Apple is interested in expanding the use of haptic feedback on MacBook devices, according to a newly-granted patent filing.
The patent, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and first spotted by Patently Apple, is titled “Laptop computing device with discrete haptic regions,” explains how a MacBook could provide significantly expanded haptic feedback across multiple areas.
Since the 2015 MacBook, Apple has included the Force Touch trackpad on all of its new laptops, such as the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Beyond the ability to detect how much pressure is placed on the trackpad, the Force Touch trackpad also delivers haptic feedback.
On MacBooks, haptic feedback is used to give the impression of a physical click, when the trackpad is actually static. In addition, it can offer useful contextual information in conjunction with on-screen content. For example, when moving a shape in a document or spreadsheet, haptic feedback is used to allow users to feel when it is in alignment with a margin or another object.
Read more at MacRumors.com