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Everything about Touchpad

Type of pointing device

A touchpad or trackpad is a type of pointing device. Its largest component is a tactile sensor: an electronic device with a flat surface that detects the position and motion of a user's fingers, and translates them into 2D motion to control a pointer in a graphical user interface. Touchpads are common on laptop computers, contrasted with desktop computers, with which mice are more prevalent. Trackpads are sometimes used with desktop setups where desk space is scarce. Wireless touchpads are also available as detached accessories. Due to the ability of trackpads to be made small, they were additionally used on personal digital assistants (PDAs) and some portable media players. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: TouchpadA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: The Usability of a Touchpad Active Video Game Controller for Individuals With Impaired Mobility: Observational StudyInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: TouchPad for Dummies ®The most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: Transparent and Flexible Self-Charging Power Film and Its Application in a Sliding Unlock System in Touchpad TechnologyCited 108 times
  5. Go sideways: Pointing deviceA closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: ScrollbarA closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun A flat surface which is sensitive to touch, used mostly in laptop computers to control an on-screen cursor.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Operation and function
  2. History
  3. Use in devices
  4. Theory of operation
  5. Manufacturing

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics