Add in wireless connections to displays and even a MagSafe charging system and this would be pretty amazing.
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Apple Imagines Mac-Inside-a-Keyboard Device Evocative of 80s Home Computers
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I feel like this is a fantastic idea to replace the Mac Mini - no battery necessary as it could be powered via USB-C Monitor.
Only thing Apple would need to do is get their next generation AppleTV to be a little more robust so that it could replace some people's current home theater setups that utilize Mac Minis, unless Apple wants some odd keyboards sitting on people's Credenzas which isn't very Apple-like. Not sure what those features are because I'm not one of them, but I know there is some sort of gap between AppleTV and Mac Mini for HTPC.
BUT, this is just a patent. Might come out. Might not. We'll see.
Only thing Apple would need to do is get their next generation AppleTV to be a little more robust so that it could replace some people's current home theater setups that utilize Mac Minis, unless Apple wants some odd keyboards sitting on people's Credenzas which isn't very Apple-like. Not sure what those features are because I'm not one of them, but I know there is some sort of gap between AppleTV and Mac Mini for HTPC.
BUT, this is just a patent. Might come out. Might not. We'll see.
My Tandy TRS-80 Color Computer 3 said to tell them "sup"
Never. I still use keyboards from 15+ years ago. My main keyboard is newer because I needed a wireless one (Logitech MX Keys) that could easily switch between devices but in my 40+ years of using computers I've never had a keyboard end up destroyed.
Not very practical, IMO, as it still needs a separate screen and input devices. It’s not like a Mac mini or an iMac take lots of space anyhow. ??♂️
I like returning to the form factor but rather have a Magic keyboard with backlighting. Not sure why that doesn’t exists but if I had to choose use that space for lights and more battery instead of compute.
Sounds awesome. I have really enjoyed the form factor of the Raspberry Pi 400
This concept makes selling a computer harder because the keyboard has our ADN and becomes dirty fast.
I could see this working well with a newly designed Apple Display that uses something like a reverse ADC port. Instead of the PC giving power to the monitor (like in the G4 Cube), the monitor powers the computer/keyboard and has all of the other I/O ports on it.
I realize that I just essentially described a monitor with a Thunderbolt dock/hub built in, but in my head it sounds like more of an innovation the other way. ?♂️
I realize that I just essentially described a monitor with a Thunderbolt dock/hub built in, but in my head it sounds like more of an innovation the other way. ?♂️
Apple is exploring the possibility of integrating a fully functioning Mac within a keyboard, reminiscent of home computers of the 80s, such as the Commodore 64 and Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
The concept was revealed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in a new Apple patent application called "Computer in an input device," which describes a thicker Magic Keyboard-style chassis with "all the components of a high performance computer" integrated under the hood.
The patent describes the premise for such a device, which could be plugged into a separate external display via a single I/O port designed to receive both data and power, and wirelessly paired with a trackpad or mouse for additional input.
By including the computing components in the keyboard, Apple suggests this could allow a user to carry a single device that can provide a desktop computing experience at any location having one or more external displays.
In some embodiments, the device includes a trackpad "coupled" to the enclosure, while in others the device is foldable and the keyboard area includes an "accessory display" showing graphics, or the keyboard itself is virtually displayed from a projector contained inside the enclosure.
The rest of the patent explores in detail various configurations of internal computer components within the space afforded by the keyboard chassis.
Apple has filed patents for keyboards in the past, including one that uses a touchscreen panel similar to the Touch Bar that extends to the entire keyboard layout, but this is the first patent to suggest actually incorporating a computer into the keyboard itself.
As with any filed patent, the technology is unlikely to appear in any product soon, if at all, but it does offer an interesting look at how Apple is considering Mac designs that could ultimately replace or be offered alongside the Mac mini, which allows users to bring their own display, keyboard, and mouse.
(Via Patently Apple.)
Article Link: Apple Imagines Mac-Inside-a-Keyboard Device Evocative of 80s Home Computers
Reminds me of something I have in the basement. ?
They should take this opportunity to do a proper ergonomic keyboard, I.e. raised at the FRONT and tilted downward the further away from the user it goes.
I agree with those who wonder how Apple could patent something like this when the basic idea's already 40 years old?
While a cool, interesting design, I think that the design would make it difficult to repair. Plus, Apple's product designs will only exacerbate the issue. One small thing goes wrong, and you have to replace the entire thing. Plus, how many different versions will they need to make for every keyboard layout? Apple might be able to do something like an iPad with no physical keys, just a large touchscreen with a software keyboard. Or possibly do a physical keyboard, but each key has its own small OLED screen that you can program. Found this about 15 years ago.
This reminds me of this & the last season of Star Trek: Discovery where their com badges have their communicator, builtin transporter, tricorder and basically an iPad all in the same device. I'd expect that one small dent can wreak havoc on it. I've seen videos of laptop batteries smoke and burst into flames, so I have to wonder what something like that will do? I'm sure the builtin transporter requires massive amounts of power, so if something goes wrong, I'd hate to see the level of destruction that'll bring.
While a cool, interesting design, I think that the design would make it difficult to repair. Plus, Apple's product designs will only exacerbate the issue. One small thing goes wrong, and you have to replace the entire thing. Plus, how many different versions will they need to make for every keyboard layout? Apple might be able to do something like an iPad with no physical keys, just a large touchscreen with a software keyboard. Or possibly do a physical keyboard, but each key has its own small OLED screen that you can program. Found this about 15 years ago.
This reminds me of this & the last season of Star Trek: Discovery where their com badges have their communicator, builtin transporter, tricorder and basically an iPad all in the same device. I'd expect that one small dent can wreak havoc on it. I've seen videos of laptop batteries smoke and burst into flames, so I have to wonder what something like that will do? I'm sure the builtin transporter requires massive amounts of power, so if something goes wrong, I'd hate to see the level of destruction that'll bring.
SO sool if you could snap on a small "screen" that could be placed at different viewing angles. I don't think I've ever used anything like that before... it would be like having a very portable desktop computer. Or, V.P.D.C! - MacVipDick - TRADEMARK!
I mean that is clearly significantly larger than a keyboard.
The Thunderbolt Display had something like this, albeit not in one cable. Had a separate power & data port. But that was Thunderbolt 1 or 2. With Thunderbolt 3 or 4, might be able to do that since the cables can carry about 100 watts of power.
This has legs. They'll sell a bazillion of them.
Lots of people are poo pooing it. I did the same thing with the iPad.
My advice is buy APPL now and hold it. This is a billion dollar idea....
This post should not be construed as, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or hold, an interest in any security or investment product. Investments in investment products managed or sponsored by IIGS User usually tank, resulting in the loss of all assets invested, and living in a cardboard refrigerator box. Information about investing in securities should be sought from those without a track record of pissing away hundreds at dive bars on the weekends in the past. IIGS User does not offer any investment products to anyone.
But, if you want my advice..
LOL
Lots of people are poo pooing it. I did the same thing with the iPad.
My advice is buy APPL now and hold it. This is a billion dollar idea....
This post should not be construed as, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or hold, an interest in any security or investment product. Investments in investment products managed or sponsored by IIGS User usually tank, resulting in the loss of all assets invested, and living in a cardboard refrigerator box. Information about investing in securities should be sought from those without a track record of pissing away hundreds at dive bars on the weekends in the past. IIGS User does not offer any investment products to anyone.
But, if you want my advice..
LOL
