trackpads

Manage errant mice in OS X

After performing an upgrade or other major system modification, sometimes people experience odd mouse input behavior on their OS X systems. In some cases the system may show a sudden change in speed and acceleration properties of the mouse, and at other times the mouse may appear more or less sensitive to clicks, where single clicks may result in double clicks, or where double clicks may not register.

Unfortunately these behaviors are rare and different enough that there is no single cause and direct solution available for affected users. However, in most situations a configuration error with specific software or … Read more

Disable elastic scrolling in OS X

If you have been using OS X Lion, you will find that Apple has implemented an elastic bouncelike feature to its scrolling behavior, where when you reach the end of a document while scrolling, the page will appear to stretch beyond the extent of the page where it reveals a gray texture pattern, followed by sliding back to its expected location. This behavior occurs when you use multitouch input devices such as Apple's trackpads or Magic Mouse, and while fun from some perspectives, it's a feature that some might not want to have on all the time.

While … Read more

How to revert input behavior changes in OS X Lion

OS X Lion comes with a number of new and altered features, some of which, like Mission Control and full-screen options, can be avoided if you don't find them useful. However, Apple has also included a couple of alterations that cannot be quickly avoided and that new users might find a bit frustrating.

The first of these is the default scroll direction on Apple's multitouch trackpads. In prior versions of OS X the scroll direction mirrored that of scroll wheels on mice, which when rolled toward the user cause the page to scroll down. The trackpad likewise would … Read more

Rumor Has It, Ep. 22: Is Google jealous of Siri? (podcast)

Apple's invite doesn't explicitly say "iPad 3," which leaves us surmising whether the tablet about to be unveiled mere feet from the CNET office will be--drum-roll not necessary--the iPad 2S!

Noooooooooooooooo!

But since the mere acknowledgment of an iPad announcement on March 7 makes me the loser of the game show this month (sad face), we come up with an ingenious plan to find out the true identity of the iPad as soon as it's announced!

No, not by live-blogging or finagling another invite to the event from Apple (pshaw), but rather by filming me … Read more

Why my iPad can't replace my laptop: It's the trackpad

I'll let you in on a little secret: I haven't been thrilled with any iPad keyboard case solution, despite testing and reviewing about half a dozen of them.

Sure, some of them are excellent products. Still, I don't find them essential. This is why I don't use my iPad during mission-critical trips to trade shows and live-blogged events. This is why I don't use my iPad as a laptop replacement. Not entirely. Not yet.

I agree with a lot of what Harry McCracken refers to in his experience with his iPad and the ZaggFolio keyboard case. Ideally, having such an ultraportable, flexible device with a long battery life would be a perfect travel tool. For me, however, that perfect tool hasn't materialized yet.

I'd love to have some sort of evolved hybrid of an iPad and a MacBook Air. I've been dreaming of it for a while, actually. Apple's clearly leaning toward a fusion of sorts between iOS and Mac OS X. Lion was the first step. iOS gets a bit more advanced every year, taking baby steps toward being a true operating system for hard-core computing tasks.

There are several reasons it won't work right now, and the biggest by far is the good old-fashioned trackpad--or lack of it.… Read more

How to convert your Magic Trackpad to a Magic Numpad

LAS VEGAS--Apple's wireless keyboard lacks a full-fledged number pad, and while most users can do without, for some a number pad is a must.

Instead of adding another accessory to your desk, taking up more valuable desk space. Mobee has came up with a way to convert the Magic Trackpad into a Magic Numpad.

We were able to get our hands on the Magic Numpad here at CES 2012, and while we couldn't see a full demo due to Bluetooth interference in the hall, so we've included a video from Mobee below of the Magic Numpad in … Read more

Logitech Wireless Touchpad brings gesture controls to PCs

In Microsoft's vision of the future, you'll only need one input device for multiple computers, but who said it has to be a mouse? Logitech launched its Wireless Touchpad today that gives PC users a chance to pinch, point, and scroll their way across the screen.

Similar to the design of the Apple Magic Trackpad, the Wireless Touchpad offers 5 inches of real estate for multiple fingers to navigate by taking advantage of Windows 7's gesture-based controls and multitouch: one finger to move the cursor, two fingers to page scroll, three fingers for photo browsing, and four … Read more

Mac OS X Lion review: A worthy upgrade for the price

When Apple showed off Mac OS X Lion at the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote speech earlier this year, it was clear the company had paid attention to its successes with the popular iOS devices, and was now beginning to include successful iOS features in its flagship OS.

Also, with Apple laptops and tablets now far outpacing desktop sales, Apple has moved from a primarily desktop computer company to embrace mobile computing. This release of Mac OS X seems to be a reflection of Apple's successes in those categories.

With this eighth major release of the big-cat OS, Apple is … Read more

Troubleshooting jumpy mouse cursors in OS X

The operation of the mouse and pointing system in graphic operating systems is one of the more important aspects to having a smooth experience when using your computer. Even though Apple and other computer manufacturers are incorporating more multitouch options for interacting with computers, the mouse and pointer is still one of the primary options for managing the system. If something is wrong with the mouse pointer and you get jumpy or erratic behavior, then this can really impede on your ability to use your system. Generally if this happens you can quickly fix it by running through some basic … Read more