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Advanced Multitouch Trackpad 'Unique to MacBook Air'

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Apr 12, 2001
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Yesterday, T3.co.uk published a story based on statements from Apple that existing MacBook and MacBook Pro owners might see expanded multitouch trackpad capabilites through a software-only update. The statement, however, was inaccurate and resulted in T3.co.uk pulling the original article.

Apple later clarified to T3.co.uk that the new Multitouch Trackpad is indeed unique to the Air, implying that existing Apple notebook owners should not expect to see these features added:
"MacBook Air features the most advanced trackpad we've ever made, integrating the multi-touch technology from the iPhone. This integrated feature is unique to MacBook Air."
Click to expand...
This also correlates with disassembly photos that revealed the MacBook Air incorporates the same multitouch controller as the iPhone, which is not found in previous Apple notebooks.

While existing Apple notebooks, however, do have some multitouch capabilities (two finger scroll, secondary click), Apple introduced 3 new gestures (swipe, pinch/expand, rotate) in the MacBook Air. Apple, of course, is rumored to be adding the new advanced multitouch trackpad to future Macbooks and MacBook Pros.

Article Link
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2008/02/15/advanced-multitouch-trackpad-unique-to-macbook-air/
I found the techniques not as good as the iphone, because of how one uses the tackpad. I also thought that the mouse button was too thin and too near the edge.
 
I call shenanigans on Apples part. My PowerBook can detect 2-finger movements in all directions, as the little article snippet said, so why can't a small piece of software be written to allow for later-model iBook and PowerBook owners to enjoy the same gestures?

The trackpad can detect multi-fingered movements in any direction. Its too bad Apple has patented the junk out of the multitouch gestures, else I'm sure we'd see software to make these same abilities possible on later PowerBooks and iBooks. Of course, the iBook and 12- and 15- inch PowerBook trackpads are too small to do this comfortably. My 17" PowerBook has a huge trackpad, the same size as current MacBook and MacBook pros, but I'm not sure about the size of the one on the Air.
 
Unique?

Why does "unique" have to mean "we only plan to offer it on this platform?" Why can't "unique" mean "it can only currently be found on this platform?" Seems like a pretty large assumption to say that because it's unique to MacBook Air, it won't find its way into the other MacBooks in future revisions.
 
robgreene said:
Why does "unique" have to mean "we only plan to offer it on this platform?" Why can't "unique" mean "it can only currently be found on this platform?" Seems like a pretty large assumption to say that because it's unique to MacBook Air, it won't find its way into the other MacBooks in future revisions.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. Its the wording of the statement. It leaves them open to either keep it only on the MBA if its a flop, or bring it out later on other laptops if its a success.
 
Software was available to give notebooks without the 2-finger-scroll the feature before Leopard gave it, hopefully the same will be possible in this case, even with the older hardware. The rotating and zooming of pictures is something I'd hardly use, the changing text size in Safari was disappointingly bad when I tried it, but going back and forward with 3 fingers is awesome.
 
I just noticed yesterday that on my 15" MBP 2.0 ghz, I was able to "pinch" and "reverse-pinch" in Google Maps just like I do on my iPhone. I had not read or seen anything indicating that this was possible, so I was a little shocked that it actually worked. Am I late to the party on this one, or is this a sign that MBP's et al actually can use the multi-touch capabilities in more applications?
 
robgreene said:
Why does "unique" have to mean "we only plan to offer it on this platform?" Why can't "unique" mean "it can only currently be found on this platform?" Seems like a pretty large assumption to say that because it's unique to MacBook Air, it won't find its way into the other MacBooks in future revisions.
Click to expand...

I don't think they are ruling that out. Apple is just saying that the features will not be available on current laptops via software update.
 
I would have been supremely surprised it Apple was able, or likely to offer multitouch via software upgrade. It's in their best interests to isolate tech improvements to newer products as incentive for periodic hardware refreshment.

That said, I think they should offer a multitouch graphics tablet as compensation for eliminating expanded keyboards from their bluetooth selection. Priced competitively against Wacom, of course. They should be seeing payback on their R&D for the multitouch development via iPhone sales alone, so no need to gouge.
 
YoMamasPyjamas said:
I just noticed yesterday that on my 15" MBP 2.0 ghz, I was able to "pinch" and "reverse-pinch" in Google Maps just like I do on my iPhone. I had not read or seen anything indicating that this was possible, so I was a little shocked that it actually worked. Am I late to the party on this one, or is this a sign that MBP's et al actually can use the multi-touch capabilities in more applications?
Click to expand...

this is just the two finger scroll, not the pinch/expand

arn
 
binky2033 said:
That said, I think they should offer a multitouch graphics tablet as compensation for eliminating expanded keyboards from their bluetooth selection. Priced competitively against Wacom, of course. They should be seeing payback on their R&D for the multitouch development via iPhone sales alone, so no need to gouge.
Click to expand...

How does a tablet make up for no numerical keypad?
 
Why would someone expect Apple to release a software update to make previous MacBooks and MacBook Pros to use this new touchpad? That simply doesn't make any sense. Its takes more than just software to do that.

Possibly would be in a future MacBook and/or MacBook Pro update at some point, but definitely not in a current product. Anyone who thinks Apple should do that is just plain full of it.

binky2033 said:
It doesn't, but it's a start.
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How is it a start?
 
I'd like to see Apple make a multi-gesture trackpad that I could plug into my iMac. This would be so much better than the Mighty Mouse.
 
I'm not surprised. We known that the Air touchpad differs from that of other Mac laptops so the hardware is different. All other Apple laptops touch pad simply do not have the capabilities to offer equivalent functionality, no amount of software will help: Its the hardware.
 
mklos said:
How is it a start?
Click to expand...

Punitive math.

They've reduced the functionality of the bluetooth keyboard by eliminating the number pad. (All my InDesign shortcuts are accessed via the number pad.)

So, I want them to make it up to me by offering a new toy. Of course, as I said in post #12, they won't. But I can pout like a two year old.
:(
See?
 
koobcamuk said:
I found the techniques not as good as the iphone, because of how one uses the tackpad. I also thought that the mouse button was too thin and too near the edge.
Click to expand...

I had my first opportunity to see an MBA this week, and I have to say that I wasn't wowed by it. I've always been sceptical about it, but thought that seeing one would if nothing else make me think it was an attractive object. Unfortunately not. To me it doesn't look sleek or sexy or any of those things. It's almost reminiscent of the clamshell. The edges of the screen are too rounded and too wide. The track pad is not immediately appealing in its functions either. Zooming in and out on a webpage was clunky and awkward. And I see more advantages for Apple taking away the optical drive than for the consumer - i.e. more downloads from iTunes less physical media. It's all a bit unnecessary to my mind and the problems I have sharing folders over a network between my PowerBook and iMac make me very sceptical of the remote disk functionality. In contrast the iPhone and iPod Touch I am very excited about, they carve out a new, exciting and very functional direction.
 
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