Agreed. I was so excited when i saw this leaked a few months ago, and i really want to buy one, but i'm still a lowly PC user and the website specifically states you must be running a Mac with OSX.
I didn't notice that these were Mac only...
You can get a refurb mini from a generation back for around four benjamins.
I think this could actually be the perfect remote for couch surfing/navigating of your mac or apple tv.
It depends on if/when Apple will build onscreen keyboards that will work with this trackpad.
This was what I was thinking a cool way to control my macmini from my bed when I'm watching video and stuff. The mouse requires so much space and a flat surface most timed
Well put, every time Apple releases a new product there has to be the comments about it being a flop or no news or whatever.
I was one who thought the iPad was going to be a miss, boy was I horribly wrong! I know now, don't doubt Apple, more than likely they have done the market research and know what they are doing.
Sometimes you need a mouse/trackpad. I don't want to be lying on the couch with two input devices.
A full keyboard on the couch is overkill for the minimal amount of typing that you'll be doing.
You probably could use the track pad for text input. Go to Settings > International > Show Character Viewer. Go to the top right menu bar to choose on screen keyboard. Then use track pad to select characters for text input on the on screen keyboard.
Sometimes you need a mouse/trackpad. I don't want to be lying on the couch with two input devices.
A full keyboard on the couch is overkill for the minimal amount of typing that you'll be doing.
Surely they have to be some wifi or bluetith remotes for the Mac that use the iPad as an input, right? Heads up anyone? These will manage to adapt and control software with a minimal intuitive interface, so, are they any out yet?
I hope it works better than the magic mouse. Mine only kept it's 'magic' capabilities for a week or so. This is a common issue with the iMac + magic mouse.
So have you returned your magic mouse for a replacement then? No issues here, but if there were it would go straight back - I've not heard anyone else talk about features of the mouse suddenly stopping?
Because they are Apple. This trackpad is pretty lame. They make the worst input devices.
WTF? an overpriced Apple charger. More "eco" than everyone else's? That's idiotic. Good/ cheap battery chargers have been around for at least 10 years as well. A $30 AA battery only charger? Color me unimpressed.
How is a smooth trackpad with no touch feedback or visual information going to work as a remote? Have you ever bothered to observe how remotes are used? By touch and sight. I don't see how this could possibly be a good remote. Even Apple's own remote app requires some visual input, even if it has no touch feedback. What if the monitor isn't on and you want to change music? Or you're in another room and need to change libraries or turn off something you don't want the kids to watch? How are you going to use a trackpad then? Obviously these are comments by people who have never used a central home entertainment system. Stupid idea to use a trackpad.
I would prefer the remote be an ipad or ipod or iphone device any day. Think about it, for the same price as a harmony remote you could have a killer remote out of an Ipod touch + remote app. If they upgrade the remote app all the better. personally I'd like to see cover flow for starters and I'd like to see it work as a game controller should the TV ever support games, add a web browser or Apps and the virtual keyboard becomes even more useful than just entering search parameters.
Bottom line, A trackpad remote is USELESS!
That's quite a pair of blinkers you're wearing there.
The eco claims for the charger seem sound and the price is only a few pounds more than similar quality chargers I've recently been looking at.
I'd happily use the trackpad to control the apple tv/mac mini across the room - of course it would work- just think outside the box. If the interface is on the screen and all you need to do is point, then it works. Simples.
Typical Apple, they are trying to capture a niche (i.e. "green" AA batteries) for the people who care about "green" issues. And, no surprise, there's a good bit of margin there despite there being some competition in that space. This isn't just about the batteries, but about the power draw when a charger is left plugged in after the batteries are charged.
Everyone else will buy AA batteries in 24-packs or the "good/cheap" rechargeables that die after a dozen or two charge cycles and draw vampire power as they are left plugged in for days/weeks/months. Apple knows that, they aren't after total marketshare, they want niche marketshare where margins are good and the marketing story is compelling, esp. combined with other green initiatives in the product line.
At the end of the day, this is more about about PR and selling themselves as an eco-friendly company than it is about "batteries". IMO, It's a pretty smart move even if they only sell a dozen of these chargers (and I predict they'll sell a million of these chargers).
Apple aren't claiming the batteries are any greener than any other, they're stating the charger uses less electricity than many of its rivals. "Green" AA batteries aren't a niche market, AA batteries are the most common battery out there and everyone wants to at least be seen to be more eco-friendly, so it's a big market. Nevertheless, Apple make no claims at all about these batteries being 'greener' than anyone elses, all that is mentioned is the "vampire" power solution...
"The Apple Battery Charger has the lowest ?vampire draw? of any similar charger on the market. That?s the energy that most chargers continue to draw even after their batteries are done charging. Unlike other chargers, the Apple Battery Charger senses when a battery charge cycle is complete and automatically reduces the amount of power it uses to 30 milliwatts ? more than 10 times better than the industry average."
Because they are Apple. This trackpad is pretty lame. They make the worst input devices.
Personally speaking, the apple keyboard is the best built, nicest typing experience I've ever had. The magic mouse is superb and the trackpad exactly what I've been waiting for - ordered and can't wait to experience it. If I don't like it, or it develops a fault, I'll return it. Apple make superb input devices. Only fail I've ever come across being the 'hockey-puck' mouse, which was terrible.
How is a smooth trackpad with no touch feedback or visual information going to work as a remote? Have you ever bothered to observe how remotes are used? By touch and sight. I don't see how this could possibly be a good remote.
You need textile feel when you are working with multiple buttons. When you have a multitouch surface you don't need to feel anything, just need to remember the right gestures.
It would be good if Apple offered like a 4 finger triple tap that just displayed a little gesture chart, in case you needed it.
Comments
Agreed. I was so excited when i saw this leaked a few months ago, and i really want to buy one, but i'm still a lowly PC user and the website specifically states you must be running a Mac with OSX.
I didn't notice that these were Mac only...
You can get a refurb mini from a generation back for around four benjamins.
I think this could actually be the perfect remote for couch surfing/navigating of your mac or apple tv.
It depends on if/when Apple will build onscreen keyboards that will work with this trackpad.
This was what I was thinking a cool way to control my macmini from my bed when I'm watching video and stuff. The mouse requires so much space and a flat surface most timed
Will be replacing my current battery charger and buying the track pad and may even put my magic mouse in a draw!
Best
That's what people said about te iPad
Well put, every time Apple releases a new product there has to be the comments about it being a flop or no news or whatever.
I was one who thought the iPad was going to be a miss, boy was I horribly wrong! I know now, don't doubt Apple, more than likely they have done the market research and know what they are doing.
Love the Apple charger...can see why Apple changed the BT keyboard from 3 AA batteries to two!
Will be replacing my current battery charger and buying the track pad and may even put my magic mouse in a draw!
Best
You can send me the magic mouse, I'll take it off your hands!
Nce design and price Apple.
You can send me the magic mouse, I'll take it off your hands!
Is that what they call, 'recycling?'
Is that what they call, 'recycling?'
Hey, if helping the environment gets me a free magic mouse, WIN WIN!
Sometimes you need a mouse/trackpad. I don't want to be lying on the couch with two input devices.
A full keyboard on the couch is overkill for the minimal amount of typing that you'll be doing.
You probably could use the track pad for text input. Go to Settings > International > Show Character Viewer. Go to the top right menu bar to choose on screen keyboard. Then use track pad to select characters for text input on the on screen keyboard.
Sometimes you need a mouse/trackpad. I don't want to be lying on the couch with two input devices.
A full keyboard on the couch is overkill for the minimal amount of typing that you'll be doing.
Surely they have to be some wifi or bluetith remotes for the Mac that use the iPad as an input, right? Heads up anyone? These will manage to adapt and control software with a minimal intuitive interface, so, are they any out yet?
I didn't notice that these were Mac only...
You can get a refurb mini from a generation back for around four benjamins.
had I not just purchased a computer 2 years ago that will last me probably another 3 years, then i would have jumped all over the new mac mini.
I hope it works better than the magic mouse. Mine only kept it's 'magic' capabilities for a week or so. This is a common issue with the iMac + magic mouse.
So have you returned your magic mouse for a replacement then? No issues here, but if there were it would go straight back - I've not heard anyone else talk about features of the mouse suddenly stopping?
Because they are Apple. This trackpad is pretty lame. They make the worst input devices.
WTF? an overpriced Apple charger. More "eco" than everyone else's? That's idiotic. Good/ cheap battery chargers have been around for at least 10 years as well. A $30 AA battery only charger? Color me unimpressed.
How is a smooth trackpad with no touch feedback or visual information going to work as a remote? Have you ever bothered to observe how remotes are used? By touch and sight. I don't see how this could possibly be a good remote. Even Apple's own remote app requires some visual input, even if it has no touch feedback. What if the monitor isn't on and you want to change music? Or you're in another room and need to change libraries or turn off something you don't want the kids to watch? How are you going to use a trackpad then? Obviously these are comments by people who have never used a central home entertainment system. Stupid idea to use a trackpad.
I would prefer the remote be an ipad or ipod or iphone device any day. Think about it, for the same price as a harmony remote you could have a killer remote out of an Ipod touch + remote app. If they upgrade the remote app all the better. personally I'd like to see cover flow for starters and I'd like to see it work as a game controller should the TV ever support games, add a web browser or Apps and the virtual keyboard becomes even more useful than just entering search parameters.
Bottom line, A trackpad remote is USELESS!
That's quite a pair of blinkers you're wearing there.
The eco claims for the charger seem sound and the price is only a few pounds more than similar quality chargers I've recently been looking at.
I'd happily use the trackpad to control the apple tv/mac mini across the room - of course it would work- just think outside the box. If the interface is on the screen and all you need to do is point, then it works. Simples.
Typical Apple, they are trying to capture a niche (i.e. "green" AA batteries) for the people who care about "green" issues. And, no surprise, there's a good bit of margin there despite there being some competition in that space. This isn't just about the batteries, but about the power draw when a charger is left plugged in after the batteries are charged.
Everyone else will buy AA batteries in 24-packs or the "good/cheap" rechargeables that die after a dozen or two charge cycles and draw vampire power as they are left plugged in for days/weeks/months. Apple knows that, they aren't after total marketshare, they want niche marketshare where margins are good and the marketing story is compelling, esp. combined with other green initiatives in the product line.
At the end of the day, this is more about about PR and selling themselves as an eco-friendly company than it is about "batteries". IMO, It's a pretty smart move even if they only sell a dozen of these chargers (and I predict they'll sell a million of these chargers).
Apple aren't claiming the batteries are any greener than any other, they're stating the charger uses less electricity than many of its rivals. "Green" AA batteries aren't a niche market, AA batteries are the most common battery out there and everyone wants to at least be seen to be more eco-friendly, so it's a big market. Nevertheless, Apple make no claims at all about these batteries being 'greener' than anyone elses, all that is mentioned is the "vampire" power solution...
Because they are Apple. This trackpad is pretty lame. They make the worst input devices.
Personally speaking, the apple keyboard is the best built, nicest typing experience I've ever had. The magic mouse is superb and the trackpad exactly what I've been waiting for - ordered and can't wait to experience it. If I don't like it, or it develops a fault, I'll return it. Apple make superb input devices. Only fail I've ever come across being the 'hockey-puck' mouse, which was terrible.
they also brought out this accessory http://www.apple.com/battery-charger/
Thank goodness! The first Apple product I can order immediately (still using Windows).
How is a smooth trackpad with no touch feedback or visual information going to work as a remote? Have you ever bothered to observe how remotes are used? By touch and sight. I don't see how this could possibly be a good remote.
You need textile feel when you are working with multiple buttons. When you have a multitouch surface you don't need to feel anything, just need to remember the right gestures.
It would be good if Apple offered like a 4 finger triple tap that just displayed a little gesture chart, in case you needed it.
Now if they could just attach the 2 it would be perfect.
A hybrid would be awesome!