Apple could be contemplating doing away with the keyboard, or at least incorporating a removable magnetic keyboard, with a future MacBook Pro. A patent spotted by PatentlyApple seems to be stuffed with intriguing ideas for a next-gen MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Entitled “Device having integrated interface system”, it’s clear to see in the numerous accompanying technical drawings that the keyboard could be replaced with the “integrated interface system”, which could be made from glass, plastic, or ceramic.
This would allow for multi-purpose functionality, as the touch surface could be just a typical keyboard for typing, or it could display different input systems, such as a “button array” or “rotatable dial”. A physical keyboard can be connected magnetically, but even this brings additional novel functions to the next-gen Apple MacBook Pro. Swiping across the keys will register movement on the display without actuating individual keys. It’s basically turning the whole base portion of the laptop into a touch input device or trackpad.
On top of that, the patent shows how a wireless charger could be fitted into the MacBook Pro that would allow the charging of compatible Apple devices and there’s also the presence of a fingerprint sensor and biometric sensors for checking the user’s palms. Peripheral input units, such as joysticks, can also be magnetically attached to this marvelous MacBook Pro and then used to interact with or drive what was happening on the display. Port lovers might not be too enamored with this potential Apple laptop though, as ports seem to be few and far between here.
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