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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1176476
Because of that, the idea of a touchscreen-based keyboard on a computer usually elicits a very negative reaction from users. But today's patent seems to be an antidote to that, fixing the problems with touchscreen keyboards while allowing all of the benefits. As far as those benefits, there are plenty. Just consider the fact that touchscreen keyboards won't have physical key switches that can break. That's a far cry from current butterfly keyboards. They may even be more liquid- or water-resistant than physical keyboards. The actual keyboard surface could also be highly customizable, allowing users to tweak the keyboard based on country, language or preference. In a pinch, users may also be able to swap the keyboard for a f lat drawing surface similar to a Wacom tablet. And, yes, a virtual keyboard could help Apple make its devices thinner. Or, on the f lip side, open up more internal space for other hardware components. How Likely Is This? Over several years, Apple appears to be slowly moving away from physical buttons on its devices. Just take the iPhone's Home button. Back in 2016, Apple replaced the physical Home button with a virtual one that uses haptic feedback to simulate a button press. (Apple, of course, ditched the Home button altogether on the iPhone X in 2017.) And look at the MacBook Pro. Also in 2016, Apple replaced the top row of function keys with an OLED display called the Touch Bar. Even before that, the company swapped the mechanical trackpad with a Force Touch version. Even the problem-prone butterfly keyboard seems to be a stepping stone toward a touchscreen future. Its low key travel and slim profile may be one way for Apple to get users used to digital keys. Of course, rumors of a new scissor-switch design on an upcoming MacBook Pro appear to throw a wrench in these rumors. But note that well-connected analyst Ming- Chi Kuo suggests that users will be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the new scissor switches and butterfly switches. That suggests that Apple isn't moving back wards, it's simply coming up with a solution for its butterfly keyboards. If you look at the broader industry, there are other signs that physical keyboards may be on their way out. Microsoft's new dual-screen tablet is one sign, as is the new ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo — which sports what is essentially a supersized Touch Bar. All of this is to say that the days of physical keyboards may actually be numbered. Not just at Apple, but across the computer industry. Images courtesy of www.idropnews.com