macOS virtual keyboard system resources lack function keys, suggest 'Magic Toolbar' legit

Posted:
in macOS edited November 2016
Users delving through the resources in Monday's macOS "Sierra" 10.12.1 code have found a graphic representation of a keyboard without a function row, suggesting that rumors of a touch control strip replacing the function keys may be accurate.




The new assets embedded in Monday's update are used for the accessibility functions in macOS, and have in the past corresponded with key layouts in Apple products. The update, found by MacRumors forum user Gabriel Lorin, mirrors all of the keys in a standard" keyboard without a numeric keypad, as found on a MacBook or MacBook Pro, just with the function keys absent.

One of the key changes to next week's anticipated MacBook Pro refresh is believed to be a new touch-sensitive OLED screen replacing the function row of keys on the keyboard. Apple is believed to have filed for a trademark for a possible name for the OLED control strip, called the "Magic Toolbar" under the name of a shell company, "Presto Apps America LLC," in the U.S. back in January.

If the rumors surrounding the "Magic Toolbar" are legitimate, Apple will probably reveal MacBook Pros with the technology, in a media event at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters on Oct. 27. It's expected that the company will take the wraps off of new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros, featuring the yet-to-be-officially-named OLED function row, as well as a thinner chassis sporting reversible USB-C ports, and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 15
    coolfactorcoolfactor Posts: 2,239member
    I'm curious how Apple will tackle the Accessibility aspect of a touch-bar so that the sight-challenged can use it?
  • Reply 2 of 15
    Was there any real doubt?
  • Reply 3 of 15
    I don't know why this didn't occur to me sooner, but I wonder how well this will work for those of us who use the built-in keyboard when on the road but a wireless keyboard when home.  Perhaps a Magic Keyboard 2 will incorporate the Magic Landing Strip as well.  I guess we'll find out in two days.
  • Reply 4 of 15
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,035member
    I'm curious how Apple will tackle the Accessibility aspect of a touch-bar so that the sight-challenged can use it?
    My assumption is that it will be like on iOS where a single touch will tell you what you touching and a double-tap will select it.
  • Reply 5 of 15
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,035member

    I don't know why this didn't occur to me sooner, but I wonder how well this will work for those of us who use the built-in keyboard when on the road but a wireless keyboard when home.  Perhaps a Magic Keyboard 2 will incorporate the Magic Landing Strip as well.  I guess we'll find out in two days.
    You'd simply have the same functionality that all Macs have today. Since it's OLED and because they moved to a Lightning cable for charging I also assume that a magic Keyboard 2 will also happen (hopefully this week, but if not, hopefully soon) as the power draw will not excessive. A small, bespoke ARM chip will have enough power to run that mostly black keyboard display.
  • Reply 6 of 15
    I don't know why this didn't occur to me sooner, but I wonder how well this will work for those of us who use the built-in keyboard when on the road but a wireless keyboard when home.  Perhaps a Magic Keyboard 2 will incorporate the Magic Landing Strip as well.  I guess we'll find out in two days.
    If they name it the Magic Landing Strip, this will bring back the old iPad jokes.  
  • Reply 7 of 15
    canukstormcanukstorm Posts: 2,695member
    I don't know why this didn't occur to me sooner, but I wonder how well this will work for those of us who use the built-in keyboard when on the road but a wireless keyboard when home.  Perhaps a Magic Keyboard 2 will incorporate the Magic Landing Strip as well.  I guess we'll find out in two days.
    If they name it the Magic Landing Strip, this will bring back the old iPad jokes.  
    they could call it the Magic Strip Bar
    punkndrublicglowearth
  • Reply 8 of 15
    I don't know why this didn't occur to me sooner, but I wonder how well this will work for those of us who use the built-in keyboard when on the road but a wireless keyboard when home.  Perhaps a Magic Keyboard 2 will incorporate the Magic Landing Strip as well.  I guess we'll find out in two days.
    If they name it the Magic Landing Strip, this will bring back the old iPad jokes.  
    they could call it the Magic Strip Bar

    That's even better.  I'd take a ride in the Magic School Bus to go there.
    canukstormglowearth
  • Reply 9 of 15
    Soli said:

    I don't know why this didn't occur to me sooner, but I wonder how well this will work for those of us who use the built-in keyboard when on the road but a wireless keyboard when home.  Perhaps a Magic Keyboard 2 will incorporate the Magic Landing Strip as well.  I guess we'll find out in two days.
    You'd simply have the same functionality that all Macs have today. Since it's OLED and because they moved to a Lightning cable for charging I also assume that a magic Keyboard 2 will also happen (hopefully this week, but if not, hopefully soon) as the power draw will not excessive. A small, bespoke ARM chip will have enough power to run that mostly black keyboard display.


    Agreed, but that's the point.  If/when you use a secondary keyboard, this new feature might be a moot point.

    I'm optimistic, but I won't be terribly surprised if this new feature isn't all that valuable in day-to-day usage (for most people) and could be a negative in some ways (e.g., games that rely on F-key shortcuts, where a real key is faster to press than a virtual key).  I'm ordering a new MacBook Pro as soon as they're announced, so I'll find out soon enough.

  • Reply 10 of 15
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    I don't know why this didn't occur to me sooner, but I wonder how well this will work for those of us who use the built-in keyboard when on the road but a wireless keyboard when home.  Perhaps a Magic Keyboard 2 will incorporate the Magic Landing Strip as well.  I guess we'll find out in two days.
    As mentioned above by Soli I am sure the Magic Keyboards (godawful name!), will be updated as well. In fact, I'd like a Magic Keyboard Pro. The size of a n -keyboard with numeric keypad except where the entire right side of the keyboard is OLED. 
  • Reply 11 of 15
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,035member
    Soli said:

    I don't know why this didn't occur to me sooner, but I wonder how well this will work for those of us who use the built-in keyboard when on the road but a wireless keyboard when home.  Perhaps a Magic Keyboard 2 will incorporate the Magic Landing Strip as well.  I guess we'll find out in two days.
    You'd simply have the same functionality that all Macs have today. Since it's OLED and because they moved to a Lightning cable for charging I also assume that a magic Keyboard 2 will also happen (hopefully this week, but if not, hopefully soon) as the power draw will not excessive. A small, bespoke ARM chip will have enough power to run that mostly black keyboard display.


    Agreed, but that's the point.  If/when you use a secondary keyboard, this new feature might be a moot point.

    I'm optimistic, but I won't be terribly surprised if this new feature isn't all that valuable in day-to-day usage (for most people) and could be a negative in some ways (e.g., games that rely on F-key shortcuts, where a real key is faster to press than a virtual key).  I'm ordering a new MacBook Pro as soon as they're announced, so I'll find out soon enough.

    How does that work with Macs since they've long since allocated the PF-key as a secondary option that is only accessible by first hitting hte fn-key first?
  • Reply 12 of 15
    canukstormcanukstorm Posts: 2,695member
    Looks like somebody made a boo boo.  Leaked images of new MBP

    http://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/25/images-of-new-macbook-pro-leaked/
    Soli
  • Reply 13 of 15
    jblongzjblongz Posts: 165member
    Finally...I can have my function keys back with interruption!
  • Reply 14 of 15
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,035member
    jblongz said:
    Finally...I can have my function keys back with interruption!
    It's certtainly possible, but if Apple feels the need is too low and the cost to program it too high we not see that feature. As someone stated, hopefully APIs will also be released to allow that functionality with ease.
  • Reply 15 of 15
    ...here's hoping for a backlit external wireless keyboard option...
    randominternetperson
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