The PAD is a concept for a circular trackpad designed to enhance the traditional trackpad and mouse experience by integrating additional functionality and premium materials. Unlike a standard flat trackpad, the PAD features a dome-shaped, circular surface that not only supports touch gestures but also provides extra buttons around its edges, allowing for more versatile input options.
This design, idealized by Ivan Llaneza, aims to improve user ergonomics, offering a solution similar to Apple’s Magic Trackpad, but with innovative features to elevate the user experience.
One of PAD’s key features is its multifunctional surface. The circular trackpad allows users to press not just on the sides but also the front and back, potentially adding extra button functions without moving the device. Additionally, a fingerprint scanner in the center of the dome offers secure authentication capabilities. PAD’s use of high-quality materials also gives it a refined aesthetic, distinguishing it from the plastic trackpads and mice commonly used with desktop computers.
The PAD incorporates features beyond typical input devices—It includes RGB lighting around its rim, and since it’s stationary, it could serve as additional data storage. Furthermore, it could be equipped with a microphone and speakers, enabling integration with AI assistants. This feature anticipates the growing trend of AI in consumer devices, making PAD a future-ready option that combines functionality and style.
In essence, PAD envisions a trackpad that serves not only as a precise input device but also as a versatile tool for security, storage, and AI-assisted computing. This concept could redefine computer interaction, offering desktop users a more immersive and feature-rich alternative to the traditional mouse and trackpad.