Apple Patent Shows How The MacBook Could Be Drastically Redesigned
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When Apple AAPL +0.05% introduced its 12-inch MacBook about a year ago, there were two things that were unique about the laptop: a single port and a full-sized keyboard fitted in a smaller space. To make the laptop thinner, Apple had to redesign each key on the keyboard along with the underlying mechanisms. Now Apple has a plan to make its future MacBooks potentially even thinner by completely stripping out the keyboard and replacing it with a large trackpad.
The idea for using a larger trackpad instead of a physical keyboard built into the MacBook was revealed in an Apple patent application filed last year and published earlier this month called “configurable force-sensitive input structure for electronic devices.” This input structure is known as “zero-travel” because there aren’t any noticeable physical mechanism movements taking place when the user presses down on it. But the larger trackpad would provide haptic feedback when a certain portion is pushed down similar to what you would feel while receiving a notification on the Apple Watch or when you are using Quick Actions via 3D Touch.
The larger trackpad would also be able to adjust its input settings depending on the software application being used in the form of a keyboard, a number pad, a game pad and a track pad. Hypothetically, a number pad may appear while you are crunching spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel or a larger keyboard would appear as you write an essay in Microsoft Word. Or the trackpad will become bigger when you are editing photos. And then you can have the trackpad switch to a game pad while playing game apps. There are various scenarios about how this technology could be useful based on how MacBook users interact with their devices.
The Little Black Book of Billionaire Secrets 11,586 views
Apple Patent Shows How The MacBook Could Be Drastically Redesigned
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Apple might be getting rid of the keyboard in MacBooks / Photo Credit: Apple
The idea for using a larger trackpad instead of a physical keyboard built into the MacBook was revealed in an Apple patent application filed last year and published earlier this month called “configurable force-sensitive input structure for electronic devices.” This input structure is known as “zero-travel” because there aren’t any noticeable physical mechanism movements taking place when the user presses down on it. But the larger trackpad would provide haptic feedback when a certain portion is pushed down similar to what you would feel while receiving a notification on the Apple Watch or when you are using Quick Actions via 3D Touch.
The larger trackpad would also be able to adjust its input settings depending on the software application being used in the form of a keyboard, a number pad, a game pad and a track pad. Hypothetically, a number pad may appear while you are crunching spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel or a larger keyboard would appear as you write an essay in Microsoft Word. Or the trackpad will become bigger when you are editing photos. And then you can have the trackpad switch to a game pad while playing game apps. There are various scenarios about how this technology could be useful based on how MacBook users interact with their devices.
This Apple patent drawing shows how a number keypad could appear on a larger trackpad / Photo Credit: Apple.
To guide people while they are using the QWERTY keyboard input setting on the larger trackpad, there would be “micro-perforations” in the casing that lights up slightly. And those micro-perforations may be covered with an “optically clear sealant” to prevent debris or liquid from slipping into the laptop.
It may be years from now that Apple considers making this massive design change for its MacBooks. And it is also common for technology companies to file patents about ideas that do not end up coming to fruition. However, this is not the only patent that Apple has for a Force Touch based keyboard so the Cupertino giant is clearly interested in this idea. Last year, Apple was granted U.S. patent number 9,178,509 for an “ultra low travel keyboard.” The abstract of that patent suggests an idea for: “A keyboard or keyboard key that has a force sensor that measures the force imparted to the key when a user presses the key or rests a finger on a key.”
Personally, I’m excited about the possibility of a MacBook that is thinner and sounds as quiet as an iPhone or an iPad while you are typing. Plus it would be great to see more innovation in regards to laptop keyboards.
What are your thoughts about this potential MacBook redesign? If there was an option to buy a MacBook that has a larger touchpad instead of a keyboard, then would you consider it? Please leave a comment with your thoughts!
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