Sonder's Customizable E-Ink Keyboard Again Rumored for 2018 MacBooks as CEO Denies Meeting Tim Cook

[MacRumors]

In an ongoing story surrounding the alleged talks between Apple and Australian startup Sonder, The Wall Street Journal is today adding its own set of "people familiar with the plans" to the report. The new article reiterates a 2018 launch window for customizable e-ink keyboards on Apple's MacBook line, which was mentioned in a now-deleted Reddit post that began the rumors last week.

In response to the increasing amount of rumors surrounding Apple and Sonder, the latter company this week has confirmed that it never met with Apple during Tim Cook's travels in China and Japan, suggesting that any talk of Apple's acquisition of Sonder is false.

In a press release, Sonder CEO Francisco Serra-Martin stated that the original article by The Guardian -- which ignited the story on the back of the Reddit post -- "contains a number of factual errors." Serra-Martin confirmed that he "did not meet Tim Cook on Wednesday 12th October 2016," which The Guardian story said he did, without providing specifics of the meeting and its potential relation to acquisition talks.

The Guardian's article "Apple in talks to acquire Australian startup Sonder" contains a number of factual errors. Sonder founder Francisco Serra-Martins did not meet Tim Cook on Wednesday 12th October 2016, although we would very like the opportunity to in the future.

The team at Sonder is pleased with the incredible response from the industry as we continue to present our story. We are not able to comment further on information on any single company or customer. Sonder's E Ink keyboard provides infinite possibilities right at your fingertips and releases later this year.

With Serra-Martin's direct confirmation of the original story's lack of veracity, it appears that, for now, Apple's plans aren't immediately related to introducing the customizable e-ink technology into MacBooks or Magic Keyboards. Sonder's own e-ink "Sonder Keyboard" is launching later this year for $199.

Article Link: Sonder's Customizable E-Ink Keyboard Again Rumored for 2018 MacBooks as CEO Denies Meeting Tim Cook

 

[pietrov]

Cool... but, what about that?
http://store.oregonscientific.com/it/tastiera-virtuale-con-caricabatterie.html

 

[Kaibelf]

Ridiculous rumor. Apple would never add this functionality to a keyboard for such a low price.

But in all seriousness, this is an interesting concept, but as the main input option for a computer, would likely seem a little too gimmicky for Apple to try to rock the boat. Can you imagine the rush to class action lawsuits if 2 or 3 of these had errors and someone couldn't change their keys back from Mandarin or emojis? Certainly someone would need to cover those lost wages and the emotional distress.

 

[gpat]

Cool... but, what about that?
http://store.oregonscientific.com/it/tastiera-virtuale-con-caricabatterie.html

Why would I want something so gimmicky on my computer?

 

[Stella]

That would be a very cool keyboard, if it could be integrated into a laptop, given Apple's focus on thinner / lighter.

 

[rudychidiac]

I predicted this a long time ago, I seriously should be an apple anal-yst

 

[colorfuel]

I can only imagine the amazement and collective joy as Apple updates the MacBook/air/pro lines this year and then comes out with a courageous and completely new design and device with this tech in 2018.

 

[Karma*Police]

Interesting... I wonder how they'll address the backlight.

 

[napabar]

Uh....why is Macrumors dismissing this? The CEO said he didn't meet with Tim Cook on that date. He didn't say he didn't meet with Time Cook at all.

 

[enrique22888]

the sonder web page is not available

 

[jmh600cbr]

2018? Let's worry about 2016 first.

 

[FranciscoSM]

Interesting... I wonder how they'll address the backlight.

It's front lit via a lightguide bonded to the display surface, if you've used a Amazon Paperwhite; similar in nature.

 

[mikes63737]

So does that mean Mac updates next week, then nothing until late 2018?

 

[Speechless]

Never thought we would receive MULTIPLE macrumors for two different machines. What a glorious time.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

The screen clearing black flash of e-ink is so inelegant looking I can't imagine it making it onto a MacBook for that reason alone.

 

[yanksfan114]

So expect the next update to be in 2018 instead of next week

 

[FranciscoSM]

The screen clearing black flash of e-ink is so inelegant looking I can't imagine it making it onto a MacBook for that reason alone.

The new timing controller is 10Hz, meaning smooth transitions and partial updating of the display. The video released was of a super early unit with an old timing controller module.

 

[maflynn]

I'm not really a fan of what is being shown for that keyboard, it kind of looks ugly.

 

[amirite]

Ridiculous rumor. Apple would never add this functionality to a keyboard for such a low price.

But in all seriousness, this is an interesting concept, but as the main input option for a computer, would likely seem a little too gimmicky for Apple to try to rock the boat. Can you imagine the rush to class action lawsuits if 2 or 3 of these had errors and someone couldn't change their keys back from Mandarin or emojis? Certainly someone would need to cover those lost wages and the emotional distress.

Seems like a bizarre reason to shut down this concept.

No point innovating incase some units breakdown I guess.

 

[yanksfan114]

I'm not really a fan of what is being shown for that keyboard, it kind of looks ugly.

I'd have to imagine Apple could make it look a lot more elegant than a 3rd party. But who knows.

 

[dantracht]

Cool.

 

[Madmic23]

It's a really cool idea, especially for keyboards in different languages.

The only thing I don't like about the keyboard pictured above is the short shift key on the left side of the keyboard. We're cursed with those in Canada, as every laptop manufacturer seems to choose the "bilingual keyboard" layout because they're required to offer that as an option, and it's cheaper to just make it the default instead of providing an actual choice. I can't stand keyboards like that. Theoretically, it makes it easier to type in French. But in practice, it messes up my typing. Every time I try to hit the left shift key, I end up hitting that extra key instead. Very annoying.

Thankfully, Apple mainly sells laptops with US style keyboards in Canada, and gives people the choice to order the bilingual keyboard if they prefer that layout.

 

[peterdevries]

Ridiculous rumor. Apple would never add this functionality to a keyboard for such a low price.

But in all seriousness, this is an interesting concept, but as the main input option for a computer, would likely seem a little too gimmicky for Apple to try to rock the boat. Can you imagine the rush to class action lawsuits if 2 or 3 of these had errors and someone couldn't change their keys back from Mandarin or emojis? Certainly someone would need to cover those lost wages and the emotional distress.

I don´t think Apple is deterred by the risk of class action lawsuits. Americans file these suits already when Federighi brushes his hair the wrong way or if --god-forbid-- an Apple employee should decide to tuck their shirt in their pants.

 

[BigBeast]

December 31, 2018. Probably won't even make it by then.

 

[superberg]

Come on. If Apple's going to use this tech, they'll either design it themselves or buy out the company.