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Will Apple’s Force Touch Feel Flawed Next to Microsoft’s Sonic-Haptic Tech?
Microsoft is exploring a new kind of trackpad for its computers that could be a significant step forward from what is currently available. This new technology, detailed in a patent, is called a “haptic-sonic” trackpad. It aims to create a more reliable and consistent user experience over the life of the device. This idea is not just for laptops; the patent suggests it could be used in foldable devices as well.
How Haptics Work
Many modern laptops use haptic feedback on their trackpads. Here is a simple breakdown of how they operate:
- Instead of a physical button that clicks down, the trackpad is a solid, non-moving surface.
- When you press on it, a small motor underneath creates a vibration.
- This vibration and the sound it makes trick your brain into feeling a “click,” even though nothing physically moved.
This approach is already used by Apple in its Force Touch trackpads and in devices like the Surface Laptop Studio. Windows 11 is also starting to use these haptic vibrations for system actions, like when you snap a window to the side of the screen.
The ‘Sonic’ Difference
Microsoft’s patent adds a clever twist to this technology by using the device’s own microphone. The system “listens” to the sound of the haptic click each time you press the trackpad. This sound is then compared to a perfect “target” sound that is stored on the device.
If the sound from your click doesn’t match the target, the system knows the haptic feedback isn’t performing at its best. It can then automatically adjust the vibration motor to correct the feel and sound of the click. This self-tuning process ensures the trackpad feels right, even as the hardware gets older. If the vibration motor begins to fail, the system can even use the computer’s speakers to produce the click sound as a backup.
A Different Path from Apple
Apple’s Force Touch technology also uses haptics but adds another layer: pressure sensitivity. By pressing harder, you can perform a “Force click,” which unlocks extra functions in different apps. Microsoft’s patented approach is not focused on pressure levels. Instead, it prioritizes a consistent and self-correcting experience that adapts over time, a feature not publicly seen in other trackpads. This patent suggests a future where haptic feedback could be shared across connected devices, like a mouse or a game controller, for a unified experience.