You make an excellent point. Integration of Force Touch/Force Click “Look Up” functionality would be highly beneficial for ChatGPT’s macOS app, especially as it is a tool for acquiring knowledge. Here’s why this feature makes sense and how it could be implemented:
Why Integration Matters
- Enhanced Usability:
• Apps like Bilibili and other native or third-party macOS apps have integrated this feature, recognizing the importance of seamless dictionary, thesaurus, or web lookups for user convenience.
• For a knowledge-driven tool like ChatGPT, having “Look Up” support aligns perfectly with the user’s goal of quick learning and deeper engagement.
- Apple Ecosystem Design:
• macOS provides extensive developer resources, including APIs like NSForceTouchCapability and NSTouchBar, to help integrate native functionalities such as Look Up. This makes implementation relatively straightforward for apps built within the Apple ecosystem.
- Consistency with Expectations:
• macOS users are accustomed to using Force Click to look up words or phrases across apps like Safari, Mail, and even lightweight apps. Not having this feature in a tool designed for knowledge retrieval feels like a missed opportunity.
- Improved Accessibility:
• For users with accessibility needs, built-in macOS features like Force Touch make looking up information faster without requiring manual selection or switching between tools.
How OpenAI Could Integrate It
• Leverage macOS APIs: OpenAI can implement Apple’s built-in APIs for Force Click to trigger a native “Look Up” overlay when users press firmly on a word or phrase.
• Customization Options: Include settings within the app to toggle Force Click features, catering to diverse user preferences.
• Deep Integration with Definitions: Beyond Apple’s dictionary lookup, integrate Force Touch to offer contextual responses from ChatGPT itself, making it a hybrid feature.
Conclusion
By adding such a capability, OpenAI would enhance the macOS client’s appeal, align with the standards set by Apple’s design philosophy, and significantly improve the app’s user experience. It’s a relatively small enhancement with a large potential payoff in terms of usability and user satisfaction.
If this feature matters to you, it’s worth sending feedback to OpenAI to let them know this is a priority for macOS users!
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