geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: shaaniqbal on Tue, 10 November 2015, 19:31:02

Title: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: shaaniqbal on Tue, 10 November 2015, 19:31:02
Will Apple make a keyboard with their Force Touch/3D Touch technology?

Ultra Low Travel Keyboard: (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=9,178,509.PN.&OS=PN/9,178,509&RS=PN/9,178,509)

[...]A keyboard or keyboard key that has a force sensor that measures the force imparted to the key when a user presses the key or rests a finger on a key. Key embodiments may also include an actuator that excites the in order to provide feedback to the user in accordance with various feedback methods disclosed herein.[...]

Gizmodo: (http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/11/apple-may-ruin-the-macbook-with-a-force-touch-keyboard-because-thinner-is-better/)
[...]Apple’s believed to be working on a Force Touch (shudder) keyboard that could become a fixture on future MacBooks. A recently-published patent describes an ‘ultra low travel keyboard’, which would likely work in a similar manner to the new MacBook’s trackpad or the iPhone 6S’ display, sensing and reacting to different levels of finger pressure.[...]

As far as I'm concerned, I love the Force Touch trackpad on my 12" MacBook. The sensation of "clicking" feels absolutely real. To see this tech in a keyboard could be fantastic. I imagine you could even tune the amount of pressure needed to actuate the keys to your preference, just as you can choose between firm, medium and light pressure for the trackpad. With this tech, each key could be assigned to multiple functions. It could be cool to be able to press harder on a key to get a capital letter. What other functions could "deeper clicks" be used for?
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: raymogi on Tue, 10 November 2015, 19:34:10
Yeah I love the FT trackpad as well but it will be interesting how this technology will apply to keyboards.

Then there's that part of me that will always love mechanical keyboards because I get to put artisans on it :D
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: Oobly on Wed, 11 November 2015, 05:08:04
And my fingers just screamed in horror... The 12" MacBook metal dome board is already ultra low travel and I don't like how that feels. This would be even worse.
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: gabamnml on Wed, 11 November 2015, 07:26:55
This also explains why they bought Dryft http://www.macrumors.com/2015/04/08/apple-acquired-dryft-keyboard-in-2014/
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: jerue on Wed, 11 November 2015, 08:43:12
A force touch keyboard would be incredible for application specific shortcuts. Just press the letter and boom, shortcut. I would probably buy one if Apple made this a reality with 3rd party support so I can use shorcuts with CC apps.

Topre...get on this plz.
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: shaaniqbal on Thu, 12 November 2015, 00:31:15
Would be nice for racing games, pressing less or more to control acceleration/steering.
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: dthai17 on Thu, 12 November 2015, 06:35:43
not really big on apple but this changes the game a bit.  The applications are  :eek:
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: heedpantsnow on Thu, 12 November 2015, 06:48:27
I tried the keyboard on the new MBA, which Apple raves about, and it sucks. Almost as bad as typing on one of those flexible rubber keyboards.

If that's the direction Apple is going and their idea of awesomeness...
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: yomammary on Thu, 12 November 2015, 06:59:27
I hate low travel keyboards.
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: MeltingTeeth on Thu, 12 November 2015, 09:01:17
Ugh, crapple.
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: shaaniqbal on Thu, 12 November 2015, 09:45:02
"Crapple"? Only an incredibly immature person would feel the need to use so juvenile a term. You're neither cool nor "hip" for using that term. If you hate Apple so much, funny that you feel the need to comment on threads that concern them. As an "Apple hater" you're just as much a fanboy as anyone else, in disguise.
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: chyros on Thu, 12 November 2015, 11:56:20
So how does this work? What's the science behind this look like?
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: Macsmasher on Thu, 12 November 2015, 14:52:49
"Crapple"? Only an incredibly immature person would feel the need to use so juvenile a term. You're neither cool nor "hip" for using that term. If you hate Apple so much, funny that you feel the need to comment on threads that concern them. As an "Apple hater" you're just as much a fanboy as anyone else, in disguise.

I also like the term Crapintosh. But then, my name is Macsmasher hahaha.

Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: davkol on Tue, 17 November 2015, 09:24:05
Or Macintrash. Well, that could be combined into Crapintrash.
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: trizkut on Tue, 17 November 2015, 09:40:58
Or Macintrash. Well, that could be combined into Crapintrash.

(http://i.imgur.com/vwAeiKO.jpg)

Never forget.  I hated having to use these machines in middle/high school  :))
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: osi on Tue, 17 November 2015, 09:46:06
"Crapple"? Only an incredibly immature person would feel the need to use so juvenile a term. You're neither cool nor "hip" for using that term. If you hate Apple so much, funny that you feel the need to comment on threads that concern them. As an "Apple hater" you're just as much a fanboy as anyone else, in disguise.

Using the word "hip" is never cool
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: heedpantsnow on Tue, 17 November 2015, 18:20:37
This is so funny.  MS is talking about how they increased travel in the Surface Pro 4 keyboard cover.  And about increased travel in the Surface Book.  Apple is talking about ultra low travel.  Haha.
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: Macsmasher on Tue, 17 November 2015, 18:27:46
Had to dig this up for this thread. A classic...


Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: MeltingTeeth on Tue, 17 November 2015, 19:12:58
I tried the keyboard on the new MBA, which Apple raves about, and it sucks. Almost as bad as typing on one of those flexible rubber keyboards.

If that's the direction Apple is going and their idea of awesomeness...

Felt like a old time chiclet keyboard.
Title: Re: Apple to release ultra low travel keyboard?
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 20 November 2015, 01:03:02
This is so funny.  MS is talking about how they increased travel in the Surface Pro 4 keyboard cover.  And about increased travel in the Surface Book.  Apple is talking about ultra low travel.  Haha.
Ah, the left and right brained in opposite swing again...

It is only time until buttons come back on all phones.