If the touchpad is implemented into the basic UI, I think that alone will result in more people using it than the Sixaxis on the PS3.  Obviously when compared to a touchscreen, a touchpad is going to have limited use, but a touchpad has the potential to incorporate a cursor function, which could benefit typing text, or used in games that benefit from a cursor function (e.g., strategy or tactical games, where a cursor is used for character/unit placement).  Bear in mind that I don't think the Dualshock 4 is going to revolutionize the industry, but the touchpad does seem to have more practical uses than the Sixaxis, which was more novelty outside of a couple of titles.

Listen, I love my PS3. But i have to tell you that the damn controller is soo frigging uncomfortable when playing FPS games compared to the XBOX controller. I have both systems and COD/BATTLEFIELD on both of them. And playing on my Xbox i'm feeling fine and comfortable, yet when i'm on my PS3 my thumbs and wrists start to hurt after a while. I was hoping this new controller would take a step to change rather than just update a bit.

Only the ones who are apparently blithering idiots.

This is the trend I find amusing, however:

"Nintendo has motion based controls, waving a little wand around? How silly!. What's that? Sony has motion based controls, waving a wand around? BRILLIANT!"

"Nintendo has a controller with a touch screen in it? How silly! What's that? Sony has a controller with a touch screen/pad in it? It'll revolutionize gaming!!"

.....I'm just saying.