Link: You Can Use Your Mac's Trackpad As a Scale (but You Probably Shouldn't)

The idea that a MacBook can be used as a scale is intriguing and fun, albeit not particularly practical. Kris Shah, an Ontario-based developer, created an app called TrackWeight that transforms any Mac trackpad into a scale.

Testing the app with light objects such as a bowl of blueberries showed results surprisingly close to those of a regular kitchen scale. However, the method requires a delicate touch, resting a finger on the trackpad without applying pressure.

Using a standalone Magic Trackpad yields similar results, potentially making it a slightly more practical option than using a MacBook's trackpad. Yet, it still isn't very practical for everyday use.

Sophisticated technology allows this quirky use: the Mac Trackpad comes equipped with a pressure sensor. This sensor is generally used for features like Force Touch, detecting varying pressure levels for different commands.

An unnoticed API in Macs can read the amount of pressure applied and transform this data into weight measurements. This clever exploitation of existing technology highlights the hidden potentials of everyday devices.

While using your MacBook as a scale isn't advisable for the kitchen, due to the risk of spills and messes, it's an amusing demonstration of technological versatility. The concept, albeit humorous, showcases the advanced capabilities built into modern laptops. #

--

Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.