On the Touch Bar, I think Apple should have nothing or should have a touch screen.
It seems to me almost like the one button mouse
.
The touchbar strikes me more as a more versatile set of function row keys than a touchscreen replacement.
The more I read this forum, the more I think how people misunderstand the way Apple (and some other tech companies work).
Apple has clearly invested YEARS of research and development into the touchbar - they are committed to it being a core part of the Mac OS experience. This isn't like tacking on an iris scanner or second speaker. The Touchbar is baked into the Apple ecosystem. IF Apple backpedals on the TB, it will take several generations and will be a commitment unto itself.
It's easy to think that someone comes up with the idea, then a few months later they build it into the Macbook Pro and then start manufacturing. This sort of thing requires extensive testing, security architecture, analysis and the Macbook Pro would need to be designed with this integrated in mind - battery life, ergonomics, placement etc. The Touchbar was likely conceived years ago considering the processes required to bring it to life and ensure its proper functioning, extensibility and quality.
The roadmap for this sort of addition also needs to be carefully planned out - future Mac apps need to add TB integration, TB integration tools made available to their party developers, hardware made to match (such as future magic keyboards etc.)
The TB won't be going away. Even if there's a massive backlash about it, it will be around for another few generations at the very least.
