Apple Patents Reveal Major Changes for MacBook Pro

Despite remaining unchanged, the overall design of the MacBook Pro may see significant changes in the near future, as suggested by a recent patent.

Since its introduction of the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar in 2016, Apple has been experimenting with touch-friendly laptops. However, the thin touch bar failed to meet expectations, leading to its discontinuation in 2023.

According to AppleInsider, recent

Apple

The patent, titled “Portable Computer With Dynamic Display Interface,” outlines a laptop design in which the majority of the surfaces surrounding the keyboard are transformed into touch-sensitive displays.

This encompasses the regions situated beside the keyboard. Additionally, there is a possibility of replacing the conventional trackpad with a touch-sensitive control area.

Additionally, the patent proposes that these touch-sensitive areas will adjust accordingly to meet the needs of the user and the specific application.

According to Apple, the trackpad region may vary in size, shape, or other characteristics depending on the mode of the laptop, which is worth mentioning.

The touch-sensitive controls of a word processor, for instance, could allow for easy access to functions such as copy and paste. Alternatively, the entire base could serve as a smooth display surface in different situations.

Likewise, having convenient controls readily available on secondary screens for video or image editors can greatly enhance the efficiency of those creating content.

Nevertheless, the patent indicates that Apple aims to address the limitations of the Touch Bar. Specifically, the updated design will include haptic feedback, enabling users to physically sense the transition between various touch-sensitive areas.

This will decrease the necessity of continuously looking down at the bottom of the device.

Despite the fact that Apple’s patent filings do not guarantee the immediate implementation of these ideas, the company’s exploration into making their devices more interactive is evident through this patent.

It is uncertain if this idea will be incorporated into upcoming MacBook models. Nevertheless, Apple is actively seeking new methods to improve the user experience.