14 DAY TRIAL // The rumored Magic Trackpad has just gotten FCC approval, according to a test report that specifically identifies the product as a "Bluetooth Trackpad." A leak occurred in June this year showed a model number of A1339, which is identical to the one described in recently published FCC filings.
Softpedia reported in June that tech-site Engadget had obtained two purported images of the device in question. The source noted at the time that the leak of Apple’s “Magic Trackpad” had lined up perfectly with talks by pundit John Gruber who had earlier reported that Apple was set to release a “Mentioned-Nowhere-Else-But-in-This-Very-Headline Multi-Touch Trackpad Gadget for Desktop Macs.” MacRumors, for its part, took notice of an Apple trademark application for the “Magic Trackpad.” The leaked imagery fueled the rumor even more, while now it seems to be confirmed.
Engadget notes that the FCC appears to have approved testing of the Magic Trackpad for Apple. The Bluetooth device is reportedly set for production, with the site noting that Apple could unveil it as soon as this week. Testing was actually done in October, 2009.
Softpedia noted in June that, should Apple’s Magic Trackpad materialize, the device could open the door to a flurry of applicable uses, including design, gaming etc. Undoubtedly a trackpad will add impressive capabilities to Apple’s Macs. The underlying software powering Apple’s computers is more than ready to support additional forms of input, while an upcoming incremental update (Mac OS X 10.6.5) may deliver what is needed to support the new peripheral.
Since the original leak occurred just ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, the tech industry expected the Mac maker to unveil it around the same time. With FCC approval being a one of the final steps before the introduction of a new wireless device, it is fair to assume Apple has gone through just about all the procedures to be able to safely throw its Magic Trackpad in the wild.