Posting here because this could be intetesting for anyone. The following page is from a rumour site:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=929906

however, if true, it could mean that you will no longer get a mouse with your Mac in the future - but instead a large flat slab which is a big track pad, with which you can do multi-touch gestures. There is precedent for this:

1 - iPhone and iPad devices (yes, I know, there are other smart phones available too)

2 - MacBooks and MacBook Pros have had multi touch gestures on their trackpads for a while now.

What I’d like to see - a single flat device which can be keyboard AND trackpad in one. Anyone who has one of those Sony clip on keyboards for their PS3 will know that it does the job of both. If the “Magic Trackpad” exists AND if it’s keyboard size, I’d like it to display a keyboard OR be trackpad depending on gestures used.

It’s WWDC day today, so we will know soon what Apple has in store, and whether this curio is on the cards.

From a gamers perspective, I really don't see it completely replacing a mouse. I cannot imagine playing FPS style games on one is going to work well at all by comparison.

However, for day to day working, it certainly has potential if well implemented.

It'd be a bit odd killing of the Magic Mouse after such a short life...

I like the idea of an all-in-one-trackpad-and-keyboard idea, but it I don't think it would be comfortable for prolonged periods of typing. Could be interesting though, you could have different overlays that change when you use different applications (highlighting shortcut keys, etc.).

I can see it being used by media types.

i.e. graphic designers, architects, video editors, music makers, etc...

I'd quite like to give it a go but notsure it'll replace the mouse completely.

Speaking as a designer type, I'd say this would be an interesting move, but I still prefer a mouse for the control.

I've tried using the MacBook Pro trackpad for illustration work, and it's just not possible to work with any great precision. As long as a mouse can still be used, I'd be quite happy for Apple to begin the move away from pointing devices.

The best used of touchpad for designer type stuff that I've seen is Brushes on the iPhone/iPad.

You can change the area covered by the touch sensitive pad (in that case the screen). By zooming in and out you can potentially make the area of the trackpad either span the entire screen or a one in square in the area of interest.

That way the sensitivity of movement can be altered also.

I wouldn't be surprised if I saw something like that incorporated into a trackpad.

As an illustrator type myself, I'd agree. The mouse is ideal for precision work in Illustrator and a trackpad device is not really going to be usable for anything that requires much control at all. This is just more Apple consumer-oriented gadgetry and, I think, shows their focus is moving further and further away from professional users. Still, Apple do come out with surprises from time to time so we'll see.

If it's preasure sensitive I could see me swapping my graphics tablet for one.

I know a lot of people with a touch pad on their laptop who carry a mouse with them. I think that speaks volumes.

+1, i doubt it will catch on with the gaming crowds

For general mousing about, "office work" and stuff, the trackpad is fine. It's when it gets down to selecting bezier control points and being able to nudge them a few pixels - that's where a trackpad falls down.

I find the trackpad ok to use now and then but 90% of the time I prefer a mouse.

I think it speaks volumes about the quality of many modern touch pads, and the interface software, as much as it does about mice.

I don't like the idea of a non-tactile keyboard.

If you have a little motor that gives ita little kick when you hit a key, would that help?