14 DAY TRIAL // Remember the news saying multi-touch trackpads were heading the MacBook Pro's way? Well, forget about it. It's not going to happen, or at least Pro trackpads will not work 100% the same as the Air's. Why? Apple said so in a statement, clarifying that the new multi-touch Trackpad is 'unique' to the ultra-slim MacBook Air.
According to a recent MacRumors piece, T3.co.uk published a story a few days ago based on statements coming directly from Apple. The news said that MacBook and MacBook Pro owners might see the expanded multi-touch trackpad features only through a software update.
Naturally, a software update isn't enough to give regular MacBook and MacBook Pro trackpads a total revamping, but new capabilities aren't out of the question either. Still, as the statement was reported as inaccurate, T3.co.uk had to pull the original article, with the website later updating the story, thanks to a new Apple statement that sounded a little something like this:
"MacBook Air features the most advanced trackpad we've ever made, integrating the multi-touch technology from the iPhone. This integrated feature is unique to MacBook Air."
Macrumors notes that this is in strong connection with disassembly photos that revealed the Air incorporates the exact same multi-touch controller as featured in the iPhone. The respective controller is not found in previous Apple notebooks.
So now that Apple has clarified to T3.co.uk that the new multi-touch trackpad is indeed unique to the Air, also hinting that notebook owners shouldn't expect to see it coming, we can't dismiss the rumors either.
Using the oversized trackpad, MacBook Pro owners will (presumably) be able to pinch, swipe, or rotate to zoom in on text, advance through a photo album, or adjust an image. Given that the Cupertino folks have had so much success with gesture-based actions on the iPod touch, why wouldn't Apple be making it available with its MacBook lineup too?