Slash Lane
The mysterious new device was listed Monday on the FCC's website. The hardware was connected to a MacBook via Bluetooth, and no mention of Wi-Fi or cellular data wireless radios was made in the filings.
On page 45 of the FCC documents, the device is referred to as a "Bluetooth Trackpad" created by Apple.
The only other hint included in the filing is that it is a rectangular shaped device, and its FCC/IC label location will be located on its bottom side. The unnamed "Bluetooth device" has a model number of A1339.
Initial testing with the hardware was completed last October, with an issue date on the report reading Oct. 7, 2009. The documents were made public Monday by the FCC.
Rumors of a multi-touch standalone trackpad style device, dubbed the "Magic Trackpad," first surfaced about the time the FCC was testing this unknown device last year. The name became known in February, when Apple applied for ownership of the trademark.
Then, in June, photos of the alleged hardware surfaced online. The information would seem to suggest that Apple has had the new hardware lying in wait for some time, which would fit with the documentation accompanying Monday's FCC approval.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
78 Comments
How about a small touchscreen to accept gestures like the iPad and iPhone along with maybe displaying a numeric keypad or other keyboard input layouts. That would be sweet.
the new Apple TV Remote control, with Apple TV running iOS4? This would be very scary to MSFT.
Hell, I'm just tickled my headset is now fully functional under bluetooth and the iPhone 4 (the FWD and BACK buttons now work...Woot
I hadn't considered a touchscreen for this device. I assumed it would be a touchpad (albeit of a much larger scale) like we see on the Macbooks. You bring up an interesting point. A true touch screen keyboard for a desktop (or laptop) PC. I wonder if such a thing would appeal, or if they would just stick to simple basics like programmable buttons (ala Logitech IR remotes).
Cool.
But the haters lose their minds in 3,2,1...
the new Apple TV Remote control, with Apple TV running iOS4? This would be very scary to MSFT.
Much more likely a Trackpad with all the bells and whistles of a MB/MBP trackpad that could bring older notebooks up to date as well as being an option to the mouse for iMacs and Mac Pros. I would look for it to be about $69 and designed to fit nicely with and iMac and allow the gesture capabilities that the desktops don't have.
I think it would be a wonderful replacement for my aging Kensington Trackball.