function hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); bubble.style.display = "none"; } function hide_user_promo_bubble() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 0 } }, 1, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); setTimeout("hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage()", 1100); } function handle_promo_username(params) { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var img = $("user_promo_bubble_image"); var anchor = $("user_promo_bubble_link"); if (params.has_photo == "true") { img.src = "http://images.huffingtonpost.com/profiles/" + params.user_id + "-tiny.png"; } else { img.style.display = "none"; Dom.addClass(anchor, "wide"); } anchor.innerHTML = "Shared by " + params.user_name; anchor.href = "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/" + params.user_name; bubble.style.display = "block"; var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 1 } }, 2, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); } if (HuffPoUtil.getUrlVar("user_promo")) { YAHOO.util.Event.onDOMReady(function() { var parts = document.location.hash.split(","), shared_by = "", badge = "", i; if (parts.length < 2) return; for (i = 0; i < parts.length; i++) { if (parts[i].indexOf("sb=") !== -1) { shared_by = parts[i]; } if (parts[i].indexOf("b=") !== -1) { badge = parts[i]; } } if (shared_by == "" || badge == "") return; var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); if (!bubble) return; var entry_id = HuffPoUtil.GetEntryID(); if (!entry_id) return; var user_id = parseInt(shared_by.substr(shared_by.indexOf("sb=") + 3)); if (!user_id) return; var badge_type = badge.substr(badge.indexOf("b=") + 2); if (!badge_type) return; script = document.createElement("script"); script.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); bubble.appendChild(script); script.setAttribute("src", "/include/share_track.php?a=view&eid=" + entry_id + "&uid=" + user_id + "&b=" + badge_type + "&cb=handle_promo_username"); }); } Apple Magic Trackpad PRICE, PHOTOS, FEATURES: New Device On Sale For $69

A new Apple device has just hit the company's online store: the $69 Magic Trackpad.

The Magic Trackpad, which is shipping now, is an accessory for Mac desktop computers that gives the desktops the same multi-touch trackpad you'd find on Apple's MacBooks. The Magic Trackpad is around 80% larger than the laptop's touchpads, battery powered, and has bluetooth connectivity.

Gizmodo describes the new device:

The entire surface acts as a button, so it's also a possible mouse replacement. And all of the expected gestures are here: two-finger scrolling, pinch to zoom, fingertip rotation, and three- and four-finger swipes. You can enable and disable gestures at your discretion from System Preferences.

What do you think of the new gadget? Weigh in below. Apple also upgraded its iMac and Mac Pro lines.

• • • •

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(via Engadget, TechCrunch)

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Comments

[Indigoddess17]

Honestly I love the idea. I was actually talking about just this product yesterday.

Wow it's like they read my mind!

No Seriously though.

I have a laptop (Macbook) and a wireless mouse (mighty Mouse), I've used the mouse 3 times in the 2 1/2 years that I've had it. All mass hysteria and soul-devouring jealousy aside, Macs are highly functional tools that fulfill my needs as a consumer. The best personal electronic Investment choice I have made.

Everyone deserves a computer that does what we expect computers to do. And more.

[paganmist]

A lot of people never really grew up when they reached adulthood.

Case-in-point: there were those of us who were cool, and then there were those of us who decided to be anti-cool. Both groups were helpless slaves to public opinion - one group wanted to be cool and stay cool, the other group felt they would never be cool, and so made it cool to be uncool.

Fast forward. We're no longer in grade school, and yet the argument is still on-going. Mac users want to be cool and stay cool, so they buy the latest gadgets, because let's admit it, when you walk in with your iPad, everyone's like, "Is that the new iPad?" which makes you feel all fuzzy inside with the glow of self-validation.

Meanwhile, PC users who can't afford to buy Mac stuff - the anti-cool trend - call Mac users any number of names as a self-defense mechanism. Better to make Mac users out to be losers, than to allow yourself to feel jealousy. Fact is, if someone gave these same PC users a free iPad, they'd take it, and walk around with it proudly, feeling all fuzzy inside with the glow of self-validation.

If you fall into one of these categories - and you know who you are - grow up. Find some other way to validate yourself instead of buying new things, or bashing people who have what you wish you had.

[CaliforniaWiseGuy]

All these Mac haters act as if Apple has denied them membership in the local country club. Feeling left out of the fun, the haters now tell us they never wanted to be in the club anyway, that they couldn't care less about hanging out with THOSE kind of people. But, naturally, they spend much of their time and energy talking about how much they don't want to be in that club. In fact, they seem obsessed by it.

Mac envy anyone?

Fact is, most people do not really need a Mac, just like most people don't need a a finely designed, powerful automobile. But that doesn't stop people from envying those who do and saying all kinds of catty things. Sad.

Bottom line is that no one is denying anyone from joining the Mac/Apple "country club". Some people just feel certain they would never fit in and the price of membership (quite reasonable, actually) is more than they are willing to pay. Oh, well, that's just their choice. May they find peace.

[leightonya]

THis would become great if the price was sub 40 USD. Which brings the question, what will happen to the magic mouse now? http://2su.de/1SQ

[CaliforniaWiseGuy]

So are you implying this device is not "great" because of a 29 dollar difference in what YOU think it should cost?

So, how much even greater do you calculate the track pad would be if Apple gave them away for free?

It would be "great" if Ferrari sold its cars for $500. But since they charge considerably more, their cars suck, right?

[Giac Belli]

so...Apple bought out a product that is useless? well, my apple stock seems to be rising...and I'm sure they have engineers who are the best in the world ..
and why do i find myself trying to swipe my imac screen after using an iPad?
within a year people will forget the mouse.
as for the neuron jolting stupidity manifest in the statements made by
plebians ,who in their absolute "knowledge" of input systems think that their irrelevant thoughts stand for something, i feel sorry for you... :) xxx0x0x0

[Giac Belli]

so...Apple bought out a product that is shit? well, my apple stock seems to be rising...and I'm sure they have engineers who are the best in the world ..
and why do i find myself trying to swipe my imac screen after using an iPad?
within a year people will forget the mouse.
as for the neuron jolting stupidity manifest in the statements made by
plebians ,who in their absolute "knowledge" of input systems think that their irrelevant thoughts stand for something i feel sorry for you... :) xxx0x0x0

[Michael Boozer]

This is hilarious, why would you want a trackpad?

-Mike, somebodyhadtosayit.com

[CaliforniaWiseGuy]

Because it is a tool and works as its supposed to. Why do you care?

[anthonytaurus]

LOL.. Are they serious?? That is hilarious. Jobs is laughing his behind off all the way to the bank with this one judging by the comments.

And, the zombies actually think this is something new, innovative, and creative!! Someone said, Microsoft is going to come out with a trackpad killer as a joke. They really don't know how dumb they are!! HAHAHAHAHAHA.

Seriously, Jobs is an f'n genius. I'd never buy an Apple product but I'd love to sit down with Jobs and just have a conversation. I swear this guy is my idol in so many ways. The way he jerks around the masses so easily is epic.

[Andres Rosenberg]

It looks awesome, yet expected

[Giac Belli]

just a stepping stone to having multi-touch on iMacs the glass is only held on by magnets...easy to upgrade...

[Jadiee]

Well, I gave up desktops a long time ago. Honestly, I find myself least efficient with mice. I don't know of this wrist-pain that many people are talking about and i think that might be because everything is done purely basic. With multi touch features, key strokes, hot keys etc - a person really shouldn't need to go crazy on a track pad.

The track pad is interesting in itself but I don't see it as an overall success. Just a stepping stone to a real upgrade in the technology. When they can combine multiple input devices flawlessly, then that'll be something big.

[hagagaga]

iDon'tcare

[Telemachus Sneezed]

Huffpo, out of thousands of computer products, why do you write about this one? Why is this so important?

[RattleCat]

I wondered the same. But looking at the number of comments generated here vs. the article about the Blackberry pretty much says it all. HPost knows it can generate clicks with Apple stories.

[bennywa]

Everybody in the design industry was hoping the iPad was going to be a cross between a Wacom tablet and a MacBook Pro. This never happened, and now a big track pad with no stylus. What a shame.

As far as a direct-manipulation device, the track pad belongs on a laptop. You simply can't beat the direct input of a mouse.

[anthonytaurus]

Shhhhhhhhh.. don't tell Apple fanboys that!

This is a revolutionary device that will alter the course of world history. Peace will finally come to Earth once everyone has a magictrack!!

lol.

[Dean S6]

Ooooooohhhh Track-pad..... *imagines one underneath the wheel of a diesel locomotive*

iCrunch....