Apple continues to imagine what a future MacBook will look like with Apple Pencil support. The tech giant has filed today to amend a patent covering the Apple Pencil that detachably mounts above a MacBook keyboard.
Apple’s revamp of previous patents
according to Apparently Apple, When the Pencil is placed in the holder inside the computer, it acts as a mouse. A high-end lighting system is also built into said holder, and the Apple Pencil will replace the F-Key row. This way, the function keys will light up on the Pencil. The patent shows a MacBook with an input tool (Apple Pencil or similar) that has a sensor above the keyboard.
While Apple created the concept some time ago, new claims and aspects have been added to the patent application. For example, one of the claims includes a magnetic element for securing the Apple Pencil in its holder. Basically, Apple is considering replacing the M1 MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar with the Apple Pencil so that it doubles as a stylus and a Touch Bar.
Touchscreen vs. Touchless
Clearly, a touchscreen Mac is what some users want.Early last year, we conducted a poll 9to5Mac Readers and asked if they thought Apple should make a touchscreen Mac. Nearly half of the 4,600 votes were “yes.” There are also a lot of people who don’t pay attention to touchscreens, with or without it. However, Steve Jobs never liked the idea of a touch-screen Mac, and explained the inconvenience of it.
“The touch surface doesn’t want to be vertical. It gives a good presentation, but after a short period of time you start to get tired and after a long time your arm wants to come off. It doesn’t work, which in the human body Engineering sucks.”
Shot by 9to5Mac
While I’m not against touchscreen Macs, I know a lot of people are against it. I feel like if Apple invests time and effort into this concept, there must be a market for it. With Apple becoming a popular brand in the education market, I can see it being used in schools. I’m also curious which model of MacBook this applies to – MacBook Pro, Air, MacBook or something else? Regardless, it’s great to see Apple continue to innovate and keep us on our toes.
Keep in mind that since this is just one of Apple’s many patents, it may never materialize. But would you consider one of these MacBooks? What do you think? Do you have any ideas? Let us know in the comments below.
You can view the full patent application on the USPTO webpage.
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