Apple Granted Patent for MacBook Functionality Previously Discarded in Smartphones and Smartwatches by Apple
The US Patent and Trademark Office has published a patent application showing an updated version of the MacBook's Touch Bar with Force Touch capabilities, potentially bringing a new lease of life to the feature that has been criticised for accidental triggers since its introduction in 2016.
Apple has been using Force Touch technology in its devices since 2015, but abandoned it in some products like iPhones and smartwatches. The patent application suggests that the tech giant may be banking on Force Touch to inject renewed interest in the Touch Bar feature after letting it languish for a few years.
The Touch Bar, which replaced the strip of programmable function keys at the top of a traditional keyboard on the MacBook Pro, has been a divisive feature. Users report using it rarely or finding its use frustrating due to accidental triggers. However, the updated Touch Bar looks similar to the current one, with additional circuitry for Force Touch. This could help reduce accidental triggers, providing a more seamless user experience.
The current MacBook Touch Bar does not have Force Touch capabilities. Apple introduced Force Touch to the MacBook trackpad in 2015 and to iPhones under the name 3D Touch the same year. Haptic Touch, a less sensitive version, later replaced 3D Touch. The patent application suggests that Force Touch may be included in next year's redesigned MacBooks, outside of the trackpad.
The updated Touch Bar allows users to configure more elaborate shortcuts and functions than any single mechanical key could handle. Force Touch technology can detect subtle variations in pressure and respond differently based on the force of the tap. This could open up a world of possibilities for the Touch Bar, making it a more versatile tool for MacBook users.
Apple has filed a patent application to bring Force Touch technology to the MacBook's Touch Bar, but the name of the Apple employee who developed the patent design for the integration of Force Touch into the MacBook Touch Bar remains unknown.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Touch Bar, Apple hasn't iterated the feature in any meaningful way since its introduction. The patent application's publication has sparked speculation that the tech giant is planning to revamp the Touch Bar in next year's redesigned MacBooks. Only time will tell if the updated Touch Bar with Force Touch capabilities will be the game-changer that MacBook users have been waiting for.
Read also:
- visionary women of WearCheck spearheading technological advancements and catalyzing transformations
- Oxidative Stress in Sperm Abnormalities: Impact of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) on Sperm Harm
- Is it possible to receive the hepatitis B vaccine more than once?
- Transgender Individuals and Menopause: A Question of Occurrence?
