title: TrackPoint Mode
description: Joystick-style cursor control on navigation keys
category: Gestures
difficulty: advanced
related_spec: ../specs/gestures/trackpoint-mode-spec.md
TrackPoint Mode
TrackPoint mode turns your arrow keys into a virtual joystick for continuous cursor movement. Hold the navigation key and move your finger to control the cursor like a laptop TrackPoint.
Quick Summary
| What | Description |
|---|
| Purpose | Precise, continuous cursor movement |
| Activation | Hold any arrow key past long-press timeout |
| Movement | Move finger in desired direction |
How It Works
When you hold an arrow key:
- 1. After the long-press timeout (~600ms), TrackPoint mode activates
- 2. A distinct haptic pulse indicates activation
- 3. Your finger position becomes the "center" of the joystick
- 4. Moving your finger away from center moves the cursor
- 5. The further from center, the faster the cursor moves
How to Use
Step 1: Access Navigation Keys
The navigation keys (arrows) are typically accessed via:
- • Short swipe on the compose key (bottom row)
- • Or directly if you've added them to your layout
Step 2: Hold the Arrow Key
Touch and hold any arrow key. Wait for the haptic pulse indicating TrackPoint activation.
Step 3: Move Your Finger
Without lifting, move your finger:
| Direction | Cursor Movement |
| Up | Cursor moves up |
| Down | Cursor moves down |
| Left | Cursor moves left |
| Right | Cursor moves right |
| Diagonal | Both directions simultaneously |
Step 4: Release
Lift your finger to exit TrackPoint mode.
Speed Control
Cursor speed depends on finger distance from center:
Slow
|
Slow ----+---- Fast
|
Fast
- • Near center: Dead zone (no movement)
- • Edge of key: Medium speed
- • Beyond key: Maximum speed
Tips and Tricks
- • Precise positioning: Stay near center for fine control
- • Quick jumps: Move to edge of key for fast movement
- • Diagonal movement: X and Y axes work independently
- • Center reset: Your finger position when activated becomes the center
[!TIP]
The center point is set where your finger is when TrackPoint activates, not the key center.
Difference from Regular Arrow Keys
| Feature | Regular | TrackPoint |
| Activation | Short swipe or tap | Long hold |
| Movement | One step per input | Continuous |
| Speed | Fixed | Variable (distance-based) |
| Direction | One at a time | Any, including diagonal |
Haptic Feedback
TrackPoint mode uses distinct haptic patterns:
| Event | Feedback |
| Activation | Clock tick pattern |
| Each cursor move | Light tick (optional) |
| Exit | None |
Configure in Settings > Haptics > TrackPoint Activate.
Settings
| Setting | Location | Description |
| Long Press Timeout | Input Behavior | Time to activate TrackPoint |
| TrackPoint Haptic | Haptics | Enable/disable activation feedback |
Related Features
- • Cursor Navigation - Basic cursor movement
- • Selection Delete - Similar joystick for text selection
- • Short Swipes - Quick access to arrow keys
Technical Details
See TrackPoint Mode Technical Specification for implementation details including:
- • FLAG_P_TRACKPOINT_MODE flag
- • Joystick dead zone calculation
- • Speed interpolation algorithm