Trackpad Multitouch just software update? [Probably Wrong]

[VaDor]

"Spreading advanced multitouch technology to other MacBooks may be simpler than expected by the public, an Apple spokesperson has revealed. While the Air is currently the only MacBook to support gestures such as pinching and swiping, the Apple representative notes that this is entirely software-based. As a result, existing MacBooks and MacBook Pros may gain the extra commands in the future, though no official release plans have been laid out.
Concern had been raised in the industry that earlier MacBooks would be left behind in terms of interface, requiring a hardware refresh that has yet to manifest. Multitouch on these systems is currently limited to scrolling through browser windows, or performing right-click commands. The addition of Air-like controls to the Pro could prove especially useful, allowing new commands in programs like Aperture, Final Cut and Photoshop" From MacNN.com

So if this is true, it confirms what I has suspecting... that our macbook are capable of doing the same thing that macbook air

 

[joefinan]

There have been several other posts about this and it certainly seems to be the case.

But would Apple offer a free update? I doubt it personally as the multitouch pad would be a big incentive for current MB/MBP owners to consider an upgrade...

 

[Sky Blue]

They might be capable but Apple won't do it.

 

[amjustice]

This is not the case, I recall in one of the dismantle the MBA articles they said that the MBA contained the same chip as the iPhone used for detecting touch. This would mean that the old trackpad could not be upgraded via software.

 

[riscy]

Ok, then who here is a programmer and is able to write an app that will allow the regular touchpad to become multitouch??

 

[Andrew D.]

If it's just an update Apple should just release it, eventually.. but the chances are slim. Dang.

 

[digitalpencil]

Apple, is almost definitely going to bring this functionality to the next rev MB/MBPs. Whether they will release an update to support the current gen is questionable. Especially considering that two-finger scrolling is now capable on pre-05 PBs/iBook's thanks to 3rd party app, iScroll2 and not Apple. So we will probably see a similar SF project to deliver this functionality to the MBP.

 

[GeneKam]

in case you guys dont know,the multi touch is hardware based. The proccessor that is in MBA is the same on a the one in the iphone. We all have older once. So there is no luck for us.

 

[FSUSem1noles]

It is indeed software based... see/read below...

Apple tells T3 that the trackpad of our dreams may be opened up for older MacBooks.

An Apple spokesperson has told T3 that the MacBook Air's multitouch track pad is software, not hardware, based.

This means that rather than having to lash out on a new lappie to have access to all that touch-based goodness, owners of standard MacBooks and MacBook Pros could potentially download an update to give their kit a multitouch makeover.

When put to our man on the inside, he said that this was the whole point of it being software based.

Whether we'll see an official release later this year, or have to wait for hackers to get to work on some homebrewed alternative, remains to be seen.

The potential for this is huge. Getting multitouch working on a full specced machine, like the Pro, would completely change the way people interact with their computer in a work environment, as well as making the likes of iTunes and iPhoto more user friendly.

If it was seeded to developers, then the opportunities to use it in line with likes of Photoshop and Final Cut are also massive.

But, let's face it, the real killer here is the fact that you won't have to fork out on a new high ender just because your laptop doesn't come with multitouch.

 

[amjustice]

It is indeed software based... see/read below...

WRONG..
See link below:
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/02/macbook-air-tea.html

sorry to burst your bubble

 

[FSUSem1noles]

WRONG..
See link below:
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/02/macbook-air-tea.html

sorry to burst your bubble

It doesn't burst my bubble, nor does the link you posted..

I'm not going to lose sleep over it...

 

[Fourno]

they posted this news today on macwereld.nl, a dutch mac-site.
So i do believe this is just a software-update, because they claim Apple said so.

 

[arn]

The original source of this rumor (T3) has pulled the article, so it's probably false.

arn

 

[southerndoc]

Isn't the trackpad already multi-touch? It can differentiate between two fingers and one finger (scroll v. pointer movement).

 

[GeneKam]

waht did i tell you foos, it is all hardware based

 

[Fezzasus]

I'm not convinced that it's because of a lack of hardware support.

Current MB/MBP's do have multitouch capacity; To rotate photos, they would just be able to recognise different movements, additionally once the software/hardware can recognise more than 1 input, i don't see why it would stop at 2.

Remember the MBA doesn't share many components with other computers, yet functions almost the same. The hardware that recognises multitouch on the MPA may simply be a different solution to the hardware that recognises multi touch on the MB/MBPs.

It was thought that previous ibooks were unable to support 2 finger scrolling but a simple 3rd party software update changed that.

That said, I don't see the use of the additional strokes. The rotation feature is limited to 90 degree turns, fine for adjusting raw pictures, not so fine when adjusting by a few degrees in iphoto.