- The purpose of Apple Gestures on the MacBook Air is to allow the user to do more with the trackpad besides simply move the cursor around and click on items. By using different combinations of fingers and finger movement, the user can manipulate browser windows, adjust item sizes, and move between programs without having to open a new window or menu.
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A variety of Gestures can be performed on the trackpad.
Single-finger Gestures include moving the cursor around the screen. Tapping the trackpad twice will select or 'click' an item, link, or text.
Two-finger gestures include secondary clicking, scrolling, zooming, and rotation. Secondary clicking is also known as "right-clicking" in PC terms. Secondary clicking is achieved by placing two fingers on the trackpad and tapping the pad with both fingers at the same time. This will bring up secondary functions in a drop-down menu such as "Copy","Paste", "Select All", and "Open".
Users can also scroll up and down in a document or webpage by moving two fingers up and down on the trackpad. Side to side scrolling can be done by moving two fingers back and forth on the trackpad.
Zooming is achieved by using two fingers to make a "pinching" gesture on the trackpad. Moving two fingers closer to each other will zoom out, while moving the two fingers away from each other will zoom in.
Rotation is useful for rotating photos or other large documents for easier viewing. Two fingers are placed on the trackpad in the pinching position. Turning the two fingers in a circular motion will move the image or document in different positions. This can be done on single pages of a document or PDF as well.
Three-finger swiping done back and forth on the trackpad allows the user to quickly move through files and documents such as a photo album. It also lets users move through long documents while moving side to side on the trackpad.
Four-finger swiping, done side to side, activates the Application Switcher program. The initial swipe brings up a small box with all open applications shown. Further finger swiping scrolls through the open applications (one or two fingers can be used at this point). Clicking on the highlighted application opens that application. -
The trackpad on all computers should be kept clean, dry, and free of debris for ideal usability. Fingers and hands should be kept clean and dry, sweaty or damp fingers can hinder trackpad use.
Ideally, the pad of the finger (where one's fingerprint is located) should touch the surface of the trackpad for accuracy in clicking and selecting. When using pinching or rotation, use the sides of the thumb and index finger, and avoid dragging fingernails across the trackpad. -
The multi-touch style of the MacBook Pro and Air trackpads allows the user an easier way to initiate cursor commands and controls. The user does not need to hold down a button while clicking the pad to initiate right click. The user also no longer needs to open up the Finder window or open the Dock to switch applications. With Gestures, zooming and rotating can be done without having to right-click or go into an application's viewing options menu.
Gestures on the trackpad also mimic the actions found in external computer mice that have scroll wheels built in. For many users, the trackpad found on the Air eliminates the need for an external mouse with scroll wheel. - Gestures on Apple's laptops is likely to improve with further software and hardware updates. Since the trackpad is able to recognize a variety of commands, it is possible that Apple can develop software updates that give the user more Gestures to choose from without having to replace the trackpad or laptop itself. Examples include the potential for writing or drawing with one's fingers on the trackpad and having these characters appear on the screen. Also the trackpad found on certain models is clickable like a button.
