In an article on OneCompare.com, they reveal that a company called FingerWorks was bought out by Apple back in 2005. Due to a strict NDA (non-disclosure agreement) with Apple, no explanation was given for shutting down the company as a business.
Reading the article, it makes sense that Apple would buy them out:
"FingerWorks, an advanced technology company had already invented the ‘Multi-Touch’ technology years ago with their TouchStream LP keyboard and iGesture pads that they been using for years. FingerWorks was started by two professors, Elias and Westerman at the University of Delaware. Their aim was to create a technology based on a large touch pad with a keyboard printed on it. Instead of pushing down keys to type out letters, you simply ‘touched’ the screen to activate. To move the mouse, you simply placed two fingers on the pad and moved it around like the two finger scrolling function Apple users use on their laptops. "
Read more of this intriguing story here.
