A lot of companies have tried to imitate Apple’s trackpads because they kind of just melt into the rest of computer. They’re one of the most underrated features of the MacBook, but it’s going to be harder for companies to completely ripoff the feature now that Apple has a patent on it.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Apple a patent for the design of their glass-on-metal trackpads. Titled “Portable Computer,” U.S. Patent No. D674382 was given to Apple and includes illustrations on their trackpad design.
The patent explains that the surface of Apple’s MacBooks are metallic while the glass track pad is glass. Apple has been using the glass-on-metal trackpads since the new MacBook Pros debuted in 2008. Both Steve Jobs and Jony Ive are listed as designers on the patent.
Source: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Via: MacGasm