Apple files for ownership of 'Magic Trackpad' trademark
Apple this week filed for ownership of the term "Magic Trackpad" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, perhaps signaling the name for a new product, or a rebranding of the company's existing trackpads.
Filed on Monday, the publicly available application from Apple seeks control of the trademark in relation to computers and devices in both hardware and software. It does not give any indication whether a Magic Trackpad would represent a standalone product, or a rebranding of the multi-touch trackpad on existing MacBook hardware.
The naming would correspond with the new multi-touch Magic Mouse introduced by Apple last fall. The entire surface of the device can track independent fingers for activities like scrolling and zooming, much like on an iPhone or iPod touch.
Last October, before Apple introduced its new line of iMac desktops, Daring Fireball's John Gruber shared a rumor that the company could introduce a multi-touch trackpad for desktop Macs. However, the supposed product was not unveiled and nothing has been said of it since.
The multi-touch trackpad was first introduced to the MacBook Air family of notebooks, though it was later brought to the MacBook Pro and MacBook line of portable computers.
In December, it was discovered that a dummy corporation set up by Apple called Slate Computing had obtained ownership of the "Magic Slate" trademark. That same company owns the "iSlate" trademark, and Apple owns the islate.com domain name.
At the time, the slate names were seen as a possible brand for Apple's then-unannounced tablet device. In January, Apple revealed its final, true name: the iPad.
Filed on Monday, the publicly available application from Apple seeks control of the trademark in relation to computers and devices in both hardware and software. It does not give any indication whether a Magic Trackpad would represent a standalone product, or a rebranding of the multi-touch trackpad on existing MacBook hardware.
The naming would correspond with the new multi-touch Magic Mouse introduced by Apple last fall. The entire surface of the device can track independent fingers for activities like scrolling and zooming, much like on an iPhone or iPod touch.
Last October, before Apple introduced its new line of iMac desktops, Daring Fireball's John Gruber shared a rumor that the company could introduce a multi-touch trackpad for desktop Macs. However, the supposed product was not unveiled and nothing has been said of it since.
The multi-touch trackpad was first introduced to the MacBook Air family of notebooks, though it was later brought to the MacBook Pro and MacBook line of portable computers.
In December, it was discovered that a dummy corporation set up by Apple called Slate Computing had obtained ownership of the "Magic Slate" trademark. That same company owns the "iSlate" trademark, and Apple owns the islate.com domain name.
At the time, the slate names were seen as a possible brand for Apple's then-unannounced tablet device. In January, Apple revealed its final, true name: the iPad.
Comments
I could see it happening. It would be the same size roughly, but with camera, usb port, etc, so it's more resemblant of a real laptop in connectivity and functionality.
It's a thought.
And whats the big deal with Apple and the word magic? Did you watch the video about the iPad on Apples site? They're all taking turns calling it magic this, magic that. It seems like they are all just kind of circle jerking themselves by calling it magic and going on and on about how "Amazing" "Wonderful" "Awesome" and "Fantastic" it is. I couldn't find the video on youtube again after a quick search, but i saw a good couple minute video using just the superlatives all the presenters were using during the keynote, not repeating any. It was really funny.
Apple sure does make great products, and they are great at marketing, and all that, but sometimes its just... weird.
Hopefully this will materialize. I'd rather a trackpad for desktop Macs over the magic mouse.
Agreed, Apple moving to the iMac's 'chick-let' style keyboard (a la the laptops) was a good idea. I much prefer it to the old style keyboards. I thought it was a nod to the fact that more people are buying laptops and a lot have both desktops and laptops, as I do.
I could see an iMac keyboard with a glass track pad in the same orientation as a laptop and do away with need for a mouse altogether!
iSAnd whats the big deal with Apple and the word magic? Did you watch the video about the iPad on Apples site? They're all taking turns calling it magic this, magic that...
I had to call an Apple Store yesterday and the automated system telked up the iPad calling in magical. I'm a fan of calling anything magical.
Standalone/desktop multitouch trackpad? Count me in!
Check out the Wacom Pen & Touch tablets.
http://www.wacom.com/bamboo/bamboo_pen_touch.php
http://www.wacom.com/bamboo/bamboo_craft.php
I just got a Bamboo Craft to replace an old Graphire tablet. I was a bit skeptical of the touch input at first, but after a few days use, It's fantastic. Two-fingered scrolling even has iPhone-like acceleration and deceleration!
They really only need to add a few more multi-touch gestures (like Exposé) to put it on par with the MacBook Pro trackpads.
Agreed, Apple moving to the iMac's 'chick-let' style keyboard (a la the laptops) was a good idea. I much prefer it to the old style keyboards. I thought it was a nod to the fact that more people are buying laptops and a lot have both desktops and laptops, as I do.
I could see an iMac keyboard with a glass track pad in the same orientation as a laptop and do away with need for a mouse altogether!
I've never been a huge fan of chick-let keys, although they are admittedly better than standard laptop keys IMO. I don't understand the hoopla about chick-let keyboards. For laptops, sure, as it makes sense due to height/clearance issues. But for desktop utility, I much prefer the robust feeling of standard keyboard keys.
I don't think Apple would come out with a "trackboard" (keyboard + track pad). There are already various "trackboards" out on the market, and IMO they look fugly. Not to mention using a trackpad in a desktop environment is a bit awkward due to ergonomics and scale issues. If I were to guess, Apple will re-brand their trackpads under the "Magic Trackpad" name when they release the updated Macbooks to give uniformity to their "Magic" line (the Mouse).
It'd be great if I can lay my iPhone down and use it for a track pad.
There are several apps that can do that.
I use TouchPad. Some apps require the use of a dedicated Mac application to run. TouchPad doesn't, it uses Mac OS X screen sharing.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/touch...297623931?mt=8
I've never been a huge fan of chick-let keys, although they are admittedly better than standard laptop keys IMO. I don't understand the hoopla about chick-let keyboards. For laptops, sure, as it makes sense due to height/clearance issues.
I love laptop keys on a desktop keyboard.
I'm a night owl and pounding away on a "standard" keyboard (in a New York apartment) used to piss off my girlfriend. When I got a keyboard with laptop keys, the noise level and domestic tension dropped dramatically.
I've been looking for an excuse to buy one of the new Apple chicklet keyboards.
Standalone/desktop multitouch trackpad? Count me in!
Count me in too. I've been wanting one of these since I got my MBP and the Wacom thing doesn't do it for me.
Check out the Wacom Pen & Touch tablets.
http://www.wacom.com/bamboo/bamboo_pen_touch.php
http://www.wacom.com/bamboo/bamboo_craft.php
I just got a Bamboo Craft to replace an old Graphire tablet. I was a bit skeptical of the touch input at first, but after a few days use, It's fantastic. Two-fingered scrolling even has iPhone-like acceleration and deceleration!
They really only need to add a few more multi-touch gestures (like Exposé) to put it on par with the MacBook Pro trackpads.
I gave the Bamboo a week, and just hated it. Hate is a strong word. I really hated it.
I found the touch input to be terrible (time lag, texture, and of course gesture support (as mentioned by parent). I found stylus input to be even worse, and the overall design was just awkward.
I'm all for Apple integrating a MBP-style trackpad into their keyboards. I think mice are a terrible way to interact with a computer... after all these years using a laptop.
I've never been a huge fan of chick-let keys, although they are admittedly better than standard laptop keys IMO. I don't understand the hoopla about chick-let keyboards. For laptops, sure, as it makes sense due to height/clearance issues. But for desktop utility, I much prefer the robust feeling of standard keyboard keys.
I don't think Apple would come out with a "trackboard" (keyboard + track pad). There are already various "trackboards" out on the market, and IMO they look fugly. Not to mention using a trackpad in a desktop environment is a bit awkward due to ergonomics and scale issues. If I were to guess, Apple will re-brand their trackpads under the "Magic Trackpad" name when they release the updated Macbooks to give uniformity to their "Magic" line (the Mouse).
Yep, you're probably right including a glass track pad on an iMac keyboard...
It did take me awhile to get used to the new style iMac keyboard, but now I just love its thinner, elegant feel!
Whenever I have to use the old style KB's, I feel I'm on an old IBM Selectric Typewriter...anyone remember those behemoths? Clackity, clack, clack!
I'm all for Apple integrating a MBP-style trackpad into their keyboards. I think mice are a terrible way to interact with a computer... after all these years using a laptop.
Yep, that's my point, you have the same keyboard layout as your MB or MBP with the multitouch features too.
I can see where some people prefer the mouse way off to the right and have to keep coming back to the keyboard. Or using the mouse for, I don't know intensive photoshop stuff. But when I'm working on my laptop, it just feels very efficient to have the one click glass track pad just below the space bar!
Just saying. I see both sides of the issue!
I was skeptical of the "no button" glass trackpad at first, but now I think it's just the greatest.