As part of the reveal, Schiller lamented the older Function key array in a eulogy. Noting that they were introduced in the IBM 3270 mainframe terminal in 1971, Schiller noted that modern users don't really use them for anything, with most of them having been re-purposed for media control and other infrequently used commands. ... Features similar to iOS's text prediction in Messages has been implemented in macOS on the Touch Bar, as well as emoji entry. Other features demonstrated as implemented on the Touch Bar are application selection, scrubbing through media, and other playback controls.
This is actually BS. People still use the Function keys, especially in games and text terminals. The problem is that for text terminals, it's not really of any consequence to replace it with the touch strip, but for games, this just makes the MacBook Pro completely unusable.
That said, this is less of an issue than the 3.5mm jack. I expect PC vendors to adopt something similar on Windows and Linux and we were always moving in that direction with "LCD's on the keyboard"
What I expect is that eventually Apple just makes the entire keyboard e-ink based (think permanent soft-keyboard) as that removes all the mechanical complexity, and the most frequently damaged part (next to the power connector) in laptops, plus makes it completely water/liquid resistant. People who want to play games will be forced to switch to controllers or plug in much better mechanical game-centric keyboards (laptop keyboards are traditionally awful at everything to begin with.)
I hope it dims and turns off if you haven't touched a key or the trackpad for a few seconds. I like to watch movies on my MacBook sometimes, and a glowy bar underneath the screen would be a bit annoying.
I hope it dims and turns off if you haven't touched a key or the trackpad for a few seconds. I like to watch movies on my MacBook sometimes, and a glowy bar underneath the screen would be a bit annoying.
I have a feeling they've figured that out. What I question is how this will work with Boot Camp. If this is controlled from the OS then this could be tough for Windows, but they at least should have the Esc key, and standard brightness, volume, etc. controls. How long before this gets hacked to put the entire UI int the Touch Bar?
I'd like the glass trackpad to be an OLED display that could be be a calculator, equalizer, etc. as needed, but I'm not sure the usage is high enough. I have no problem with a touchscreen on a Mac, but it's not something I would find useful. Note that MS' Surface AIO, announced yesterday, that you slide it down into a natural feel to use with your fingers.
After having watched the very sad Apple presentation last Thursday, I went to an Apple store and bought the very best OLD version of their Macbook PRO.. All the devs I know and am working with tell you this: R.I.P. Apple HW for DEVs. Because most DEV tools, like VS/Eclipse etc. just need the bloody function keys. Nobody wants to remap own stupid keyboard schema and get incompatible with other keyboards when coding/debugging thousands of hours. So, Apple gave a little gimmick to "creative artists" or how to call them (FinalCut, PhotoShop..) and lost all the SW developers. I could be overlooking they trashed the SD card (WTF..), I can imagine also to put always an USB adapter with me (where is my USB3? WTF..), I even can live good without 32GB - but I can NOT develop without the bloody function keys!! And no, not me neither my friends/colleagues are willy to put into the Apple survival packe (USB-3 adapter, Gigabit adapter, SD card reader..) another BS useless device, namely the bloody keyboard because some super smart dumb a$$ removed some of the most important DEV keys from it!.. It's a sad day I took a few thousands $ and bought an old Mac, after the new has came out.. Shame shame shame no you, Apple, you just ruined the best notebook I ever owned over all the years again and again.. I hope MS comes in the new no-Mac-for-DEV era with enough good Surface.
Comments
That said, this is less of an issue than the 3.5mm jack. I expect PC vendors to adopt something similar on Windows and Linux and we were always moving in that direction with "LCD's on the keyboard"
What I expect is that eventually Apple just makes the entire keyboard e-ink based (think permanent soft-keyboard) as that removes all the mechanical complexity, and the most frequently damaged part (next to the power connector) in laptops, plus makes it completely water/liquid resistant. People who want to play games will be forced to switch to controllers or plug in much better mechanical game-centric keyboards (laptop keyboards are traditionally awful at everything to begin with.)