Apple is going after the newest technologies on the market, having recently applied for a “disappearing button” patent. This can be compared to the sleep indicator light on the front of a new MacBook Pro, the one that disappears when the notebook is active. Apple wants to apply this technology to buttons, through a system that would make keys look something like this:
Their patent application is for pressure-sensitive, capacitive touchscreen materials that it can incorporate into aluminium devices. Also, the maker of such devices will use “laser-cut, micro-perforated holes”, allowing light to shine from within. This could bring new buttons to laptops and save some surface, thus making devices smaller.
Is Apple planning to totally change input, after making touchscreen trendy through the iPhone?
[via engadget]
