Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Why Apple?Why?

Compile 'em all

Compile 'em all

macrumors 601
Original poster
Apr 6, 2005
4,131
359
I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 with a scrolling trackpad. A couple of days ago I got to use my brother's MB. I found that it has this really cool two-finger right click feature. That is, when you tap with two fingers, it acts as a right click, really nice. What I don't understand though is why apple didn't release any kind of driver update for powerbook/ibook owners to enable such a feature.

There is a software called iscroll2 that enables such a feature but only for older Macs with a non-scrolling trackpad. And as far as I understand, it is a software issue not a Hardware one.

So why can't Apple just role out some update to enable such a feature on scrolling-trackpads?. Is there a technical reason why this is not possible?. Any input is highly appreciated, Thanks :).
 
i tend to think its a hardware issue, otherwise, the upgrade of OS should solve it already.
 
Compile 'em all said:
So why can't Apple just role out some update to enable such a feature on scrolling-trackpads?
Click to expand...
This may be tehnically possible, but why would they want to provide another reason for customers not to buy their latest and greatest products?

Sean :)
 
seanf said:
This may be tehnically possible, but why would they want to provide another reason for customers not to buy their latest and greatest products?

Sean :)
Click to expand...

C'mon. you think people will upgrade just to get the two-finger right click!.
 
It all adds to the feature count. The MacBooks/MacBook Pros are better to live with than the iBooks/PowerBooks, and this is part of the reason why.

In fact the two finger click is one of my favourite features. I hate Winblows laptops where you have to awkwardly stretch your finger underneath at an odd angle to reach the right click...
 
I too love the two-finger trackpad functions and wonder how i lived without them. I would have thought it was a software issue, but maybe the trackpad in the MBPs is different - it is certainly sensitive enough to discern three fingers from two.
 
The earlier PowerBooks that work with iScroll all have ADB-based trackpads (yes, ADB!) The newer ones that don't work have USB-based trackpads. It's more likely the creator of iScroll is just too lazy or doesn't know how to write USB drivers (not entirely hard to believe, perhaps he was a career programmer back in the beige Mac days, but now does something else so doesn't keep updated on stuff...)

What I want to know is, is there a way to get this to work on other ADB PowerBooks (all the G3s and stuff).
 
dpaanlka said:
The earlier PowerBooks that work with iScroll all have ADB-based trackpads (yes, ADB!) The newer ones that don't work have USB-based trackpads. It's more likely the creator of iScroll is just too lazy or doesn't know how to write USB drivers (not entirely hard to believe, perhaps he was a career programmer back in the beige Mac days, but now does something else so doesn't keep updated on stuff...)

What I want to know is, is there a way to get this to work on other ADB PowerBooks (all the G3s and stuff).
Click to expand...

Wow I had no idea some PB's used the ADB, but I guess it does make since... for the n00bs to Macs, are the newer people to Mac... 1999+, ADB = Apple Desktop Bus, i believe. apple used the ADB connector for modems, kbs, mouses, etc.
I can check for you, dan... getting my PB G3 lombard working this week. :)
 
lilstewart said:
Wow I had no idea some PB's used the ADB, but I guess it does make since... for the n00bs to Macs, are the newer people to Mac... 1999+, ADB = Apple Desktop Bus, i believe. apple used the ADB connector for modems, kbs, mouses, etc.
I can check for you, dan... getting my PB G3 lombard working this week. :)
Click to expand...

Some iMac G3s still had serial ports hidden inside their plastic shells.
 
Compile 'em all said:
I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 with a scrolling trackpad. A couple of days ago I got to use my brother's MB. I found that it has this really cool two-finger right click feature. That is, when you tap with two fingers, it acts as a right click, really nice. What I don't understand though is why apple didn't release any kind of driver update for powerbook/ibook owners to enable such a feature.

There is a software called iscroll2 that enables such a feature but only for older Macs with a non-scrolling trackpad. And as far as I understand, it is a software issue not a Hardware one.

So why can't Apple just role out some update to enable such a feature on scrolling-trackpads?. Is there a technical reason why this is not possible?. Any input is highly appreciated, Thanks :).
Click to expand...


Just use this............ http://iscroll2.sourceforge.net/

works like a charm
 
kvanwagoner said:
Just use this............ http://iscroll2.sourceforge.net/

works like a charm
Click to expand...

Did you actually read my post that you quoted or read the first two lines in the site you linked to :rolleyes:.

"I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 with a scrolling trackpad."
"Scroll2 is a modified trackpad driver that adds two-finger scrolling capabilities to supported pre-2005 PowerBooks and iBooks on OS X 10.3 and up."
 
kvanwagoner said:
Just use this............ http://iscroll2.sourceforge.net/

works like a charm
Click to expand...

You just don't actually read posts before you reply, do you? :p

Compile 'em all said:
I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 with a scrolling trackpad.
Click to expand...

iScroll Website said:
Note: Models that have two-finger scrolling already built-in are not supported! These use a completely different, USB-based trackpad, the driver or which is not available as open source.
Click to expand...

I know Sidetrack (which isn't a two-finger system) works on both USB and ADB trackpads. So it *could* be done. As observed above... looks like the project team just doesn't have the time to invest in it. :(

(EDIT: Sorry, apparently I bring up the caboose of the flame wagon! :eek: )
 
Compile 'em all said:
I have a 2005 Powerbook G4 with a scrolling trackpad. A couple of days ago I got to use my brother's MB. I found that it has this really cool two-finger right click feature. That is, when you tap with two fingers, it acts as a right click, really nice. What I don't understand though is why apple didn't release any kind of driver update for powerbook/ibook owners to enable such a feature.

There is a software called iscroll2 that enables such a feature but only for older Macs with a non-scrolling trackpad. And as far as I understand, it is a software issue not a Hardware one.

So why can't Apple just role out some update to enable such a feature on scrolling-trackpads?. Is there a technical reason why this is not possible?. Any input is highly appreciated, Thanks :).
Click to expand...

I know for a fact that the 2-finger right-click feature will be enabled for 2005-version iBooks and Powerbooks in Leopard. It is a software issue.

I've seen this on someone else's computer running 9a321. It was a Powerbook, the same version as yours. So, don't worry, you'll have that feature a couple of months from now :)
 
noaccess said:
I know for a fact that the 2-finger right-click feature will be enabled for 2005-version iBooks and Powerbooks in Leopard. It is a software issue.

I've seen this on someone else's computer running 9a321. It was a Powerbook, the same version as yours. So, don't worry, you'll have that feature a couple of months from now :)
Click to expand...

This is great news, thanks for the input :).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back