Apple is set to revolutionize the input device market next.

[Mayareira]

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/famec...xar-disney.jpg

Apple's Magic Trackpad revealed?

Of all the surprises we expected to hear about in the WWDC keynote, a multitouch trackpad peripheral didn't exactly pop into our brains. But -- whoomp -- here it is. What we appear to be looking at is a brand new input device that Apple has dreamed up which connects to desktops (and laptops, if you like) via Bluetooth, much like the Apple Keyboard. If you take what you see in the photos at face value, it would seem that the folks in Cupertino are making a play for finger-based input in a big way -- taking the work they've done on Mac laptops and the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, and translating it to the desktop realm. This weirdly lines up perfectly with rumors from earlier in the year, emanating from both John Gruber (of Daring Fireball fame), and MacRumors -- the former reporting that Apple was set to release a "Mentioned-Nowhere-Else-But-in-This-Very-Headline Multi-Touch Trackpad Gadget for Desktop Macs," and the latter taking notice of an Apple trademark application for the "Magic Trackpad." It certainly all makes sense given that the company has made not-so-subtle moves away from standard input devices to finger-friendly options in many, many of its recent products. Whatever the case may be, we're potentially just hours away from the truth, so feast your eyes on the photos, and get ready for the big reveal.

Update: New images received with a claim that the device supports handwriting recognition in addition to "every feature you can find on a Magic Mouse (and possibly features of a MacBook Pro trackpad)." This, from a person who claims to be personally testing it. Something we hope to do for ourselves before the day is through.

Update 2: Reader Dan Berte made a quick little cardboard mockup using his Apple keyboard and Magic Mouse for relative sizing and he's estimating the tracking area to be around six inches diagonal. Makes sense -- check his handiwork after the break.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....agictrack1.jpg

Here is the estimated size of the device.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....0magicmock.jpg

Engadget - Apple's Magic Trackpad.

Looks phenomenal to be honest, trackpads on MBP's are amazing and with all these improved features...

[Fr34k]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....0magicmock.jpg

I bet Apple could sell that cardboard right there with an apple logo printed on it for $150 and call it revolutionary.

[Kajii]

I bet Apple could sell that cardboard right there with an apple logo printed on it for $150 and call it revolutionary.

If they label it as a dock for the iPhone they could get $200 easy.

[Seanr]

Old, and funny if anyone would try to come out with this shit or if apple had come out with this 10 years prior it would flop. But all they have to do is slap a release date on anything and it will sell out release date.

[Celeras]

Coming soon: the iBlister.

Who would use that shit for anything except web browsing, and why would you want to.

[Mayareira]

I'd probably stick to my logitech (biggest problem is that it is pretty fat to carry around), but MBP trackpads are pretty damn nice and if this can meet the expectations with a competitive price...I can see some sort of a future in it.

Not for gaming for sure but eh.

[Seanr]

it would have to be under $50 for non casuals/non applefanboys to pick it up. you cant use it for any gaming, and im sure a mouse or actual tablet might be more accurate when it comes to photo editing. Who wants to buy a supplemental mouse?

[dejet]

I'd probably stick to my logitech (biggest problem is that it is pretty fat to carry around), but MBP trackpads are pretty damn nice and if this can meet the expectations with a competitive price...I can see some sort of a future in it.

Not for gaming for sure but eh.

apple? Competitive Price? hahaha

calling the price at $300

[Fr34k]

apple? Competitive Price? hahaha

calling the price at $300

You talking about the cardboard or the real thing?

[Seanr]

Apple sellin that piece of cardboard at 300 is a steal

[Izzy]

Just be careful to not make contact with the device and the desk at the same time or the device will stop working.

[Kajii]

It will be a huge success due to the Apple fanboys and they'll tell us how we're so behind with our normal mice.

[sruon]

Just be careful to not make contact with the device and the desk at the same time or the device will stop working.

I laughed more than I should have.


But seriously, trackpads..?

[Akucaen]

I laughed more than I should have.


But seriously, trackpads..?

GODDAMNIT TRACKPADS ARE REVOLUTIONARY... AGAIN.

[Guyverarmor]

Wow.. a piece of cardboard.. Apple, you have done it again !!

Remember guys.. IT'S REVOLUTIONARY !

[Dainslaif]

Just be careful to not make contact with the device and the desk at the same time or the device will stop working.

Trackpad and keyboard, tbh.

[dejet]

You talking about the cardboard or the real thing?

The real thing, but the 30pp one will only have built in wifi. If you get the $700 one it will have built in TV.

[Boyiee]

How do I put apps on it.

Give away a free copy of angry birds with every purchase and apple will make billions.

[Antithesis]

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/famec...xar-disney.jpg

Oh-so exploitable image.

[Princemercury]

I admit, I hate Apple comps and Macbooks with a hard passion. But I still buy their accessories simply because they look so clean compared to the crap everyone else sells.