Apple's 'Force Touch' Trackpad Fools Users Into Feeling Clicks Without Actually Moving

[djbuu]

well, that's not my experience at all.
what about that keyboard, you could not see the difference either? I haven't heard of anybody that likes that keyboard yet

Are you referring to the new MacBook keyboard? Unless you were at the event, you didn't get to try it either. Are you saying you were there?

The online reviews repeatedly describe it as "different" and "takes getting used to" but not bad.

Something tells me your experience with this trackpad is greatly exaggerated.

I also look forward to hearing about how you experienced the new rMB keyboard.

 

[marc55]

Assuming this is a serious question... Electromagnets are among the most reliable electrical devices in existence, and one of the oldest (dating back to 1824). Typically, they far outlast the switch contacts, motor bearings, and batteries with which they're associated - I'd wager a fair percentage of the 1830s-vintage telegraph equipment in museums would work if you applied a power source.

The biggest cause of failure in these things comes from running excessive current through the coil (melting insulation and/or copper wire) - a problem that you can encounter in a car's alternator/generator if the voltage regulator fails, or when you operate a loudspeaker at ear bleed levels. In applications like this, excessive current (and the heat that comes with it) isn't a significant factor.

Yes it was a serious question, and thank you for the insight.

 

[caltonian]

So vibration is not movement anymore in Physics 2.0?

To normal people, movement means an end position that differs from the start position. So no.

 

[Rigby]

Just tried it at the Apple store, while the cursor was over some text in the web browser. Feels like a normal click. Press a bit harder, you get a second "virtual click", and it looks up the word under the cursor. Works pretty well. Since the force feedback is driven by software, I guess they can program different behaviours. Will be interesting to see if app developers can come up with more interesting uses.

 

[OatmealRocks]

Talk about pushing the envelope on improvements to laptops. I'm sure the haters will jump in. My question is how long before other laptop makers start rolling this technology out? If this new functionality was comparable to a smartphone, you can bet your @ss Samsung will be rolling it out on their next phone.

 

[mailboxbetacoin]

Are you referring to the new MacBook keyboard? Unless you were at the event, you didn't get to try it either. Are you saying you were there?

The online reviews repeatedly describe it as "different" and "takes getting used to" but not bad.

Something tells me your experience with this trackpad is greatly exaggerated.

I also look forward to hearing about how you experienced the new rMB keyboard.

ha, yeah sorry, I meant the new macbook. I was at one of the Watch event for developers, got some hands on with the watch and the new macbook.
Maybe the trackpad feels different on the new macbook; I don't know, it just didn't feel like a click

 

[jmgregory1]

To the contrary, it is a lot easier to move your finger forward 3 inches from your laptop keyboard and touch a screen element instead of moving it back 3 inches, moving the cursor using a trackpad to the element and then clicking.

If you have fingers that can reach, from the keyboard up to the top of a screen, perhaps 8" away from where your fingers are, you're likely from another solar system, because as I type this, the only thing I, and any normal human being, could do on screen would be touching the lower ¼ of the screen.

In fact, I'm typing on my 15" rMBP and I would not only have to reach forward to get to the screen, but would then need to lift one or both arms up in the vertical plane in order to touch the screen. Which, by the way, I absolutely do not want to touch the screen with my fingers, as it gets dirty enough just with airborne dust and contaminants, I don't want hand oil on the screen too. And I am sure I'm not alone in this concern.

And even if you are an extraterrestrial, with extra-long fingers, the motion of touching the screen is still un-natural and requires more work than sliding your hands back 4" inches, within the same plane you're are typing, to the trackpad.

And don't forget, touching the screen also brings into play the issue of applying just the right amount of pressure to do what you want, but not to push too hard and move the screen. This alone, requires extra concentration, unless you hold the screen in place with one hand while doing whatever on-screen action you need to do. Or, the hinge needs to have significantly more resistance to keep it in place.

I watch the commercials pitching the convertible laptops, where they flip the keyboard around so it becomes the base and think, then your keyboard gets to pick up any desk dust, how great. All for the one or two times where you think that position makes more sense than simply using the laptop in the standard configuration.

So many companies build in "features" that are simply done because they can, without thinking through how the user would actually use the feature. Or maybe they absolutely understand they're simply throwing everything and kitchen sink into their devices hoping one or more unusual trait is enough to get people to buy the product.

 

[tiguk]

ha, yeah sorry, I meant the new macbook. I was at one of the Watch event for developers, got some hands on with the watch and the new macbook.
Maybe the trackpad feels different on the new macbook; I don't know, it just didn't feel like a click

So you're saying you tried the trackpad on the new rMB but not the keyboard?

Was this at Monday's press event or are you talking about another occasion since where Apple has showcased the Watch and rMB? I'm confused.

 

[flash84x]

Can't wait for this to come to the Magic Trackpad. Hopefully a new desktop keyboard with black keys as well. Can't believe those are still white.

I wonder how viable wireless backlit keys are on the desktop keyboards now that it's one small LED per key?

 

[djbuu]

ha, yeah sorry, I meant the new macbook. I was at one of the Watch event for developers, got some hands on with the watch and the new macbook.
Maybe the trackpad feels different on the new macbook; I don't know, it just didn't feel like a click

"One of the watch event?"

I'd love to be wrong on this but as I understand it, there was only 1 event. The actual Spring Forward event. You're implying you were there.

You're telling me you had the new MacBook in your hand and tried the trackpad but somehow didn't press a single key on it? Your previous statement implies you "heard" that it sucked.

My suspicions that your experience with the new products being greatly exaggerated is starting to feel less like a suspicion and more like a fact.

Which event? Where was it located? Who ran the event? Details please.

 

[Dargoth]

My only question is: What is the life span of the electromagnet?

Probably forever. It's just wires.

All we know is it's designed to last at least 3 years. But yes, that's the nice thing about electromagnetism. It lasts as long as electricity is being pumped through the electromagnet. Science!

 

[Prof.]

It really feels like a deeper click. You can't tell at all it's just vibration.

 

[mailboxbetacoin]

So you're saying you tried the trackpad on the new rMB but not the keyboard?

Was this at Monday's press event or are you talking about another occasion since where Apple has showcased the Watch and rMB? I'm confused.

I did try the keyboard, precisely what I was saying, I didn't like the trackpad or keyboard...
Apple has been receiving developers every day in the past few months for us to work on the Apple Watch, that's what I am talking about

----------

"One of the watch event?"

I'd love to be wrong on this but as I understand it, there was only 1 event. The actual Spring Forward event. You're implying you were there.

You're telling me you had the new MacBook in your hand and tried the trackpad but somehow didn't press a single key on it? Your previous statement implies you "heard" that it sucked.

My suspicions that your experience with the new products being greatly exaggerated is starting to feel less like a suspicion and more like a fact.

Which event? Where was it located? Who ran the event? Details please.

Apple has had third party developers like me every day in the past couple of months to work on the watch, that's what I am talking about. Maybe an "event" is not the best word to describe that, although it was for us

Ok, that's two people now saying that I said I didn't touch the new keyboard, I am confused, when did I say that? I did try both the new trackpad and keyboard, didn't like either; but I guess I'll get used to it, probably just takes time...

 

[Prof.]

Is three finger drag gone? I can't find it anywhere...

 

[Keirasplace]

sounds great when reading the article or Apple's PR material; the only problem is that in reality, it doesn't feel like a click at all. it does provide an interesting vibration type feel, which is better than no feedback at all, but in no way comparable or as satisfying as a click.

Did you actually try it, or just pulling something out of the air. People who tried it said it feel like a click. The vibration is in a range in which in fools your brain in thinking its an actual movement (i.e. A click.). Instead of a visual illusion, it in an illusion for your sense of touch.

Maybe your brain is "different" and you don't process the vibration in the same way. Just like some people don't see visual illusion while most do.

 

[mailboxbetacoin]

Did you actually try it, or just pulling something out of the air. People who tried it said it feel like a click. The vibration is in a range in which in fools your brain in thinking its an actual movement (i.e. A click.). Instead of a visual illusion, it in an illusion for your sense of touch.

Maybe your brain is "different" and you don't process the vibration in the same way. Just like some people don't see visual illusion while most do.

maybe...

I don't know, even with a clickable trackpad, most people use the "tap to click" setting, and don't use the actual click that much; but I am using my clickable trackpad 16 hours a day, and can definitely tell the difference. For now, it felt like a downgrade, but maybe I'll get used to it.
The keyboard on the other hand, I could not get used to that I think...

 

[djbuu]

Did you actually try it, or just pulling something out of the air. People who tried it said it feel like a click. The vibration is in a range in which in fools your brain in thinking its an actual movement (i.e. A click.). Instead of a visual illusion, it in an illusion for your sense of touch.

Maybe your brain is "different" and you don't process the vibration in the same way. Just like some people don't see visual illusion while most do.

His brain isn't different. It's fairly obvious from his posts that he hasnt tried anything to begin with and is making everything up as he goes along.

 

[Neepman]

For someone like me who spends a good part of their day doing old school xls spreadheets , it is really going to be hard to deal with a touch learning curve when 20 years of your life has been click and drag.

 

[djbuu]

For someone like me who spends a good part of their day doing old school xls spreadheets , it is really going to be hard to deal with a touch learning curve when 20 years of your life has been click and drag.

I don't know what you think this technology changes but there will be absolutely no difference in the way you click and drag. It will work exactly the same way it always has, with the same pressure, and the same click you know and love.

 

[kxxxxxxxx]

The next iphone will get a force touch & taptic engine!

 

[gate5blues]

hmm

Google, samsung, microsoft.... start your photocopiers!

While the haptic technology is not entirely new It's Apple thats making it mainstream. (just like the ipod) I wonder if all those Google and PC laptops out next year will be copying this?

 

[paulrustad101]

Click click click?

You can do a deeper press with 3 or 4 fingers but it does the same thing as 1 finger.

If I can on my Magic Track Pad, use one finger down for a click, and two fingers down for a 'right' click, I would assume the new Force Pad would be able to tell the difference as well if I used one finger or two.

 

[mazz0]

How else would you describe it? The pad doesn't actually move. Vibration is not the same as the pad structure mechanically moving up and down like a button/switch/lever.

The pad does move. Vibration is movement.

I dunno how I would describe it, it would take some thought, which I would like to expect of people writing article about it. Not that it's a big deal of course, I'm not "that guy" having a massive go at people about it. It just irks me, cos I'm the kind of person who's irked by such things!

Actually, I think you could usually just remove the section about not moving and replace it with nothing. You could say that the vibrations produce a sense of travel that the trackpad isn't actually undergoing. If you need to explain what it's not doing you could say it's not being perceptibly depressed, or it's not levered. We've got a very flexible language, it's doable.

 

[kdarling]

Google, samsung, microsoft.... start your photocopiers!

You mean, dig out their old tech again, because Apple's superior PR department will make it popular.

Apple's haptic engine uses a linear actuator, because it gives finer amplitude control than the older motor driven vibrators.

Whereas Apple only switched over with the iPhone 6 and Watch, Samsung already switched over years ago starting with the Galaxy S3, and has since sold many millions of smartphones with advanced haptics installed.

This article from mid 2012, Customizing the Samsung Galaxy S III’s Auto Haptic Feature, mentions some of the things an owner could set up and feel:

"The Samsung Galaxy S III has finally arrived, and its got an advanced feature called Auto Haptic that uses vibration to create engaging physical response in downloaded 3rd party apps.

"With Auto Haptic, you can feel the sling stretch as you fling an angry bird and feel the impact of a grenade explosion in a first person shooter game (be sure to check out our list of recommended apps that work great with Auto Haptics!)

"Auto Haptic is based on Immersion’s Reverb technology, which automatically creates haptic effects by monitoring the application’s audio track.

"In most Galaxy S III handsets, the feature is turned off by default, but the settings menu gives users flexibility to use Auto Haptics only in apps that you want."

 

[sprale]

It's good the see that costs are remaining reasonable as well, given the pace of advances in consumer electronics. The Law of Accelerating Return seems to be linked to price-performance, and we get better and better technology at the consumer level without increasing costs at the same time. In years and decades past, if performance jumped much, so did cost. Today, even with the magic $1,000 mark for a base MacBook, the performance increases year after year have been significant, and now there are new models below that price. Amazing.