Apple’s New MacBook’s Trackpad Does Not Move
If you�ve been scouring the coverage of Apple�s new MacBook, you�ll probably already know this. But I did an informal poll and a lot of folks did not, so I thought I�d mention it.
The new trackpad does not move, at all.
When you �click� it, it �clicks�, but it doesn�t actually click. There is an audible �click� sound (that�s what the silly picture below is, me listening) and it does in fact feel like it clicks, but that is merely an illusion.
There is a set of vibrating motors underneath that provides �force feedback�, also known as haptics in some applications. This feedback fools your finger into believing that you�ve pressed down on a hinged button, the way your current trackpad works. This feedback relies on phenomenon called lateral force fields (LFFs), which can cause humans to experience vibrations as haptic �textures�. This can give you the feel of a �clickable� surface or even depth. The Force Touch feature of the new trackpad allows you to press �deeper�, giving you additional levels of tapping feedback. The effect is done so well that you actually feel like you�re pressing down deeper into a trackpad that still isn�t moving at all. It�s so good it�s eerie. 
If you�re worried about losing your �click�, don�t worry. In my opinion, it�s completely indistinguishable from a physical press. And there are accessibility benefits here because there is an adjustable sensitivity. Playing with that led to a distinct difference in the pressure needed to trigger a click. People with muscular atrophy or conditions that cause pain on certain finger movements will likely benefit.
�The trackpad sounds great for people with repetitive stress injury,� says our own Catherine Shu. �I had carpal tunnel syndrome a while back and tapping the trackpad with the side of my thumb made the rest of my fingers go tingly.�
Some of the earliest research into using LFFs to create haptic feedback was done by Margaret Minsky, and summarized in a 1995 dissertation called �Computational haptics : the Sandpaper system for synthesizing texture for a force-feedback display�. If you browse it, you could be getting a peek at the future of Apple�s screen technology � Minsky actually investigated the use of this method to create a display that could simulate textures.
A WSJ report from earlier today says that Apple is integrating its Force Touch technology into future iPhones � which would detect how hard a screen is pressed. Tap confirmation, contextual clicking, deeper interaction models and maybe even hover states await us. Color me 100% not shocked. The report doesn�t mention whether the feedback is also coming, but they seem intertwined to me, we�ll see. If this clever vibrating tech can make a stationary piece of glass on your MacBook feel like it�s actually clicking, it could do the same for your iPhone.
Imagine, stickers that tickle you, or a Facebook poke that actually pokes. It�s a brave new world.
