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Ever Wish MacBook Could Weigh Objects? This Ingenious App Delivers a Delightful Surprise!
Turn your MacBook into more than just a laptop. With a little creativity, your trackpad becomes a handy tool for weighing small things. Using an app called TrackWeight, you can make your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air trackpad act like a digital scale. Here’s how it works and what makes it such an interesting, fun discovery.
How the Trackpad Turns Into a Scale
Modern MacBook laptops feature Force Touch. This special trackpad feels solid, but it’s loaded with sensors. These sensors can detect how hard you’re pressing. That’s the magic behind using your trackpad as a scale.
App Name: TrackWeight
Developer: Krish Shah
How it Works:
- The app uses Force Touch sensors to read pressure.
- It measures how much force is put on the trackpad.
- That force is converted into a weight reading.
- The tech behind the app uses a library called Open Multi-Touch Support for more data and accuracy.
- In tests, weights are accurate within about 2 grams.
Steps for Using TrackWeight
- Download the TrackWeight source code on GitHub (no pre-made app just yet).
- Open the project in Xcode and disable the app sandbox.
- Build the app and run it on your MacBook (you need a 2015 or newer MacBook Pro or 2016 or newer MacBook Air).
- Place your finger lightly on the trackpad—keep it there.
- Put the object you want to weigh (like coffee beans or a small item) on the trackpad, without moving your finger.
- Try to keep your finger still and don’t press hard. The weight will appear on the screen.
Important Points and Limitations
- The trackpad can weigh up to about 3.5 kilograms (around 7.7 lbs). Don’t try large items or stand on your MacBook—you could break it.
- Your finger must stay in contact for the sensors to work.
- Metal objects can confuse the trackpad. If you need to weigh something metal, place a thin cloth or tissue between it and the pad.
- Objects must fit entirely on the trackpad for accurate readings.
- The app is for fun or curiosity, not for official weight measurements.
- Building the app requires a bit of technical skill, but clear instructions are on GitHub.
- Accuracy is good but can be affected by how steady you keep your finger.
Why This Is Cool
- Fun experiment: This shows what technology can do beyond intended purposes—your laptop becomes a scale!
- Impressive results: Even tech reviewers are surprised by how close the readings are compared to normal kitchen scales, given the trackpad’s size.
- Free and open source: Anyone can try it or tinker with the code, making it perfect for tech enthusiasts and hobbyists.
- Educational: It’s a great example of creative software use and hardware capabilities working together.
- No extra hardware: You only need your laptop, nothing more.
Quick Tips
- Use TrackWeight only for small, light objects.
- Keep your finger steady, use gentle touch.
- Avoid weighing metal without a barrier.
- Do not use your MacBook as a full-time kitchen scale!
This project turns a regular laptop into something surprising—a gadget you can have fun with while playing with technology. For many, it’s delightful to see how much more your devices can do beyond their usual jobs. If you enjoy tinkering or love technology, this app gives you a reason to look at your MacBook in a new, positive light.