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August 10th, 2007

Apple's multi-touch trackpad patent

Posted by Jason D. O'Grady @ 3:25 am

Categories: Display, MacBook, MacBook Pro, Multi-Touch, Patent, iMac

Tags: Notebook, Patent, Apple Inc., Jason D. O'Grady

Multi-touch MacBooks coming from Apple?

We all know and love the multi-touch interface on iPhone but what about using it on other devices? Multi-touch was rumored to be included in the new iMacs, but that didn’t materialize. It has also been suggested that multi-touch could show up in an upcoming refresh of Apple’s monitors.

A recent extension to a patent Apple filed in 2004 (thanks Gizmodo) shows that they may extend the technology to their notebook lineup.

If you’re paranoid about marring your beautiful glossy screen, fear not fair citizen. This version of multi-touch will allow you to use multiple finger gestures on an extra-wide trackpad, instead of touching the screen.

Jason D. O'GradyJason D. O'Grady is the editor of PowerPage.org, which has been publishing daily mobile technology news since December 1995. For disclosures on Jason's industry affiliations, click here or to view Jason's full profile click here.

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Related Discussions on TechRepublic

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  • Most Recent of 20 Talkback(s)
Apple touch screen is different
It is the first touch screen to effectively incorporate gesturing. This is due to the physical screen and the software. All the other touch screens out there only register one touch at a time. Apples ... (Read the rest)
Posted by: i8thecat Posted on: 11/29/07 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
is Apple going to allow OSS to use this patent for free?  Linux Geek | 08/10/07
huh?  Stuka | 08/10/07
Not only that...  Wolfie2K3 | 08/11/07
What did they do:  John Zern | 08/10/07
maybe  richvball44 | 08/10/07
I was just wondering  Badgered | 08/10/07
Perhaps that is why they are the way they are...  Laff | 08/10/07
That is a problem..  msalzberg | 08/10/07
Prior Art  Scubajrr | 08/10/07
I have to agree... PDA ... Grapic Tablet...  el1jones | 08/10/07
Apple touch screen is different  i8thecat | 11/29/07
Microsoft Surface is multitouch  PB_z | 08/10/07
Different approaches & technologies  Ken_z | 08/10/07
But size is not patentable  GuidingLight | 08/10/07
That's a big if..  msalzberg | 08/10/07
I would prefer an iPhone type keyboard  mlindl | 08/10/07
Bad idea  gypkap@... | 08/10/07
Preferences  fde101 | 08/13/07
All patents must die [nt]  Omch'Ar | 08/10/07
Hardly  fde101 | 08/13/07

What do you think?

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