Apple Releases Magic TrackPad Drivers, Gives MacBooks New Gesture Support

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Pointing devices have changed a great deal over the years but the need for reliable types of such devices has not. The main way we interact with a computer (unless we’re talking touchscreen devices) is with a mouse. It wasn’t until there was the need for a portable mouse solution that the track pad came to fruition. Normally, these track pad methods of unput are saved for devices such as laptop computers but today Apple announced that they are going to attempt things a bit differently.

Today was the day that they announced the Magic Trackpad – a device that was often rumored to be coming but never saw an official announcement (until today, of course). Priced at $69 the Magic Trackpad looks to replace your traditional mouse with a solution much more similar to the one found within Apple’s MacBook line up. Featuring a large glass surface, a single clicking mechanism under the entire panel and more gestures than you can shake a stick at, the Magic Trackpad looks to change how we interact with our desktop computers.

Well, seeing how the device  just recently got released (which means some people probably already have it) it would be nice if it worked, right? Lucky for us, Apple has just announced that the Windows and OS X drivers are now available for download. Additionally, Apple is taking the time to update their line up of MacBooks to support the new gestures introduced with the Magic Trackpad.

If you’re not familiar with gestures, it is one of Apple’s biggest selling point both with the Magic Trackpad and the track pads on their MacBooks. These gestures allow you to do things like switch between applications, pinch-to-zoom and go forwards and backwards while browsing the web. The gestures that will be added include inertial scrolling and three-finger window drags.

Probably not necessary, but it’s always nice to have something new.