Synaptics has always been quick to pick up the latest innovation in the multitouch space -- whether its own functionality, or something Apple's brewed up. This latest innovation is squarely in the latter category, with new ClickPad trackpads offering that love-it-or-hate-it buttonless design of the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros (pictured). Synaptics is targeting the new pads at netbooks, which many manufacturers have had trouble fitting regular clickers onto. ClickPads work with Synaptic's latest Gesture Suite 9.1, which includes all the regulars, along with three-finger flick and three-finger press, which lets you start up your computer along with up to six predetermined startup apps. SGS 9.1 is also officially Windows 7 ready, and will be available in OEM systems out of the gate.
posted Jun 2nd 2009 6:04PM
I smell a lawsuit coming.
I smell a feature I hate coming down the tubes...
Synaptics and Elan are the two powerhouses in terms of input patents, including multi-touch based patents. Apple would be commiting legal suicide to sue Synaptics. Especially since it's very likely that Synaptics provides the Multi-touch sensors for this and the iPhone/iTouch.
Synaptics has provided the trackpads in many Apple notebooks as well as iPods. I was honestly surprised that they weren't the ones behind the clickpad in the MBP.
Oh really? Get back to me when you find that patent where Apple invented multi-touch, i-tard.
Funny thing, Apple was just granted the patent for the multitouch clickable trackpad two weeks ago.
@nerdtalker
At least it makes sense on a netbook. Have you used any of those before? It kinda requires two hands to use.. one to move the cursor, one to click the buttons. And when it's that small, two hands don't really fit anyway... See the dilemma?
While Macbook [submodel name]s don't really require these (makes it slightly harder to use, imo).. I think it'll be a hit with netbook users.. or do you prefer button-on-two-sides a là Aspire One?
I have an Aspire One and I agree that it is a little funky but after a little while of use I'm now very used to it. But I had the pleasure of playing with the MBP clickpad the other day and I found it to be extremely intuitive. I would love to see something like it on something that I wouldn't have to sell one of my kidneys to buy.
-Unashamed Windows Fanboy
I just want to express my absolute loathing of that stupid Mac touchpad, yes it looks good not having buttons but have you ever sat down to an extended session using one of these things? Once the novelty wore off the Mac touchpad is simply infuriating to use..... I will never buy one of these things with my own money.... Rubbish! If Mac use across their entire range then I am going else looking elsewhere for my next laptop.
O.o Blatant copying! Unacceptable! More pointless yelling! ARG!
I smell pee.
Clean yourself up then, that's just nasty.
OWNED!
Sry, couldn't resist. Man you made me laugh just now.
OMg!!!1 no glasss? FAIL!!
i hate track pads.
mouse ftw.
Try using your mouse when cramped in a economy airplane seat. Or when you don't have a surface to put the computer on. Or in the many other places where mice can't be used.
i hate you bees, i hate you bees, i hate you bees
TrackPoint FTW. I wish my desktop keyboard had one. It's great because my fingers never leave home row.
@Dafrety
Ever tried Logitech? Works on pants, skirts, passengers ect.
@ Mike P.
Ditto that. I have a MX 1000 (best mouse ever) but I only ever plug it in when I need to hit up some FPS. I find touchpads way more ergonomic and flexible. And I also never have to move my hands from the keyboard.
Best thing about having OS X on my Thinkpad is that I can finally have an OS X notebook with a trackpoint!
You mean macbookPRO-style? The macbook WHITE AND macbook AIR still have a physical press button, but they are still MacBooks none the less...
Smartass
Macbook Unibody?
Yes it said "MacBook-style". MacBook as in just plain MacBook, not MacBook White, MacBook Air.
Since the regular MacBook has this trackpad, I hereby decree your comment is fail. Suck it.
I love buttons so I hate this
Removing the buttons was probably the worst idea ever its so slow.
Multi-touch is nice, but removing buttons, not the best solution to get space.
Neither one of you have ever actually tried Apple's clickpad, have you? They didn't remove a button, the bottom part of the pad IS a button.
Actually the entire pad can be depressed, but using it just as you would the previous trackpad (using your thumb to click at the bottom while your index finger points) still works 99% of the time. I was certainly hesitant to adopt it, but I've really taken to it, and I really like the larger scrolling/mousing space.
Tap to click is where it's at anyway, I never use the "button" aspect of my MacBook's trackpad.
That said, I love it. I've said in the past and I'll say again, if the trackpad were offered as an external peripheral I'd buy one for desktop use.
@tiuk
Check out http://www.cirque.com/desktoptouchpad/productsandorders.aspx been using this product for years and love it.
I don't own a Macbook but I tried the clickpad in Best Buy (or Apple store, I don't remember) and didn't really like it. Multitouch is cool but I just didn't like having the pad and the buttons combined. I'm with thomas though, mouse ftw
Me too. I guess I'm getting too old.
Where's the clickwheel? Honestly, if they're going to do it, they might as well do it right. By copying it right down to the very last feature.
Well, Synaptics DID make the clickwheel for the iPods before, so they wouldn't be copying it.
Really now...Well, maybe they could use it as a marketing scheme? :)
I love this Macbook trackpad so much I've actually stopped using my usb mouse. It's really that good.
+1
me too
I love my pants so much I stopped wearing underwear.
THIS IS COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC
Why is there that Zune Pass advertisement telling us how much it costs to download from iTunes? This is Engadget; more people own Gizmondos than (exclusively) download off iTunes.
I'd prefer more mysterious pictures of that sexy Zune HD.
THIS IS COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC
derX likes penis!
I hate the whole button being the click. reminds me of the storm.
Yet the problem with the storm is mostly slow typing... and a tackpad is not a keyboard.
Yeah, I can see how you would think a text input system is just like a pointing device.
Multitouch? Like, two separate cursors? AWESOME!!!
/s
What company makes the Macbook touchpads?
I smell a lawsuit. Laptops are about useless anyways... people shouldn't be so crazy as to do gaming out on the road...
Calvin you are...krazy
krazycalvin, get out of your parents' apartment, stop playing games all day, and GO OUTSIDE.
There, you'll see that games are not the sole use for computers.