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Like most folks, I predominantly use the TouchPad on my notebook computer only to move the cursor around the screen. However, I recently discovered that this little rapscallion can do a heck of a lot more. In fact, there's a bunch interesting productivity-enhancing features that are just waiting for you to unleash them.
Now, I guess we should note that the bulk of this blog relates to TouchPad devices created by those clever chaps and chappesses at Synaptics. As we all know, these are touch-sensitive pads that sense the position of a person's finger on its surface to provide screen navigation, cursor movement, and a platform for interactive input. The point is that, whatever notepad/laptop computer you are using, the chances are that its TouchPad was created by the folks at Synaptics because they pretty much dominate this market.
Now, before we consider the productivity-enhancing features I mentioned earlier (which sort of imply we might actually be doing some work), let's look at some fun stuff. Some of the guys and gals at Synaptics obviously have too much free time on their hands, because they've created a number of interesting utilities that can be downloaded for use with your TouchPad:
- DrumPad
Rock out with your Synaptics TouchPad by turning your TouchPad device into a virtual drum set with the DrumPad utility.
- Sketch
This software application allows you to draw or write using the Synaptics TouchPad.
- Theremin
Get musical accompaniment for your finger movement on your TouchPad with the Theremin utility.
- TouchPadSays
Test your memory with a Synaptics update to the classic "Simon Says" game.
I LOVE the sound of a Theremin (you can hear some samples by Clicking Here and scrolling down to the "Audio and Video" section), so as soon as I finish this blog I intend to download and install this little rascal, but we digress...
The Synaptics driver provides a variety of advanced features. Different notepad manufacturers may choose to support all of these features or only a subset, but even if they do support them all, the individual features may or may not be enabled by default. An overview of selected features is listed below.
In order to access and enable these features, you need to access the Synaptics Driver Control Panel. If you see a TouchPad tray icon on your Task bar, you can simply click it to access this driver panel; otherwise, use the Start > Control Panel > Printers and Other Hardware > Mouse command.
On my system, you then have to select the UltraNav tab as shown above and then click the Settings button associated with the TouchPad item.
OK, let's summarize some selected features, and then we'll look at some more cool stuff including a video that – I have just been informed – was posted to YouTube just a few minutes ago as I pen these words (how's this for "hot-off-the-press" news?).
- Touch Sensitivity
The Touch Sensitivity feature allows users to get the best performance from a TouchPad. Users can
personalize the touch sensitivity settings for their finger size and style of touch.
- Tapping
Tapping on the TouchPad surface is usually quicker and more convenient than using a mouse or mechanical
buttons, and gives the same result as clicking the primary mouse button. Tapping twice in rapid succession
produces a double-click.
- Tap Zones
The Tap Zone feature allows users to configure each of the four corners of the TouchPad surface to act as
different buttons when tapped. Users can configure the Tap Zones to perform an action, such as launching
an application. Users can also adjust the size of each Tap Zone.
- Virtual Scrolling
The Virtual Scrolling feature allows users to scroll through documents, web pages, and so forth with a single
stroke of the finger. Virtual Scrolling operates the scroll bars automatically so there is no need to move the
pointer away from its current location. Virtual Scrolling works with most scrollable windows such as word
processing documents, spreadsheets, and large digital images. It also works with other scrollable items such
as file lists and font lists. Virtual Scrolling provides smooth and easy scrolling for all applications.
- Corner Taps and Programmable Tap Zones
Corner taps and programmable tap zones allow users to assign button controls or other functions to an area
on the TouchPad surface. For example, users can program the right hand corner of the TouchPad to
perform the equivalent of a right button mouse click, or program another corner of the TouchPad to launch
the Start Menu. The actions are entirely up to the user, and are programmable through the Synaptics driver.
- PalmCheck
The PalmCheck feature guards against unintentional cursor movement and tapping caused by accidental
contact of the palm or hand with the TouchPad. PalmCheck allows the TouchPad to recognize when a
user's palm is resting on it or brushing its surface while typing. This helps prevent unwanted pointer
movement or clicks.
- EdgeMotion
The EdgeMotion feature is designed to simplify long-distance pointer motions. With EdgeMotion, users
are not restricted by the size of the TouchPad when dragging an item across the screen or pointing. When
the user's finger reaches the edge of the TouchPad, holding the finger on the edge will cause the cursor to
continue moving in that direction until the finger is lifted.
- Programmable Button Assignments
The Programmable Button Assignment feature allows users to configure the action performed when a
button is pressed. For example, users could define the right button to "go to a web page in the default
browser." Each time that button is clicked, the web browser would automatically open and load the specified
page. However, the factory defaults for mechanical buttons are generally set to emulate primary and
secondary mouse clicks.
- Virtual Zooming
The Virtual Zooming feature makes increasing or decreasing the magnification of a document quick and easy. By
holding down the control key and running a finger along the right edge of the TouchPad will zoom in or out,
depending on the direction of motion. This feature is available with applications that have a zoom feature and
support the Microsoft IntelliMouse.
- Slow Motion
The Slow Motion feature allows users to reduce the speed of the pointer to improve pointing accuracy for fine
positioning. Users activate Slow Motion by pressing and holding a specified key (user-selected) while moving the
pointer.
- Constrained Motion
The Constrained Motion feature allows users to force purely horizontal or vertical motion of the pointer on the
screen. This feature is most beneficial when using a drawing program. Constrained Motion is activated by pressing
and holding a specified key (user-selected) while moving the pointer. When the key is pressed, the initial direction
of the pointer's motion determines the allowed direction of movement for as long as the finger remains on the
TouchPad.
- Animated Tray Icon
The animated tray icon provides instant visual feedback about taps and finger motion.
For your delectation and delight, the folks at Synaptics were kind enough to provide me with (what they tell me) is a "never before published diagram" that helps one navigate one's way around this driver:
(Click this image to view a larger, more detailed PDF version)
But wait, there's more, because (as discussed recently in Programmable DesignLine article #205604650), the lads and lasses at Synaptics have been slaving away adding three more gestures to their library: Pinch, Momentum, and ChiralMotion.
Now, these new gestures aren't currently available, and I have no news as to whether Synaptics intends to support them on existing notepads, or whether they will only be made available on future computers. However, they all look rather cool, so while we're waiting for them to appear, why not check out this rather Playful Video showing these new gestures in action?
Questions? Comments? Feel free to email me – Clive "Max" Maxfield – at max@techbites.com). And, of course, if you haven't already done so, don't forget to Sign Up for our weekly Programmable Logic DesignLine Newsletter.
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