Synaptics shows off buttonless clicking for netbooks touchpads

Posted on Tuesday, June 09 2009 @ 1:30 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
The Tech Report reports Synaptics introduced a buttonless clicking system for netbook touchpads at Computex:
First, a brief introduction. The ClickPad looks a whole lot like the button-less touchpads on Apple's new MacBooks, but with a twist. Apple based its clicking mechanism on a hinge at the top, so you're really supposed to click with your thumb at the bottom of the tracking area. Synaptics, meanwhile, built the ClickPad using a scissor-switch mechanism that lets you click anywhere on the surface with the same amount of pressure.

That may sound like a small difference, but it should change the usage model quite dramatically. Where the Apple design works like any old touchpad, the ClickPad lets you click down wherever your finger is, sort of like a tap-to-click mode on steroids. To right click, just click down with two fingers.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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