Smartphones have interchangeable keyboard layouts and can change between different looks with a touch, and this may be something that Apple aims to achieve in its new patent for the Mac. One of the latest patents from the Cupertino giant has been spotted of its plans to debut one in the future, one that would help the Mac keyboard display different symbols using LEDs.
There are no exact on what technology it will use yet, especially as LEDs now have multiple variations, as well as its capability to run what kinds of display.
Apple Spotted with a New Mac Keyboard Patent with LEDs
(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Online sleuths were quick in spotting this, with Patently Apple delivering news regarding a new Apple patent that will feature a significant change for Mac's keyboards, should it make it to production. It centers on a new design that will put either a microLED or OLED underneath the keycaps to help in delivering different displays underneath.
According to the report, the Big Tech company filed this earlier today under the US Patent and Trademark Office focusing on a new design for its "keyboard and key mechanisms for an electronic device."
In this new design, Apple will change the usual thin plastic keycaps and mechanism, best known for being inexpensive to manufacture. This new design will include a top and bottom surface that will bring an array of perforations, alongside new switches to its backplate.
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New Mac Keyboard: Changing Symbols and Displays
Mac's new keyboard is unknown for its future applications, especially if it would center on the external Magic Keyboards from the company, or be built-in on the MacBook laptops.
According to 9to5Mac, the future keycaps may soon use metals like aluminum for their build, with the individual lights per key to help display a seemingly-floating glyph, symbol, or character, each corresponding to the input programmed by the company.
Apple and its Patent for its Future Releases
Apple is massive on patents and new technology which it aims to debut for its devices, one that would establish it as its intellectual property and prevent other companies or manufacturers to copy. One is a never before seen design for the iPhone called "Housing Construction" which borrowed the mesh design of the Mac Pro to show around its edges.
Patents are incredibly important in this age, especially as competitors may copy or reproduce different technology from a company easily, and this could result in their original ideas being stolen by others.
Another significant patent from Apple would be its iPhone's privacy screen that would protect the device's content from people snooping around or looking at one's smartphone. It will use another wearable, in the form of eyeglasses, to provide the key to seeing the content that is hidden from the naked eye and give users control over their device.
The only thing with Apple patents is that while there are many applications spotted online, there are only a few which make it to production and arrive for its devices, like the Dynamic Island. Now, it aims to debut a change for the Mac's keyboards, especially by delivering new displays and symbols that could also dynamically show different things, depending on user preference.
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