Apple was awarded a new patent by the US Patent & Trademark Office a few days ago. The patent encloses a key feature that we could see in future MacBooks. We could see a MacBook with a glass construction and a side-to-side trackpad as well. Here, I have deciphered all the information regarding Apple’s new patent.
Future MacBooks to get a glass and side-to-side trackpad
The patent reads that Apple is likely working on a future MacBook with a force input/haptic output interface where the trackpad won’t have a border. Instead, it will be spread across side-to-side allowing users to put stimuli wherever they click.
It further adds that the user interface surface as mentioned on the patent will get a protective outer cover made up of transparent glass, plastic, or sapphire that will be positioned just above the area around the trackpad. LG showcased a similar-looking glass-constructed physical trackpad at the CES 2023. There are lights beneath that trackpad that light up when it is in use and the rest of the time, they remain invisible.
The trackpad area itself could be transparent or opaque made up of organic materials, glass, metal, woven materials, synthetic materials, etc. There are two iterations of the tech. One of the sketches, shows four locally-flexible regions using a two-by-two grid that will be spread on a regular-sized trackpad. The second sketch shows ten locally-flexible regions spread side-to-side allowing users to enjoy a seamless trackpad using experience without any break-in.
As aforementioned, LG’s application had lights to illuminate the perimeter of the trackpad. However, Apple hasn’t mentioned the use of light. The tech aims to make the area in and around the trackpad seamless. It would be an enabler in making the MacBook skimmer since Apple won’t have to get a cut-out for the regular-sized physical trackpad and instead, use these locally-flexible regions to its advantage.
