A couple of weeks ago, a new one emerged Apple patent which revealed how the Cupertino company is working on the project of a MacBook with body entirely in glass and virtual keyboard.
The document, published on Patently Apple, is a “continuation patent”, that is, the expansion of a previously existing patent, and describes a laptop with a “glass housing” which works as an input/output interface.
La glass shell, therefore, should have a dual function: on the one hand protect internal components, on the other hand to act as user interaction surface, receiving their input and allowing the requested information to be displayed. sensors that would enable these features should be visually imperceptible on the glass surface.
Mac with glass keyboard: a question of ergonomics
For its new Mac, Apple is also reportedly thinking about “finger devices”, to be used with keyboards with a glass top, to make typing on this material more comfortable. In fact, the question of theergonomics when it comes to virtual keyboards It is not to be underestimated and is the reason why when you work on the PC for a long time you prefer to continue using a physical keyboard.
Through our haptic feedback, however, Apple believes it will be possible emulate the tactile response of physical keyboards, a statement that is not surprising given the results obtained in the past with the Mac trackpad or with the Home buttons of old iPhones. It remains to be seen how the sensation of convincing pressure, which single immobile touch elements manage to convey, can be translated onto a glass surface unique, made up of many closely spaced keys.
Even on a virtual glass keyboard, the user will still have to be able to recognize a key and its “physical” limit, in order to be able to write fluidly and quickly, without looking at the keyboard. To achieve this result, Apple should use shock absorbers very precise electrostatics.
For now there is no further news, we will have to wait some time to see if the patent will translate the Mac completely made of glass into reality.
Sources: Patently Apple, HD Blog, Tom's Hardware
