Apple patent reveals Force Touch trackpad could one day simulate temperatures, materials

A new patent reveals the tantalizing possibility of using Apple's latest trackpad innovation for more than just mousing around

Apple's engineers have apparently considered using the tiny haptic motors buried just beneath the surface to simulate the feeling of running your fingers over, say, fabric. They're even considering, according to the patent (submitted in 2013 and granted on April 23), adding components that will change the temperature of the trackpad surface.

Using haptic motors under Apple's trackpad and in the new Apple Watch like the ones found in most smartphones is nothing new. Your run-of-the-mill game controller has a haptic motor that simulates punches, explosions and so on. Apple is already using the Apple Watch's "Taptic Engine" — basically a horizontally moving actuator — to simulate a heartbeat Read more...