Removable Key That Works as a Mouse Could Come to Future MacBook

[reyesmac]

Probably not for a laptop but for an iPad that will be used as a laptop. By Apple including the mouse it compels developers to ensure their apps are mouse compatible. Plus its a great way to generate revenue when people lose their peripherals because you know, why make things functional when you can make them scratch magnets, shatter magnets, incapable of replacing batteries and very easy to lose. Cha-ching!

 

[Pakaku]

This patent makes the Magic Mouse look like a good mouse

 

[Dydegu]

Just give the people what they want…

A standalone TouchBar.

 

[Arsenikdote]

I was just about to say, Apple should get over themselves and just license the trackpoint tech.

I always thought the red dot was a poor man's trackpad. It always felt like playing a video game when needing to move the mouse any large distance, you had to get a feel for it so you weren't overshooting your target 🤣

Give me a trackpad over that stupid dot pointer any day!

 

[subjonas]

Which key though? They all seem pretty indispensable.

Also it’s strange, I could have sworn I saw an article about this patent a long time ago.

 

[svish]

Interesting. Will definitely take a few years, if ever such a MacBook is going to be released.

 

[eifelbube]

Apple has researched a MacBook keyboard that features a removable key designed to be used as a precision mouse, according to a newly granted patent application.

The patent, first spotted by AppleInsider, is titled "Deployable Key Mouse." Apple first applied for the patent in 2021 and it was today granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The patent envisages a seemingly conventional MacBook scissor-system keyboard that features a hidden removable key. This key would be designed to be used as a pointing device and contain a position sensor. Apple describes the system as providing a "comfortable, portable, and precise pointer input for a computer input system."

The filing argues that some precise tasks, such as graphic design, computer-assisted design and modeling, and editing large and complex documents, are better suited to a handheld mouse than a trackpad. Apple acknowledges that carrying a separate mouse with the computer can be burdensome and may be "redundant when the computer already has built-in pointing devices."

The removable key is a viable solution to this issue, according to Apple. In some embodiments, the key would be able to work as normal on the keyboard when it is not deployed and feature a small internal battery.

Apple outlines various mechanical systems to facilitate the removable key, including sliding a single or set of multiple keys out of the housing vertically, as well as sliding a key out from the side of the machine horizontally. The patent's illustrations show the deployable key located toward the edge of the keyboard so that it would not be a key that sees near constant use.

Patent filings cannot be taken as evidence of Apple's immediate plans, but they do indicate areas of interest for the company and what it is considering developing behind the scenes. While the prospect of a removable key may seem like an outlandish potential MacBook feature, Apple is clearly interested enough in the prospect as to patent the concept. It may be less obtrusive than other unusual features such as the Touch Bar and could appeal to certain pro-users who require maximum portability but could still benefit from occasional precise input.

Article Link: Removable Key That Works as a Mouse Could Come to Future MacBook

Yes, of course, and will also work as an AirTag …

 

[jonnysods]

That just seems like a total pain in the bum.

 

[brofkand]

I always thought the red dot was a poor man's trackpad. It always felt like playing a video game when needing to move the mouse any large distance, you had to get a feel for it so you weren't overshooting your target 🤣

Give me a trackpad over that stupid dot pointer any day!

It's much more efficient than a trackpad or a separate mouse, much less hand movement to switch from typing to mousing.

 

[Arsenikdote]

It's much more efficient than a trackpad or a separate mouse, much less hand movement to switch from typing to mousing.

Yeah, those types of efficiencies don't matter to me, or anyone else in the business world that I know. We don't calculate time to use our mouse vs not use our mouse. Maybe if you are a gamer its a better option, but the experience I mentioned doesn't happen on a trackpad or mouse. It is a consistent linear movement, unlike pushing the dot with different levels of pressure and guessing when to back off.

This article talks about it much better that I am going to spend the effort writing here.

The ThinkPad TrackPoint tried to build a better mouse

The mouse that everyone loves to hate

www.theverge.com

 

[m4mario]

Thank you for providing the backlog link in your signature!!! I love your posts!

No, you move it with a finger rather than with your palm.

 

[brofkand]

Yeah, those types of efficiencies don't matter to me, or anyone else in the business world that I know. We don't calculate time to use our mouse vs not use our mouse. Maybe if you are a gamer its a better option, but the experience I mentioned doesn't happen on a trackpad or mouse. It is a consistent linear movement, unlike pushing the dot with different levels of pressure and guessing when to back off.

This article talks about it much better that I am going to spend the effort writing here.

The ThinkPad TrackPoint tried to build a better mouse

The mouse that everyone loves to hate

www.theverge.com

Thankfully, not everybody thinks like you and options exist for everybody.

 

[Arsenikdote]

Thankfully, not everybody thinks like you and options exist for everybody.

I agree that choice is a good thing!