Apple Magic Trackpad official, shipping now for $69

It's not like Apple could very well keep it a secret anymore, so today we're being treated to the official unveiling of the Magic Trackpad. This wireless touch input receptacle -- already thoroughly leaked, trademarked, and FCC-approved -- has just made its debut in, of all places, Apple's Store app for iOS 4. It's basically exactly what you'd expect: a glass-covered, aluminum-shelled replicator of the glorious multitouch experience on offer in Apple's MacBooks, only for the desktop. The Trackpad is battery-powered, communicates via Bluetooth fairy dust, and is ready to ship out right this minute for a dollar under 70 bucks.

Apple Magic Trackpad

[yeoldgreat1 Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:32AM]

Looks interesting!

[SolidSnake Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:35AM]

@yeoldgreat1
It's an unnecessary luxury.
I still want one.

[Drago Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:36AM]

This looks promising I would love to use it on my iMac

[purfikt Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:36AM]

@yeoldgreat1

worthless comment..."Looks interesting" is the new "First"

That said, I do like it and I think it would rock as a input device for a HTPC.

[Jonathan K Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:37AM]

@yeoldgreat1 It kinda does. But it's pretty predictable what it'll do. ...

Either way. Well see.

[harry20larry Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:38AM]

@yeoldgreat1

www.apple.com/magictrackpad/

[Richiban Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:38AM]

@SolidSnake Isn't that kind of the theory behind all Apple products?

[Jon Adair Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:45AM]

@yeoldgreat1 I wonder if it will cure the RSI caused by the Magic Mouse?

[Aaquibn Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:49AM]

@yeoldgreat1

Ah my Magic Mouse feels obsolete. Time to upgrade! I've always wanted a trackpad for my desktop and this is perfect.

But 80% more tracking area than the MacBook Pro!??! My MacBook Pro track pad is fucking HUGE, how large must this be?

[Hobsie Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:56AM]

@yeoldgreat1

There seems to be some apple battery charger with 6 NiMH batteries they're claiming last 10 years? Is that new as well? Don't remember seeing that before?

[czesiu Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:57AM]

not compatible with windows?:-(

[pielor Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:58AM]

@SolidSnake

Reminds me of Apple.

[briguy266 Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:04AM]

@yeoldgreat1 I dont under stand why people want something from a laptop on a desktop.

[joshl Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:04AM]

@yeoldgreat1

Love how Apple are selling their own Battery Chargers
to compliment this product too.

[Firewave Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:05AM]

@SolidSnake

I wonder if it works on PC

[Endeavour1934 Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:09AM]

@yeoldgreat1 It's like a Wacom Bamboo Pen&Touch but worse, because besides multitouch the Bamboo also includes a pen with 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity.

[telstar Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:11AM]

@Aaquibn about 80% larger

[Imadedend Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:13AM]

@czesiu

Why would it be? It's not like Apple considers that kind of thing when making a product...

[opc100 Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:23AM]

@Imadedend
Because it offers choice, though Apple have never been big on that.

[Matt314 Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:28AM]

@yeoldgreat1 ...I never thought i'd see the day when a company would give you the option to use a trackpad on a desktop...I guess the worst part is ppl will actually buy it....

Its a sad day for logic

[Raytem Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:40AM]

@SolidSnake I think there are plenty things in our lives which are very very very unnecessary but we still have'em. I will get this and retire my age ok'd trackball.

[JojoMojo Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:48AM]

@Matt314 Yes how sad to have more choice. /s. Isn't it exactly what you iHaters bitch about?

[JoshYao Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:51AM]

@czesiu why yes? haha

[TheRealCJ Posted Jul 27th 2010 10:28AM]

Looks okay.

But I'm not a huge fan of touchpads, I prefer my ThinkNipple.

If this had digitiser support, I'd be MUCH more interested.

[Nintendo Tim Posted Jul 27th 2010 11:29AM]

@Aaquibn Judging by the pictures in the gallery Engadget has provided, I'd say a fair amount larger...about 80% more.

[steel Posted Jul 27th 2010 11:37AM]

@Drago

Battery powered? Sux.

[djrobx Posted Jul 27th 2010 12:29PM]

They used to have these things called digitizing tablets. I hated touchpads on laptops, but Apple's works well and the multitouch gestures are great.

[MikeyBoy117 Posted Jul 27th 2010 2:09PM]

@Matt314 Have you ever used one of Apple's multitouch trackpads?

[Saad the other one Posted Jul 27th 2010 3:37PM]

@yeoldgreat1

long live erroneous inputs!

[zfhanbenjamin Posted Jul 28th 2010 7:50AM]

@yeoldgreat1
what next? an apple wireless power button?

[shreyas Posted Aug 7th 2010 6:14PM]

@czesiu It is compatible w/ Windows, Ofcourse limited functions only! Read http://www.labnol.org/software/apple-magic-trackpad-with-windows/14158/

[SNESimon Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:33AM]

LOOKS MAGICAL!

[Joylove Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:45AM]

@SNESimon Looks like a giant touchpad to me. I assume that's what you are getting at, sarcastically.

What's next? Giant EVERYTHING?

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:48AM]

@SNESimon

What's supposed to be so magical about it? The only place I see it being of serious use is if you're doing a presentation or something.

HTPC users won't really use it because its too expensive for just a mouse. At this point you're close to the price point of keyboard and mouse combos. If you tack on another $50, you can pick up a DiNovo Mini which is a well regarded combination unit.

Your average PC user won't really find it useful because mice are far more ergonomic.

But, what do I know? I'm just a broke ass college student.

[Hark1 Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:57AM]

@SNESimon Yeah someone please give Apple a dictionary so they can look up the word "magic", cos they've been abusing it for years.

Most companies get sued for misuing and misleading in their advertising, I don't understand how Apple get away with it.

[Marmite Turkey Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:09AM]

@Hark1 Why don't you sue Magic Markers while you're at it. It's not a description, it's a product name. Sue bluetooth because it has no teeth and it's not blue.

[Optimaximal Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:27AM]

@Marmite Turkey technically, the logo is blue and the B has jagged edges, like teeth.

[Vrmithrax Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:44AM]

@BigJayDogg3 - Yah, I just picked up a Rii wireless keyboard/trackpad for about $40 to use on my HTPC - it's about the size of a big remote control, and it does everything I need it to. The track pad isn't huge like this Apple unit, but it's big enough. And it's rechargeable. Only down side is it's not BlueTooth. But hey, can't be too choosy for the price, right?

[Techtrino Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:46AM]

@BigJayDogg3
These things have been around for ages, apple just reinvents the wheel :D

Still why buy this when you can get a far superior Wacon for almost the same...

[DC MIKE Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:47AM]

@Marmite Turkey Bluetooth was a person, and the technology doesn't look like him at all.

[EroThraX Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:34AM]

I don't see it.

[shaynes Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:36AM]

@EroThraX

According to MacRumors, its just in the Apple Store app right now.

[JJHONEY Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:36AM]

@EroThraX Neither do I. But im gonna click refresh until i do.

[EroThraX Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:37AM]

@shaynes They have an app for that?

The header up top makes it seem like it's on the site but I can't find it.

[Pickaxe Posted Jul 27th 2010 9:42AM]

@EroThraX The king is naked! The king is naked!

[Shanebenn Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:34AM]

Caution!
PC vs Mac fighting soon to be below.

[thewild Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:40AM]

@Shanebenn : Why would that be ? I guess it's a universal peripheral, no problem using it on a PC.

[Marko Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:53AM]

@thewild - Like with iPad, the big question remains: What for?!?!?!?

[SolidSnake Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:34AM]

Oh snap.

[mnhthebest Posted Jul 27th 2010 8:34AM]

No thanks a mouse is much better on a desktop for me