10 Genuinely Useful Force Touch Trackpad Gestures on a Mac
As a Mac user, you may already be familiar with the Force Touch trackpad that’s found on newer MacBook models. This touchpad is incredibly versatile and can be used for a multitude of purposes, including interacting with files and applications in a new, more intuitive way. But when it comes to taking full advantage of this amazing feature, you may be wondering how exactly you should be taking advantage of it.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 genuinely useful Force Touch trackpad gestures that every Mac user should know about.
1. Force Click
By far the most basic and useful gesture of the Force Touch trackpad, Force Click is essentially a forceful press on the touchpad. It acts as a kind of “right-click” function, allowing you to access hidden menus and options that may not be immediately apparent in an application.
2. Look Up
The Look Up gesture is one of the most common uses for the Force Touch trackpad. Simply Force Click on a word or phrase, and a little window will pop up displaying a dictionary entry, a thesaurus result, or even a Wikipedia article. This is a great way to quickly find definitions and other useful information without having to leave the app you’re working in.
3. Zoom
The Zoom gesture is a great way to quickly zoom in and out of documents and web pages. Simply use a two-finger pinch to zoom in or out, and then press down harder (Force Click) to lock in the current zoom level. You can then move the cursor around the screen to navigate the zoomed-in area.
4. Look Up Airline Flights
This is a unique feature of the Force Touch trackpad that many people don’t know about. Simply Force Click on a flight number in any text, and a little window will pop up with the current flight status and other relevant information. This is a great way to quickly check the status of a flight without having to leave your current task.
5. Quick Look
Quick Look is a great way to preview files without actually opening them. Simply highlight any file (documents, images, videos, etc.) and then Force Click to quickly preview the contents of the file. This is a great way to quickly check a file without having to waste time opening and closing it.
6. Navigation in Maps
When using Maps on a Mac, you can use the Force Touch trackpad to easily and quickly navigate around the map. Simply Force Click on any location to get a quick preview of the area, and then move the cursor around to explore different areas.
7. Editing in iMovie
The Force Touch trackpad is a great way to edit videos in iMovie. You can force-click on a clip to bring up a context menu, or use Force Click to scrub through the video content. This makes it easy to quickly edit your videos and make them look even better.
8. QuickTime Player
In QuickTime Player, you can use the Force Touch trackpad to easily navigate through your videos. Simply use Force Click to pause or play the video, or use a two-finger swipe to quickly jump to different parts of the video.
9. Markup
The Markup feature on the Mac allows you to quickly and easily annotate images and documents. Simply use the Force Touch trackpad to highlight a specific section of text or image, and then press harder to reveal a menu of annotation options.
10. Switching Windows
Finally, you can use the Force Touch trackpad to quickly switch between different windows and applications on your Mac. A quick Force Click on an open application icon in the Dock will bring up a list of open windows for that app, allowing you to quickly switch to the one that you need.
In conclusion, the Force Touch trackpad is an amazing feature of newer MacBook models that can greatly enhance your productivity and efficiency on your Mac. By taking advantage of these 10 genuinely useful gestures, you can work smarter and get more done in less time.