I Hope the Butterfly Keyboard Makes a Comeback

[throAU]

The next keyboard evolution from Apple will probably be not a keyboard at all.

You'll be typing on a sheet of glass!

I freaking hope not, because tactile feedback is a thing.

Try typing on your desk with no spring to absorb your presses, it's also a recipe for RSI.

 

[ScholarsInk]

Stockholm Syndrome

 

[smirking]

Stockholm Syndrome

Let's just all agree that the OP is a total and complete idiot. The worst.

 

[Erasmus]

I freaking hope not, because tactile feedback is a thing.

Try typing on your desk with no spring to absorb your presses, it's also a recipe for RSI.

I'd be very interested in the ergonomics of a keyboard based around the same idea as the current trackpad, where haptic feedback is used to fake the sensation of a click. I always assumed that the 'Touch Bar' was a first step towards a prototype fully dynamic keyboard, which WOULD be pretty cool, especially if it could work with the Apple Pencil. I'd love to be able to write out maths equations with a pen, rather than having to type them in, for example.

Would not be great for touch-typists though, and would probably still have ergonomic issues unless the screen was somehow flexible. Also not sure whether some piezoelectric tech could allow you to feel the keys when they are there, but make it smooth when they are not. Still, it seems like something that might be practical for Apple to take another crack at in the near future.

y'know, before that concept flops in a couple of years just like the touch-bar

 

[smirking]

I'd be very interested in the ergonomics of a keyboard based around the same idea as the current trackpad, where haptic feedback is used to fake the sensation of a click.

A problem with that is that the haptic engine isn't very specific. The tactile pulse would be felt in a wide area.

There have been numerous versions of a keypads that have embedded LED screens in them. The most famous of which is the Optimus Maximus, which was a full 103 key and was long regarded as a drunken fantasy product that would never get made, but the crazy bastards behind it did manage to produce some units at around $1600 US per keyboard.

I always assumed that the 'Touch Bar' was a first step towards a prototype fully dynamic keyboard, which WOULD be pretty cool, especially if it could work with the Apple Pencil.

My feeling had been that the next step would be a merging of the touch bar with an ultra-flat keyboard like the butterfly keyboard where a physical mechanism still provided the tactility, but would be driven by a capacitive touch screen. It'd be easier to get a clear image through a short prism so you wouldn't need just one normal sized touchscreen instead of 100 mini LED screens.

OK, since I brought up the Optimus Maximus, I must indulge you to dive deeper into this nutty attempt at a fully customizable keyboard made immortal by an epic NSFW keyboard review:

 

[ScholarsInk]

Let's just all agree that the OP is a total and complete idiot. The worst.

I had to rewrite just the words 'Stockholm Syndrome' multiple times due to the butterfly keyboard. The productivity cost in dollars from having to do this constantly for the past three years is something I don't want to try to calculate, because it would be too depressing.

 

[smirking]

I had to rewrite just the words 'Stockholm Syndrome' multiple times due to the butterfly keyboard.

Have you gotten it replaced yet? It should be covered under the special warranty program. If you have an early 2018 or earlier you'll even get a free new battery out of it.

 

[throAU]

I'd be very interested in the ergonomics of a keyboard based around the same idea as the current trackpad, where haptic feedback is used to fake the sensation of a click.

It's not just the feedback in terms of feeling a click, but also the spring absorbs some of the force you put through your fingers. Without any sort of spring, that force is going to be going directly into your hands or the glass surface.

I know which one of those materials will "Win".

 

[Charlie Swee]

I'm test driving an M1 MBP right now while my 2018 MBP is getting service.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I miss the butterfly keyboard and hope Apple's able to iron out whatever it was that was causing problems with that keyboard and bring it back eventually.

I've got another 10 days to decide if I'm going to stick with my new M1 or not. I'm currently leaning toward no, but not just on the basis of the keyboard. I can easily slap a compact mechanical on top for long use and problem solved.

I waited years for them to get rid of that diabolical design and riveted-repair disaster which was the butterfly keyboard. Now we have magsafe and sensible ports returning, it's like common sense has returned to the mbp.

 

[throAU]

Now we have magsafe and sensible ports returning, it's like common sense has returned to the mbp.

Hopefully (and it looks like it) Apple has finally realized that making impossible/difficult to repair products will bite them if they have a design problem like the butterfly keyboard.

Even their new phones, etc. are using less glue; hopefully this is a thing moving forward. They're also perhaps realizing that there's money to be made by keeping people in the ecosystem. Someone who can repair their phone can maybe have more money for a tablet, AppleTV, AirPods, Homepods, or Mac - which will be more reason for them to purchase or continue with an Apple Premier subscription - which is guaranteed monthly income for Apple.

 

[smirking]

It's not just the feedback in terms of feeling a click, but also the spring absorbs some of the force you put through your fingers. Without any sort of spring, that force is going to be going directly into your hands or the glass surface.

I know which one of those materials will "Win".

Bottoming out is an ergonomic issue for a lot of people and is sometimes one for me too, but you can learn to tap very lightly on a virtual keyboard. I've actually resorted to using my iPad as a keyboard for my MBP in the past when I had RSI because it was more comfortable than my low force mechanicals. I know a lot of people have difficulty developing a light touch like this, but it can be done.

 

[ScholarsInk]

Have you gotten it replaced yet? It should be covered under the special warranty program. If you have an early 2018 or earlier you'll even get a free new battery out of it.

Haha I'll be getting it replaced yet again soon. Each time (including when I originally bought it) it's been bad from new. The only reason I haven't taken it in like six times by this point is that I need the thing to work on.