Apple ’s MacBooks have n’t changed much over the past decade or so . Some of the belated models were recently redesigned with New features , but their form remains that of traditional laptops . That is n’t due to a deficiency of estimation . Between each model refresh is a flood of patent conjured up by Apple artificer who are probably locked somewhere deep in the bowels of the Cupertino starship .
seldom do these ideas move from Sir Frederick Handley Page to product , but they are still fun to investigate — if only to see what concepts Apple might research deep into the future tense . On that note , Apple today wasgranted a patentthat draw transform the MacBook ’s deck into a flexible comment control surface or a wireless saddle pad for the iPhone .
Stay with me here . In this patent , Apple believe using transparent , dielectric material such as credit card , glass , or ceramic fabric to take form a continuous signature - sensitive input signal open . It goes on to describe various mode this surface could be used to “ improve the look and feel of the machine without having the drawbacks of some traditional machine constructions . ”
MacBook Pro 14Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
One way is by replacing a traditional tactile keyboard with a to the full digital one enable by a glass touch - sensitive open . You could even transfer the layout of the keyboard : a patent persona shows it in an ergonomic layout ( see above ) . I ’m project something standardised to the Halo keyboard on theLenovo Yoga Book C930 . I funk at the thought , and yet , Lenovo found a style to make an e - ink keyboard not suck in . Check out what Gizmodo alum Sam Rutherford said about it :
“ I ’m not going to trip the light fantastic toe around it and say it ’s perfect , it ’s not . But in some elbow room , I prefer type on the C930 ’s prostrate control surface more than the super pie-eyed and shallow keyboard you ’d get on a MacBook . ”
Another version envisage the keyboard with a flexible “ fabric natural covering ” made of watertight materials placed on top of a keyboard mechanism . The key would still propel when you weight-lift them and the membrane would allow for waterproofing and protect the surface from “ liquids , rubble , or other contaminant . ”
Apple patent MacBookScreenshot: USPTO/Apple
With a semi - modular palm rest , Apple figures you could keep the traditional keyboard in place and plant a wireless charging pad for juicing up an iPhone or AirPods . I do wonder if there is enough space for both your wrist and smartphone — the phone in the below image looks uproariously minor , going from the bottom edge of the laptop computer only up to the keyboard . From what we ’ve hear , Apple isdone with the iPhone mini .
Having such a flexible control surface also give Apple the choice to put biometric sensors like fingerprint readers into the decoration rest or else of integrating them into the power push . The company also proposes adding various health sensors for get over pith rate , bloodline oxygen level , and temperature .
Now imagine the entire palm tree rest orbit do as a graphics tablet . It could be to the full customizable and adaptable free-base on the program you ’re using . For representative , opening Adobe Photoshop could convert the digital keyboard into a rotary dial with button for shortcuts to your most frequently used redaction tools . It would have an enhance palm rejection system and could observe how much pressure you ’re applying similar to Apple ’s Force Touch trackpads .
Apple patent MacBookImage: USPTO/Apple
If this all sounds intimate , it ’s because Apple file away three similar patents back in 2018 . Even so , I ’ve not convinced these features will ever make their means into a MacBook , especially with Apple lento removing the factious Touch Bar from its laptops ( it is still alive on the MacBook Pro 13 ) . Just never say never . These approximation could one day shape the basis of an altogether new product or will be revised or scaled down before finding their elbow room into exist devices .
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Apple patent MacBookScreenshot: USPTO/Apple
