Of all the words you can use to describe
Apple's Magic Mouse, curious is probably the most apt. It's a mouse in concept, sure, but a hybrid — a mouse that is also a giant, multi-touch trackpad. Who would have thought?
However, Apple might be onto something. Multi-touch input has proved wildly successful on both the iPhone and iPad, and the company's implementation is one of the best on the market. Laptop users have gotten a taste of that experience too, making a jump to the desktop logical. It's for that reason that Apple's next rumored product —
an external, multi-touch trackpad — might actually make sense.
Besides the traditional mouse and keyboard, the market for alternative means of desktop input is relatively small. Graphic designers and digital artists rely heavily on pen-based tablets for input, but otherwise, the interest simply isn't there. Apple, however, seems to think that will change — and a desktop-based, multi-touch trackpad could be the thing to do it.
The leaked external trackpad.
If there's one thing that MacBook users have proven, it's that people love gestures. The ability to swipe between applications, windows and desktop space with the flick of a wrist may seem superfluous, but it's actually highly efficient, and a simple way to explore one's desktop space without reaching for the keys. It's the sort of interaction that isn't quite possible with a standard mouse, and something the company seems eager to explore.
However, there's more to it than that. For an Apple user, gestures are familiar. From OS X to iOS, people know the motions for scrolling, for zooming and a myriad of other actions. These gestures are consistent, and for consumers deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, connect the experience between their mobile and desktop devices.
They key word here, though, is consumers. An external, multi-touch trackpad is by no means a serious input device, meaning design professionals and hardcore gamers will likely scoff at the notion of an alternative mouse. Though Jobs has
argued against pen-based input in the past, there's no arguing that our big, clumsy digits are nowhere near as precise as a thin-point pen. What's more, trackpad gaming is often limited by the size of the touchpad, making it difficult to quickly move around, and an external device would be no different — and don't even get us started on sniping.
While Wacom's tablets are decent, it's likely not the direct Apple is going in.
But despite these examples, the simple fact is, a multi-touch trackpad would suit the majority of users just fine. Precision isn't an issue when you're checking Facebook or sorting through iPhoto, and bringing gestures to the desktop space simply expands the MacBook and iOS experience to a whole new set of users. It's an experience that Apple has used to great effect on the iPad, heralding the device as the most natural computer in the world — and inevitably, it's the sort of experience that's soon to make its way to OS X, whether you like it or not.
Images via Flickr users s~revenge, blog.jmc.bz. Additional image from Engadget.
