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Glass Touch Pad on Next MacBook?
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This could be a whole new metaphor for computing. It would entail a large amount of work in reprogramming (or a system level OS re-design) but if all menus and selection items pop up on the glass trackpad, no more mousing around to make selections, choose options, pick menus - then think of the gesture control available to supplement regular trackpad activity - this would be worth far more than a "MacTouch" or whatever tablet you were considering. You can then use the glass trackpad for forms input, signing docuemnts, etc. I sure hope this is in the works. 🙂
As developers start to fine tune for the glasspad, all kinds of UI changes can be made on thefly, and customized menus become an easy inclusion.
As developers start to fine tune for the glasspad, all kinds of UI changes can be made on thefly, and customized menus become an easy inclusion.
UnseenLlama
macrumors 6502a
It would be cool to be able to "dock" an iPhone in the trackpad space of a Macbook. Then you'd have your multi-touch trackpad and phone built into the laptop... 😀
kockgunner
macrumors 68000
frosted glass maybe? i'll let some light through with less fingerprints. it'd be scratchy though.
citi
macrumors 65816
The way they are making these laptops, the Iphone would actually be too thick.
It looks like the glass trackpad will be on the next revisions of the existing MacBook and MacBook Pro lines (instead of a separate model), according to Seth Weintraub.
Quartz Extreme
macrumors regular
dwhittington
macrumors 6502
Glass Trackpad?
This opens up some exciting possibilities. Much like when the iPhone was in development, many mock ups were available to developers without the entire product feature set included in a single prototype. Is it possible there really could be a glass trackpad in the next MB? Indeed. Perhaps there will be some sickly cool means of controlling the UI and manipulating windows that makes sense over a touchscreen. Or perhaps this is all smoke and mirrors and there's really a hot new atom-based MB Touch on the horizon. Any way you slice it, it's sweet i-ness coming our way soon!
David
2 MacBook Pros, iMac, Mac Mini Apple TV, iPhone and countless iPods
PS: Since when has Steve let us down? Okay, lets not go there. 🙂
This opens up some exciting possibilities. Much like when the iPhone was in development, many mock ups were available to developers without the entire product feature set included in a single prototype. Is it possible there really could be a glass trackpad in the next MB? Indeed. Perhaps there will be some sickly cool means of controlling the UI and manipulating windows that makes sense over a touchscreen. Or perhaps this is all smoke and mirrors and there's really a hot new atom-based MB Touch on the horizon. Any way you slice it, it's sweet i-ness coming our way soon!
David
2 MacBook Pros, iMac, Mac Mini Apple TV, iPhone and countless iPods PS: Since when has Steve let us down? Okay, lets not go there. 🙂
thinner version with lots of room to rest those wrists on
I seem to remember a multi-touch patent Apple filed that can distinguish a palm imprint from a finger and so on. If the large touch screen/touch pad is in the works, you should be able to rest your palms on it while you type without any unwanted side effects.
Quartz Extreme
macrumors regular
At least the Page 1 post makes sense.
"glass trackpad!!!!!!" means nothing without a screen behind it.
Chris Rogers
macrumors 6502a
maybe it's like one of those electro static glass balls...without any shock
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deluca/58349626/in/set-1266856/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deluca/58349626/in/set-1266856/
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cheekybobcat
macrumors 6502a
Are you saying something, or did you just decide to comment on my post to get a bit of attention?
You're forgetting that we already have a touchpad, why introduce something like that?
You have a much bigger display above the keyboard. Why would you want a glass-one below?
********... if apple is going to remain ahead of the HP TouchSmart, all the screens need to be touchable...
Geez!
Some of us really are cranky regarding a completely hypothetical design choice.
I can see a lot of very cool possibilities in having a iPhone-like touchpad or larger... but I have to wonder, would all the time I saved with those possible applications just be wasted by posting on MR more often? 😉
Some of us really are cranky regarding a completely hypothetical design choice.
I can see a lot of very cool possibilities in having a iPhone-like touchpad or larger... but I have to wonder, would all the time I saved with those possible applications just be wasted by posting on MR more often? 😉
deputylove8
macrumors regular
deputylove8
macrumors regular
The mock ups look awesome though. Wish they can be a reality ..but then again....AAARFGH!!
I better call the fire department because if such laptops are to be made, man will my wallet be burning.
I better call the fire department because if such laptops are to be made, man will my wallet be burning.
Two Clicks
A glass touchpad with soft legends and feedback would be nice, but only if it comes with a real right click button. Please?
A glass touchpad with soft legends and feedback would be nice, but only if it comes with a real right click button. Please?
I agree, I like this idea, but I think there needs to be the static REAL buttons, even right below the screen.
Either that or the trackpad needs to be depressable.
But the question is: Does Apple need to? And would the advantages of a touchscreen on current Mac software be worth the added cost?
shamino
macrumors 68040
That's one way. The Blackberry ThunderTouch seems to do this.
Another approach is a touch screen with a mechanical overlay, like this patent filing.
I'm sure there are other possibilities as well.