javascriptgoogle-chromeasp.net-web-apibrowsermulti-touch

Using Macbook touchpad (or others) for multi touch gestures in desktop browser


I've looked around a bit but couldn't find a conclusive answer. Is it possible to detect multi touch gestures and events from a Macbook touchpad or other laptop trackpads in regular desktop browsers.

Let's say I want to click the touchpad and then scroll (a kind of dragscroll), but only when there is an extra finger touching the touchpad, instead of a regular dragscroll where the button is hold and then a single finger slides around.

It would be best if there was a generic API for this which worked with any laptop trackpad.


Solution

  • Is it possible to detect multi touch gestures and events from a Macbook touchpad or other laptop trackpads in regular desktop browsers.

    Unfortunately, no.

    In theory, the Touch API is probably how this would be supported. However, desktop browsers only implement this API for devices with true touch screens (like a tablet or smartphone), not for trackpads.

    Additionally, many laptops simply do not have trackpads which can track multiple touch points. This functionality is relatively uncommon outside of Apple laptops.