libinput 1.31 Brings Fast Three-Finger Swipes and Configurable Touchpad Timings

The Linux input handling landscape is evolving once again with the first release candidate of libinput 1.31, bringing several significant improvements for touchpad users and developers alike. Peter Hutterer of Red Hat, the Linux input expert behind libinput, announced this milestone release that addresses long-standing usability concerns while maintaining backward compatibility.

Fast Three-Finger Swipes: Solving a Physical Dilemma

One of the most anticipated features in libinput 1.31 is the introduction of fast three-finger (3fg) swipes that work even when three-finger drag is enabled. This seemingly simple enhancement actually solves a complex physical problem that has frustrated users for years.

Previously, enabling three-finger drag meant sacrificing three-finger swipe gestures entirely. The reason? Both gestures involve the exact same physical movement - three fingers moving across the touchpad surface. The input system couldn't distinguish between a user attempting to drag with three fingers versus performing a swipe gesture.

Hutterer's solution is elegantly simple: introduce a speed threshold. "We now support fast 3fg swipes when 3fg drag is enabled," he explained. "Three fingers that move quickly and [immediately] trigger a swipe, not a 3fg drag. The timeout is intentionally quite short, the drag is still the primary feature."

This approach maintains the primary functionality of three-finger drag while adding swipe capability as a secondary, speed-dependent feature. The same logic applies to four-finger gestures, ensuring consistency across different gesture configurations.

Configurable Disable-While-Typing Timelines

Another significant improvement in libinput 1.31 addresses a common frustration among laptop users: the rigid disable-while-typing timeout. Previously, when typing on a laptop keyboard, the touchpad would automatically disable to prevent accidental cursor movements. However, the duration of this disable period was fixed and often felt either too short or unnecessarily long.

With libinput 1.31, users gain control over these timeouts within "reasonable limits." The change applies specifically to the "long" timeout that occurs after a key press and release sequence. While libinput internally uses multiple timeouts depending on the original event, this configurable parameter should cover the vast majority of use cases.

This enhancement is particularly valuable for users who type in specific patterns or have workflows that require precise touchpad timing. Writers, programmers, and anyone who frequently switches between typing and touchpad navigation will appreciate the newfound flexibility.

Developer-Focused Improvements

Beyond the user-facing features, libinput 1.31-rc1 includes new API additions and various developer improvements. While the specific technical details are available on the wayland-devel mailing list, these changes typically focus on making the library more robust, easier to integrate, and better suited for modern desktop environments.

Impact on Desktop Environments

These improvements in libinput 1.31 will have ripple effects across both X.Org Server and Wayland desktop environments that rely on this input handling library. Desktop environments that have tightly integrated three-finger swipe gestures will particularly benefit from the new fast swipe functionality, as it maintains compatibility while adding flexibility.

Availability and Testing

The release candidate status means libinput 1.31 is ready for testing but not yet finalized. Users and distributions are encouraged to test the release candidate to ensure compatibility with their specific hardware and workflows before the final release.

For those interested in testing or contributing, the full details of this release candidate are available on the wayland-devel mailing list, where the Linux input community discusses and refines these improvements.

This release continues libinput's tradition of thoughtful, user-centric improvements that solve real-world problems without introducing unnecessary complexity. The fast three-finger swipe feature, in particular, demonstrates how understanding the physical constraints of input devices can lead to elegant software solutions.