Apple is once again experimenting with keyboards for the upcoming MacBook Air and Pro, and this time we’re talking about technology that could radically change the way we’re used to typing. A new patent discovered by AppleInsider describes a mini-LED-backlit keyboard where each key can display dynamically changing characters, from language layouts to special icons.
Unlike the failed attempts of the past, such as the Touch Bar or the unreliable butterfly keyboard, the new system will retain the traditional scissor-type mechanism and rely on aluminium keys with embedded miniature LEDs that shape the characters displayed. This will not only eliminate the usual LED backlighting, but also significantly expand the possibilities of customisation of the keyboard.
Possible applications include instant switching between different language layouts, displaying programmable macro characters or even adapting the interface to specific applications. For example, in graphic editors, the keys can display the corresponding tools. In doing so, Apple clearly seeks to avoid the mistakes of the past by relying on familiar keystroke physics and minimal power consumption.
However, as with most patents, it’s unknown whether such a keyboard will appear in upcoming MacBook models or remain an experiment. But if the company decides to incorporate this technology into real products, we can expect a new era of adaptive input, when the keyboard will cease to be static and become an intelligent interface that changes with the user’s tasks.