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CW: Future MacBooks Could Dispense with Mouse Button

by , 2:10 PM EDT, July 30th, 2008

A new kind of trackpad for the next generation MacBooks, if speculation is correct, could lead to the elimination of the classic mouse button, replaced by multi-touch gestures, according to Seth Weintraub at Computerworld on Wednesday.

Referring to speculation about a new kind of trackpad for the next generation of MacBooks, Mr. Weintraub wondered about the "death of the mouse button." The author pointed to a YouTube video (below) that shows how Mac OS X Leopard can be controlled by classic iPhone gestures.

 

"This actually isn't such a far flung idea if you think about it? Current MacBooks can use gestures to control the machine," Mr. Weintraub noted. "Also, a setting can be activated that allows clicking by just tapping the trackpad. In fact, many PCs have been doing this for years. The loss of a mouse button won't be as drastic as you might initially think."

No matter what Apple does next with the trackpad, one thing is sure, Mr. Weintraub posited. It will be elegant.

Observer Comments

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Close Name:Guest
Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:17 pm Subject: I hope not...

I don't what the problem is, but I can't even use the Apple mouse with it's wacky 'touch-sensor' buttons. Invariably, I'll want to click and the system will register a control-click [or vice-versa], or it'll register a click while I'm just trying to drag. I'm obviously one of the minority of users that definitely prefers a physical button to press for use with cursor-operations.

And click-dragging would also really suck if I had to always do three gestures to do it [one to click-hold, then drag, then click-release].


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Close Name:Sir Harry Flashman Posts: 792 Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:53 pm Subject: Side buttons

Quote
Guest wrote:
I don't what the problem is, but I can't even use the Apple mouse with it's wacky 'touch-sensor' buttons. Invariably, I'll want to click and the system will register a control-click [or vice-versa], or it'll register a click while I'm just trying to drag. I'm obviously one of the minority of users that definitely prefers a physical button to press for use with cursor-operations.

And click-dragging would also really suck if I had to always do three gestures to do it [one to click-hold, then drag, then click-release].


I had to disable the "side" buttons on the Mighty Mouse as found they activated too easily with the grip I use. That way I use my thumb and ring finger to grip the mouse for movement and use the index finger and middle finger to click the left or right top buttons. Try that and see if that makes a difference for you if, of course, you have haven't done so.


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Close Name:geoduck Posts: 1921 Joined: 30 Dec 2003
Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:13 pm Subject:

The odd thing is many, including myself are going to MORE buttons. One button mice gave way to two button, then two button roller mice and more. The big weakness in the MacBooks now is only one button. The one thing I like about a lot of laptops from other companies is that they have two, or four buttons, plus a roller. (But then you have to put up with Windows).


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Close Name:Guest
Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:25 pm Subject: Keep the button

I prefer to press the button to perform a mouse click, even though tapping on the trackpad will do it. The advantage of the button is you don't have to tap precisely... just push... and the tactile and auditory feedback will let you know it's happened.


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