I wondered soon after the launch of the 2016 MacBook Pro whether Apple might have plans to bring the Touch Bar and Touch ID to a new Magic Keyboard. A new Apple patent application shows that the company is at least exploring the idea.
As ever, the language of the patent is dense, but the illustrations include a standalone keyboard as well as a laptop one.
Apple magic keyboard switch between devices. In some embodiments, the device may also include a processing unit positioned within the housing, and a primary display positioned at least partially within the housing and configured to display a graphical-user interface executed by the processing unit. In some embodiments, the display is an organic light-emitting diode display. The electronic device may be a keyboard device.
As I noted previously, this would seem to address the greatest weakness of the Touch Bar …
Apple Magic Keyboard Compatibility
The first, shared with us by designer Sangho Lee, is based around a detachable 'Magic Touch Bar' that would be placed above the existing Magic Keyboard and then connect to it via Lightning port. Video movie software, free download. This Apple Magic Keyboard With Touch Bar Concept Looks Legit in Many Ways - Make it Happen, Apple! It's pretty obvious at this point Apple would want to keep the Touch Bar exclusive to 2016 MacBook.
One of the comments people have been making about the Touch Bar on the new MacBook Pro is that it will be irrelevant to those professionals who mostly use their Mac at their desk with an external monitor and keyboard. Unless Apple can offer an external keyboard with a Touch Bar, the feature may not see much use.
While I haven't personally been wowed by the Touch Bar, there are definitely times when it is useful – but that usefulness is completely lost when I'm sat at my desk with the MacBook Pro off to one side.
I'm of course not the only one to have imagined a Magic Keyboard with a Touch Bar. We've seen a number of renders showing how it might look.
There are problems to be solved, including battery-life, frame-rates when using a wireless connection and, of course, cost. But the overwhelming majority of you expressed an interest in the idea, and almost half were willing to pay a significant premium to get one, suggesting that cost may not be an insurmountable barrier.
Apple is already looking beyond the Touch Bar, holding discussions with dynamic keyboard maker Sonder and hinting at more to come in this area.
Apple Touch Bar Magic Keyboard Shortcuts
Via Patently Apple. Concept images: macitynet.it (top), Hazza42 (bottom).
Apple Touch Bar Magic Keyboard Keys
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