You know what would be really cool...

[sammich]

This is mostly since I have a 17" MBP...

But I was just thinking about this when I was using the whiteboard in the Windows Live Messenger (via Parallels) that it would be really 'cool' if the trackpad doubles as a rudimentary 'mini graphics tablet'. Obviously, you'll need a special pen (as with normal graphics tablets). It would be handy for the occasional signature, helping some guy at uni with their maths over msn.

I'm sure this isn't an original thought, shoot me down if you must, but it would be very handy.

How about the trackpad with some of that iPhone conductive screen on the it? It might work.

While i'm on the subject of the trackpad. Does anyone wish they would do a 'middle click' with their trackpad? I'm sometimes triple tapping thinking that it'll bring up the app switcher.

Thoughts?

 

[L3X]

I think the iPhone screen has a trackpad would be nice. I mean, why not?

This is talked about in other threads, Apple likes to keep their Macs very simple and only have general accessories. (see fingerprint reader thread). Anyway, so they're not going to add a tablet but they could combine it with the trackpad.

 

[jdechko]

I had the idea a couple of days ago for this as well. I mean, Apple has a very large trackpad (possibly one of the largest on any current machine) and they're always adding new functionality to it (multitap/scroll).

All of your ideas are great - adding a real signature, math equations, quick sketches in Word/Pages, even some rough edits in photoshop on the go would be great (though for real work, one would still use a dedicated tablet).

EDIT: It appears that the OLPC has this functionality as well. Link.

 

[sammich]

I don't think it would be a very difficult feature to add to the trackpad at all.

The scrolling trackpad might already have the technology already in it to enable this feature, perhaps not pressure sensitivity, but it should be able to accurately detect a 'point' on the surface (ie: the point of a stylus or perhaps, just the centre of a fingertip say).

I think what makes drawing on the computer with a trackpad/mouse difficult is in part the acceleration as well, so perhaps a key modifier that turns it off while you're writing would help?

 

[mpw]

What sort of stylus do I need to use on a trackpad? I tried the stylus from my Palm, no joy.

 

[iToaster]

You need a finger for use on a track pad. What I think would be cool for Apple to do with the trackpads is do the multitouch thing, like the two finger stretch and such.

 

[mpw]

You need a finger for use on a track pad...

I know a finger works, but surely another material could work too, I'd like something to use to draw simple sketches in Seashore etc. and I don't want to have to cut off and sharpen somebody's finger.