Apple's 'Magic Trackpad' Apparently Approved by FCC

[MacRumors]

Diagram showing location of FCC label on presumed "Magic Touchpad"
Engadget reports that a new Apple product has appeared in the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's online database, and while it is not possible to positively identify the product from the filings published on the FCC's site, it does in fact appear to be the "Magic Trackpad" or "Magic Slate" device that has been the subject of rumors since last year and appeared in photos just last month.

A device known only by its model number A1339 is the culprit here, described as a "Bluetooth Device" used in conjunction with a MacBook without any associated filings for WiFi or WWAN networks. The ultra-rough label location diagram is definitely the right shape for the accessory, and what's interesting is that the test report was completed way back in October of 2009.

A close look at one of the purported images of the Magic Trackpad published last month does appear to show the device carrying model number A1339, suggesting that Engadget has correctly identified the product in the FCC filing.

Previously-posted "Magic Trackpad" image appearing to show model "A1339" designation (click for larger)
The FCC documents reveal that the testing report on the device was completed in October 2009, shortly before rumors of such a "trackpad gadget" surfaced from Daring Fireball's John Gruber. Apple's FCC submission was made alongside a request for confidentiality of certain materials in February of this year, with publication of the non-confidential material occurring today.

A release date for the product is unknown, but could be imminent given the timing of previous FCC approvals for other devices.

Article Link: Apple's 'Magic Trackpad' Apparently Approved by FCC

 

[PerfSeeker]

Nice! Why can't we get a PC equivalent?

 

[cmaier]

I'd prefer it built into the keyboard, but whatever.

 

[torero]

Apple television

Would work nicely on iOS with a television.

 

[Cascadians]

We know there are new products on the way, waiting with gleeful anticipation.

 

[HommePomme]

Pretty neat. Apple does make awesome trackpads.

 

[NT1440]

Nice! Why can't we get a PC equivalent?

Who says it isn't compliant? The aluminum keyboard is.

 

[zombitronic]

A device...used in conjunction with a MacBook...

This seems more likely to be a desktop accessory since portables already have trackpads.

 

[Tesseract]

Why anyone would ever want to use a trackpad over a mouse is beyond me... that being said - Apple does make a good trackpad, and I'm sure there would be some creative uses for it.

 

[zombitronic]

Why anyone would ever want to use a trackpad over a mouse is beyond me... that being said - Apple does make a good trackpad, and I'm sure there would be some creative uses for it.

Scrolling in a browser? Pinch/tap to zoom?

 

[tctony]

Why anyone would ever want to use a trackpad over a mouse is beyond me... that being said - Apple does make a good trackpad, and I'm sure there would be some creative uses for it.

Multitouch gestures? Its just as accurate?

 

[rgarjr]

Why anyone would ever want to use a trackpad over a mouse is beyond me... that being said - Apple does make a good trackpad, and I'm sure there would be some creative uses for it.

have u even used a multi touch trackpad before? They scroll really smooth, perfect to surf the web.

I wonder what they will name such a device.

 

[EzhnoWolf]

So what would the trackpad be primarily used for with a Macbook?

 

[red0n]

Why anyone would ever want to use a trackpad over a mouse is beyond me... that being said - Apple does make a good trackpad, and I'm sure there would be some creative uses for it.

Just preference. I hate using a mouse, and absolutely love my trackpad.

 

[Patrick J]

have u even used a multi touch trackpad before? They scroll really smooth, perfect to surf the web.

Don't forget that many creative professionals need mouses.

Multitouch gestures? Its just as accurate?

Not as fast, specially for many people who use their mouses every day.

Who says it isn't compliant? The aluminum keyboard is.

Not necessarily. The function keys work on Windows, however the system specific functions, like brightness, don't. In windows the pinch function, among others, will at least need drivers to work.

So what would the trackpad be primarily used for with a Macbook?

It will probably be used with desktops, since the Macbook has a built in trackpad.

 

[cocky jeremy]

This seems more likely to be a desktop accessory since portables already have trackpads.

Yup. I'm not really understanding what you'd need this for on a MacBook.

 

[talkingfuture]

I wonder if we'll see it soon, might be an excellent addition to the next iMac.

 

[HLdan]

Nice! Why can't we get a PC equivalent?

Um, because this is a company that creates Macs and their own OS for them.

 

[xxgilxx]

Does it have an antenna?

 

[adrian.oconnor]

Man, this is awesome. THIS is the device I've been waiting for

 

[RMo]

A Mac rumor on MacRumors instead of tweaking the same two or three stories about iPhone 4 and presenting them as news...again? Say it isn't so!

That being said, this device looks really exciting if it ever happens to be released.

 

[nagromme]

For maximum comfort I like to switch off between mouse and trackpad. And I love scrolling and Exposé gestures on Apple trackpads.

I’d buy something like this! I question the tilt of it, but I’ll try it out and see.

Does it have an antenna?

Yes. Possibly under the (glass?) pad.

 

[macduke]

Nice, but it will probably cost $50-80. I think I'll stick with my Magic Mouse / Wacom Intuous for now!

 

[the-oz-man]

I wonder if we'll see it soon, might be an excellent addition to the next iMac.

This is exactly what I was thinking and hopefully what they meant by a "touch screen iMac".

 

[ValSalva]

Multitouch gestures? Its just as accurate?

Just as accurate? Not quite. I love my MBP's track pad but a mouse is much more accurate for fine work.