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Sat, Nov 21, 2009 - 04:55 PM EST — AAPL: 199.92 (-0.59, -0.29%) | NASDAQ: 2146.04 (-10.78, -0.5%)

Apple patent app details advanced multi-touch pads for Macs

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 11:35 AM EST

"A new and ambitious patent filing from Apple hints that the Mac maker is working to extend an advanced version of its multi-touch technology to future notebook trackpads that would include gesture concepts well beyond what is presently available on its handheld and MacBook Air products," Slash Lane reports for AppleInsider.

"The January 2007 filing, dug up overnight by MacRumors, is titled 'Gesturing with a multipoint sensing device' and lists among its inventors Wayne Westerman of Fingerworks, a company absorbed by Apple several years ago as part of its quest to deliver iPhone and a new generation of input devices," Lane reports.

"Of particular interest are several drawings and descriptions of a new Mac OS X 'Gesture Control Panel' nestled deep within the 72-page filing. The panel is split three-way, offering a distinct set of customizable options for 'Standard,' 'Basic,' and 'Advanced' multi-touch operations," Lane reports.

"Listed as part of the 'Advanced' panel are several pre-defined multi-touch gesture sets for operations not yet supported by Apple's iPhone, iPod touch, or MacBook Air offerings. Among them are gestures for file operations, editing operations, and Web browser operations," Lane reports.

Full article with detailed with drawings and descriptions here.

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Feb 19, 08 - 11:40 am Comment from: bon

It seems like these patents usually never see the light of day in actual products.

Feb 19, 08 - 11:44 am Comment from: Dave Powar

Hit me with your big stick

Feb 19, 08 - 11:48 am Comment from: Sarasota

Apple should design and market an eternal, USB trackpad with this technology to replace their mouse. If they did, I'd buy two.

Feb 19, 08 - 11:54 am Comment from: Ray

No biggie they probably just added some gesture mode requests from the porn industry.

Just my $0.02

Feb 19, 08 - 12:01 pm Comment from: Mac+

Apple is teaching the world how to do multi-touch.

Feb 19, 08 - 12:07 pm Comment from: Ampar

The next generation of multi-touch pads will feel like warm apple pie.

Feb 19, 08 - 12:10 pm Comment from: Mac+

How about some vanilla ice cream on it? Hmmm... yummy like a lady.

Feb 19, 08 - 12:19 pm Comment from: Grigori

Sarasota is right; we've been needing a replacement for the mouse/trackball paradigm for some time now, and nice little slice of apple pie - À la mode or otherwise - from Apple would fit the bill just fine.

Feb 19, 08 - 12:20 pm Comment from: silverhawk

Why do some people put cheese on apple pie?

Feb 19, 08 - 12:21 pm Comment from: Macaday

And in other news Microsoft patents a multi-touch development: a 700 volt shock for incorrect gestures...

Feb 19, 08 - 12:46 pm Comment from: Ampar

"Why do some people put cheese on apple pie?"

It might be infectious. Say cheese.

Feb 19, 08 - 01:25 pm Comment from: newton*

I have used some of these advanced gestures regularly with my Fingerworks keyboard...after a few days, they become second nature, and are very useful.

Feb 19, 08 - 02:24 pm Comment from: Rob

And in related news Microsoft patents a bouncing chair that once thrown up in the air, causes ten times more damage than regular chair, our unnamed source stated that it can even take out the entire boardroom with one throw. Patent holder: Steve B.

Feb 19, 08 - 02:43 pm Comment from: TheConfuzed1

I know he's an asshat, but didn't Rob Enderle predict that Apple would bring us a replacement for the mouse this year?

Feb 19, 08 - 02:48 pm Comment from: maclover

I would assume this type of sensitive info would be problematic to Apple shareholders and maclovers as it puts 'advanced technology concepts' (quote me) into the hands of Apple's competition. What is the point of non-disclosure of information, when Apple fans dig up patents and advertise them on the web for the general public, who, in no way benefits from this knowlege, yet it definitely gives the opposition the playbook ?

Feb 19, 08 - 03:47 pm Comment from: Yimmie

@maclover

So you assume that MS is not searching the patents on a regular basis? I bet they knew about it before any Mac fan did.

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Sat, Nov 21, 2009 - 04:55 PM EST — AAPL: 199.92 (-0.59, -0.29%) | NASDAQ: 2146.04 (-10.78, -0.5%)

Apple patent app details advanced multi-touch pads for Macs

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Sat, Nov 21, 2009 - 04:55 PM EST — AAPL: 199.92 (-0.59, -0.29%) | NASDAQ: 2146.04 (-10.78, -0.5%)

Apple patent app details advanced multi-touch pads for Macs

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