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

This is Juergen Manthey:

In October 2004 I suffered a brain stem infarct causing locked-in syndrome. We were at a land-rover meet up. I had a bit of a headache in the evening, which got progressively worse. Shortly after that, my body suddenly became paralysed (kind of like suddenly going from 100 to 0). I experienced all the symptoms of locked-in syndrome: complete paralysis of all muscles except my eyes.

After four years, I am able to sit, talk quietly, and move my head, and that's it.

(Note: the quotes in this article are all Juergen's own words, translated from the German text on his website by a friend of mine and used with his approval.)

Although he can talk quietly, Juergen still needs assistive communication software to communicate. So without accessible computing devices and software his activities would probably be limited to sitting in his wheelchair and watching TV or listening to the radio. Luckily, assistive technology exists. Juergen uses assistive technology to communicate, to control devices that let him have some physical independence, and to use his computer. He has his own website, he uses chat programs and Twitter and writes email, and he spends time with his family and friends.

Juergen does all his computing on Mac devices - he owns an iMac, a Modbook (a commercially adapted MacBook with the keyboard removed), and an AppleTV! But he wasn't always an Apple guy:

About two years ago I had my first experiences with a Macintosh computer. I was so thrilled with the easy handling and speed that I switched from using PCs to Apple. So far, I haven't regretted it - all the problems I had using Windows are gone now.

When you're using your computer to communicate, having it crash or lock up means losing your voice. Additionally, when you can't press the power button without help, whenever the computer needs physical rebooting you need to ask for help and wait for somebody to come and help you. For many people with a disability - including myself - the reliability of a Mac computer is a significant part of the appeal.

My configuration includes:

• Origin Headmouse Extreme.
• Logitech bluetooth mouse for clicking
• KeyStrokes on-screen keyboard from AssistiveWare.
• Proloquo communication software from AssistiveWare.

For those unfamiliar with assistive technology, this means he can move the mouse pointer with small head movements and click the mouse button with a small movement of his hand. KeyStrokes puts a picture of the keyboard on screen so Juergen can type by moving the mouse pointer over the letters and predicted words and clicking the mouse to select them. These two together allow the use of any Mac OS X program and - with the word and phrase prediction of KeyStrokes - to type surprisingly fast. In addition, Proloquo assists by having the computer speak the words Juergen types when he wants to communicate - it has many other features such as pre-programmed words and phrases that can be quickly selected.

And because he has a ModBook mounted on his power wheelchair, Juergen can do all of these things from wherever he happens to be - not only when he's at his desk. Here's a photo clearly showing the modbook:

Juergen continues:

In my bedroom I have a TV with AppleTV, which I can synchronise with my iMac. Through that I have access to all my pictures, videos, audio books and music in my bedroom. The simple AppleTV interface is controlled with a Keo remote control.

This means when Juergen is in bed - away from his computer access - he still has plenty to keep himself busy.

I discovered Juergen also has one assistive device I've never seen before - a robot arm! The robot arm from Assistive Innovations is attached to his wheelchair and controlled by a joystick Juergen moves with his chin. Here's the robot arm arranged to hold a drink for him:

The arm can also be delicately controlled to press keys on his computer keyboard, on the rare occasions that something locks up and the on-screen keyboard and head mouse won't do the trick:

This is truly somebody for whom accessible technology has changed his life. Usually, somebody with locked-in syndrome would be expected to exist in a nursing home and watch daytime television which they couldn't even turn on or off without somebody's help. Instead, Juergen is really living. With his robot arm and other technology, he's pushing the limits of what assistive technology can accomplish - and that's truly fantastic.

- Ricky Buchanan, with thanks to Juergen Manthey

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

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

[amazondisclaim]