Apple Unveils Touch Bar Features in New MacBook Pros Including Touch ID

[MacRumors]

Apple announced a new Retina display 'Touch Bar' replacing the function key strip on the keyboards of its two top-tier MacBook Pro notebooks at its "Hello again" event today.

Apple software engineer Craig Federighi showed off the customizable sapphire crystal Touch Bar in action, which can also be used as a traditional Function key set and supports a host of native and third-party apps.

Apple says the Touch ID component in the Touch Bar features an Apple T1 chip with a secure enclave for security purposes.

The Touch ID sensor recognizes account holders instantly and also supports account switching. System controls can be used and they also support gestures and swipes for controlling brightness, for example.

Contextual controls in apps are fully supported. For example, the Mail app gains Touch Bar controls for composing messages, replying, flagging, filing, and formatting options.

When composing, Quick Type options like in iOS appear on the bar, with like Siri predictions. Emojis are also displayed in the Messages app: browsing emojis by frequently used or by category can be achieved with simple swipes.

Naviagation in and between apps is also included. The touch bar can be used to move between tabs, previews, previews. and opening new tabs with favorites ready to select.

Lastly, Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, and Photos are also supported - users can use Photoshop tools, swipe through photo collections, and use playback controls when viewing photos and editing videos.

Article Link: Apple Unveils Touch Bar Features in New MacBook Pros Including Touch ID

 

[Mac 128]

While I think there's some great potential here ... a lot of the touch bars just replace things that could be accessed by the mouse, requiring a person to take their hands off the trackpad.

I suppose this is all getting us ready for Touch-based macOS...

 

[RowellE]

I feel like most of the stuff you do on the Touch Bar is what the trackpad is for...

 

[thisisnotmyname]

I like the concept. Hope they provide a new magic keyboard too so I can be consistent on my Mac Pro too.

 

[anzio]

Open the store back up!

 

[CarpalMac]

As somebody else said, what happens with Bootcamp?

 

[netsped]

I feel like most of the stuff you do on the Touch Bar is what the trackpad is for...

And keyboard shortcuts.

The lady demoing Final Cut appears to find Touch Bar really uncomfortable using it though.

 

[lhymes]

I find it odd that Apple has developed a means of interacting with content creation that takes your eyes away from the content... hate to be the one to say this, but the whole thing is very counter-intuitive.

 

[anzio]

As somebody else said, what happens with Bootcamp?

No reason there can't be Bootcamp drivers for Touch Bar, or it may have some firmware that drives it if there's no software interacting with it.

 

[djcerla]

Buying as soon as they reopen the store.

 

[aajeevlin]

This is so hard to watch....

 

[kidaje]

Oh.. what a break trough invention the touch bar is... is it almost the same crap as the touch panel the Lenovo x1 had.

Indstead of replacing the f-Keys, Apple should have added the touch bar as an extra.

 

[macfacts]

Swiping on the new touch bar? Didn't Apple make fun of touch screen windows users as having gorilla arms?

 

[Iconoclysm]

Oh.. what a break trough invention the touch bar is... is it almost the same crap as the touch panel the Lenovo x1 had.

Indstead of replacing the f-Keys, Apple should have added the touch bar as an extra.

What Lenovo X1 had a "touch panel"? I had 3 generations of that machine myself and have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[anzio]

I'm just waiting for them to re-open the store so I can order it ASAP.

 

[lhymes]

What Lenovo X1 had a "touch panel"? I had 3 generations of that machine myself and have no idea what you're talking about.

The Carbon X1 Gen 2

 

[Edge_of_the_Horizon]

The touch bar from the presentation seems like it has lots of great features and it looks to be very flexible; I especially like how it can be customized by the user. Let's face it the F keys are for dinosaurs and has nothing to do with the future of technology. Good work Apple Mac team!

 

[Born Again]

is this revolutionary?

 

[thisisnotmyname]

No Mac Pro. Not surprised but still disappointed.

 

[duffman9000]

While I think there's some great potential here ... a lot of the touch bars just replace things that could be accessed by the mouse, requiring a person to take their hands off the trackpad.

I suppose this is all getting us ready for Touch-based macOS...

I think it's worse. It requires you to take your eyes off the screen on to the keyboard. I hate taking my eyes off the screen.

 

[Sefstah]

Kinda cool I guess, but I think a full touchscreen that's compatible with Apple Pencil would be better.

 

[niun]

So we've had MS design things where it's just you and the content. No need for distractions.
Apple now want a bright bar with constantly changing lights and images sitting right at the bottom of the screen and something that doubles what is ON THE SCREEN already.

I'm sure this is for some people but I hate distractions when I am trying to work and be productive.

 

[Derekuda]

So on a PC where most laptops now have touchscreens this is completely redundant and not impressive. But when you think about the origin of function keys like Phil was talking about it makes a lot of sense to remove them and put something more useful in that space or remove them from keyboards entirely.
...overall it's neat I guess.

 

[jayducharme]

After watching the whole presentation, I'm wondering why they didn't incorporate the Touch Bar features into the trackpad itself. It's big enough to fit all the visual information needed and seems like it would offer more possibilities and be more intuitive to use.

 

[netwalker]

Love the Touch Bar and see how it can be very useful but most of the time I use my MBP with a magic keyboard and that's where I would then need a Touch Bar. So, please make a Magic Keyboard 3 with Touch Bar, even if it needs a cable to power the display.