I've had "wireless multi-touch trackpad" at the top of my person Apple wishes for several years now, so I was thrilled at Apple's announcement announcement of the Magic Trackpad yesterday. The announcement itself was somewhat hidden amongst announcements of updates to the iMac series, which now have faster processors and better graphics capabilities, but the Magic Touchpad is of special interest to users with disabilities.

From Apple's website:

Desktop users, your time has come. The new Magic Trackpad is the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer. It uses the same Multi-Touch technology you love on the MacBook Pro. And it supports a full set of gestures, giving you a whole new way to control and interact with what's on your screen.

And by "full set of gestures" they really mean all of them - this device uses the same preference pane as the MacBook touchpads use. This is fantastic news especially for iMac and Mac Pro users who use the VoiceOver screen reader, as the revolutionary "touchpad as screen" where you can control the screen reader using gestures like an iPhone or iPad.

Daniel Rowe, from the MacVisionaries group - a mailing list for blind Mac users, took the plunge yesterday and bought himself a Magic Trackpad. He said:

I've only used VO [VoiceOver] with multi-touch trackpads briefly before as I have an iMac. But because I use the iPhone I could see the benefits such an interface would bring to Mac OS.

Having spent nearly two days with the trackpad, I personally thing that it is the best thing to happen in assistive technology recently. To be able to visualise how things are laid out on the screen is just amazing. It's larger size is also an advantage. It has really changed the way how I use my Mac and I won't be going back to using the numpad commander unless I have to.Daniel Rowe

He mentions the larger size - I can't find any specific dimensions on Apple's website but from looking at their photos of the Magic Trackpad beside a bluetooth keyboard and judicious use of a ruler on my own Apple bluetooth keyboard I think the active area on the Magic Trackpad must be close to 11cm by 11cm, or just under 4 1/2 inches in either direction. That's a lot larger than the MacBook trackpads, which should also help those who have trouble with fine motor control, or find making small gestures difficult for any reason. Reviewers on the Apple website also mention it makes it possible to use two hands to make gestures needing more that one finger.

The Magic Trackpad also has a physical click (the entire trackpad depresses if you click it) as well as a tap-to-click, either of which can be enabled or disabled as desired. Many other features can be customised to fit the users needs and preferences too. I'm sure I'll be writing more about the options and set-up when mine arrives, but until then here's a peek at the preference pane:

The Magic Trackpads seem to be available from all Apple stores around the world immediately (including online stores), but those countries served by non-Apple-branded stores will have to wait a few weeks. The Australian online Apple store is shipping these currently and estimating 24hr delivery time, for example, but my local Mac-licensed stores are estimating the end of July as the earliest they'll have stocks available.

-- Ricky Buchanan

Apple doesn't often hold sales, but they seem to have gone out of their way to advertise an international one-day sale for this Friday. Known in the USA as "Black Friday", the Friday after American Thanksgiving is known for having sales with huge discounts. This is an image of the email I received from Apple Australia:

I've seen people reporting similar emails from the USA, Canadian, and NZ Apple stores, as well as the Australian one. I suspect other countries will be in on the deal too - let me know if you've got one! You could also check your local online Apple store to see if they are advertising the sale - that link should take you to your local store automatically.

MacRumours is reporting that Apple retail stores will be able to match the prices of non-Apple retailers this Friday, which may mean big discounts on Apple products.

Amazon.com are also advertising great Black Friday bargains which I expect to include third party computer and electronics gears, as well as all the usual Amazon.com goodies.

If you're planning to buy, you may want to check MacWorld's iPod Buying Guide and Mac Buying Guide to make sure you get the right product.

- Ricky Buchanan

Your Apple notebook is a thing of beauty, so protect its looks - and shield its sensitive parts from damage - with the help of these accessories.

A handy list of some protective films and cases that will help to keep your MacBook and its keyboard safe from spills and other mishaps. I especially recommend a keyboard covering membrane to keep crumbs, dust, drool, and those inevitably spilled drinks out of the keyboard.

- Ricky Buchanan

(Via MacLife.)

Computers get dirty. Computers even get wet sometimes. They certainly get soiled despite the best of intentions. Even the most perfectly treated computers need occasional cleaning. Computers that are used all day, carried around, used with sticky fingers, used by multiple people, those ones are even more likely to need a good clean fairly often!

The best remedy is prevention: if you have a computer that's in a situation where it's likely to get drink or drool or muck in the keyboard, get a keyboard cover (such as the zCover) for your keyboard or laptop and use it. You can get cases for all other portable Apple products too - ask your local retailer if you don't know where to start.

But when your computer does get dirty, Apple's online knowledgebase contains a wealth of articles about cleaning and disinfecting your iMac, Mac Mini, or MacBook.

Computers:

• How to clean a mid-2007 iMac
• How to clean a Flat Panel iMac
• How to clean a Mac mini

Screens and cases:

• How to clean an LCD panel
• How to clean the plastics on your Mac

Keyboards, mice, and trackpads:

• How to disinfect the Apple internal or external keyboard, trackpad, and mouse
• How to clean a keyboard
• How to clean a Mechanical Mouse
• How to clean a Mighty Mouse

Other bits and pieces from Apple:

• How to clean an iPhone
• How to clean an iPod
• How to Handle and Clean CD and DVD Discs
• Apple Wireless Keyboard: Cleaning the battery contacts
• Use and cleaning of power adapter with MagSafe connector

Also possibly helpful, but not from Apple themselves:

• How to crack open an Apple Mighty Mouse and clean the trackball

If you've managed to make your keyboard or laptop stop working because something got spilled into it, you'll need more drastic measures than the ones listed here and your best move is to get professional help from your local Apple retailer. If you can't afford the professional help and you're not afraid of taking the computer apart yourself, the iFixit Guides for Mac can help you take things apart and safely clean or replace soiled components but this is not for the faint hearted and there are no guarantees. I would only suggest the do-it-yourself option if you can't afford to get your computer fixed professionally and the only other option is tossing it out. In that case, you may find that the guides let you take a machine that's only good as a doorstop and end up with a functioning computer.

- Ricky Buchanan

zCover keyboard skins are printed with the default US keyboard layout in regular or large print, the Dvorak layout used by OS X, or with keyboard shortcuts for common programs including Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro, as well as blank translucent skins in many different colours.

Made of flexible silicone, the TypeOn skin is washable and durable; it helps protect the keyboard from spills, dust and crumbs.

So they won't make your keyboard completely waterproof, but they'll help protect it from crumbs, spills, and drool. The website lists skins available for the desktop keyboards, bluetooth keyboards, and for the PowerBook, iBook, MacBook, and MacBook Pro laptops.

- Ricky Buchanan

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