Ask Engadget: Best wireless touchpad / trackpad?
By Darren Murph 
posted Nov 5th 2009 10:07PM
posted Nov 5th 2009 10:07PM
Alright, so does such a thing really exist? Where can you procure one? Did Matt just give you the best DIY idea of all time?"I'm looking for a wireless trackpad to use with my older (2.5 or so years old) C2D MacBook that's perpetually docked to my home theater. Something sleek, thin, not too small, made of high quality materials. Ideally, it would natively support all of (Snow) Leopard's multitouch inputs, and even more ideally, it would have a charging dock / base. I'm not a fan of using a mouse on my sofa, and this would be just the thing I'm looking for. The only problem is that I'm not sure that such a thing even exists. Think you can throw me a bone?"
If there are no more comments in five minutes then this mythical device does not exist.
Or no one on engadget is feeling charitable tonight.
This sounds to me exactly like the GlideTV Navigator.
http://glidetv.com/navigator/
• Mac |Mac OS® X (10.4.11 or later) supported
Includes
• Charging station
• USB Wireless Receiver
Hope this helps.
Not exactly what you are after perhaps, but this could be a nice alternative:
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&q=lenovo+thinkpad+ultranav+keyboard&cid=2871139607561179213&sa=image#p
I'm sure they did a wireless version as well but I couldn't easily find it.
One of the best laptop keyboards I have ever used is on my Thinkpad...
I'm not the reader who was asking about this. I was merely offsetting the soul-crushing realization that I am a monster by making a somewhat snarky comment.
Oh well.
If you have a touch iphone or ipod, $3.99 will buy you Snatch on the app store. You can use it is a wireless keyboard and trackpad. Works great!
If you have a touch iphone or ipod, $3.99 will buy you Snatch on the app store. You can use it is a wireless keyboard and trackpad. Works great!
Yeah, totally agree.
I think the Bamboo series from Wacom. Multi-touch with gestures, thin, USB. Like 70 bucks for just touch or 100 bucks for pen and finger touch inputs. Plus it looks awesome and is from a reputable company.
The person here is looking for WIRELESS, me too. Yet to find.
iPod touch would do it, you can get a refurb first gen for around $150 (although that's a lot to pay just for a wireless trackpad).
I really don't understand why Apple doesn't release a standalone glass touchpad like what's in their new Macbook Pros. I'm sure it's technologically feasible to make a thin rectangular prism with an extremely small bezel to house it too. Just make sure it's made of the trackpad material, NOT the Magic Mouse material. It's not frictionless enough against your fingers like the trackpad is.
actually, $150 is what a 2nd gen iPod touch referb runs at. I'd recall Apple having some 1st gen referbs in stock the other day for $130, but at that point you might as well get the 2nd gen. Not only would it be great for this situation, but run Jaadu VNC on it and it becomes a remote for all your macs/PCs and all their apps. I use Jaadu so much that it sits as one of my four "docked" apps on my iPod. Lets not also forget the DJ mode on the iTunes remote app!
Wacom does make a wireless pad, but it is for stylus use only.
I've been looking for one too and the only one I seen was made by Brando and it looks like a POS to me.
Seriously, I suggest the RemotePad App for the iPhone/iPod Touch...its free and it works great...not a good graphic tablet though...
And there's also RemoteDroid for Android.
you mean GMote?
@thomas
No, I mean RemoteDroid.
http://www.remotedroid.net/
GMote is a media remote.
Another vote for RemoteDroid
Good point!
tada!
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20090117/pocket-wireless-touchpad/
Probably not Mac compatible.
yes, judging from that screenshot alone, it's 100% not.
admittedly, the thing's hideous. but, there's no reason to assume it's not mac-compatible. darn thing's just fugly.
Unfortunately, if something is not specifically listed as Mac compatible, that's generally enough reason to assume it's not Mac compatible.
If you have an iPod touch or an iPhone, you can get any one of several wireless trackpad apps on the app store. Some even have multi-touch support.
Here's one that gives you both multi-touch and accelerometer control: http://ax.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=289616509&mt=8
There are a bunch of others, just search for "trackpad" in the App Store
Call me crazy but is there a wireless trackpad app that is windows compatible??
There are a few, but none with very good reviews. This seems to be the best one:
http://ax.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=290590017&mt=8
Yes NWIFSER...Jaadu VNC is a great app works on windows and mac
thanks david, thanks ossger!
If that's my only option, I'd rather just COMMAND+TAB over to Screen Sharing, as I have another MacBook that never leaves the couch. I think that a lot of the time, it'd be great to have a single, dedicated, lustworthy multitouchpad on my coffee table.
The DiNovo edge has always been quite tempting, but I don't believe you it supports Leopard's multitouch gestures, correct? I dont' want to be sacrificing any features, at that price.
I feel so cool, being featured on engadget :P
AirMouse for the iPhone/iPod touch works as a trackpad/keyboard for Mac and Windows.
Not exactly what you're looking for, but will do the trick.. It's what i use for my media pc.. The wireless receiver is also the charging base (via USB)
http://reviews.cnet.com/keyboards/mediapilot/4505-3134_7-31263679.html
Be warned. I have one of these and it died (would no longer communicate with the base station). Belkin doesn't make these any more and won't replace. Also, mouse navigation was never very good with their rubber button thingy.
2 things PLEX with a harmony remote for media (very customizable) and either an iPhone / iPod touch with a PLETHORA of VNC and wireless touchpad apps or another laptop to control it (which seems redundant, but I use one with my HTmini)
He can try the logitech dinovo edge or wireless media keyboard that have a trackpad built in.
I've owned a diNovo Edge for my Mac for a few years now. That trackpad is ridiculously small. I'd only recommend it if he needs a keyboard too. Otherwise, it's overkill.
I love my Edge connected to my Win Media Center. But, yeah, might be overkill if you don't use the PC for anything other than Media Center.
There is also a diNovo Mini which might fit the bill. It looks pretty cool:
http://reviews.cnet.com/keyboards/logitech-dinovo-mini-keyboard/4505-3134_7-32784878.html
i have the diNovo mini connected to a mac mini as my media pc - and it's a bit rough. it seems like it would work more intuitively with a pc (which was my original intent-that's a long story).
the trackpad is tiny, but bluetooth works flawlessly, and it's definitely instantly ready to use. i love the size. hopefully when i have time to sit and tinker with it, i'll find that there are settings to make it more mac friendly (and use all of those extra buttons) - but i haven't found them so far.
I have a lenovo usb keyboard with a trackpad built in. been pretty happy with it. use google to find if you're interested.
Apple magic mouse.
Wow! I didn't even consider that, but the Magic Mouse might be perfect for this, depending on its range. I think it costs around 70 dollars.
Oh yes! The iPhone! It has such a smaller monthly fee than all of my other input devices!
yes... especially when you ALREADY OWN ONE which I believe is the point...
+1 for DiNovo Edge (or DiNovo Edge Mini) Logiboard. You might also like a logiball mouse. It has the same benefit as the trackpad in the way that the entire device does not need to be moved around, with the added benefit of existing. Logitech has a few options and I love their peripherals more than anyone else's.
Or the iPod Touch....
The best way I can think of doing this is either by an iPhone or a Bamboo Touch. The good part about the Bamboo Touch as "Andrew" said is that it has almost all the multitouch gestures that your computer supports, the only problem is that you would have to connect it to your computer is a somewhat unconventional way by using a Wireless USB extender.
Touchpad in the App Store for ipod Touch or iPhone. Supports gestures like two finger scrolling. Pretty sweet for the couple dollars it cost!
The obvious choice would be the iPhone or iPod touch. I'm assuming that they make charging docks for them. Use the apple remote app and your set.
Android devices have the option of multiple different things. I use Gmote. It is compatible with Win/Mac/Linux. Acts as a trackpad and keyboard for your computer, plus it also plays audio from your computer on your device if you want. Definitely a worth while product. And it's free download from Android market.
Logitech also has many decent options including wireless keyboard/trackpad combos.
Hope this is some help.
why dont you use the new apple mighty mouse. its a touch sensitive and awesome thing to have
ask engadget *READERS*. not engadget
we are engadget.
I feel a Micheal Jackson song coming on...
(too soon?)
+9 for the Bluetooth Dinovo Edge. I just got mine in the mail 2 days ago. If you look online you can find the $150 model for $59. I keep it in my coffee table when not using it. The trackpad is a wee small, but if you adj. the settings to make up for it everything is perfect. I have it hooked up to my new 2.5 Mac Mini running plex/ hulu. It's the best purchase so far for the Mini. I found the deal on gizomodo, look at onsale.com. Not a bad deal, amazon is still selling it @ $130ish. Has anyone had good luck with the dinovo edge bluetooth. I was thinking about the dinovo mini, but could not justify the price.
This may not be a perfect solution but it's ridiculously easy and 100% free.
If you have a laptop, then use synergy. Synergy will allow mouse and keyboard input from one computer be used for another computer via a network. If you have another laptop, connect to wifi and just use that trackpad and mouse.
This may not be ideal, but it can get you to stop using the mouse while you wait until funds build to buy a better device, or until someone comes along and gives you the sickest DIY project ever.
Yeah, I'm currently HUGE into Leopard's Screen Sharing. Works great!
I use synergy, it's a great solution, and works across mac, linux, windows.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Wacom+bluetooth+bamboo&cid=5340409758271842843&sa=title#p
The problem is that there doesn't seem to be a bluetooth version of their Touch products yet.
It obviously doesn't have multitouch but the device seems like it would be worth considering I think.
Logitech MX Air™ Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/3443&cl=us,en
Or maybe one of their Trackballs?
Both have native OSX support....
If you have an iPod Touch, I know there are a few 'mice' apps that allow you to control the pointer with the device over the wireless network.
Beat me too it while I was typing!
Doesn't exist for Mac, unless the iPod touch and Touchpad counts.
http://www.touchpadpro.com/
Windows gets Brando:
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/09/wireless-keyboard-features-magical-multitouch-trackpad/
How about this?
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/3443&cl=us,en
Wii-style inertial mouse -- wireless, rechargeable, really cool. I love mine.
I have one of those along with the DiNOvo Edge, and it's not all it's cracked up to be. I have a hard time getting the precision click out of that I want. It's pretty close to the Wii technology w/out the attatchment thing on it. I would try it out before buying. I normally just use it as a reg mouse. It does have a cool volume feature where you hold the volume button down on the mouse and move it left or right to lower or increase the volume.
I use my ipod touch, it works great and recognizes multitouch.
insert "iPod Touch" anywhere that you see iPhone...
The trackpad app on the iPod Touch will allow you wireless with no monthly fee. Im buying Air Mouse Pro app right now. PS- i don't work for them, I just like the app (friend has it).
Link: (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=289616509&mt=8)
Not OSX compatible just yet (although it says the hardware is supported), but the GlideTV Navigator looks a good bet for what you want to do.
http://www.glidetv.com/
If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, get the Air Mouse app! It's pretty cool!!
It's called a iPhone with remote pad.
This from brando?
http://usb.brando.com/usb-2-4ghz-rf-entertainment-slim-keyboard-with-smart-touchpad_p00973c034d15.html
Note: The Wacom tablets (and most other multitouch devices) only support 2 fingers. http://www.wacom.com.au/bamboo/faq/technology/ see Q11. I don't think it'll support Expose like your touch pad.
If there's a touch pad that has drivers good enough to let you map gestures to keystrokes, and draw, I'd buy it.
still looking. wish someone makes a bigger bluetooth magic mouse that acts like multi purpose input device. one that could be used as a regular mouse or as a trackpad by using just the top surface or as a keyboard with light up keys on the whole top surface. automatic or manual mode switching.
testing
The "Targus AMP11US Bluetooth Presenter for Mac" is not a trackpad, but its generally close in function otherwise. I got one a while back to play around with, and it definitely works, although I haven't used it heavily.
When I got my new Magic Mouse the other day and started to try it out, my IMMEDIATE reaction was gee it would be cool if Apple implemented a "trackpad mode" option for it, where you could spin it around 180 degrees, use the surface like a trackpad mouse, and click with your thumb. However I suspect that its touch surface is not nearly as sensitive as an actual trackpad.
But note that Bluetooth just doesn't work well over wide distances or through walls; there might be problems even across a large room.
The best trackpad ive ever used, so far, is from the newest Macbook Pros out right now. Seriously. I love Windows 7 to death, but the trackpad on those things are superb quality that i even suggested to myself not to get a mouse for those new Macbook Pros.
This is kind of a far cry from multitouch, but I've been using HttpRemote. ( http://mozo1.byethost6.com/HttpRemote/ ) It's a Java app, so it might work with Mac. The program is still in development, but it's useful for me.
It sets up a server on your computer, which puts up a mouse, touchscreen, and keyboard page. You then load up the the page with the wi-fi connected device of your choice. The mouse page gives clickable zones that move your mouse 50 pixels or whatever in a direction. The keyboard page sends the characters you hit. The touchscreen page displays an image of your screen, and wherever you tap, it sends a move or click command. ... This works well with a pen-driven interface on my old PocketPC, but maybe not so great with fingers.
Not sure if this is helpful for you, but I thought it was worth a mention.
Anyone remember this?
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/30/multitouch-surface-made-out-of-box-webcam-and-glass/
This is not too small but not exactly made from high quality materials.
Unfortunately, this solution is not wireless, but it is definitely cheap!
Funny you guys asked this today because I actually just bought an app for my Touch Pro called Mobile Remote.
Obviously, there's no multi-touch here, but it still works surprisingly well as a bluetooth PS3 keyboard / mouse as well as a bluetooth trackpad for my laptop to change music from far.
http://www.mobilesrc.com/MobileRemote.aspx
The Logitech diNovo Mini (the one with the clamshell design) doesn't officially support OSX. However, apparently it will work, although some of the special function buttons won't work (Windows Media Center, IE). Bluetooth. A little pricey, but it's a keyboard and has a small touchpad/directional pad.
product webpage:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3848&cl=us,en
use with OSX:
http://macrecon.com/hardware-review-logitech-dinovo-mini/
if it help
this is a keyboard with multi touch track pad
http://www.farassoo.com/product/keyboard/FCR-6700rf.htm
get this:
http://gizmodo.com/5380388/glidetv-navigator-a-trackpad-for-your-hand
Its not wireless but maybe it will work for someone: http://www.ergonomictouchpad.com/ergonomic_touchpad.php
An iPhone or iPod touch with an app called Airmouse is awesome
As someone mentioned Synergy, take a look at Teleport: http://abyssoft.com/software/teleport/
It's IMO vastly better than Synergy and easier to install and configure.
Check out Air Mouse for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's on sale this week for 2 bucks. http://www.mobileairmouse.com/
Works really well, just like a diNovo mini.
Take a look at our app, called TouchPad. It turns your iPhone or iPod touch into a wireless multi-touch trackpad. It also includes an extended keyboard and an Apple Remote.
Supports OS X 10.4 and up. The best part is that there is no additional software to install on your Mac. TouchPad works through Screen Sharing, which is already installed on your computer.
For more info: http://bit.ly/41fUoc (our website, product page)
I had a trackpad/keyboard combo from Alessi - got it from NewEgg. Damn thing crapped out after 6 months for no reason. Used to east batteries too.
On the good news side, I hear very nice things about this device, the logitech DiNovo
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3848&cl=us,en
What you've described already exists in an app called Mobile Air Mouse for the iPhone (mobileairmouse.com). It's really amazing, I use it every day and best of all it's dirt cheap! I've tried a bunch of hardware trackpads and other apps, but this one blows every one of them away. And even if you don't own an iPhone, you could probably pick up an iPod touch just to use this app and it would cost you less than a lot of these wireless mouse/keyboard combinations.
Use an iPod touch, bunch of software choice is available for this purpose.
1st gen 8GB touch is very inexpensive, he can pick one up on ebay from around $120.
As a benefit, he can see his emails in his palm immediately.
Just got one of these in from Brando and using it on a Win7 machine. Works great, even multi touch on the trackpad!
http://usb.brando.com/usb-2-4ghz-rf-entertainment-slim-keyboard-with-smart-touchpad_p00973c034d015.html
Try this one out:
http://efo.buy-lowest.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=180
It has a trackpad and a keyboard and a low price.
The Logitech DiNovo works great for a full-size keyboard + trackpad on the coffee table to control our media-centric Mac Mini.
It doesn't have multitouch and the "dock" would be a mini USB cable, but there's Unisen's iPazzPort which is a touchbad and mini keyboard. I assume it would work on a Mac but haven't tested it as I don't have one.
http://www.unisengroup.com/ipazzport/index.html
http://www.ohgizmo.com/2009/10/14/hands-on-with-the-unisen-handheld-keyboard-mouse-touchpad/
Take a look at GlideTV. it's exactly what you're looking for.
www.glidetv.com.
http://www.ergonomictouchpad.com/ergonomic_touchpad.php