga, Latvia
JarScott said:
A TrackPad without a button definitely seems like a good idea. I changed my settings to 'tap to click' practically on day 1 because it's much easier and quicker - never mind less audibly annoying. But I've also started to notice my TrackPad 'wobbling' almost and sometimes sounding like its loose when I'm tapping on it which could suggest the button is prone to loosening.
Click to expand...

I also use "tap to click" and I really like it, but you also need the "button" press for dragging things, at least if you don't use that "three finger drag" (which I don't like at all).
 
roadbloc

roadbloc

macrumors G3
Aug 24, 2009
8,784
215
UK
mdelvecchio said:
since when have macbooks had two buttons for clicking? you must be out already, then...
Click to expand...

Well button may be the wrong word for them nowadays, but it certainly clicks at both sides for me. The only MacBook I have with a one button click is my late 2009 white MacBook. Both my pro and air have it.
 
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