Wide Touchpad Patents from Apple

MacRumors · Mar 2, 2006, 06:24 PM

Macsimumnews.com summarizes a recent patent filed by Apple employees describing the implementation of a "wide touchpad". This particular patent has some age to it and was originally filed on August 25, 2004.

The patent describes ways to interpret the multiple contact points and provides several images as examples.

yankeefan24 · Mar 2, 2006, 06:29 PM

will this be on the next ibooks, macbook pro's, or a new computer all together. this sounds cool. its been there for a while so all we can do is see how soon apple could make this. its definitely been out long enough for april

twoodcc · Mar 2, 2006, 06:37 PM

interesting. can't wait to see what happens in April!

Josh396 · Mar 2, 2006, 07:09 PM

If this has something to do with laptops, which it appears it does, then I think it's becoming more obvious that the current Macbook Pros are just hold over machines until the real ones are ready. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

iMeowbot · Mar 2, 2006, 07:27 PM

That idea looks like it would be bad for usability. All those touchable surfaces in front the keyboard would be prone to accidental activation. Trackpads can be bad enough, but at least it's easy to avoid resting the palms there.

Doctor Q · Mar 2, 2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMeowbot

That idea looks like it would be bad for usability. All those touchable surfaces in front the keyboard would be prone to accidental activation. Trackpads can be bad enough, but at least it's easy to avoid resting the palms there.

They cover this in the details:

Quote:

The touchpad is able to distinguish when a user is contacting the touchpad for intended use or is merely resting his or her palms on a particular portion of the touchpad during a typing activity.

ssj300 · Mar 17, 2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh396

If this has something to do with laptops, which it appears it does, then I think it's becoming more obvious that the current Macbook Pros are just hold over machines until the real ones are ready. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

well obviously, theres always gonna be a new and better one coming out?

iShane · Mar 17, 2006, 04:49 PM

Ahh. All this speculation makes me feel all tingly inside. Anyways, based on what people have said it would look like it sounds pretty good.

Mar 2, 2006, 06:24 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Wide Touchpad Patents from Apple Macsimumnews.com summarizes a recent patent filed by Apple employees describing the implementation of a "wide touchpad". This particular patent has some age to it and was originally filed on August 25, 2004. The patent describes ways to interpret the multiple contact points and provides several images as examples.

Mar 2, 2006, 06:29 PM	#2
yankeefan24 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NYC	will this be on the next ibooks, macbook pro's, or a new computer all together. this sounds cool. its been there for a while so all we can do is see how soon apple could make this. its definitely been out long enough for april __________________ MacBook "Black Edition" 23" ACD Disclaimer: Never take facts I state in a post as totally 100% correct unless otherwise stated.

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Mar 2, 2006, 06:37 PM	#3
twoodcc macrumors 603 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Right side of wrong	interesting. can't wait to see what happens in April!

Mar 2, 2006, 07:09 PM	#4
Josh396 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Peoria/Chicago, IL	If this has something to do with laptops, which it appears it does, then I think it's becoming more obvious that the current Macbook Pros are just hold over machines until the real ones are ready. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Mar 2, 2006, 07:27 PM	#5
iMeowbot macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2003	That idea looks like it would be bad for usability. All those touchable surfaces in front the keyboard would be prone to accidental activation. Trackpads can be bad enough, but at least it's easy to avoid resting the palms there.

Mar 17, 2006, 04:49 PM	#8
iShane macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York	Ahh. All this speculation makes me feel all tingly inside. Anyways, based on what people have said it would look like it sounds pretty good.