In a recent development, tech giant Microsoft has filed a patent for a revolutionary concept dubbed as the ‘haptic trackpad loudspeaker’. This innovative idea envisions a laptop touchpad that not only offers haptic feedback but also doubles up as a speaker. The proposed design aims to either enhance the laptop’s existing audio capabilities by incorporating an extra speaker within the trackpad, or to free up space within the device for other components by replacing a conventional speaker. While this potential integration could further improve the audio performance of devices like the Surface Laptop, it is important to note that patent filings do not always translate into actual products, as there are various challenges in terms of design, implementation, and cost that need to be overcome. Despite the intriguing nature of this concept, only time will tell if we will witness a future Surface Laptop featuring a trackpad with an integrated speaker, and whether such a design would effectively balance functionality and reliability.