Apple improved the keyboard of its MacBook following an avalanche of complaints and criticisms. Apart from the Scissor-switch type of keyboard, it looks like Apple has other plans for its premium laptop. If the newly discovered patent is to go by, it appears that the Cupertino company is considering making glass keyboards for future MacBook iterations.
Patently Apple recently discovered the patent filing of the company at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Filed in May 2019, talks about the possibility of improving the quality and durability of the keyboard of MacBook. The patent is titled Transparent Keycaps.
It appears that instead of the usual plastic material, Apple plans to use transparent glass keycaps or the use of a combination of glass and other material. The glass will be cylindrical or curved to assist users in determining the edge of a key.
Apart from this, instead of the glyphs on the top portion of the keycaps, the company wants to have it at the bottom. Glyphs printed at the bottom seems to be a practical choice since those printed outside wear out over time. The Apple patent also suggests the use of a light-blocking material to differentiate glyphs from legends on the keyboard of the MacBook.
The use of a light-blocking material will ensure that the black light is at the back of the keys to provide light for the keys of the future MacBook keyboard and to make characters visible. Apple could also use RGB or dual-color LEDs for backlighting. Although the glass keycaps have a primary purpose, it also allows the keyboard of the future MacBook to feature a remarkable backlighting solution.
The Apple patent place great emphasis on lighting the keys and not the glyph. With this kind of keycaps on the keyboard of the future MacBook, Apple offers a faster and more efficient way of typing. According to its proponents, the shape of the glass will assist users in placing their fingers properly.
Additionally, even without looking, users could determine the edge of a key or the position of the keycap. The glass keycaps on the future MacBook could also reflect, transfer, and distribute light and keyboard backlighting. As a result, future MacBooks could feature more appealing keyboards.
The glass material component of the proposed keyboard of the future MacBook iteration is durable. The placement of the glyphs makes it less prone to wear out. Also, the glass surfaces of the keycaps could resist blemishes and scratches. It is worth mentioning that, at this point, it is just an Apple patent. In other words, it could or could not end up as a commercially-available product.
